Munster Junior Camogie Championship Final
Clare 0-14
Waterford 0-4
MUNSTER Champions for the first time since 2005 and a thoroughly deserved title conceding only one score from play in 60 minutes, reports Derek Dormer.
Work rate is such an essential ingredient of any successful team and this Clare Junior side certainly possessed this characteristic in abundance. Inspired by Abby Walsh and Kate O Gorman Clare who conceded the first score from a free inside thirty seconds completely took over hitting the next 9 scores without reply.
By half time Clare led 9 points to two with Shauna Canny scoring four frees and a 45 all converted with unerring accuracy. Aideen Hickey a threat throughout landed two points while wing back Sinead O’ keefe scored the best point of the first thirty after a beautiful team move. Such was the Banner Ladies dominance they yielded no score from play in the opening half and were full value for their seven point interval lead.
The second period was slightly more competitive but this was due to Clare hitting six wides. Waterford could never really get into the contest as Clare hunted in packs. One could sense that this Clare side were on a mission with Waterford only scoring from play when time was almost up.
Every player worked tirelessly for each other always choosing to find a team mate in the best position. The bench was emptied with young players gaining valuable big game experience and the future is certainly bright for Clare Camogie.
Exceptional performances all over the field with leaders in every line this Clare side will now look forward to the All Ireland series as genuine contenders.
Clare: Lauren Solon Whitegate, Caoimhe Lally Newmarket-on-Fergus, Michelle Powell Truagh-Clonlara, Sinead Hogg Truagh-Clonlara, Rebecca Crowe Ruan, Kate O’Gorman Kilkishen, SSinead O’ Keefe Kilmaley, Rachel Kelly Sixmilebridge, Abby Walsh Scariff-Ogonelloe, Ellen Casey Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shauna Canny Feakle-Killanena, Niamh Mulqueen Broadford, Aideen Hickey Whitegate, Olivia Phelan Sixmilebridge, Siobhan Lenihan Kilkishen
Subs: Regan Conway for Rachel kelly 26 mins ,Grace Carmody for Aideen Hickey 42 mins ,Emma Kennedy for Rebecca Crowe 48 mins, Sarah Loughnanne for Olivia Phelan 52 mins, Aisling Cooney for Siobhan Lenihan 57 mins Roisin Powell for Niamh Mulqueen 58 mins Aoife Anderson for Sinead O ‘Keefe 59 mins
Scorers: Shauna Canny 0-7 ( 5f 1 45) Aideen Hickey 0-2 Siobhan Lenihan 0-2 Ellen Casey Sinead O ‘Keefe Grace Carmody 0-1 each
Waterford: Sally Kelly,Georgia Harris, Ellen Curran,Emily Mahony,Niamh Murphy, Leah Sheridan,Niamh Curran,Holly Ryan Caroline Farrelly,Jordan Scholtz,Aileen Gallagher,Lucy Hogan,Amy MacKintosh, Valerie O’ Brien,Emer Walshe
Subs: Kate O’Donughue for Valerie O’Brien 26 mins Megan O’Regan for Amy Mackintosh HT Onelia Nì Fhaolàn for Emer Walshe HT Aleisha Macdonald for Niamh Curran 43 mins Heather Hayes for Jordan Scholtz 51 mins
Scorers: Lucy Hogan 0-2 (2f) Nianh Murphy 0-1 (45) Heather Hayes 0-1
Referee: Colm Vaughan
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.