All-Ireland champions Tipperary were given a fright by home side Dublin in their National League semi-final yesterday, before prevailing on a 1-10 to 2-4 scoreline at Kiltipper Road.
Captain Eimear Brannigan slotted over a point after just two minutes, and it was just the kind of start Dublin required. It took Tipperary 12 minutes to record their first score, a free from their captain Joanne Ryan.
They seemed to settle after that, but it was Dublin who scored the game's first goal just before the break, through full forward Gillian McCluskey, to take a deserved 1-2 to 0-4 half-time lead.
Tipperary's Eimear Ryan and Áine Fanning exchanged early points, before Valerie Reaney netted for Dublin.
However, following the introduction of Clare Grogan and Angie McDermott things began to look up for Tipperary and Deirdre McDonnell finally beat excellent Dublin goalkeeper Emer Butler to find the net.
Further points from Emily Hayden and a 45 from Ciara Gaynor secured Tipperary's place in the final on May 22nd.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, on Saturday, Wexford defeated National League and All-Ireland finalists Cork 2-13 to 1-13 at Wexford Park.
Playing with the wind, Cork impressed early on and built up a 0-11 to 0-3 lead by half-time, but it was a different story after the break. Just four four minutes in full forward Michelle Hearne found the back of the Cork net and further points from Michelle O'Leary and Kate Kelly left four points between the sides.
Cork fought back with a Jennifer O'Leary goal, and corner forward Emer Watson tagged on another point for the Leesiders. Rapid-fire points from Hearne and Lennie Holohan brought Wexford to within five points and Cork would not score again until O'Leary's 45th minute point while Wexford totted up the scores, including a second goal from Hearne.
In the Division two semi-finals, Laois beat Wexford by 3-7 to 1-8 and Kildare saw off Offaly on a 2-6 to 0-9 scoreline.
TIPPERARY: J Nolan; J Kirwan, H Breen, M Corcoran; S Nealon, C Gaynor (0-4, two 45s, one free), T Brophy; L Burke, P Bulfin; E Ryan (0-1), E Hayden (0-1), G Kinnane; E McDonnell (1-2), J Ryan (0-1), J Horan. Subs: C Grogan (0-1) for E Ryan; D Hughes for J Horan; A McDermott for L Burke.
DUBLIN: E Butler; S Hanks, A Cullen, S Kinnane; J Murphy, E Talbot, C Lucey; L O'Hara, Á Fanning (0-1); J Draeper, E Brannigan (0-1), V Reaney (1-1); E McFadden, G McCluskey (1-1), C Duffy. Subs: K Blood for McFadden; C Power for Fanning
Referee: Ú Kearney (Armagh).
WEXFORD: M Darcy; A Moran, C O'Loughlin, K Atkinson; R Breen, Á Codd, D Codd; C Murphy, K Kelly (0-5); M O'Leary (0-1), M Leacy (0-1), O Hernon (0-2); E Quigley, M Hearne (2-2), L Holohan (0-2).
CORK: A Murray; J O'Callaghan, M O'Connor, L O'Connell; C Foley (0-1), R Buckley, P O'Connor; J O'Connor (0-2), E Burke (0-2); M Deasy, S Burns, J O'Leary (1-2); E Watson (0-1), C Healy (0-3), Ú O'Donoghue (0-2).
Referee: E Browne (Tipperary).
