Dublin head to Lidl NFL semi-finals unbeaten and will face either Donegal, Galway or Mayo
Dublin 2-17
Tipperary 0-4
By Aisling Clery
Caoimhe O’Connor hit the late goal her stellar showing deserved as Dublin maintained their perfect start to the Lidl National Football League Division 1B with victory over Tipperary at Semple Stadium.
Siobhan Killeen also found the net for Mick Bohan’s side, who sailed into next Saturday’s Division 1 semi-final following a dominant show against Declan Carr’s side.
Tipperary were second best by a distance but the early loss of Emma Morrissey and captain Aishling Moloney to leg injuries meant they faced their comeback without two of their leaders.
The first quarter was a scrappy affair with both defences on top. Niamh McEvoy opened the scoring straight in front of the posts and indeed this was the only score in the first 16 minutes.
The game opened up after the water break though, and two Sinead Aherne points stretched the All-Ireland champions to a three-point lead. Jennifer Dunne was involved in both scores with Leah Caffrey and Killeen both showing well. A minute later, Dublin were four up: a foul on Aherne led to Hannah Tyrrell’s first converted free.
On the resumption, a terrific individual run by Caitlin Kennedy was well rewarded with Tipperary’s first score after 21 minutes of play. A minute later, Tipperary had their second, Roisin Howard splitting the posts from wide on the left.
With defences on top, scores were at a premium in the opening half while the post also denied Aherne. The resultant 45’ was palmed into the path of Aherne by McEvoy and the captain added to Dublin’s tally.
McEvoy added her second a minute later before the highlight of the half arrived when Killeen raised the only green flag of the opening 30 minutes, following some excellent play by McEvoy in the build up.
Dublin were 1-7 to 0-3 clear at the break and also got the better start in the second half, Niamh Hetherton and Aherne (2) pointing, while Tyrrell added her third free. Tipperary were running at the Dublin defence but it stood resolute with Niamh Collins marking her first game of the season with a solid display.
As a myriad of substitutions rolled in,
Dublin’s points tally increased. Substitute Michelle Davoren split the posts before Hannah O’Neill’s rasping effort rebounded off the crossbar. O’Connor was first to the loose ball to ensure it finished to the net.
The outstanding O’Connor added a late point, but the four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions will have to wait until tomorrow before finding out their semi final opposition.
Tipperary Scorers
Caitlin Kennedy 0-01
Roisin Howard 0-01
Ava Fennessey 0-01 (1f)
Roisin Davey 0-01
Dublin Scorers
Sinead Aherne 0-06 (1f)
Caoimhe O’Connor 1-01
Hannah Tyrell 0-03 (3f)
Siobhan Killeen 1-00
Niamh McEvoy 0-02
Lyndsey Davey 0-02 (2f)
Niamh Hetherton 0-01
Michelle Davoren 0-01
Olwen Carey 0-01
Tipperary
1. Lauren Fitzpatrick
29. Clodagh Horgan
3. Maria Curley
4. Emma Cronin
13. Cliona O’Dwyer
6. Caitlin Kennedy
7. Elaine Kelly
8. Anna Rose Kennedy
12. Emma Morrissey
15. Aine Delaney
11. Aishling Maloney
26. Angela McGuigan
2. Lucy Spillane
18. Roisin Howard
27. Ava Fennessey
Tipperary Substitutions
10. Edith Carroll for 12. Emma Morrissey (2)
9. Elaine Fitzpatrick for 11. Aishling Maloney (13)
17. Niamh Hayes for 29. Clodagh Horgan (28)
23. Katie Cunningham for 26. Angela McGuigan (HT)
20. Courtney Lonergan for 18. Roisin Howard (40)
21. Kate Davey for 15. Aine Delaney (49)
24. Laura Nagle for 7. Elaine Kelly (49)
5. Roisin Daly for 10. Edith Carroll (55)
22. Carrie Davey for 4. Emma Cronin (55)
16. Rachel Sweeney for Lauren Fitzpatrick (55)
Dublin
1. Abby Shiels
2. Martha Byrne
3. Niamh Collins
4. Hannah Leahy
5. Orlagh Nolan
6. Olwen Carey
7. Leah Caffrey
8. Lauren Magee
9. Jennifer Dunne
10. Lucy Collins
11. Siobhan Killeen
12. Caoimhe O’Connor
13. Niamh McEvoy
14. Hannah Tyrell
15. Sinead Aherne
Dublin Substitutions
21. Niamh Hetherton for 10. Lucy Collins (27)
25. Lyndsey Davey for 11. Siobhan Killeen (40)
20. Michelle Davoren for 14. Hannah Tyrell (40)
19. Rachel Hartnett for 7. Leah Caffrey (43)
17. Laura McGinley for 3. Niamh Collins (44)
18. Sarah Fagan for 2. Martha Byrne (50)
22. Jodi Egan for 13. Niamh McEvoy (50)
24. Hannah O’Neill for 8. Lauren Magee (52)
16. Emer Ni Eafa for 1. Abby Shiels (52)
23. Laura Kane for 15. Sinead Aherne (53)
