Disappointment for U-12s

Clare  2-3   Kerry 2-5

THE U-12 side were unlucky to lose the Michael Cullinan final for the second year in a row to a fine Kerry team.
Sharon Malone’s girls made all the early running and scored two goals in the first half, dominating the game with a strong wind at their backs.
The first goal came after five minutes when corner-forward Sarah O’Gorman latched on to a long ball from Aoibhinn Malone to finish clinically. A second soon followed when Sarah Redmond passed inside and a fierce strike from Eve O’Dea, which injured the Kerry goalie’s hand, burst into the net. Kerry replied with three points before two late Clare points from Gráinne Nolan and Bronagh Considine left the score 2-2 to 0-3 at half time.
In the second half, Kerry, playing with the gale, laid siege to the Clare goal, as team captain Rachel Clancy, Aoife Carrig and Chloe Normoyle assisted the keeper Rianna Lillis in keeping the Kingdom at bay. Eventually the pressure told however and Kerry scored 2-2 with Clare’s only reply a fine point from sub Áine Looney. Kerry deserved their victory being the strongest team in the competition but Clare, who lined out without three of their strongest players, will feel they might be a match for Kerry in future competitions.

Clare: Rianna Lillis (Doonbeg), Chloe Normoyle (Coolmeen), Rachel Clancy (West Clare Gaels), Aoife Keane (Banner), Aoife Carrig (Kilrush), Elaine Casey (Banner), Ailbhe Hogan (Doora Barefield), Sarah Redmond (Éire Óg), Aoibhinn Malone (Banner), Eva O’Dea (Banner), Bronagh Considine (Burren Gaels), Grainne Nolan (Banner), Jane Taylor (Clooney-Quin), Anne Marie Hayes (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Sarah O’Gorman (Burren Gaels), Cliondhna Egan (Liscannor), Rebecca Mahon (Kilmihil), Caoimhe Dennehy (Kilmill), Aine Looney (Cooraclare), Elana Bradley (Éire Óg), Nicole Downes (Cooraclare), Amy Hayes (Éire Óg), Sarah Shannon (Kilrush), Laura Chesser (Banner), Kayla Crowley (Kilrush), Gillian Finnucane (Coolmeen).