Crunch clash for Tipperary ladies footballers against Kildare
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Winner-takes-all game in Clonmel on Saturday
Kerry’s win over Kildare last weekend means that if Tipperary beat the Lilywhites in Clonmel this Saturday, they will go through to the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-finals for the second successive year.
The Kerry win suited Tipp, as it now results in a winner-takes-all showdown with Kildare for a place in the last eight.
However, a draw would see the Leinster side progress as they have a superior scoring difference of four points – Tipp lost to Kerry by 18 points, Kildare by 14. A draw or defeat would also push Tipperary into a relegation play-off.
So that will focus the mind for David Power’s side in their most crucial game to date this season. And a vastly improved performance on their defeat to Kerry in Tralee will be needed to overcome the defeated Leinster finalists, who pushed winners Dublin all the way in the provincial decider.
Kerry proved much too strong for both Tipperary and Kildare as they secured a home quarter-final following two comprehensive wins, so whichever team reacts better to those setbacks should decide the outcome in Clonmel.
Tipp have recovered from disappointing displays in the league earlier this year with improved performances in their next game, and that will be vital against a Kildare side also smarting from a heavy home defeat to Kerry, 1-19 to 0-8. Tipp lost 2-16 to 0-4 to the Kingdom.
David Power’s take on the Kerry game was blunt this week as he looked ahead to the weekend – “It was our worst performance of the year by a country mile. I don’t mind losing but we just didn’t perform”.
Tipp were over-run in the middle third, perhaps not surprisingly as they were missing the Martin sisters, Nora and Niamh; team captain Anna-Rose Kennedy and versatile forward Heather Spillane. However, the positive news this week is that both Kennedy and Spillane should be fit to play.
“Those four players form the engine room of our side and to lose them all for the one game was a massive blow. They were all there throughout the Munster championship. But it will be great to have Anna-Rose and Heather back,” Power said.
The Sliabh na mBan clubman described Saturday’s game as a great opportunity to get their season back on track and reach an All-Ireland quarter-final for the second year in a row.
“All our focus since the Kerry game has been on Kildare, we have set our stall out for this game. The players were really disappointed with how they performed against Kerry, following a positive Munster campaign, when we beat Cork and could have beaten Kerry.
“But we win together and we lose together. We have put our head down since the last game and if we get the performance that we want then we have a great chance to win the game,”he added.
Tipperary will not underestimate the Kildare challenge. They beat Meath in the Leinster championship – a Meath side that were last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists and overcame Tipperary at the quarter final-stage – and pushed Dublin all the way in the final.
A Tipperary defence that struggled to contain the Kerry attack will have to be alert to contain the threat from players such as Aoife Rattigan, Molly Aspell and Alannah Prizeman. However, Emma Cronin, Maria Curley and Sarah English have been in brilliant form throughout the season for Tipperary and will relish the challenge.
Anna-Rose Kennedy’s return will bolster midfield and Tipperary will be looking to Emma Morrissey, Lauren Cunningham, Heather Spillane and Kirsty Crotty Ryan to avail of the chances that come their way.
Throw-in at Clonmel Sportsfield is at 3pm.