Eir U16A All Ireland Championship
Kilkenny 1-10 Tipperary 0-6
by Tom Egan
Kilkenny’s U16A camogie girls got their second win of the U16A All Ireland championship against Tipperary on a pleasant afternoon in the Ragg last Sunday afternoon. This match ended up as a comfortable victory for the Kilkenny girls although this outcome did not appear likely in the first half which was very evenly fought between both sides. This win sets Kilkenny up well to qualify for the All Irelands semifinals with the top four sides from a six team championship qualifying for the All Ireland semifinals after the conclusion of round robin matches.
The opening exchanges were closely fought with both sides adjusting to a cross wind blowing towards the stand side. Tipperary did start the better of both sides and had worked up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after 13 minutes with the Kilkenny score coming from Dearbhla Ryan who was a late callup to the side for the injured Amy O’Shea. Kilkenny did improve their workrate into the second quarter particularly in defence which came to grips with the Tipperary attack although scores were slow to come in attack. They did get points from Niamh Drennan (14th min), Holly Ryan (19th min) and Katie Dunphy (27th min) to move 0-4 to 0-3 ahead at the half time break.
Whatever was said in the Kilkenny dressing room seemed to have the desired effect when play resumed as they proceeded to take control of the match in the third quarter. Eilish Keating who replaced the injured Emma Hogan in the first half started the scoring for Kilkenny with a point in the 32nd minute and while Grace Cleary replied with a Tipperary free moments later, a smart finish to the net in the 34th minute from the impressive Dearbhla Ryan put daylight between the sides (1-5 KK to 0-4 T). Kilkenny’s workrate was now higher throughout the field and further points followed from Katie Dunphy (2), Dearbhla Ryan, Katie O’Shea and a Muireann Kenny free to move 1-10 to 0-4 clear by the 53rd minute. Tipperary did stay going to the finish and they added two further points from Grace Cleary and Lucy Rabbitte before full time but in truth, they never looked likely to threaten Kilkenny throughout the second half.
Kilkenny will be heartened by the second half showing which sets them up well for upcoming fixtures against Cork away (15th March) and Galway at home (23rd March). The will also be hopeful that injuries sustained by Holly Ryan, Emma Hogan and Amy O’Shea clear up quickly although they did have able replacements against Tipperary when needed. Best for Kilkenny were Erin Morrissey and Mairead Duggan in defence, while Niamh Drennan, Katie Dunphy and Dearbhla Ryan showed best in attack. It was also notable that both Niamh Drennan and Aisleann Mullally played this match after playing earlier handball matches in Croke Park which made for very busy days for these girls.
Kilkenny: Caoimhe Corcoran (Mullinavat), Moya O’Shea (Carrickshock), Erin Morrissey (Bennettsbridge), Mairead Duggan (St Annes), Hannah Tennyson (Carrickshock), Maebh Kenny (Rower Inistioge), Eva Tynan (Dicksboro), Emma Hogan (Dicksboro), Muireann Kenny (Rower Inistioge) (0-1F), Holly Ryan (Bennettsbridge) (0-1), Grace Farrell (Piltown), Katie O’Shea (Carrickshock) (0-1), Katie Dunphy (Tullaroan, Captain) (0-3) Niamh Drennan (0-1), Dearbhla Ryan (Tullogher) (1-3). Subs: Clodagh Galway (Thomastown), Sian Bolger (St Martins), Eilish Keating (Young Irelands (0-1), Ellen Treacy (Thomastown), Aisleann Mullally (Glenmore), Colleen Byrne (Carrickshock), Lucy Lennon (James Stephens), Lilly Ryan Murray (Dicksboro), Onagh Fitzgerald (Clara), Blaithnaid Keane (Mooncoin), Ada Bambrick (Barrow Rangers), Aoibhe Burke (Emeralds), Ciara Joyce (Emeralds), Gwen Wade (Blacks & Whites), Lucy O’Gorman (Erins Own), Rachel Murphy (Tullogher), Amy O’Shea (Carrickshock).
Tipperary: Faye Ahern, Brid Delaney, Rosie O’Brien, Ava Fanning, Evanne Gleeson, Jessie Shanahan, Carley Walsh, Brid Woodlock, Neasa Dwan, Lucy Rabbitte, Grace Cleary, Anna Carr, Cailin Kennedy, Sophie Moynihan, Alice Butler. Subs: Eabha Carmody, Ava Corcoran, Amy Cahill, Leah Hickey, Emily Ivers, Clodagh David, Emily McGrath, Amy O’Connor, Emma Corbett, Molly Gantley, Kate Fox, Eibhlin O’Brien, Aoife Quirke, Abbie Horgan.
