Tipperary fall to Limerick in a low-scoring Minor Camogie battle

CAMOGIE: Munster Minor ‘A’ Championship Semi-Final

Tipperary 0-5

Limerick 0-9

Report: Geraldine Kinane at Fethard Town Park

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Caitlin Ryan (Limerick)

SCORERS - Tipperary: Lucy O’Brien 0-2; Elana McGrath, Ciara Cahill, Caoimhe Stakelum 0-1 each.

Limerick: Caitlin Ryan 0-7 (5 frees, 2 ‘45s); Hazel Horgan, Emma Mullins 0-1 each.

Tipperary lost their grip on the Munster Minor Camogie title as Limerick emerged four point winners in the provincial semi-final on Sunday night.

Despite a determined second half performance from Tipp, Limerick’s defensive solidity and the accurate free-taking of Caitlin Ryan proved decisive.

Tipperary went into the match as Munster and All-Ireland champions but were well aware of the threat Limerick posed with many of the side having won the Under 16 All-Ireland final in 2024 and having secured a great extra time win over Waterford a week previous in the quarter final.

With the wind at their backs in the first half, Limerick settled quickly. Caitlin Ryan opened the scoring with a free before adding a 45-metre effort.

Tipperary struggled to convert their opportunities and had to wait until the sixteenth minute for their opening score, a fine point from the lively Elana McGrath. Limerick responded immediately with Hazel Horgan and continued to dominate, as Ryan and Emma Mullins added further scores. Ryan’s precision from placed balls gave Limerick a commanding 0-7 to 0-1 lead at halftime.

Needing a strong start to the second half, Tipperary found inspiration in Lucy O’Brien, who stepped up with two brilliant points, the second a wonderful effort from out on the wing.

Caoimhe Stakelum added a superb score after weaving through several Limerick defenders, reducing the deficit to three points. However, Caitlin Ryan responded with another free to restore Limerick’s four-point cushion.

Tipperary fought hard for every possession, with Ciara Cahill’s determined run and point narrowing the gap once more. But Ryan, showing her class free taking again, kept Limerick’s scoreboard ticking over, extending their lead to 0-9 to 0-5.

In the closing stages, Tipperary launched several high balls into the Limerick danger area, hoping for a goal to turn the game in their favour. However, the Limerick defence, marshalled brilliantly by centre-back Eve Cleary, stood firm, clearing every threat that came their way.

The stop-start nature of the game made it difficult for Tipperary to build any sustained momentum, especially with the wind advantage in the second half. Limerick’s ability to slow the game down and their composure under pressure saw them through to a deserved victory. Caitlin Ryan’s clinical display and Eve Cleary’s leadership in defence were key factors in their win.

While Tipperary will be disappointed with their overall performance, they showed plenty of signs of their potential in the second half and will take lessons from this encounter as they prepare for the All-Ireland series. Sarah McLoughlin, Leanna Coppinger and Eva Ralph all played well in defence while Issy Carr and Lucy O’Brien also impressed.

TEAMS - Tipperary: Danielle Butler (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill, J-Capt); Sarah McLoughlin (Boherlahan-Dualla), Molly Loughnane (Roscrea), Leanna Coppinger (Thurles Sarsfields); Clodagh Grimes (Newport/Ballinahinch), Eva Ralph (Moycarkey/Borris), Ava Gaynor (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Lucy Heffernan (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill), Issy Carr (Holycross/Ballycahill); Ciara Cahill (Drom & Inch), Lucy O’Brien (St Patrick’s), Isabelle Kingston (Kiladangan); Elana McGrath (Holycross/Ballycahill), Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields, J-Capt), Anna O’Brien (Cashel King Cormacs).

Subs: Eimhear Troy (Toomevara) for Gaynor, Maeve Cunneen (Silvermines) for A O’Brien, Emma Kennedy (Lorrha) for Kingston, Rachel O’Meara (Mullinahone) for Heffernan (56).

Limerick: Emma Doherty; Tara Hynes, Cora Long, Kaelin Ryan, Ciara Curtin (Capt), Eve Cleary, Mai McKenna, Anna Rose Benson, Caitlin Ryan, Rachel O’Grady, Aoife Moriarty, Maeve Geary, Hazel Horgan, Emma Mullins, Amber O’Sullivan Hunt.

Subs: Mia Smith for O’Grady (41); Sophie Carey for Mullins (47); Aoibhinn O’Connor for Geary (48), Fiona Power for Horgan (50).

Referee: Colm O Mochain (Cork).