All Ireland U16B Semi Final

Corofin, Co. Galway

Referee: Gerry Guinan (Galway)

Clare 2 – 12               Roscommon 1 – 7

Clare continued their quest to retain their All Ireland U16 B crown with a great semi-final victory over a strong Roscommon side at sun-drenched Corofin on Saturday. An excellent first half performance, when wind assisted, laid the foundation for their win as did the blistering start which saw Clare find the net on two occasions in the opening ten minutes.

Roscommon were first to score however with a first minute point from Sarah Brudell but Ailish Considine soon had Clare on level terms with a pointed free.  It was Considine again who was on the mark for the first of Clare’s goals on five minutes when she was put through from a Sally Glynn sideline ball.  Two minutes later Clare struck for their second goal when clever interplay between Eimear O’Connor and Naomi Carroll set Megan Hough free and the Lisdoonvarna lady made no mistake with her fine effort.  Points from Liscannor’s Áine Burke and Miltown’s Niamh Pender then extended Clare’s lead to 2-3 to 0-1 on the quarter hour.

With wind advantage Clare continued to press forward and despite a number of scorable wides their pressure was eventually rewarded with two Ailish Considine points from placed balls to extend Clare’s lead to ten points by the twenty minute mark.  Further points were to come before half time with Áine Burke getting her second of the match and Cratloe’s Naomi Carroll getting two of her own also.  Roscommon broke downfield for their second score of the game just on the stroke of half time to leave the interval score-line 2-8 to 0-2 in Clare’s favour.

Roscommon started the second half in whirlwind fashion and added a goal and three points in the opening twelve minutes to cut Clare’s lead dramatically.  Considine then settled the ship somewhat when converting a free following a foul on Naomi Carroll to leave the score 2-9 to 1-5 after forty five minutes.  Roscommon’s resurgence was well and truly halted when Considine and Niamh O’Dea added further Clare points.  Roscommon did add two further points before the final whistle but Clare’s Áine Burke completed her hat trick of points with a lovely effort from play to leave Clare comfortable and worthy winners on a score of 2-12 to 1-7.

Apart from the aforementioned forwards Clare had great defensive performances from Laurie Ryan, Katie Cahill, Niamh O’Dea and Sarah Bohannon while midfielders Sally Glynn and Eimear O’Connor were solid throughout.  Clare’s reward for this win is an All Ireland final place against Tipperary (who overcame Mayo in the other semi-final also played on Saturday).  Clare and Tipperary have met already in this year’s Munster final and it took a replay to separate the sides with the Premier girls eventually winning by a very narrow margin.  So the repeat of the Munster final should produce an intriguing final and hopefully Clare can turn the tables on the Tipperary girls when the sides meet on August 10th.

Clare: Siobhán Talty (Miltown), Laurie Ryan (Banner Ladies), Aoife Murphy (Doora/Barefield), Katie Curtin (Miltown), Sarah Bohannon (Shannon Gaels), Niamh O’Dea (Banner Ladies, Capt., 0-1), Katie Cahill (Banner Ladies), Sally Glynn (Cooraclare), Eimear O’Connor (Coolmeen), Naomi Carroll (Banner Ladies, 0-2), Áine Burke (Liscannor, 0-3), Niamh Pender (Miltown, 0-1), Megan Hough (Banner Ladies, 1-0), Ailish Considine (Kilmihil, 1-5), Niamh O’Connell (Coolmeen).

Subs: Marian Conway (Banner Ladies) for Naomi Carroll 50 minutes

Roscommon: Cáit Mullooly, Jane McGowan, Aisling McNeill, Aisling Harrington, Lisa Walshe, Rachel Corcoran, Maeve Holmes, Jennifer Higgins, Sarah Brady, Imelda Scally, Natalie McHugh, Catherine Hagan, Dayna Walker, Sarah Brudell, Joanne Cregg.

Dr. Paul McKenna,
PRO Clare Ladies Football

www.bannerladiesfootball.com