Dublin 0 - 8 Tipperary 4 - 10
The margin of defeat in no way reflects a brave performance by Dublin who had more than an equal share of possession but failed to capitalise on a number of chances from placed balls and from play.
Over the 60+ minutes, Dublin hit 8 wides to Tipperary's 4; saw two goal chances saved by Tipp 'keeper Rita Burke and were unlucky; fail to convert four chances from placed balls and were unlucky to concede a few soft goals.
That in a nutshell sums up the game but it fails to do justice to some excellent play by Dublin who hurled with great passion and ability for much of the game. Their cause was not helped by first half injuries to Elaine Ryan and Ciara Burgess - both of whom were hurling well.
Trailing by 2 - 4 to 0 - 3 at half time with Ali Maguire pointing two from frees and Áine Fanning taking a fine point from an excellent delivery by Ali.
Dublin might have been expected to fade away in the second half when facing into the breeze but the side rose to the challenge and actually scored more in the second 30 as well as creating two goal chances.
Ali Maguire was hurling very well at midfield and in the 31st minute notched her third point from a free. A wonderful catch by Hannah McInerney set up Elaine Gallery for a superb point three minutes later.
The Dublin defence was solid particularly Gráinne Ryan and Catriona Power. Elaine Gallery worked very hard at centre forward and Sinead O'Toole put in a determined performance. Clodagh Bolger also brought off a number of fine stops in the goals. Elaine O'Meara can feel pleased with her display in holding Claire Grogan scoreless from play.
Fiona Hayes fired over another excellent point from play in the 42th minute as Dublin's hearts rose. But a second Amy Kennedy goal in the 46th minute quelled their progress. Dublin's Fiona Hayes came close to goaling on two occasions but the Tipperary net-minder Rita Burke was in fine form. Elaine Gallery grabbed another point as Dublin continued to take the game to the visitors. But a long range effort by Jill Horan slipped under the cross-bar for a fourth goal.
Dublin's cause wasn't helped by the late withdrawal of Helen Cosgrave due to illness and Susan Kennedy. With Tara Corrigan injured; Ciara Lucey playing in the unaccustomed position of full-back and one or two more unavailable for different genuine reasons, Dublin's performance stands up favourably in the light of recent results.
17 year old Aoife Kelly continues to grow in confidence and the likes of Gráinne Quinn and Shauna Duff gave good accounts of themselves.
Dublin: Clodagh Bolger, Gráinne Ryan, Ciara Lucey, Elaine Ryan, Catriona Power, Elaine O'Meara, Gráinne Quinn, Ciara Burgess, Alison Maguire (0-3f), Aoife Kelly, Fiona Hayes (0-1), Louise O'Hara (0-1f), Áine Fanning (0-1), Elaine Gallery (0-2), Hannah McInerney.
Subs: Shauna Duff; Sinead O'Toole, Emma Whyte
Referee: Una Kearney (Armagh)