Tipperary Ladies-All-Ireland 2007

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR TIPP IN CASTLEBAR

LADIES MISS OUT ON SUNDAY IN LAST GAME

Apoligies for not posting this report sooner,work commitments have kept me away from the PC for most of last week.

However,little else but dissapointment to report from Mayo,with the lads shipping two heavy defeats in the opening matches.A 2-10 reverse against Kildare in the opening match was probably a better result than it sounds,Kildare being the run-away favourites to top the group from the start considering at least half of the team have represented Ireland at various stages in the last decade ablely lead by the legendary Jack McKenna,Donie Ryan and ''China'' Waters picking up our two points.

Realisticaly the group was going to be a shoot-out for the runner-up spot between ourselves and the other two remaining opponents,so the next match against Rosscommon was always going to be key for our chances of qualification.

A spirit crushing 3-9 defeat to the westerners effectivly ended our championship hopes for another season with captain Pascal Cleary,Noel Hally and Noel Landy notching up the trio of points for the Premier.

Westmeath were our last opponents.A 6-6 tie restored some pride to Tipperary with Tomasz Mikolajzcyk,Ger Fitzgerald,Donie Ryan,Noel Hally,''China'' Waters and Del Sheehan doing the bussiness in the end.

A dissapointing weekend it has to be said but possitives must be drawn from the experience.Six of the squad were making their All-Ireland debuts{Pascal O'Brien,James Morrissey,Micheal Waters,Tom Mikolajzcyk,Mike Kearney and Stephen O'Neill} and nothing prepares you for this level except playing at this level.Playing for Tipp in Limerick and Tramore is a good starting point but it must be remembered that as far as this country is concerned this is the biggest tournament.Just to play means your are at the top of the amatuer game here.Giving that,all six accquited themselves well to their surroundings.''China'' Waters proving yet again he is a top class County player,winning two of three matches on the day,thats five out of seven for this year in total.While it might appear that the more senior players may have underperformed,having witnessed some of the games and received regular updates throughout the day it seems that their standard didn't drop,it was just one of those days when their opponents hit every available double.

The management team of Mick O'Connell and Pascal Cleary couldn't be faulted and the players approached the tournament in a thoroughly professional manner.I would personaly like to thank them for their efforts,not just on the weekend but all through the season.A lot of free time was sacrificed,indeed I know some had to take time off work,etc, to make tournaments.I know the players were dissapointed with results and thought they may have left us all down but I can assure you that they are nothing but a credit to their County and I am proud to be associated with them.

It wasn't all heartbreak in Mayo as the Ladies put in another strong performance just missing out on a play-off situation,ultimatly by two points,but in reality if they had managed to win the last match of their game with Rosscommon to draw the tie,they would of forced a three way play-off for a spot in the quater-finals.

The girls are now in a race with the men to see who can make Sunday first,and on there rate of progression who would bet against them.Congradulations to Jackie O'Sullivan on making her Tipp debut in our match with Rosscommon and of course to Tipperarys most successful player,Mens or Ladies,on the weekend-Mary Gregory,winning three out of three games,a big acheivment at this level.

Again I would like to thank Valerie Glavin and all the girls for another wonderful afternoon of darts and again being a credit to the County.

Thanks to all the supporters and officers who travelled to Castlebar and to our team sponsors Recall Security.