Laois pip Tipp with late burst
Laois 2-8
Tipperary 2-6
Report: Thomas Conway in Ballinakill
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Mo Nerney (Laois)
SCORERS - Laois: Mo Nerney 1-4 (0-2 frees); Shifra Havill 0-3; Emma Lawlor 1-0; Erone Fitzpatrick 0-1.
Tipperary: Emma Morrissey 0-4 frees; Caitlin Kennedy 1-1; Sarah English 1-0; Anna Rose Kennedy 0-1.
A second defeat in as many weeks has thrown the Tipperary ladies footballers into yet another relegation battle, less than a year after the Premier were demoted from the top tier of the National League.
Following last Sunday’s loss to Laois, the fortunes of Peter Creedon’s side are now tied to events elsewhere in Division 2A, with a crucial showdown against Clare scheduled for March 6th.
Played out amid dire weather conditions in the modern surrounds of Ballinakill Community School’s pristine astro-turf pitch, the fact that this game actually occurred was extraordinary in itself. Really and truly, it should have fallen victim to Storm Franklin, yet the show went on nonetheless, the gale-force winds rendering Gaelic football difficult, but not impossible.
There was a sense of assuredness to Tipp in the early stages. They played with patience, juggling the ball around the edge of the arc, and waiting for gaps to emerge. Everything was composed and comfortable, even in the face of a sweeping gale-force wind jeopardised any kick above two metres in height.
Marie Creedon carved herself an early opportunity, cutting through but failing to unleash the shot in time. Moments later Tipp sent the ball skidding across the astro-turf and out beyond the far post - an early warning sign for a Laois defence which eventually got to grips with their opponents, crowding out the space which Tipp sought so dearly during the final quarter.
The sheer power and presence of Tipp's midfield duo, sisters Caitlin and Anna Rose Kennedy, would be enough to intimidate any rival partnership, but the Kennedy sisters are also two beautifully technical and stylish footballers, capable of picking a long-range pass or supplying a sweet finish. That was perfectly demonstrated by Tipp's second goal in the ninth minute - a quick, clinical flowing move which saw Caitlin spot a gap in behind, slip her sister through with a handpass, and watch Anna Rose drill the ball into Eimear Barry's bottom right corner.
Prior to that, the equally effective Sarah English had launched the visiting side into an early lead, spraying a high ball up over the Laois defence (goalkeeper included) and into the far corner. A point was definitely the intention, but the last-minute dip in trajectory was a favourable side-effect of the conditions, from a Tipp perspective at least.
In fairness, both sides, which have probably spent the bulk of the past few weeks training on heavy, sodden pitches, adjusted to the lightning-quick cadence of the slippery plastic surface almost immediately. Laois were just as dynamic, powering forward in waves with Orla Hennessy and Erone Fitzpatrick featuring centrally in the transition. Fitzpatrick kicked Laois' first point in the sixth minute - a rapid response to English's goal, which had occurred just seconds earlier.
Tipp led 2-2 to 1-1 at the water break, but Caitlin Kennedy would extend their advantage soon after the resumption, slaloming through and thumping over from close-range. A last-ditch Maria Curley intervention at the far end then ensured that Tipp retained control, though that control gradually waned in the lead-up to half-time, Shifra Havill finding the target from play before Mo Nerney slotted a free to further reduce the deficit. 2-3 to 1-3 at half-time, everything delicately balanced, Laois growing in confidence, the wind growing in force.
Tipp would re-enter the game in the final quarter, but from half-time onwards, Laois dictated the narrative, moving the ball with purpose and feeding their main markswoman Mo Nerney with a constant ball-supply. She made use of the plentiful possession, whisking over two frees and landing one sweet left-footer from play. Havill was also on the scene, curling over a superb effort with her in-step against the gale.
Nerney sent Laois ahead just before the second water-break, the Midlands county now leading 1-7 to 2-3, and she would extend the lead soon after, watching her miscued attempt sail ever so slightly above Lauren Fitzpatrick's outstretched arm. Fitzpatrick connected alright, but the ball slipped down into the net - a frustrating error from the Tipp keeper, who delivered an otherwise impactful performance, venturing out the field at speed and looking every bit a modern Gaelic football goalkeeper.
Nerney's goal was ultimately the difference, and although Tipp attacked fervently in the latter stages, the home side compressed the play, absorbed the pressure, and wound the game down to a conclusion, their two-point victory probably deserved, but not by much. And so, it was dejection for Tipp on a miserable afternoon, with the threat of relegation now looming, and a crucial few weeks about to unfold.
TEAMS – Laois: Eimear Barry (6), Clodagh Dunne (6), Amy Potts (7), Aimee Kelly (7), Rachel Williams (7), Ellen Healy (8), Anna Healy (7), Jane Moore (7), Orla Hennessy (7), Shifra Havill (8), Laura Marie Maher (7), Erone Fitzpatrick (8), Mo Nerney (9), Sarah Quigley (7), Emma Lawlor (7).
Subs: Sarah Anne Fitzgerald (7) for Quigley (39); Anna Moore (7) for Moore (44); Fiona Dooley (7) for Hennessy (46); Alannah Havill (6) for Lawlor (48).
Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry 7), Carrie Davey (Fethard 6), Laura Morrissey (Brian Borus 7), Niamh Martin (Sliabh na mBan7), Sarah English (Ardfinnan 8), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers 7), Elaine Kelly (Cappawhite 6), Caitlin Kennedy (Aherlow 8), Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow 8), Maureen Murphy (Brian Borus 7), Marie Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields 7), Cliona O’Dwyer (Brian Borus 7), Angela McGuigan (Eadestown 6), Maria Curley (Templemore, Capt, 7), Emma Morrissey (Aherlow 8).
Subs: Nicole Shelly (Mullinahone 7) for Davey; Casey Hennessy (Boherlahan-Dualla 7) for McGuigan (44).
Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow)