Tipp weather Clare and the storm to record first win

LADIES FOOTBALL: LIDL National League Division 2 Round 4

Clare 0-7

Tipperary 2-6

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Kirsty Crotty Ryan (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Clare: Fidelma Marrinan 0-4 (2 frees); Chloe Moloney, Caoimhe Harvey, Edel McNamara 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Kirsty Crotty Ryan 2-1; Neassa Towey 0-2 (1 free); Ava Ryan, Anna Rose Kennedy, Emma Morrissey (free) 0-1 each.

Tipperary recording their first win in division 2 of the National Ladies Football League with an impressive second half performance to beat Munster rivals Clare in Clarecastle on Sunday.

On a day where the weather played havoc with some fixtures around the country, the game went ahead on the Clarecastle Astro pitch, in conditions that proved to be a big baring on the game.

With a gale-force wind blowing down the pitch, the game would be very difficult for the team playing against the wind with Clare winning the toss and naturally played with the elements at their backs in the opening half.

Tipperary started with an early missed opportunity with a Neassa Towey wide in the third minute. Clare soon found their rhythm, and after an early substitution that saw Edel McNamara replace Ailish Considine, they opened the scoring in the eleventh minute with a well-taken point from play.

Fidelma Marrinan added to Clare’s tally with a composed free a minute later before Chloe Moloney slotted over another point from play in the fourteenth minute.

It was a case of trying to keep the score down for Tipperary who tried to respond with tactical changes, introducing Clara English for Ava Fennessy and Kirsty Crotty Ryan for Hazel Brennan. However, Clare continued their dominance, with Chloe Moloney adding another point from play in the eighteenth minute.

While Fidelma Marrinan missed a chance on twenty minutes, she quickly made amends with a fine score from play a minute later. She then closed out the half in style, converting a free in the 26th minute to extend Clare’s lead as they led 0-6 to 0-0 at half time, leaving Tipperary with a lot of work to do in the second half if they were to mount a comeback.

Clare had the first opportunity to extend their lead, but Fidelma Marrinan had an early wide before Kirsty Crotty Ryan opened Tipperary’s account from play in the 34th minute, signalling the start of their comeback.

The home side struggled to convert their chances with Megan Downes sending another wide in the 39th minute. Tipperary made them pay almost immediately as Kirsty Crotty Ryan struck for a crucial goal in the 41st minute, bringing them within two points. The Premier County made a substitution soon after, introducing Kate Cashman for Michelle Cronin.

A significant moment came in the 44th minute when Caithlyn Kennedy made her long-awaited return to the field after an eighteen-month injury layoff, replacing Aoibhe O’Shea. Her return provided a boost to the Tipperary side as they continued their push for victory.

Although Emma Morrissey missed a free in the 45th minute, Clare momentarily halted the momentum when Edel McNamara slotted over a point from play in the 48th minute.

However, Tipperary responded swiftly, with Neassa Towey converting a free in the 54th minute, followed by an Ava Ryan point from play a minute later to bring them level.

The defining moment came soon after when Kirsty Crotty Ryan netted her second goal, putting Tipperary firmly in the driving seat.

Clare tried to respond, making several substitutions, but their discipline faltered when Chloe Moloney received a yellow card in the 63rd minute.

Tipp continued to push forward with Emma Morrissey, Anna Rose Kennedy, and Neassa Towey adding late points to seal the win. Despite Clare’s early dominance, Tipperary’s superior finishing and two-goal haul proved decisive as they ran out five point winners.

TEAMS – Clare: Jenna Murphy; Aine Keane, Grainne Harvey, Rebecca Doohan; Emer Burke, Joanna Doohan, Shauna Melican; Caoimhe Harvey (Capt), Roisin Martin; Roisin Considine, Megan Downes, Teresa Collins; Fidelma Marrinan, Edel McNamara, Chloe Moloney.

Sub: Hannah Doyle for Marrinan (58); Ellie Hanrahan for Burke (58); Aoibhinn O’Loughlin for Martin (60+1); Lucy Power for Harvey (60+2).

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry); Nora Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Lucy Spillane (Fethard), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers); Sarah English (Ardfinnan), Maria Curley (Templemore), Brid Condon (Aherlow); Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow), Sinead O’Carroll (Ardfinnan); Hazel Brennan (Moyle Rovers), Neassa Towey (Templemore), Aoibhe O’Shea (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone); Niamh Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Emma Morrissey (Aherlow), Ava Fennessy (Clonmel Commercials).

Subs: Clara English (Ardfinnan) for Fennessy (17); Kirsty Crotty Ryan for Brennan (17); Kate Cashman (Templemore) for Cronin (40); Caithlyn Kennedy (Aherlow) for O’Shea (45); Elaine Kelly (Cappawhite) for Condon (60+1).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway)