Tyrone ladies came up short against a very talented and well organised Tipperary side in the all Ireland Intermediate final at Croke Park on Sunday.
The Red Hands will rue a number of missed opportunities including a great chance for a goal inside the first minute as the Premier County took the title on a 1-13 to 1-10 score line. However they can have few complaints overall as Tipp were worthy winners on the day when their greater athleticism and better ball skills proved decisive.
After a nervy opening fifteen minutes when numerous good chances were spurned Killeeshil player Grainne Rafferty put Gerry Moane’s side ahead when she created a goal out of nothing. However Tyrone failed to build on that lead and they were punished when Aisling Mc Carthy took advantage of a mistake in their defence to chip the ball over the head of a stranded Shannon Lynch for a goal.
Buoyed by that score Tipperary began to dominate possession and create further chances. Tyrone struggled to get the ball to the forwards for long periods and even when they finally managed to they found the Tipperary defence in uncompromising mood. Jennifer Grant, Aisling Moloney and Maria Curley ensured that there would be no further leaks at the back as their game plan restricted Tyrone to few chances for the remainder of the game.
Emma Jane Gervin and Neamh Woods battled hard to bring their side into the game after the break and although they managed to reduce the difference to a single score, Tyrone never really looked like winning. It was fitting that the final seconds of the game saw Aisling Moloney run down the clock as she kept possession until the hooter sounded and Tipp claimed the title.
via TeamTalkMag
