Tipperary showed they are still a class side with a 0-16 to 1-4 victory over Kilkenny in the Camogie Division One League play-off in the Ragg today and now meet Dublin on May 8th in Kiltipper Road.
Manager Raymie Ryan was probably in a confident mood before the start of this game having most of last year's championship squad available to him. He would have also been fairly happy that no less than eight players got their name on the score board while unfortunately Kilkenny could only register three names. However, the Cats were missing the impressive Sinéad Millea who is still nursing a finger injury but should be well back for the championship in June.
Tipperary had a rather shaky first half and were only 0-5 to 0-4 ahead at the break, however they were denied at least three goal opportunities through Kilkenny goal keeper Caitriona Ryan who kept her side in the fray in the opening half.
With ten minutes of the second period gone it seemed as if Kilkenny might spring a surprise when Jacqui Frisby went on a great solo run towards goal but alas it went wide of the post. Instead the Cats had to wait until twelve minutes before the end to record the only goal of the match from Jacqui Frisby while in the meantime the impressive Tipperary forwards had added considerable to the score board.
This game did not hinge on the forwards only as midfield's Louise Young was most impressive sending over 0-2 during the game. The game also saw the return of Ciara Gaynor to her usual centre-half spot from where she too sent over a point. Up front the mighty Deirdre Hughes looked sharp, possibly indicating that they are now getting their act together for the championship.
Filed by Johnny Proby
