Clare send out warning ahead of Munster Minor B Decider

Team managers Davy Browne of Clare and Peter Jordan ofWaterfordwill have learned little or maybe a lot from this final group stage match played at Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Grounds on Sunday.  Both sides had already qualified to meet each other in the provincial decider by virtue of wins over Tipperary and Limerick so this match was really a dead rubber before a ball was kicked.

 

Obviously neither manager showed his full hand in this game but even if both teams were under-strength Clare seemed to have a more talented squad than the Déise representatives.  Davy Browne will be very cautious however as he will know well that it can be difficult to beat a team a second time in a championship especially if the opposition can field a much stronger outfit in the final with all to play for.

 

Both teams started nervously in a game played in blustery conditions and in whichWaterfordhad the benefit of the elements in the first half.  Playing against the wind Clare had the tonic of an opening score and a goal from Quilty’s up and coming talented player Chloe Moloney.  The Kilmurry-Ibrickane starlet struck after seven minutes following a lovely move involving Aoife Keane and Karen Roche.  Moloney followed up her goal with a point a minute later.  Eva O’Dea, who surprisingly was not included in the Clare U-16 panel despite being eligible, then added another point for Clare beforeWaterford’s best player on the day Máiréad Power opened their account with a point on fourteen minutes.

 

Player of the match Aoife Keane from Kilnamona then imposed herself on the game with a stunning goal for the Clare girls.  Aoife was to contribute 1 – 5 for the saffron and blue’s before match end and was a joy to watch kicking scores at ease off both feet.  Eimear Hillery, another outstanding prospect for the future, then added a long range point from play beforeWaterford’s Gearldine Power added her side’s second point of the day.  Karen Roche for Clare and Liz Devine forWaterfordswapped goals and points from Aoife Keane (2) and Máiread Power concluded the first half scoring leaving Clare with a very satisfactory 3 – 6 to 1 – 4 interval lead.

 

Clare started the second half in good style and Eimear Hillery landed another wonderful long range point after just two minutes of play. Further points from Aoife Keane (2) and Nollaig Blake followed while Máiréad Power (2) and Devine had similar scores forWaterford. Eva O’Dea and Keane were again on the score-sheet for Clare beforeWaterfordscored a late consolation.

 

While it is hard to give a definitive analysis of this match Clare can be pleased with the performance of players such as Aoife Keane, Eimear Hillery, Marie Foran, Orlaith Lynch, Chloe Moloney, Karen Roche, Eimear Casey and Eva O’Dea.  There is obviously much room for improvement and judging by some of the absentees from today’s game (Niki Kaiser, Sinéad O’Keeffe, Sinéad Quinn, Gráinne Nolan, Katie Connole, Orla Devitt etc..) there is real potential in this squad to confirm this result when the teams meet again in the provincial decider.

 

Clare: Aoife O’Neill, Rachel O’Toole, Amy O’Brien, Grainne Harvey, Joanne Howley, Marie Foran, Orlaith Lynch, Aisling Corbett, Sinead Considine, Emer Hillary (0-2), Eva O’Dea (0-2), Nollaig Blake (0-1), Aoife Keane (1-5), Chloe Moloney (1-2), Karen Roche (1-0).
Subs at half time: Orlagh Kennelly for Aoife O’Neill, Emma McMahon for Grainne Harvey, Emer Considine for Amy O’Brien, Jenny Ryan for Chloe Moloney.

 

Waterford: Cadhla McGrath, Aisling Hahesy, Alice Hahesy, Aoife Landers, Meabh Kennedy, Caroline Murphy, Clodage Keane, Megan O’Connor, Aoife Dunne, Shauna Dunphy, Eimear Fennel, Lauren McGregor, Liz Devine, Máiread Power, Hannah Landers.