Final Camogie League: Tipperary Defeat Galway with Score 1-13 to 0-15
Croke Park was alive with celebration on Sunday as Tipperary won their inaugural national championship against Galway, capturing the essence of their illustrious past, which included a double win in the league and championship twenty years ago. This auspicious victory cements them as the Very League Division 1A victors, marking the first time that a team outside the triumvirate of Kilkenny, Galway, and Cork has savoured success in senior camogie’s two premier tournaments since Wexford’s All-Ireland treble in 2012.
The triumph is owed to a team effort, even though Karin Blair clinched the decisive point in the 59th minute. There were numerous valuable contributions from the squad, including Eimear McGrath who successfully changed eight frees. Starting the game in a six-point deficit after 21 minutes, ‘Tipp’ managed to close the gap to a mere single point at half-time, with a score of 0-8 to 0-7.
Among the key plays was an impressive strike from inside her own 65 in the latter half of the game. However, it was likely team captain Karen Kennedy’s efforts that were instrumental in clinching victory for Denis Kelly’s side. The central forward, also known for her skills as a defensive midfielder and centre back, concluded Galway’s streak of six successive scores. Kennedy played a pivotal role, putting her team four up with a goal at the 38-minute mark, mere moments after her third point.
In an attempt to slow Tipperary’s momentum, Cathal Murray ordered Niamh Hanniffy, who had recently returned following a serious knee injury, to come on for Róisín Black, who seemed to have pulled her hamstring. Following a squad reshuffle, he brought on renowned former player of the year, Niamh Kilkenny, who herself was making a comeback to the competition after giving birth last year.
Niamh Mallon, the renowned former Down forward, made the most substantial contribution. Known as one of the top attacking players over the last ten years, her move to the previous All-Ireland club champions Sarsfields was finalised mid-league. She made her debut for her new county recently.
In a Galway jersey, her initial touch led to a score and concluded with three points, contributing to the Maroons’ impasse. She faced two fouls which resulted in free kicks, but unfortunately, the commonly precise Carrie Dolan missed both attempts. This included a tougher opportunity to even the score at the end of the game, following a nudge by Blair, putting Tipp in the lead.
Ailish O’Reilly’s performance seemed far-fetched initially, especially after experiencing loss in the national intermediate basketball league final against Claregalway. However, she managed to secure two points in quick succession, indicating the Tribeswomen gaining momentum towards the final part of the first quarter.
Although McGrath had a shot that was excellently defended by the proactive Fiona Ryan, Tipp desperately needed it to stay competitive. Aoife Donohue, Dolan and Siobhán McGrath successfully made additional points.
Despite displaying threatening skill, Donohue was less energised likely due to a health issue she faced during the week preceding the match. Ultimately, she was replaced halfway through the game. Notably, Tipp brought on the experienced Clodagh Quirke and Juilieann Bourke and became more assertive in the critical midfield.
Entering the second half trailing by one point, Tipp’s morale was high. They went four points ahead, thanks to McGrath. Shortly after, Kelly introduced Mary Ryan, who’d joined the Tipp team in 2005 and played in the national final in 2009.
Mallon, requiring minimal space, proved her worth alongside substitute player Niamh Niland, who made her mark within moments of joining the game.
In the 58th minute, Mallon made a solid shot, that barely cleared the crossbar, bringing the teams to equal footing. However, it was Blair, a former forward who has been remodelled as a defender this season, who ultimately made the decisive move. She moved up the field to etch her name into the annals of Tipperary Camogie, leaving an indelible mark.
The features of both teams involved were: for Tipperary, the names N Walsh; M Eviston, E Loughman, C McCarthy (scoring 0-1); C McIntyre, K Blair (scoring 0-1), E Cunneen; C Hennessy, T Ryan; C Maher, K Kennedy (who scored 1-3), and G O’Brien; E Heffernan, E McGrath (scoring 0-8 from frees), and R Howard were instrumental. The reserves were utilised at various points including C Quirke for McIntyre, J Bourke for Cunneen (both after 26 mins); M Burke for O’Brien (43); M Ryan for T Ryan (51).
For team Galway, included were F Ryan; R Hanniffy, R Black, A Crowe; D Higgins, Á Keane, C Hickey; A Hesnan, A Starr; N McPeake, A O’Reilly (who scored 0-3), C Dolan (who scored 0-5 from frees); A Donohue (scoring 0-1), S McGrath (scoring 0-1), O McGrath (scoring 0-1). The use of substitutes included Hanniffy for Black due to injury, at the 36-minute mark; N Kilkenny for Hesnan (42); N Mallon (scoring 0-3) for Donohue (46); O Rabbitte for O’Reilly, N Niland (scoring 0-1) for McPeake (both at 53 mins), and S Rabbitte for O McGrath at the close of the game (60).
Aaron Hogg from Clare served as the referee for the match.