Tipperary 2 - 12  Dublin 1 - 10

There were positives aplenty in this Gala Senior championship Round 2 game at Parnell Park.  Dublin turned in their best performance of the year.  The team scored 1 - 7 from play, 8 players got on the scoresheet; Tipperary were held scoreless for 17 minutes in the second half and they outscored their Munster rivals by 1 - 7 to 1 - 5 in the second period.  Throw in the loss of key players 'keeper Stephanie Carthy and Eimear Brannigan through injury and the effective loss of Joelenne Hoary from the attack when the corner forward had to go between the sticks just before the break.

The downsides however proved costly particularly in a six minutes spell late in the first half.  With 21 minutes gone Dublin were well in contention trailing by just a single point but some poor decision taking and lapses in concentration allowed Tipperary to open a four points gap thanks to points by Jill Horan, Michelle Shortt after a superb stop by Stephanie Carthy, Geraldine Kinnane and Joanne Ryan.

Dublin rallied and for about a three minutes spell put tremendous pressure on the Tipperary goal.  But all came to nought.  Niamh Taylor was narrowly wide from a good position and unluckily when an intended pass by Sarah Ryan was intercepted Dublin were suddenly exposed at the back.  Eventually Michelle Shortt bore down on goals to release Mairead Luttrell who goaled from close range.  The score came with a huge price tag as Dublin now trailed by 1 - 7 to 0 - 3 and goalkeeper Stephanie Carthy suffered a hand injury when trying to block the shot.  The Naomh Mearnóg girl in only her second senior championship game had to retire with Joelenne Hoary now filling the position.

Tipperary were first to score in the 2nd minute but two excellently struck frees by Niamh Taylor put Dublin in front by the 7th minute.  Two fine Tipperary scores from the sticks of Cait Devane and Geraldine Kinnane had the visitors in front by the 14th minute before Eimear Brannigan grabbed Dublin's first score from play to level matters in the 19th minute.

For the resumption, Dublin had brought in Arlene Cushen for the injured Carthy and a senior debut for the Na Fianna girl.  Tipperary were again the sharper at the start of the half and four great points from Emily Hayden, Joanne Ryan (2) and Cait Devane threatened a rout.  However the signs of a fightback were evident when Rachel Costello drove over a great score followed by another from Emer Lucey.  Laura Twomey was also working hard at midfield and later at wing forward.

But once again Dublin were hit with a double blow.  Eimear Brannigan had to retire with a leg injury in the 11th minute to be replaced by Alison Maguire and six minutes later Emily Hayden's attempt for a point deceived Joelenne Hoary and ended up in the net.  Tipperary now led by 2 - 11 to 0 - 5 with 13 minutes to go. 

11 points down, Dublin suddenly began to hurl with tremendous purpose and skill.  The move of Louise O'Hara to centre field and Ciara Lucey to centre back had a mutual benefit with both players commanding their positions.  A minute later Sarah Ryan drove over the first point of a 1 - 5 tally without reply.  Rachel Costello notched her second white flag followed by Amy Murphy, two fabulous scores from Louise O'Hara before Jean Murphy first-timed to the net from Emer Lucey's delivery.

Dublin were now in control.  Tara Corrigan, Arlene Cushen, Andrea Fitzpatrick, Elaine O'Meara and the outstanding Catriona Power had blotted out the Tipperary attack. 

Ciara Durkin had entered the fray for the first time this year and was showing up well.  Dublin were denied a perfectly legitimate 45 with four points separating the sides as the game entered added time.  A point at that stage would have left just a score between the sides.  As it happened there were three more raids in the game.  One yielded a point from a free for Cait Devane and Tipperary while unluckily for Dublin both of their efforts went wide.  On small things can bigger matters turn. 

A great game and one that justified playing the match in Parnell Park.  In this regard, the Dublin Camogie Board would like to thank John Costello, the Dublin County GAA Board and Parnell Park officials for their support.

Stephanie Carthy, Andrea Fitzpatrick, Tara Corrigan, Catriona Power, Elaine O'Meara, Louise O'Hara (0 - 2), Sarah Ryan (0 - 1), Ciara Lucey,  Laura Twomey, Rachel Costello (0 - 2), Eimear Brannigan (0 - 1), Niamh Taylor (0 - 2f), Emer Lucey (0 - 1), Amy Murphy (0 - 1) Joelenne Hoary

Subs: Arlene Cushen for Carthy (inj); Alison Maguire for Brannigan; Jean Murphy (1 - 0) for Taylor; Ciara Durkin for Twomey.

Tipperary

Paula Ryan, Mary Ryan, Suzanne Kelly, Therese Shortt, Paula Bulfin, Tishy O'Halloran, Una O'Dwyer, Lorraine Bourke, Jill Horan (0 - 1), Geraldine Kinnane (0 - 2), Mairead Luttrell (1 - 0), Cait Devane (0 - 4, 3f), Joanne Ryan(0 - 3), Emily Hayden (1 - 1), Michelle Shortt (0 - 1)

Subs: Julie McGrath for Kinnane; Deirdre Dunne for Luttrell