Minor ladies seek All-Ireland crown

MONDAY’S All-Ireland minor B ladies football final against Laois in Nenagh is a pivotal game for county underage football.
Opponents Laois look a formidable side and will be favourites by virtue of their semi-final demolition of a fancied Monaghan team.

Clare can look back with some satisfaction at their season to date also. They won all their games in Munster, accounting for Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford in the preliminary rounds, before again defeating Waterford in the provincial decider. Last time out, they also had a comprehensive win over Connacht representatives Roscommon and scored 7-16 in the process. Worryingly, though, they also conceded 4-12 in this game.

If Clare is to have a realistic chance on Monday, they must be more competitive in the pivotal midfield area and need to at least secure a 40/60 possession ratio. They must also tighten up defensively and cut off surging runs through the middle of their defensive lines, as happened in the Roscommon game and also in the second half of their Munster final against Waterford.

A number of changes to the 15 who started against Roscommon are expected and the likelihood is that Éire Óg’s Orla Devitt will command a starting place in the final. She impressed when scoring two second-half goals against Roscommon when introduced at the interval and also added valuable pace to the Clare attack.

The Banner Ladies defender Sinéad Quinn could also make the starting 15 for the first time this season. Quinn has been outstanding for her club side in this year’s county senior championship and looks the ideal replacement for the injured Shauna Harvey.

At midfield, Clare will have to up their work rate and it is anticipated that centre-forward Niki Kaiser will fill one of the centre-field berths for the final. Niki has tremendous pace and is very competitive in tight situations.

Clare will also possibly employ a third player in this position to hoover up breaking ball and prevent opposition attacks. Gráinne Nolan could be well suited to this role, as she is a hugely intelligent and gutsy player, full of skill and footballing nous.

Up front, Clare will hope that Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s Chloe Moloney keeps up her rich vein of form that she has displayed all season. Moloney and Devitt seem to have a great understanding of each other’s play and it could be a big bonus for Clare if this duo click on the day.

Aoife O’Gorman of Cooraclare is also a player hitting form at the right time and if she has a big game in the final, she will really trouble the Laois defence.

The game will throw in at 1.30pm on Monday in McDonagh Park, Nenagh.