(Picture: Joe Keane)
All-Ireland Minor Camogie Semi-Final – Saturday, 14th April
Galway 4-9 Tipperary 1-10
Darren Kelly in Banagher
There were no trophies handed out but Galway would have taken satisfaction from this All-Ireland minor camogie semi-final thanks to Mairead Dillon scoring four goals. It secured the defending champions a rematch with Cork on April 28th after falling to the Rebelettes in the group stages.
Caoimhe Perdue converted a Tipperary free after just 51 seconds but Galway’s threat was evident in their first meaningful attack. Chloe Reilly set off down the left flank and just when the rearguard was about to swallow her up, she spotted Dillon who made no mistake with the first goal.
Reilly added a point but on six minutes, Casey Hennessy got within range before striking Tipperary’s goal. Katie Mannion responded for Galway before Rosanna O’Donnell levelled at 1-2 apiece. However, the maroon and white started to take control of proceedings.
Well done to Portumna CS and Galway players
Niamh Horan and Alannah Kelly in yesterday’s All Ireland Camogie Semi Final win over Tipperary. Hard luck to Tipperary and our own Clodagh McIntyre who lined out for them— Portumna C.S. (@portumnacommsch) April 15, 2018
Niamh Horan sent over three placed balls to make it 1-5 to 1-2 on 22 minutes but Galway should have done better. However, Teegan Canning whipped in a ball from the left in injury time and Dillon was perfectly placed for Galway’s second goal and interval advantage was 2-5 to 1-3.
Perdue registered a 45 upon the resumption before Hennessy put three between them. And the teams shared the next four points making it 2-7 to 1-7 on the three-quarter mark. There was no doubt that the next goal was going to win this match and on 47 minutes, Dillon secured her hat-trick.
GOAL! GALWAY!
MAIREAD DILLON! (HAT-TRICK!)@OfficialCamogie All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final Latest in Banagher
47 mins@GalwayCamogie96 3-7@camogietipp 1-7@gbfmsports @garrykelly @CTribune @TuamHerald @GalwayDaily #StyleOfPlay
— Darren Kelly (@DazK1978) April 14, 2018
Dillon waited before pulling first time rifling a strike to the top corner. Tipperary replied with a Perdue point but Galway scented the finish line. And when Sarah Healy’s long free on 55 minutes was taken by Siobhan McGrath, the Sarsfields forward knew Dillon’s location for the fourth goal.
At 4-9 to 1-8, the contest was over though Tipperary did have a couple of late scores through Perdue and Hennessy. Galway were unfortunate to lose Kate Moran to a second yellow in injury time but Lorraine Larkin now has led Galway to seven All-Ireland Finals.
Well done @GalwayCamogie96 Minors! Niamh Niland scores 0-3 and Galway are through to the All Ireland Minor @OfficialCamogie Final 👏
— Clarinbridge Camógie (@ClarinbridgeCC) April 14, 2018
Galway: Sarah Healy; Kate Moran, Leah Burke, Erica Leslie; Pearl Finnerty, Alannah Kelly, Kate Screene; Niamh Horan (0-3, two 45s, one free), Teegan Canning; Katie Mannion (0-1), Ciara Helebert, Mairead Dillon (4-1); Niamh Niland (0-3, two frees), Siobhan McGrath, Chloe Reilly (0-1). Subs used: Rachel Hanniffy for Canning (37 mins), Rachel Murray for Horan (57 mins), Sinead Cannon for Leslie (60 mins).
Tipperary: Aoife Butler; Thea Curtin, Niamh Long, Anna Gavin; Sarah Delaney, Laura Shinners, Margaret Quigley; Gemma Fox, Aine O’Dwyer; Clodagh McIntyre (0-1), Caoimhe Perdue (0-4, one free, one 45), Karin Blair; Casey Hennessy (1-4, four frees), Rosanna O’Donnell (0-1), Emma Flanagan. Subs used: Sorcha Ryan for Curtin (HT), Eimear Bourke for McIntyre (57 mins), Katie Ryan for Fox (57 mins).
Referee: Fintan McNamara (Clare)
