New Tipperary Women's Soccer League gets underway

By Gary Culbert

Eight clubs from North Tipperary competing in the new-look Tipperary Ladies Soccer League, which kicked off last week.

It is the first time that the North Tipp and South Tipp teams will compete in separate leagues, however, an overall champion of Tipperary will be crowned at the end of the season, as the North Tipperary winners will take on the South Tipperary winners.

The newly formed North Tipperary Women's Football League boasts eight teams spread evenly across two divisions. Ballymackey, BT Harps, District of Castletroy, and Holycross will battle it out in the Premier Division; whilst Birdhill, Borrisokane, Newport Town, and Shinrone will compete in the First Division.

Premier Division

Premier Division action got underway on Wednesday, with District of Castletroy notching an impressive 2-0 win in Michael Fennell Park, the home of BT Harps.

Hailey Briganti and Rebecca Shinnors grabbed the all-important goals for the visitors, in what a tight affair. Fifteen-year-old Orlaith Bergin had a fine game for Harps, who were missing seven of their first team regulars due to injury, work, and exams. Indeed, manager Richie Kennedy had no choice but the call up five of the Harps under 16 squad as part of the squad for the league opener.

Best for BT was Orfhlaith Bergin, while Catherine Scanlon and Karen Hogan put in strong performances in defence, Julie Grey was impressive in midfield, and Angela Gleeson led the line well.

Ballymackey made it a clean sweep for away teams with a 2-0 over Holycross in Glenbane.

The visitors had some good periods of possession in the first half, but it was Holycross who went closest to breaking the deadlock, only to be denied by the upright following a rasping shot from distance.

Ballymackey won the game in the crucial third quarter thanks to two goals in the first five minutes of the second half, Christine Morrow and Megan Grace doing the damage for the away side.

Ballymackey were really having a purple patch at this stage, it took some top class goalkeeping from Holycross netminder Rachel Sweeney to stop the visitors extending their lead.

Holycross eventually managed to get to grips with the Ballinree side’s attack. Lisa Toohey and Rachel Sheehan stood out in midfield for Ballymackey, while Christine Morrow looked the biggest goal threat.

Division 1

On the opening evening of May 30th, Shinrone came out the wrong side of an eight goal thriller (5-3) when Borrisokane made the trip to Offaly for the curtain-raiser of the North Tipperary Women's Football League.

A Laura Leenane hat-trick and a Shauna Rooney brace was enough on the evening for Borrisokane to cancel out a Lucy McHugh brace and an Ava Delaney strike for the hosts.

There are no fixtures this week, as the North Tipperary Women's Football League will take a one week break due to the Leaving Cert exams.