Ladies Gaelic Football

14 // Ladies Gaelic Football Association TIPPS 2018 DISAPPOINTMENT PEIL Autumn | Issue No 3 | Volume 14 HERE TO NOW? For 2017 All-Ireland intermediate champions Tipperary, they're back down to second tier football in 2019 after a one- year stint in the senior championship. Sheer disappointment. They held their own at senior level, competed well and tested the best teams in the country week in, week out but now, they're pretty much back to square one. Shortly after losing their relegation play- off final to Cavan, I spoke to one of their stars and 2017 Intermediate Player of the Year Aisling McCarthy. She spoke about her sides' disappointment GREAT PLANS Don't Always Work Out Emma Duffy of the 42.ie speaks to 2017 Intermediate Player of the Year, Aisling McCarthy about Tipperary's hopes for 2018 and the harsh reality of being sent back down to Intermediate Championship and hit out at a few 'controversial decisions'. It was all quite raw just two days after the heartbreaking defeat and emotions were high. Now though, after having time to digest everything, we had a look at the bigger picture. We got into the nitty gritty of where Tipperary fell down; tactically, technically, where things went wrong. Not only that, we focused on positives, the learning curve and how her side gave a really good account of themselves in the senior championship. 2018 started really well for Shane Ronayne's side. They continued their unbeaten run into Division 2 of the Lidl Ladies National Football League, laying down a marker straight away that they meant business after their promotion. Low and behold, they won it out and secured promotion to Division 1. They were obviously happy with how the year was going at that point, McCarthy says. But championship is a different ball game, especially senior. First up, Cork in Munster. "Thrown into the deep end a little bit," she grins, but feels they did hold their own. The Rebels' experience was the difference. They took every chance they got while Tipperary failed to do that. "They're the kind of margins at that level that you get punished for. If you don't take your chances, you're not going to be in with a shout." That day, they conceded two goals and she refers back to the league final against Cavan and other clashes too. Having the composure to hold out attacks is a big thing. "Leaking goals is something that's happened consistently throughout the championship, that's something that we'll definitely have to work on next year." Cahir ace McCarthy does mention one interesting stat though: Bar Dublin in the All-Ireland final of course, Tipperary were the team that came closest to Cork. She does concede that it was early days, they probably weren't hitting their peak. But 'it's a stat that shows that we're able to compete'. After that five-point defeat, they were drawn into a tough group in the TG4 All- Ireland series, alongside Donegal and Kerry. That said, there was no fear. Against the Kingdom, they turned off for 10 minutes, conceded a good few scores in quick succession and that really put them on the back foot. It ended 3-13 to 2-10. "If teams start getting a few scores on W Tipperary players celebrate following the TG4 Ladies Football All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final Tipperary captain Samantha Lambert lifts the cup after the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 2 Final

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