Shield competition kickstarts expanded Ladies Soccer League

The 2021 North Tipperary Ladies League commenced last Monday evening.

Underage girls football is booming in North Tipperary and it is starting to see the benefit of this in the adult game with this years league expanded to eight teams. The 2020 competing teams, Shinrone, Holycross, Birdhill, Lough Derg, BT Harps and Ballymackey have been joined by the returning Arra Rovers and newcomers Killavilla United.

The season began with the quarter finals of the Shield competition as two of Tipperary’s most established women’s sides clashed as Birdhill hosted Shinrone in their new grounds at Birdhill. Lauren Maher gave Shinrone the lead but Emma Coleman equalised for the hosts and Shauna Curtin scored the winner to put Birdhill into the semi-finals.

Villa Park, Roscrea was the venue for Killavilla’s first women’s outing in as they hosted an experienced BT Harps outfit and the visitors booked their place in the semi-finals with a 4-0 win with goals from Mary Corcoran, Grace Cummins and a brace from Paula Doran.

Lough Derg hosted Ballymackey in Clarisford Park and the visitors came out on top 7-1. Fifteen-year-old Allison McDonnell was the star for Ballymackey with four goals, with Joanne O’Brien, Andrea Brennan and Lisa Toohey also on target, while Zoe Lyons was on the mark for the Lakesiders.