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Heartbreak for Intermediates as 7-point lead is wiped out (02 July 2011)
All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship round two
Tipperary 1-9
Kilkenny 0-11
By Michael O'Leary
Like the Seniors, it was a must win encounter, and Kilkenny appeared to be halfway on course to victory as they led Tipperary 0-9 to 0-2 in round two of the All-Ireland Intermediate championship in the second part of the double header played in the Ragg last Saturday afternoon.
Emma Carroll was awesome during the opening-half giving a brilliant exhibition of point taking as she found the target from play on 4 occasions. However, Tipperary made a few significant substitutions and switches that proved to have a decisive effect, and they slowly whittled down the Kilkenny lead, as Mattie Butler's charges began to operate in defensive mode.
Kilkenny squandered several chances that proved costly, but they battled gallantly but in vain, right to the bitter end. Three minutes of injury-time were played right at the end, despite been very little injuries occurring during the second-half. Kilkenny were awarded a penalty with the last puck of the game. Marie Dargan was fouled, and she stepped up to take the decisive penalty with Kilkenny's championship hopes resting on a knife-edge.
Dargan came up and struck it well, but the Tipperary defence who were superb during the second-half blocked the resulting attempt, and they held firm to hang on for a precious victory, and end Kilkenny's championship hopes. It was a heart-breaking way to end.
Aoife Moloughney opened the scoring with a point from play in the 6th minute, before Rachel Dowling pointed the leveller from play in the 9th minute. Aine Kinsella pointed Kilkenny to edge ahead in the 12th minute, before Kilkenny enjoyed a purple patch during the third quarter. Emma Carroll was scoring at will, while Lisa Millea introduced as a first-half substitute for Anne-Marie Phelan fired over two excellent points.
Tipperary introduced Gemma Grace and Ciara Johnson as a double substitute at the interval, and the switches and personnel changes paid dividends as they slowly crawled back the Kilkenny lead. The home contingent dominated the third quarter, with 5 unanswered points as Aoife Moloughney(2), Siobhan Ryan(2 frees), and Ciara Johnson all found the target as Kilkenny were now under the cosh. 0-9 to 0-7.
Emma Carroll pointed again from play to ease Kilkenny's nerves somewhat, but Tipp were still a potent threat. Moloughney pointed from play to restore the two-point gap, before the killer blow came in the 53rd minute. Aoife Ryan soloed through the heart of the Kilkenny defence and she blasted home an excellent finish in emphatic style, 1-8 to 0-10.
Joanne Nolan pointed from play taking advantage of a slack puck-out, but Kilkenny surged forward with one last chance in an attempt to snatch victory. Deirdre Delaney pointed a free a minute into injury-time, before the late dramatic act. However, Kilkenny suffered cruel fate, and their display over the hour for the battling persistence certainly didn't deserve to end in defeat.
Anne-Marie Lennon was safely assured in goal, 17-year-old Niamh Phelan was majestic at full-back, while Deirdre Delaney gave an exhibition at centre-back. Marie Dargan worked trojanly around the middle area, in her first game back since injury, which will be a great boost to the seniors. Lisa Millea was a handful when introduced, while Emma Carroll was the star in attack. Siobhan Holland worked hard also without much rewards. Sadly, their championship ambitions are at an end.
Player of the match: Niamh Phelan(Kilkenny)
Like the Senior match, a very tough. Deirdre Delaney and Emma Carroll were magnificent, while the Tipperary full-back line along with Aisling Cremin and Aoife Moloughney were central to their sides comeback. However, Phelan shades it for been the most consistent player over the hour. A magnificent towering display from the young 17-year-old full-back.
Scorers -
Tipperary: Aoife McLoughney 0-4, Aoife Ryan 1-1, Siobhan Ryan 0-2(frees), Ciara Johnson + Joanne Nolan 0-1 each
Kilkenny: Emma Carroll 0-6(0-1 free), Lisa Millea 0-2, Deirdre Delaney(free), Aine Kinsella, + Rachel Dowling 0-1 each
Teams
Tipperary - Orla McEniry, Theresa Ryan, Helena Costigan, Siobhan O'Neill, Aisling Cremin, Siobhan Bourke, Deborah Fogarty, Siobhan Ryan, Niamh Slattery, Ereena Fryday, Norma Harrington, Elaine Hough, Aoife Ryan, Grace Ormonde, Aoife Moloughney,
Subs: Aisling Butler, Gemma Grace, Ciara Johnson, Joanne Nolan
Kilkenny - Anne-Marie Lennon(Blacks and Whites), Claire Aylward(Glenmore), Niamh Phelan(Windgap), Tracey Brennan(Lisdowney), Eimear Mulhall(Lisdowney), Deirdre Delaney(St. Lachtains), Rachel Dowling(Tullaroan), Aine Kinsella (Mullinavat), Grace Walsh(Tullaroan), Anne-Marie Phelan(Windgap), Emma Carroll(Blacks and Whites), Siobhan Holland(Lisdowney), Marie Dargan(St. Martins), Laura Kavanagh(Emeralds), Rachel Hogan(Danesfort)
Subs: Lisa Millea(Carrickshock) for Phelan 20 minutes, Aoife Murphy(Lisdowney) for Hogan 53 minutes, Kate Holland for Holland 56 minutes
Referee Walter Cole(Cork)
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