Gallant Kilkenny Camogs lose out to Tipp in controversial fashion

Despite giving an against the odds heroic display, Kilkenny narrowly fell up short as Tipperary came out on top in this afternoon's Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Quarter-Final.

While Tipp won out by six points in the end, they were given a huge helping hand by a game defining decision that ultimately turned the game in their favour after a Caoimhe Keher Murtagh goal at the start of extra-time was brought back for an earlier foul on the Rower-Inistioge star and the intervening penalty by Aoife Prendergast was saved by Laura Leehane.

The lack of an advantage by an extra few seconds from referee Ray Kelly proved hugely costly as it would have put the Cats five points to the good at that stage.

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In a further blow, Tipperary got back level and right on the cusp of half-time in the extra period, Clodagh McIntyre blasted in a goal that Kilkenny were unable to recover from.

Led by brilliant displays from both Laura Murphy and Katie Power who shared nine points from play between them, the Cats had their arch rivals on the rack throughout an opening half that they ended leading 0-10 to 0-8.

The Cats maintained the initiative in the second period with Aoife Prendergast and Caoimhe Dowling pointing the way but Tipp got huge impact off the bench and with Jean Kelly getting back to back efforts, Denis Kelly's team turned the screw on Kilkenny.

Player of the match Caoimhe McCarthy also found the target to leave the side in Blue and Gold two points clear but Kilkenny refused to throw in the towel and Sarah Barcoe left the minimum between the sides before Laura Murphy brilliantly knocked over the equaliser.

Extra-time followed with Kilkenny took early control with a trio of Aoife Prendergast frees and while Grace O'Brien registered a score in response, the Cats looked to have the game in their control through Keher Murtagh but her goal was cruelly denied and that incident certainly left it's mark on the Leinster side.

Tipp would go on to get 1-5 without reply in the remianing minutes as McIntyre's blasted goal and further points by O'Brien and Eimear Heffernan broke Kilkenny hearts.

Teams and Scorers

Tipperary: Grace O'Brien (0-9, 9fs); Clodagh McIntyre (1-0); Casey Hennessy, Caoimhe McCarthy, Jean Kelly (0-3 each); Caoimhe Maher, Roisin Howard, Mary Burke, Eimear Heffernan (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Aoife Prendergast (0-7, 4fs); Laura Murphy (0-5); Katie Power (0-4); Laura Greene (0-2); Sarah Barcoe (0-1)

Tipperary: Laura Leehane; Nimah Costigan, Karin Blair, Eimear Loughman; Caoimhe McCarthy, Mairead Eviston, Sarah Corcoran; Karen Kennedy, Caoimhe Maher; Roisin Howard, Mary Burke, Eimear Heffernan; Clodagh McIntyre, Casey Hennessy, Grace O'Brien.

Subs: Julieanne Bourke for Costigan, 20 mins; Jean Kelly for Burke, 46 mins; Lucy Purcell for McIntyre, 48 mins; Niamh Cunneen for Howard, 62 mins; Clodagh McIntyre for Purcell, 62 mins; Ellen Cunneen for Hennessy, 81 mins.

Kilkenny: Aoife Norris; Michelle Teehan, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Danielle Quigley; Niamh Deely, Caoimhe Dowling, Maria Brennan; Aobha O'Gorman, Laura Greene; Mary O'Connell, Steffi Fitzgerald, Laura Murphy; Aoife Prendergast, Katie Power, Kellyann Doyle.

Subs: Caoimhe Keher Murtagh for O'Connell, h-t; Sarah Barcoe for O'Gorman, 50 mins; Sophie Holden for Doyle, 58 mins; Katie Nolan for Brennan, 67 mins; Sophie O'Dwyer for Power, 74 mins.

Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare)

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