Ladies beaten by Tipp in low-scoring opener

Ladies NFL Division 2 Round 1

Cavan 0-2

Tipperary 1-4

Aideen Coyle at Joe Crowe Park

The ladies National League threw in last weekend with Cavan taking on Tipperary in one of four games across a highly competitive division 2.

When the two sides met in last season’s campaign Tipperary recorded a comprehensive win over the Breffni women. The hosts are a relatively new look side with Michael O’Rourke, in charge of his first game, naming no fewer than 11 debutants in his starting line-up. On the flip side Tipperary manager Peter Creedon called upon a very experienced starting side to open the 2024 campaign.

Played in difficult weather conditions, the game was a slow-burner, with scores at a premium throughout. The sides landed just two points apiece in the opening half with Cavan arguably going into the half-time break the happier side having converted half of their chances.

On the other hand the visitors dominated the scoring opportunities but only managed to convert two of their eight chances in front of goal in the opening half in a game which saw them register 14 wides.

In was a disastrous start for the travelling side, forward Angela McGuigan was issued a yellow card for a high tackle on Christina Charters with only three minutes on the clock.

Cavan opened the game’s scoring during the spell McGuigan spent in the sin bin as Deirbhile McCaffrey kicked the opening score in the eighth minute after a lovely pass from Aoife Brady.

Cavan’s defence were put on the backfoot for large periods of time but rose to the occasion superbly, overturning possession and pressurising the Tipperary forwards, keeping them scoreless in the opening 20 minutes.

The experienced Charters and Roisin Dolan put in great shifts throughout as well as local girl Lucy Crowe who marked her county debut with a confident performance.

However, persistence was key and Tipperary did eventually break the deadlock in the 21st minute as the deadly full-forward line of Kennedy, Maloney and Morrissey combined, with Aishling Maloney pointing.

A minute later the AFLW star registered her side’s fifth wide of the half after brilliant play from Nessa Towey and McGuigan set up the forward.

Continuing to pile on the pressure, the lively Anna Rose Kennedy overturned the resulting Cavan kick-out and was fouled as she raced through on goal, with Emma Morrissey converting the close range free for her side’s second and final score of the half.

Twenty minutes after their opening scor,e Cavan hit the equaliser after excellent work from midfielder Aine Smith set her side on an attack with McCaffrey once again stepping up with the point to leave the side’s level at the break, 0-2 apiece.

The visitors got the second half off to a flying start with Maloney winning the throw-in, sending her side straight on the attack.

A pinpoint ball over the top from Maloney found full-forward Morrissey unmarked but the Aherlow club woman blasted her shot at goal high and wide. However, the vice-captain came up with the perfect response, hitting 1-1 on the bounce three minutes later. Morrissey converted her second free of the tie before adding a goal to her tally a minute later as her long range free found its way into the top corner of the Cavan net after a mix-up on the Cavan goal line.

With five minutes played Maloney scored a marvellous individual effort to put her side five points ahead. Despite her side creating several more chances and dominating the possession in the second half, this was Tipperary’s final score of the game.

However, the Breffni girls managed to create just three scoring opportunities in a frustrating second half, failing to add to their first half tally on a tough first outing for O’Rourke’s charges.

The lack of scoring chances was a testament to the hardworking Tipperary backline led notably by captain Maria Curley, Emma Cronin and Nessa Towey with goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick also being called into action in the closing stages to deny substitute Aisling Doughty with a brilliant interception.

The young Cavan side will take plenty of positives from the tie, with O’Rourke blooding in many new players. They now turn their attention to the next round next Sunday at home against Laois who suffered a round 1 defeat to Donegal in what was also a low-scoring encounter.

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh (Lurgan), Niamh Briody (Cavan Gaels), Aine Brady (Cornafean), Lucy Crowe (Lacken), Hannah Gilsenan (Bailieborough Shamrocks), Roisin Dolan (Lurgan), Ruth Gilsenan (Mountnugent-Munterconnaught), Aine Smith (Crosserlough), Caoimhe Halpin (Lurgan), Niamh Smith (Knockbride), Sarah McCabe (Kmockbride), Deirbhile McCaffrey (Cornafean, 0-2), Christina Charters (Crosserlough), Niamh McCorry (Butlersbridge), Aoife Brady

Subs used: Sinead Levingstone (Killygarry) for N. Smith, Amy Wharton for S. McCabe, Aisling Doughty for A. Brady, Caoimhe Madden for C. Halpin, Aoibheann Morrison (Killygarry) for H. Gilsenan, Aine Brady (Cornafean) for R. Gilsenan, Molly Smith (St Finbarr’s) for A. Doughty

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick, Katelyn Downey, Lucy Spillane, Emma Cronin, Nora Martin, Maria Curley, Nessa Towey, Laura Morrissey, Emer McCarthy, Sara Morrissey, Angela McGuigan, Cliona O’Dwyer, Anna Rose Kennedy, Emma Morrissey 1-02 (2f), Aishling Maloney 0-02

Subs used: Niamh Martin for A. Kennedy, Elaine Kelly for S. Morrissey, Marie Creedon for C. O’Dwyer, Sarah English for E. Kelly, Clara English for E. McCarthy

Referee: Philip Conway