Clare ladies chase U-16C crown

CLARE’S third juvenile team to take to the national stage this season will play in the U-16C All-Ireland final when they take on Leitrim on Saturday at 2.30pm in Banagher.
Clare, captained by Katie Connolle, fell in the first round to Tipperary, who eventually won Munster and are appearing in the All-Ireland B final against Cavan this weekend.
A cracking Munster C final against Limerick saw Clare fight all the way for a two-point win, having led comprehensively in the first half. A second-half revival by Limerick led to a Player of the Match performance from the Clare goalie, Aoife O’Neill, which showed the character displayed on the day by the Saffron and Blue defence. Since then, O’Neill, Orla Devitt (Munster minor final player of the game), Gráinne Harvey and Marie Foran have played for the Clare minors, bringing home an All-Ireland title recently.
A number of the Clare panel have secured regular places in their club championship teams and gained much experience at that level. Clare’s main playmakers will be Sinéad Considine at full-back, Sinéad Quinn and Róisín Considine at half-back and captain Katie Connolle and Laura Rynne in the centre. Up front, Orla Devitt has been very influential all year at both grades and Gráinne Nolan is also one of the top scorers, with Aoibheann Malone not far behind. A few niggling injuries are being monitored but it is hoped all players will be available on Saturday.
Leitrim had an emphatic win over Down in the All-Ireland C semi-final and despite having a lack-lustre Connaght B campaign, which saw Mayo and Galway (provincial champions) dominate the competition, Leitrim will be highly motivated this weekend.

Clare: Aoife O’Neill (Éire Óg); Rachel O’Toole (Wolfe Tones); Sinéad Considine and Róisín Considine (Liscannor); Katie Connolle (capt), Amy O’Brien and Joanne Howley (Burren Gaels); Aoibhainn Malone, Gráinne Nolan, Sinéad Quinn, Eva O’Dea, Aoife Keane and Emma Neylon (Banner Ladies); Marie Foran, Gráinne Harvey and Amy Keane (West Clare Gaels); Laura Rynne (Miltown); Áine Browne, Susie Williams, Kay Walsh and Jenny Ryan (Kilrush); Orla Devitt (Éire Óg); Nollaig Blake (Doonbeg); Carla Behan (Shannon Gaels); Chloe Normoyle, Sophie Devanny and Gillian Finnucane (Coolmeen); Aisling McMahon and Emer Casey (Doora-Barefield) and Fionnuala Nagle (Fergus Rovers).
Management: Joe Downes (Cooraclare), Martin Nolan (Banner Ladies), Róisín Garry (Kilmihil), Edel Malone (Fergus Rovers), Sharon Malone (Éire Óg) and physio, Bernie Reagan.