Limerick bow out of Munster senior camogie championship at hands of Tipperary

LIMERICK bowed out of the Munster senior camogie championship after suffering a 4-13 to 0-10 quarter-final defeat to a fancied Tipperary side at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Limerick, who had shipped seven goals at the hands of the same opposition in the All-Ireland championship in 2024, produced a much improved display in the latest meeting of the Munster rivals.

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Manager Joe Quaid will be pleased with the resilience his young side showed over the 60 minutes. While there was no doubting Tipperary's superiority, there was much to admire in the Limerick work-rate and commitment. 

A clinical Tipperary side laid the foundation for this win in the opening half after which the home side enjoyed a significant 3-5 to 0-5 advantage. 

While Limerick managed five further points in the second period, Tipperary tagged on 1-8 to ease to victory and set up a semi-final meeting with Waterford.

Tipperary had finished third in Division 1A of the Very National Camogie League, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Limerick had finished fourth in Division 1B of the league, recording wins over Down and Westmeath.

Joe Quaid's Limerick side will now set their sights on their All-Ireland championship opener with Cork on Saturday, May 24.

Underdogs Limerick opted to deploy captain Caoimhe Costelloe, who was named at full-forward, in a sweeper role playing in the half-back line.

Home side Tipperary got off to the perfect start when corner forward Karen Kennedy flashed a terrific shot high into the Limerick net inside 40 seconds.

To their credit, Limerick recovered well from the early body blow, hitting back with two points from play courtesy of Laura Southern in the second minute and Stephanie Woulfe a minute later to leave a point in it, 1-0 to 0-2.

However, home side Tipperary hit back with two Grace O'Brien's pointed frees and a second goal from Kennedy after she was set up by Roisin Howard. Tipperary were now 2-3 to 0-3 in front mid-way through the opening half, the third Limerick point coming from a Caoimhe Costelloe free.  

Tipperary, who carried the greater threat in attack, finished the half strongly as another O'Brien point from a free was followed by a third goal for the home side, this time scored by Roisin Howard.

The outcome was no longer in doubt. Tipperary added a fourth goal through Clodagh McIntyre in the 42nd minute. 

Limerick replied with five second half points, including two pointed frees from Costelloe and efforts from play by Ailbhe Larkin, Laura Southern, her second of the game, and finally Orlaith Kelleher.

Limerick remained competitive as the half wore on, energised by several substitutions. 

It's all eyes on the All-Ireland senior championship for Limerick now.

SCORERS: Tipperary: Grace O'Brien 0-9 (0-6 frees), Karen Kennedy 2-1, Clodagh McIntyre 1-1, Roisin Howard 1-0, Jean Kelly 0-2. Limerick: Caoimhe Costelloe 0-5 (frees), Laura Southern 0-2, Orliath Kelleher, Ailbhe Larkin, Stephanie Woulfe 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: Laura Leenane (Shannon Rovers), Karin Blair (Cashel King Cormacs), Clodagh Quirke (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Eimear Loughman (Clonoulty-Rossmore); Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams), Caoimhe Maher (Burgess Duharra), Caithlyn Treacy (Moneygall); Sarah Corcoran (Moycarkey-Borris), Casey Hennessy (Clonoulty-Rossmore); Roisín Howard (Cahir), Ciara Brennan (St Cillian's Carrig Riverstown), Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha-Dorrha); Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields), Niamh Treacy (Drom-Inch), Grace O'Brien (Nenagh Eire Og). SUBS: Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields) for Hennessy (half-time), Eimear Heffernan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) for Brennan (38 mins), Aoife McGrath (Drom-Inch) for Caithlyn Treacy (44 mins), Jean Kelly (Eire Og Annacarthy) for Niamh Treacy (45 mins), Sarah Madden (Slvermines) for McCarthy (46 mins), Sophie Pembroke for Loughman (47 mins), Amy Quinlisk (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for McIntyre (injured, 48 mins), Anna Gavin (Holycross Ballycahill) for Quirke (51 mins). 

LIMERICK: Sarah Gillane (Patrickswell); Teresa Dore (Patrickswell), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Emily O'Halloran (Monaleen); Karen Cunningham (Murroe Boher), Sophie O'Callaghan (Adare), Ciara O'Riordan (Blackrock Effin); Shauna Cunningham (Killeedy), Ailbhe Larkin (Mungret St Paul's); Mairead Ryan (Bruff), Lizanna Boylan (Na Piarsaigh), Stephanie Woulfe (Templeglantine); Orlaith Kelleher (Croagh Kilfinny), Caoimhe Costelloe (Capt) (Adare), Laura Southern (Monaleen). SUBS: Ciara Neenan (Bruff) for Karen Cunningham, Aine Foley (Bruff) for Dore (both half-time), Cliodhna Ryan (Doon) for O'Riordan (46 mins), Dearbhla Egan (Crecora) for Boylan (47 mins), Lisa English (Galbally) for Woulfe (52 mins), Aine O'Tiarnaigh (Na Piarsaigh) for O'Halloran (54 mins).

REFEREE: Andy Larkin (Cork)