Galway 2-12 Clare 2-8

A POWERFUL performance in the opening 20 minutes saw Galway lay the foundations for victory in this All-Ireland minor A camogie final replay at Semple Stadium in Thurles on Sunday.
Ten points behind at this stage, Clare were fighting an uphill battle from here on and while they closed the margin in the second half, there is no denying the merit of Galway’s victory.
The winners were much the sharper outfit and dominated the opening exchanges. They were first to the ball throughout the pitch and but for the outstanding play of Clare full-back Maire McGrath, the winners could have had a greater score at the halfway point, when they were 1-8 to 0-4 in front.
They set the tone from the throw-in and were in front after just 13 seconds when Clodagh McGrath pointed. Three Rebecca Hennelly pointed frees followed before Naomi Carroll opened Clare’s account in the 13th minute.
The hockey international’s score failed to get her side moving and Galway responded with a Maria Breheny point, which was followed, at the mid-point of the half by a goal from Ailish O’Reilly.
Clare made some changes to their line-up and introduced Rachel O’Halloran in place of Louise Woods but Galway continued to dominate and they added a further three points to lead 1-8 to 0-1 with seven minutes remaining in the half.
Clare, to their credit, finished the half strongly and three pointed frees by their captain Chloe Morey left the half-time score at 1-8 to 0-4 in Galway’s favour.
When Clare returned, they had Ailish Considine in at corner-forward in place of Regina O’Brien and the substitute played a part in Clare’s first goal, which came in the third minute of the second half. Considine knocked down a Chloe Morey delivery into the path of Rachel O’Halloran, who first-timed the ball to the net to close the gap to four points and give her team some hope.
Clare, however, failed to build on this and the Galway defence held firm. At the three-quarter stage the margin was still four points, with Galway ahead on a 1-9 to 1-5 scoreline.
Clare introduced Laura McMahon for the injured Sinead Tuohy, while Galway were able to call on the vastly experienced Niamh McGrath, who came into their forward line in place of Finola Keely. McGrath had the first of her two points with seven minutes remaining and this put her team six clear.
Chloe Morey kept Clare in the hunt but three minutes from the end of normal time Galway struck for their second goal when Maria Breheny burst through to score after Susie O’Shea had failed to hold a high delivery.
This score killed off any hopes of a Clare win but to the Banner side’s credit they continued to battle on and Susan Fahy had their second goal in the fourth minute of injury time. Six minutes of added time was played, which was justified, as there had been a long delay while Sinéad Tuohy received attention for a leg injury.
On the day, Galway dominated in most positions and fully merited their win. They had outstanding performances from Laura Donnellan, Karen Brien, Olivia Lane, Laura Mitchell, Rebecca Hennelly and Ailish O’Reilly.
Clare full-back Maria McGrath was outstanding throughout and certainly saved her side from a heavier defeat. Chloe Morey tried hard at centre-back while elsewhere, Christina Glynn, Susan Fahy and Naomi Carroll tried hard.

Galway: Olivia Lane; Tara Kenny, Karen Brien, Siobhán Coen; Noreen Murphy, Laura Donnellan, Lorraine Farrell; Laura Mitchell, Shauna Healy; Rebecca Hennelly, Clodagh McGrath, Ailish O’Reilly; Finola Keely, Maria Breheny, Aoife Donohue.
Scorers: Rebecca Hennelly (0-6); Maria Breheny (1-1); Ailish O’Reilly (1-0); Niamh McGrath (0-2;) Clodagh McGrath, Aoife Donohue, Finola Keely (0-1) each.
Subs: Niamh McGrath for Keely;  Maria Cooney for Donohue.

Clare: Susie O’Shea; Joanne Walsh, Maire McGrath, Lorna Higgins; Lisa Loughnane, Chloe Morey, Christina Glynn; Louise Woods, Niamh O’Dea; Naomi Carroll, Susan Fahy, Niamh Corry; Katie Cahill, Regina O’Brien, Sinéad Tuohy.
Scorers: Chloe Morey (0-5); Susan Fahy (1-1); Rachel O’Halloran (1-0); Katie Cahill, Naomi Carroll (0-1) each.
Subs: Rachel O’Halloran for Woods; Ailish Considine for O’Brien; Laura McMahon for Tuohy (inj); Caitriona Hennessy for Corry.

Referee: Killian Looney, Cork.

Mahon looking to the future

TEAM manager Francie Mahon didn’t hide his disappointment after Clare’s defeat in Thurles on Sunday but he readily admitted that the damage was done in the first half.
“Galway were flying in the first 20 minutes and beat us in every position.
“We could not get the ball into the forwards. We made a few changes and got back into the game at the end of the half,” the Éire Óg clubman said.
Francie felt Clare were coming back well in the second half. “Then Galway got their second goal and it was turning point.”
The manager was full of praise for his players.
“They showed great character. The girls did very well, with most of the U-16s from last year involved. Great credit is due to them as they put in a lot of work,” he said.
While Mahon readily admitted that it is hugely disappointing to have lost at this stage for the third year in a row, he said the future is very bright for Clare camogie.
“A lot of the team will be there again next year so we would still be strong again and should be there or thereabouts.”
“ We must keep going. We are contesting All-Ireland finals and a breakthrough is going to come. More will move up to senior next year and this will give them further experience,” he said.
“Today, Galway were stronger. They were quick on the breaks and they hit us early. We had looked well in training and in the warm-up. They hurled every part of the field. The better team won on the day and we have no complaints,” he added.
The attention now switches to the club scene.
“We will be watching the games over the coming weeks and see if we can we pick up some more players for next year. Yes, it’s disappointing to have lost this replay but the break will come and Clare will be crowned All-Ireland champions”, he said.