Kilrush beaten in Munster final

In the Schools Junior C Munster final, Kilrush Community College, looking for their second title since 1993, were beaten by Loreto of Clonmel last Friday.
Played at Neville Park, Rathkeale, the game was won in the first half when a very sharp Loreto side had racked up 3-5 before the girls from West Clare got on the board after 25 minutes.
Kilrush opened nervously, conceding several frees and Clonmel had two goals inside the first five minutes. Kilrush launched several forays into the Loreto danger zone with captain Aoife O’Gorman, Ronya Baumann, Áine Ryan and Jenny Browne leading the way but Kilrush failed to capitalise, letting the Tipp side pull away. They pushed the gap to 3-5 before Kilrush decided enough was enough and finished the half with a strong passage of play. The resulting two frees were converted by Áine Browne, leaving a 12-point gap, 3-5 to 0-2, when Kerry referee Sean Joy blew for the break. 
To underpin their determination, when Loreto pointed on three occasions within seven minutes of the restart, all six forwards were on the board, causing major headaches for defenders Lisa O’Dea, Eva Hayes, Carla Behan, Áine Looney, Sarah Quinlavan and Sinéad Burke. Undeterred, Kilrush struck at the heart of the Tipp defence but when Aoife Carraig and Áine Browne were foiled by two outstanding saves by goalie Heather Hammond, it looked like Kilrush had left it too late to test the Loreto resolve.
However, Jenny Ryan was back with Kilrush’s third point in 42 minutes of play and Áine Browne took her third successful free to bring it to 0-4 to 4-7 in favour of Loreto at the end of the third quarter. The remainder of the game continued to be fast paced as both teams swapped scores. West Clare captain Aoife O’Gorman, who was tireless all day, led the final attacks and pointed to inspire Nicole Burke likewise. Sarah Shannon followed up with a top-drawer goal to boot. 
Kilrush didn’t start with the same vigour as their opponents and didn’t manage to yield the same return from their attacks and were never a threat to the Tipperary girls. However, Kilrush will want to redeem themselves in this competition and will surely be a force to reckon with next year.

Kilrush ­Community School: Stephanie O’Donoghue, Lisa O’Dea, Eva Hayes, Carla Behan, Áine Looney, Sarah Quinlivan, Sinead Burke; Aoife O’Gorman (capt), Ronya Baumann, Áine Browne, Jenny Ryan, Aoife Carraig; Nicole Burke, Grainne Howard, Sarah Shannon, Kayla Crowley, Sarah Thornton, Emma McInerney, Katie Whelan, Cliodhna Bond, Caitriona Crowe, Eilis Howard, Louise O’Gorman, Chlodagh Larkin, Jessica Gilligan.
Management: Orla Kilkenny, Gerard Mescall.

Loreto, Clonmel: Heather Hammond, Shannon Keating, Hazel Shanahan, Leanne Ryan, Aoife Power, Niamh Mackey, Orlaith Ryan, Dara Walsh (capt), Laura Grace, Daniela di Ruzza, Sarah Everard, Lauren Guiry, Megan Shanahan, Sarah Ryan, Aoife Dunne, Shania Dowling, Caroline Quirke, Everna Everard, Emma Wheelan, Michelle McMeel, Chloe Lambert, Sarah McDermott, Eimear O’Donoghue, Ciara O’Loughlin, Emily Corcoran, Jessica Dawson, Aisling Deely.
Management: Niamh Barry, Brian White