Dublin 3 - 6 Tipperary 1 - 7
Eventhough behind 8 points at the break, Dublin always had the look of winners in this game. The strong breeze was behind the Munster side in the first half and Dublin despite being under serious pressure stood up well to the task. Jenny Ryan was composed between the posts and the defence was very sound particularly Jane Edwards at full back, Emma Quinn in the corner and Laura Gregg at No. 6.
Chloe Lenihan and Sinead Maher always looked dangerous for Tipperary and by the 26th minute the visitors led by 0-6 to nil. Dublin's forwards were finding the going tough at their end but they were winning a certain amount of possession only to see their efforts go wide or fall short where they were ably dealt with by Tipp's excellent 'keeper Sarah Quigley.
However an untypical error in the Dublin defence let in Niamh Ryan for a Tipp goal in the 29th minute but Rebecca Kamvar hit back with a score for Dublin that finished the half on an upbeat note for the home side.
The strong breeze had a decided bearing on the game and it was now Dublin's turn to avail of the elements. However it took more than the breeze to win the game. Strategic substitutions played a big part with the introduction of Aoife Wade in the first half, Jenny Condron during the interval and Gemma Berry in the 37th minute.
The latter would have a dream game. But it was Orlaith Murphy who started the fightback when her long delivery took a vicious bounce to end up in the net. Catherine Costello effortlessly stroked over two 45s in the 34th and 35th minutes but a fine Sarah Stakelum point signalled that Tipperary werent going to give up without a fight. However it was to prove their only score of the half.
In the 41st minute Gemma Berry notched a point and with the showers forcing people to run for cover, the same player got on the end of an Aoife Wade delivery to level the game. A minute later, the home fans were in full voice when Gemma grabbed a great ball out of the air to palm to the net for the lead for Dublin.
Dublin fought for every ball with the likes of Grace Walsh, Aoife Burke and Niamh McCarney prominent. The move of Jane Edwards to centre forward provided a very forceful presence in that sector. Although scores were hard to get, the game was being largely played in Tipperary's half and that suited Dublin perfectly. Another Gemma Berry point stretched Dublin's lead to that all important four points and Aoife Wade hit the final score in the 57th minute to claim a deserved win.
Jenny Ryan, Laura Gibney, Jane Edwards, Emma Quinn, Clodagh Ellis, Laura Gregg, Niamh McCarney, Catherine Costello (0-2), Grace Walsh, Charlotte Rooney, Rebecca Kamvar (0-1), Orlaith Murphy (1-0), Aoife Burke, Ella Carr, Michelle Hetherton
Subs: Gemma Berry (2-2), Aoife Wade (0-1), Jessica Condron, Clodagh Kilbane, Emer O'Riordan.