Cork U23 camogie side battle hard but Tipperary win to take the Munster U23 camogie title

Tipperary 1-12 

Cork 0-13 

Tipperary took the Munster U23 camogie title in Cappamore as they held on to win despite a strong Cork fight back in a second half that went down to the wire, with six minutes of additional time played.

Cork made a good start as they opened up an early two point advantage with points from Ciara Morrison and Eimear Duignan, both points coming from play. 

Tipperary settled, and were back on level terms with Lucy Heffernan and Grace Moloney scoring points.

Cork then opened up a four point lead as they hit four points without reply.

Rose Murphy and Niamh McNabola had one each to put Cork two clear, and it took a good save from Molly O’Dwyer to deny Cork a goal before Amy Sheppard converted a forty five and a free to put Cork 0-6 to 0-2 in front 18 minutes in.

Tipperary began to gain a foothold and with their defence tightening their grip on the Cork forwards, they were making it hard for the Cork attack. In a six minute spell they hit four points from play without reply.

Maeve Cunneen and Grace Moloney with two points each to level the game for the second time with five minutes to the break.

With the sides level it took the upright to deny Rose Murphy from putting Cork back in front, but then they were hit the front with points from Ciara Morrison and Ciara Golden, before Eve O’Dwyer pointed a Tipperary free on the stroke of half time as Cork led 0-8 to 0-7.

Tipperary started the second half well and were on level terms inside a minute with a Lucy Heffernan point.

Cork responded and won a penalty, but again, Molly O’Dwyer in the Tipperary goal denied them with an excellent save from Amy Sheppard’s effort.

Anna Kearney denied Tipperary taking the lead before Eve O’Dwyer put them in front for the first time pointing a free.

Cork again replied as Amy Sheppard pointed a free to tie the game up for the fourth time.

Tipperary, with Grace Moloney and Eve O’Dwyer leading the way, went five points clear.

O’Dwyer pointed a free, Grace Moloney had one from play before Tipperary won a penalty which Eve O’Dwyer dispatched to the net to put them five clear with 11 minutes left on the stop watch. 

Cork battled back hitting four points without reply.

Amy Sheppard with three from placed balls and one from Ciara Golden cut the Tipperary led to a point. 

In the six minutes of injury time played Cork put on huge pressure, but Tipperary held firm with Eve O’Dwyer pointing a late forty five to seal victory after a tough battle in a game where she was named as player of the match.

Scorers for Tipperary: E O’ Dwyer 1-4 (0-3f’s 1-0 pen), G Moloney 0-4, L Heffernan, M Cunneen 0-2 each.

Cork: A Sheppard 0-6 (0-4f’s 0-1 45), C Morrison, C Golden 0-2each, R Murphy E Duignan , N Mc Nabola 0-1 each.

Tipperary: M O’ Dwyer; A Mellerick, K Fitzgerald, L Fahie; P Quirke, M Murphy, K Dowling ;E Fogarty, A Fahie; M Cunneen, N Cunneen , E O’Dwyer; L Heffernan, G Moloney, K Ferncombe.

Subs: E Cunneen for M Cunneen (44), D Ryan for L Heffernan ( 54).

Cork: A Kearney (Blackrock ); M De Burca(Carrigtwohill), A O'Riordan (Ballinora), A Cashman (Youghal); L O’ Donovan (St Finbarr’s) , L Dunlea (Sarsfields), K Goulding (Ballincollig); C Murphy (Kinsale), A McCarthy (Clonakilty); C Golden (St Finbarr’s), R Murphy (Ballinora), E Duignan (Mallow); A Sheppard, (Cloughduv), L McNabola (Cloughduv), C Morrison (Douglas).

Subs: A Barrett (Aghabullogue) for C Murphy (h/t), E Wiggington – Barrett (St Finbarr's) for L O’Donovan (58), M O’Brien (Enniskeane) for C Morrison (58).

Referee: Daniel O’Donnell (Limerick).