The sides were level at half time, 0-6 each, though Offaly had more of the play, more scoring chances and should have been ahead by about 4 at that stage.
The second half proceeded in the same trend, and though the sides traded scores early in the half, Offaly pulled ahead to lead 11-8 going into the final quarter. A scoring burst which yielded 4 points put Tipperary into a 1 point lead, 11-12 as injury time approached but Offaly finished the stronger.
Elaine Dermody levelled from a tricky free and put Offaly ahead, again from a free, a minute later and Jean Brady put Offaly 2 up. Tipperary pulled a point back but they ran out of time and Offaly prevailed.
The ‘best full forward line in Offaly hurling’ I alluded to in another thread has been broken up, with Arlene Watkins now at midfield where she hurled well, firing over 2 points from distance, and Elaine Dermody is now at centre half forward where she exerted a good influence on the game.
There were many highlights of the game, not least Michaela Morkan’s hurling at centre back. She really is a classy hurler and her dominance in the air, her covering play and her moving-forward on the ball were a pleasure to watch. Beside her, Shiela Sullivan gave a storming performance, while Fiona Stephens was the pick of the full back line.
Eleanor Clendennen was sound in goal, making one good save and catching a few under the crossbar and clearing well. She took a severe dunt by way of a late tackle after a good catch and clearance late in the game. Actually it was a tough match, tougher than I thought and the girls didn’t spare the timber either!
Marion Crean did better when moved to midfield while Arlene Watkins was good throughout. The forward line revolved around Elaine Dermody who won much ball and distributed well and struck the frees well, while Michelle Davis and Siobhan Flannery were always a threat.
Both Offaly and Tipperary had won both their earlier matches and with the other 2 matches in the group finishing level today, Offaly are well positioned to finish top of this group. They play Antrim next at a halfway venue, while they have Cork at home, which I think is on Easter Sunday. It would be well worth ye’re while going along. Google ‘Offaly camogie’, the fixtures are there.
Shure any day you beat Tipperary has to be a good day
Offaly: Eleanor Clendennen; Fiona Stephens, Lorraine Keena, Karen Brady; Shiela Sullivan (0-1), Michaela Morkan, Marion Crean; Arlene Watkins (0-2), Linda Sullivan; Aoife Kelly, Elaine Dermody (0-7, 4f, 1 ‘45’), Michelle Davis (0-2); Jean Brady (0-1), Karen Nugent, Siobhan Flannery (0-1). Subs: Michelle Gleeson for Kelly (1st qtr.), Aoife Corrigan for Gleeson (3rd qtr.), Orlagh Kirwan for Nugent (4th qtr).