All-Ireland camogie champions Tipperary were emphatically defeated by a skilful Rest of Ireland side at McDonagh Park, Nenagh, yesterday.
Tipperary lined out with 13 of the history-making side which captured Tipperary's first All-Ireland camogie title, while many intercounty stars lined out for the Rest of Ireland.
And, despite stern resistance, Tipperary never looked to be in control of the game, which was peppered with excellent snippets of action.
Approaching half-time Tipperary found themselves 1-6 to 2-5 in arrears, despite some fine displays from Deirdre Hughes, Emer McDonnell and Ciara Gaynor.
Following the interval, the Rest of Ireland team capitalised upon mistakes in the Tipperary defence to impose their dominance on the game. With 15 minutes remaining, the Rest of Ireland forged into an unassailable lead thanks to fine displays from Sinead Millea and Fiona O'Driscoll to run out easy winners.
REST OF IRELAND: M Holland (Kilkenny); D Cronin (Cork), E Duggan (Cork), P Nevin (Galway); O Broderick (Galway), G Maher (Kilkenny, capt), M Collins (Clare); M McMahon (Clare) 0-2, S Millea (Kilkenny) 0-3; M Downey (Kilkenny), V Harris, M McAleenan (Down) 1-0; F O'Driscoll (Cork) 2-2, V Sheehan (Limerick), I Kirwan 0-1. Sub: V Curtin 0-2, E O'Brien 0-2, B Mullally 1-0.
TIPPERARY: J Delaney; S Kelly, U O'Dwyer, C Madden; M Stokes, C Gaynor, S Nealon; E Hayden, A McDermott; N Kennedy (0-5, two frees, two 45s), T Brophy, C Hennessy; E McDonnell (1-2), D Hughes (1-0), P Fogarty (0-1).
