Roscommon edge out Clare in extra-time to set up All-Ireland Minor B Final clash with Longford

All-Ireland Minor B Semi final

Roscommon 3-13
Clare 3-09

Clare and Roscommon served up a cracking game in Tuam Stadium in today’s All-Ireland Minor B semi-final, before the Westerners came out on top by four points after extra-time.

Roscommon had stand-out attacking displays from Kayleigh Shine (2-3) and Aimee O’Connor (0-7), who scored 2-10 between them.

Clare’s Aimee Sexton, who scored 1-5, was unlucky to finish on the losing side following a gripping clash.

Roscommon started quickly & were 2-3 to 0-1 in front after eight minutes, thanks to goals from Kayleigh Shine & Megan McKeon.

Clare struck back with a goal of their own in the 10th minute from Amy Sexton.

Further Clare points from Sexton & Alannah McNamara brought Clare to within a goal of their opponents, but Roscommon pulled five points clear by half time thanks to scores from Aimee O’Connor and Onagh Kelly.

A point from the always dangerous O’Connor put Roscommon 2-07 to 1-4 in front early in the second half and from here on, defences for both sides seemed to be in control of the game, as scores proved very hard to come by.

On 47 minutes Shena Kilroe cancelled out an Amy Sexton free with a well taken point and when Sexton, who had been Clare’s main threat throughout, went off injured, it looked like Roscommon would push on and win the game.

Both Lauren Shanagher and Aimee O’Connor added to Roscommon’s tally and with seven minutes left in the game, they were a seemingly comfortable, 2-10 to 1-05 in front.

Howeve,  this Clare team refused to quit and manager JJ O’Dea and his backroom team made some important switches.

Siofra Ní Chonaill moved to full forward and suddenly she had the Roscommon defence in a panic. On 57 minutes, she caught a lofted pass from Aisling Reidy and managed to send the ball into the Roscommon net, Clare had a lifeline!

Less than two minutes later and Ní Chonaill turned provider as Aoibhinn O’Loughlin fired home from close range, and suddenly Clare were only a point in arrears.

The clock was in the red when, after two narrow wides, Saska Morrissey sent a free over for Clare to tie the game and send the Banner support wild.

In the first period of extra-time, Kayleigh Shine scored an early goal to put Roscommon three points up and Clare were chasing the game again.

Michaela Glynn saved Clare from going further behind with two cracking saves half-time in extra-time approached.

In the second period of extra time, Amy Sexton returned for Clare and scored two points to give her side a lifeline.

However, Aimee O’Connor and Lauren Shanagher scored three points for Roscommon between them and at the final whistle, the Connacht side were through to a final clash with Longford.

Scorers: Clare – Amy Sexton 1-5, Síofra Ní Chonaill 1-0, Aoibhinn O’Loughlin 1-0, Aisling Reidy 0-1, Saska Morrisey 0-1, Amy Lenihan 0-1, Alannah McNamara 0-1.

Roscommon – Kayleigh Shine 2-3, Aimee O’Connor 0-7, Megan McKeon 1-0, Lauren Shanagher 0-2, Onagh Kelly 0-1.

Teams:

Clare: Michaela Glynn, Sinead Lillis, Roisin McNamara, Ailish Kenny, Siobhan McMahon, Saska Morrissey, Síofra Ní Chonaill, Allannah McNamara, Sarah Ní Cheallaigh (Aoibhinn O’Loughlin 38mins), Amy Sexton (Chloe Towey 51mins), Ruth Ferguson, Aoibhinn Cunningham, Ashland Reidy, Amy Lenihan (Caolfhionn Morrissey 38mins), Clodagh McMahon (Laura Griffey 27mins)

Roscommon: Holly Martin, Rachel Mulligan (Jennifer Brennan 37mins), Saoirse Wynne, Sheena Kilroe, Emma Kildea, Kelley Colgan, Kate Mcphillips, Sarah McVeigh, Michaela Keogh (Edel Byrne 49mins), Megan McKeon, Kayleigh Shine, Ellen Irwin, Aimee O’Connor, Kate Harrington, Onagh Kelly (Lauren Shanagher 43mins)

 

Referee: J Devlin (Galway)