Limerick secure Camogie draw after scoreboard confusion

Limerick 1-6
Tipperary 0-10

Limerick opened their Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Division One National League campaign with a draw against Munster rivals Tipperary. The Premier had beaten Limerick in their last meeting, the 2019 All-Ireland quarter final, and appeared to have found enough in the final quarter to see off a mixed performance from Limerick.  

However, at full-time there was confusion over the score, with Tipperary and several members of the crowd satisfied that Tipp had secured the win on a 0-10 to 1-6 scoreline. New Limerick manager Paul Sexton told the media after the game that the match referee had confirmed to Limerick during stoppage time that the game was level, 0-10 to 1-7, and the points were ultimately shared.

Sexton handed two senior debuts to Noirin Lenihan and Orlaith Kelleher – both who play their club camogie with Croagh Kilfinny. He must contend without regular top scorer Niamh Mulcahy for 2020 while Sarah Carey did not make an appearance on this occasion.

Tipperary were quicker from the blocks and led 0-2 to no score when Caoimhe Costelloe landed her side’s first score of the afternoon, a tenth minute free.

Limerick struck the front on 12 minutes, when good work from Kelleher on the right flank released Rebecca Delee, who despite being hooked, pulled to the net at the second attempt. Costelloe who had earlier landed a free, hit her first from play a minute later to double the advantage.

At the other end, Limerick were tight in defence, but the superb Cait Devane was able to score three points from play in the opening half to add to her brace of frees. Half-forward Nicole Walsh was the only other scorer for the Premier in the opening half.

Limerick failed to add to their tally in the opening minutes of the second half, with Roisin Howard and substitute Erenna Fryday on target for the visitors. This gave them a two point lead before Costelloe landed a free, from 45 meters. Around the same time, the influential Rebecca Delee was stretchered from the field after receiving lengthy treatment on the field.

Neamh Curtin, found herself in an advanced position and fired over off her left. Seconds later Costelloe landed a fine effort to put Limerick into the lead for the first time in 30 minutes.

But back came Tipp with Devane and full-forward Miriam Campion on target entering a lengthy period of injury time. Limerick were unable to a winner and had to settle for a draw in their opening encounter of 2020. They face All-Ireland and League holders Galway, in their next outing, later this month.

Scorers:
Limerick: Caoimhe Costelloe 0-5 (0-3 frees); Rebecca Delee 1-0; Neamh Curtin 0-1.

Tipperary: Cait Devane 0-6 (0-3 frees), Nicole Walsh, Roisin Howard, Ereena Fryday, Miriam Campion (0-1 each)

Limerick: Laura O’Neill (Na Piarsaigh); Judith Mulcahy (Ahane), Marian Quaid (Bruff), Noirin Lenihan (Croagh Kilfinny); Mairead Ryan (Clooney Quin), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore) (joint-captain), Neamh Curtin (Ballybrown); Katie Hennessy (Blackrock-Effin), Karen O’Leary (Newcastle West); Deborah Murphy (Newcastle West), Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West), Sophie O’Callaghan (Adare); Dearbhla Egan (Crecora),Orlaith Kelleher (Croagh Kilfinny), Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare) (joint-captain)

Subs: Roisin Ambrose for Rebecca Delee (45 mins), Ella Whelan for Dearbhla Egan (61 mins), Laura Stack for Katie Hennessy (63 mins)

Tipperary: Aoife Butler; Julieanne Burke, Clodagh Quirke, Eimer Loughman; Laura Loughnane, Niamh Treacy, Aoife McGrath; Grace O’Toole, Jean Kelly; Nicole Walsh, Ciardha Maher, Roisin Howard; Karin Blair, Miriam Campion; Cait Devane

Subs: Ereena Fryday for Nicole Walsh (half-time)