Huge Weekend of Football ahead with seven titles to be fought out for this Weekend
Tomas Matthews
(CK Streaming)
The culmination of The Tipperary Ladies Football Adult Season takes place this weekend with seven finals to be decided over Saturday and Sunday. After the excitement the semi-finals produced two weeks ago some super football is no doubt on offer again this weekend with seven games being played across three venues over the course of the weekend.
As the flags and bunting go up all over the various parishes across the county we look ahead to where each game might be won and lost.
Junior D’
Saturday 1st October
Ardfinnan vs Golden-Kilfeacle
Venue: New Inn
Throw-in: 3pm
Both of these teams turned over the formbook in their respective semi-finals when Ardfinnan comprehensively saw off a fancied Fethard team while Golden got the better of a Slieve Felim Rapparees side who had been impressive in the group stage.
Ardfinnan were completely written off here before the semi-final but their mixture of youth and experience saw them have complete control in their semi-final.
Golden-Kilfeacle who were only founded in 2019 are making huge strides and this is a huge occasion for them.
This could go to the wire but Ardfinnan’s experience should just see them over the line.
Verdict: Ardfinnan
Junior C’
Saturday 1st October
Templemore vs Moyle Rovers
Venue: New Inn
Throw-in: 12:30pm
These two teams played out an exciting draw in the group stages a few weeks ago and no doubt they’ll be nip and tuck the whole way through this game.
Templemore went unbeaten in the group and qualified directly for the final while Rovers defeated Brian Borus in the semi-final.
Both sides have managed to keep the bulk of their panel without losing too many to the senior ranks which means there’s plenty of continuity in the squads.
While they played a draw a few weeks ago Moyle Rovers started very slowly and were lucky not to be more behind before making a burst midway through the second half to eventually go in front before Templemore snatched the draw late in the game to qualify for the final.
If Moyle Rovers start like that in this final it could be fatal as it’s hard to see Templemore letting them back into the game a second time so it could come down to who settles quicker and not let the big day nerves get to them.
Verdict: Templemore
Junior B’
Saturday 1st October
Boherlahan-Dualla vs Loughmore-Castleiney
Venue: Golden
Throw-in: 2pm
Boherlahan got the better of Loughmore when these two played a few weeks ago in the group stages but have lost a few players to the intermediate ranks who featured that evening since then.
Aoife Kennedy is still there leading the attack and has been in inspirational form and must be close to getting game time in the intermediate final while multiple All-Ireland camogie winner Una O’Dwyer is between the sticks and her big game experience will no doubt be a bonus to the younger players in the team.
Sophie Maher started a centrefield the last day and her carries of ball could have a huge say on the game, while they’ll look to Sharon O’Reilly to create opening for the likes of Abbie Gilmartin
Loughmore apart from the blip against this opposition have been impressive all year. Anne Eviston has been phenomenal at full-back and her battle with O’Reilly could have a huge bearing on the game.
Kelly Hackett, Ailish O’Connell and Eimear McGrath are good scoring forwards and will keep the Boherlahan defence busy over the course of the hour.
Loughmore’s bench has been strong all year and having the likes of Mairead Eviston, Aoife McGrath and Niamh Treacy to spring shows the quality they possess.
With the quality bench Loughmore has this could be the difference on the day.
Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney
Junior A’
Saturday 1st October
Moycarkey-Borris vs Moyne-Templetuohy
Venue: Golden
Throw-in: 4pm
The clash of two high scoring teams this game promises to be a cracker. This is the fourth meeting of the sides this year with Moycarkey getting the better of their near neighbours and rivals on the previous two occasions.
Moycarkey are starting to build a dynasty with the huge success they’ve achieved in underage over the last few years and could be hard to stop. Maria Kinane, Maeve Hackett and Caitriona Walsh have the experience while throw in the youth of Ciara Shelly, Sarah Corcoran and Kate Ralph you can see why they’re building something special.
Moyne-Templetuohy are probably coming in as underdogs which will suit them and PJ Ryan is the master of playing down their chances but secretly will be quietly confident of overturning Moycarkey.
Niamh Butler, Cathy Hogan and Ellen Moore will anchor their defence while Ava Ryan and Ciara Gorman were outstanding in midfield in their semi-final victory against Arravale. Niamh Ryan will no doubt lead from the front at centre-forward and add in Amy Reddan, Roisin Daly and Grainne Gorman to that attack and you can see why they’ll fancy their chances.
Moycarkey lost last year’s final to a super Mullinahone team and will be looking to reverse that defeat but Tuohy are moving along nicely and will be anxious to reverse the three defeats they’ve had against the red and gold over the course of the year.
The sideline activity of both management teams will be worth watching closely and it could come down to who uses their bench best on the day.
Verdict: Moyne-Templetuohy
Intermediate
Sunday 2nd October
Mullinahone vs Boherlahan-Dualla
Venue: Bansha
Throw-in: 12pm
This has the potential to be the game of the weekend. Mullinahone got the better of the two when they played in the group stages but that result will have no bearing on the result here.
Mullinahone have kicked 6-23 in their three championship games to date but from Alice Browning coming forward to kicked a penalty in the first minute the last day against Boherlahan and Jenny Brett coming forward to kick a point at the end of that game Aoibhe O’Shea, Lorraine O’Shea and Chloe Gunn have shared 5-22 between them and they’ll need to get more from their other forwards to get over the line here.
Nicole Shelly and Lauren Dowling have been in super form in the centre of the park all year and their performances will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this game.
Boherlahan were hugely disappointed with their performance against Mullinahone in the group stages but got back to winning ways impressively the last day out against Cappawhite.
The fitness of Grace Moloney will be vital to how this game goes. Casey Hennessy is in flying form going into this final and when she runs at opposition defences she’s very hard to stop. Katelyn Downey will need to stamp her authority on proceedings and if Lucie Gilmartin, Emer Dwan and Sarah Delaney perform they could have a huge impact on the game.
Mullinahone have built up huge camaraderie over the last 18 months with their run to the All-Ireland Junior Final and will no doubt feel they can make the move up to the Senior ranks but Boherlahan are knocking on the door a while now and will be looking to finally get over the line but might just have to wait another 12 months.
Verdict: Mullinahone
Senior B’
Sunday 2nd October
Clonmel Commercials vs Templemore
Venue: Bansha
Throw-in: 2pm
A repeat of last year’s final which Commercials got the better of on a bitterly cold night under lights in UL. Commercials were under pressure from the start of the championship having conceded to Brian Borus and then losing to Fethard which ended with them playing in the B’ final.
Despite this they’ve played some super football over the course of the year and really hit form in their demolition of Cahir the last day.
Sara Ryan was in inspirational form kicking 1-6 and was involved with everything good Commercials did while Orla Winston and Sally Quinlivan’s runs from deep in the half-back line will cause Templemore plenty of problems.
Templemore looked under pressure midway through the second half against Galtee Rovers four points down and Kate Cashman in the bin but managed to knuckle down and turn it around.
Elaine Fitzpatrick is playing the best football of her career and along with her sister Emma their battle with Courtney Lonergan and Saoirse McKeever in the middle of the park could decide the destination of this final.
Templemore brought Maria Curley on late in the game the last day and they need her fit to help curb the dangerous Commercials forward line when they get moving.
If they can get on top in that area and Jill Johnston, Ruth Butler and Dani Ryan perform in the half-forward line, Templemore could overturn last year’s result.
Having said that Commercials have been hugely impressive since their early season mishaps and will be hard to stop if they perform to their ability.
Verdict: Clonmel Commercials
Senior
Sunday 2nd October
Fethard vs Brian Borus
Venue: Bansha
Throw-in: 4pm
Fethard in the maiden final come into the game huge on confidence being unbeaten all year while Borus will be on a high after that dramatic Alanna English goal deep in injury-time to dethrone defending champions Aherlow in the semi-final.
Fethard are a young team and need to start the game well and not let Borus get into their stride.
Kate Davey has been their go to player all year but even if she’s shackled Nicole Delaney, Meah Cuddihy and Niamh Hayes are more than capable of taking up the mantle and are more than capable of carving open defences.
Borus after the heartache of last year’s final put that ghost to bed in the most dramatic circumstances last day out.
Nora Noonan is a more than capable keeper while Laura Morrissey is in inspirational form since her return from injury.
Caoimhe Condon and Kit Martin’s battle with Lucy Spillane and Ali Connolly will be worth the entry fee alone while Borus will look to the experience of Trisha Hickey up front while Cliona O’Dwyer, Sarah English and Caoimhe Ryan will keep the Fethard defence on their toes all day.
The two teams played out a draw in their final group game a few weeks ago but that should have no bearing on this game.
Borus won’t want to lose another final and seem to have used that heartache from last year to inspire them. Having said that, this young Fethard team will have no fear and it’s vital they stay in the game as long as possible and strike when they get their chance. All the indications say this game should be a classic but the experience of Borus might just swing it in the end.
Verdict: Brian Borus