Tipperary 1-13 Wexford 1-8: In the corresponding fixture last summer it was the crossbar that came to Tipperary's rescue in the dying seconds. On Saturday Wexford again came within one score of the All-Ireland champions, but again the vital score simply wouldn't come. In truth, though, Tipperary should have sealed their place in the final long before the end of the game.
With only one minute on the clock, Eimear McDonnell hit the back of the net. A minute later the left corner forward added a point as Tipperary raced into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead. But then came the goal of the game. Wexford wing forward Una Leacy was fouled 25 yards from goal. Kate Kelly stepped up to take the free, but didn't rise the ball properly. No panic, Kelly allowed the ball hit the ground before taking a step forward and firing to the top-right corner.
Wexford reverted to their bad habits - namely gifting the deadly-accurate Claire Grogan scoreable frees at almost every opportunity. Kate Kelly, Wexford's tireless midfielder, tried to reverse the momentum late in the second half, but missed her goal chance. Instead, Tipperary swept downfield and McDonnell clipped over another score to leave an apparently insurmountable nine points between the sides at the break, 1-10 to 1-1.
Wexford emerged after the break believing the deficit could not be paid off by points alone. Easy scores in the first 10 minutes of the second period were spurned for the chance of a goal. Tipperary defences held and soon forced a change of focus.
Wexford corner forward Ursula Jacob claimed the first point of the second half, with Una Leacy adding another. Suddenly, with Wexford sweeping forward, it was the Tipperary defence giving away frees and Kate Kelly hit the target with four out of five.
With 10 minutes left, Tipperary were four points ahead, 1-11 to 1-7 - with a pointed free by Grogan all the reigning champions had to show for 20 minutes' play. Wexford resumed their search for a goal, but Jacob had to settle for a point after a scramble in front of the Tipp goal was partly cleared.
Tipperary continued to live dangerously before substitute Shenna Howard and another Grogan free put a little breathing space between the teams.
TIPPERARY: J Delaney; S Kelly, U O'Dwyer, J Kirwan; S Nealon, C Gaynor, T Brophy; A McDermott, P Fogarty; J Ryan (0-1), N Kennedy, C Grogan (0-8, five frees); E McDonnell (1-2), D Hughes (capt), J Horan (0-1). Subs: T O'Halloran for Ryan (43 mins); M Shortt for Brophy (49 mins); S Howard (0-1) for Kennedy (51 mins).
WEXFORD: M Darcey; B Holohan, C O'Loughlin, D Codd; O Hernan, A Codd, C O'Connor; K Kelly (1-4, all frees), A O'Connor; U Leacy (0-1), M Leacy (0-1, capt), M O'Leary; M Kelly, M Hearne, U Jacob (0-2). Subs: E Quigley for Holohan (26 mins); B Furlong for M Kelly (43 mins); A Moran for Hernan (47 mins).
Referee: F Mac Conmara (Clare).
