Bench power sets up another big day out for Tipp

New Tipperary manager James Heffernan was delighted with his charges in the victory over Cork.

Orlaith Cahalane of Cork scores her side's first goal during the Munster Senior Camogie Championship preliminary round match between Tipperary and Cork at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster Camogie quarter-final: Tipperary 1-18 Cork 2-9 

After their merited six-point victory in the Munster senior camogie championship quarter-final in FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday, another big day awaits Tipperary in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the semi-final against Limerick next Sunday.

New Tipperary manager James Heffernan was delighted with his charges, while he also had huge praise for his bench.

Having led 0-10 to 1-5 at the interval, Eimear McGrath’s 58th-minute goal was set up by substitutes Caoimhe Maher and Niamh Treacy, while substitutes Eimear Heffernan and Jean Kelly shared four points between them.

“All our subs made a big difference, which is the most pleasing thing of the whole day,” he said.

“At the start, Amy Quinlisk came in for Isobel O’Donnell, Amy normally plays outfield but is capable of playing in the backs as well. Isobel has a stress fracture in her ankle, hopefully it won’t take too long because she is a really good young player.

“We’d a lot of new girls today, probably four or five making their full first championship start. It wasn’t pretty for the first 10 minutes of the second half, Cork kind of got on top. But we knew we had a good bit of work done, our fitness is at a good level.” 

The return of Karin Blair is also a bonus.

“Karin is an incredible athlete, her first match all year after injury. She is probably an underrated hurler, she has it all. She really drove us on.” 

Tipperary got off to a fast start, picking off four points without reply from Grace O’Brien (2), Caoimhe Stakelum and Kate Ralph.

Sorcha McCartan opened Cork’s account in the ninth minute.

When wing-back Blair bagged her second point, the hosts led 0-8 to 0-3.

With the gap remaining at five, the game turned in the 30th minute after a rare defensive error allowed Cork’s best forward Orlaith Cahalane to goal.

Despite errant shooting, Tipperary still led 0-10 to 1-5 at the interval.

Three Saoirse McCarthy long-range frees put Cork in front, but only briefly in the second half.

Tipperary worked their way back, Blair’s superb block on a McCartan goal came at a critical time.

Ahead 0-15 to 1-9, McGrath’s major was the clincher, and they finished strong in front of a near full house.

Substitute Keeva McCarthy pulled a green flag back for Cork in the third minute of stoppage time.

It was an extremely disappointing outcome for the defending champions.

“It was always going to be a tough challenge coming up here, but they gave it everything,” manager Ger Manley said.

“We have to prepare now for the All-Ireland championship in seven or eight weeks' time.

“We're struggling a bit up front and if we don’t improve, I’ll be talking about the same thing again.

“To be fair to Tipp they are a good side, they're very good hurlers.

“We've a couple of players to come back up front, we're just lacking a small bit of experience there and that will only come with time.” 

For Tipperary, the journey continues. “We’ll have to focus on Limerick now. Again it is going to be a massive occasion to play before Cork and Limerick in the hurling. Obviously Limerick will have big support and we won’t have that.” 

Scorers for Tipperary: E McGrath (1-4, 0-3 frees), G O’Brien (0-3), K Blair, K Ralph, C Stakelum (0-1 free), E Heffernan and J Kelly (0-2 each), C McIntyre (0-1).

Scorers for Cork: S McCarthy (0-5, 0-4 frees), O Cahalane (1-1), K McCarthy (1-0), L Hayes, N McNabola and S McCartan (0-1 each).

TIPPERARY: L Leenane; A Quinlisk, M Eviston, E Loughman; K Blair, C Guinan, C McCarthy (Capt); K Kennedy, K Ralph; A Dwyer, R Howard, C McIntyre; C Stakelum, E McGrath, G O’Brien.

Subs: C Maher for C Guinan (half-time), E Heffernan for A Dwyer (39), L Purcell for K Ralph (53), N Treacy for R Howard (56), J Kelly for E McGrath (61).

CORK: A Lee; M Murphy, L Coppinger, M Cahalane (Capt); I O’Regan, L Hayes, A Fitzgerald; M Condon, O Cremin; E Murphy, O Cahalane, S McCarthy; H Ryan, S McCartan, A McAuliffe.

Subs: N McNabola for E Murphy (23), K McCarthy for O Cremin (44), C O’Callaghan for A McAuliffe (52), R Harty for H Ryan (57).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick).