U17 Development Series Final
Tipperary 2-11 Kilkenny 2-7
By Tom Egan
Kilkenny and Tipperary served up full blooded U17 development series final in the Ragg last Sunday with the outcome very much in the balance until the closing moments. On the balance of play over the hour, Tipperary deserved to edge the match as they were dominant for large spells of the second half; however, Kilkenny fought hard to the finish and had a few breaks gone their way in the closing minutes, the outcome could have been different.
Kilkenny came into this final match having defeated Cork in the semifinal one week ago and they settled quickly into the match in the opening ten minutes against the wind elements; however, they found scores hard to come by and the sides were level at 0-1 each after ten minutes. Tipperary then found a run of form and dominated the next 15 minutes scoring 15 without reply to open up a 1-6 to 0-1 lead with the goal coming from Grace Stapleton in the 23rd minute. Kilkenny did reply with a Keelin Henebry point before Lucy Coomey finished to the net in the 26th minute to reduce the deficit down to 1-7 to 1-2 at the break.
The second half was an even affair in the third quarter with Tipperary continuing to hold a five point lead (1-10 to 1-5) as the lively Emma Bonner continued to cause problems for the Kilkenny defence. Kilkenny pushed hard as the match entered the final quarter and a fine Tara Cody goal in the 49th minute reduced the deficit to the minimum (1-10 to 2-6) with the match very much now in the melting pot. Kilkenny certainly had chances to draw level in the subsequently minutes but their hopes were dealt a severe blow in the 54th minute when a shot from Tipperary’s Eimear Duggan ended up in the Kilkenny net. Both sides pushed hard in the closing minutes but Tipperary held firm from late Kilkenny pressure to emerge as four point winners.
Kilkenny will be disappointed to have lost out in this match but all girls competed well in a match that was closely fought all through. The format of this competition allowed for forced regular substitutions and this meant that panel depth was needed and tested throughout. Many of these girls will now progress to our county minor side when underage intercounty action resumes at this level in 2026.
Kilkenny: Orla Duggan (St Annes), Mia Dunne (James Stephens), Sinead Jones (Glenmore), Maria Ryan (John Lockes), Jane O’Shea (Tullogher), Chloe Teeha (St Brigids), Sinead Henderson (St Annes), Aoibheann Ryan (Tullogher), Lily Ryan (Tullogher), Naomi Kerr (Conahy), Shauna Mahony (Danesfort), Ava Sutton (Mooncoin), Ella Maher (Barrow Rangers), Lucy Coomey (James Stephens), Tara Cody (St Brigids). Subs: Eibhlin Thompson, Keelin Henebry, Keelin Byrne, Ellie Fenlon, Kadhla Croke, Ciara Nolan, Caroline Coughlan, Fauve Walsh, Niamh Cleere, Caithlin Grant, Sophie Roberts, Megan Trait.
Kilkenny Management: Mary Wall, Tommy Wall, Ian Kavanagh, Amy Granville, Kayla Joyce Foley.
Tipperary: Meabh Leahy, Kate Nevin, Ella Frend, Malwina Dziewiatka, Ciara Crofton, Kellie O’Dwyer, Emily McGrath, Eavann Duffy, Emma Kiely, Aoibhin Maher, Emma Bonner, Torrie Doyle, Grace Stapleton, Michelle Lee, Eimear Duggan. Subs: Ellen Ryan, Kaelinn Rossiter, Abi Kelly, Eibbhlin Bourke, Orl Gleeson, Sarah O’Dwyer, Faye Lavin, Ruth Maher, Niamh Manton
Tipperary Management: Niall Crofton, Paul Kennedy, Julie Kelly, Caroline O’Brien, Sean Maher, Mark Holden
