LADIES FOOTBALL: Heroic Clare just fall short in All-Ireland Semi-Final

Clare 2-19

Laois 2-21 (AET)

HEARTBREAK for Clare in extra time as Laois superstar Mo Nerney guided her side to victory after what can only be described as a contest of epic proportions, writes Derek Dormer.

An absolute outstanding opening thirty minutes with massive intensity by both teams, great scores, point blank saves, a huge penalty claim ignored before another being awarded and missed.

Mo Nerney opened the scoring straight from the throw in after only twenty nine seconds her first of five first half points. Fidelna Marrinan with an immediate response landing a beauty before the game’s first green flag. Sensational work by Niamh O’Dea bursting through the centre shrugging off tacklers with ease before off loading to Roìsìn Considine who blasted home superbly. The teams traded scores but it was Clare who were the dominant force however lady luck was most certainly not on their side hitting the post on no less than three occasions, kicking some poor wides also before drama aplenty. Firstly Clare were denied what looked like a blatant penalty when Catriona Callinan was unceremoniously bundled to the floor when clean in on goal. Seconds later a long Laois delivery beat the Clare defence finding Eva Galvin in acres of space with Galvin making no mistake blasting home. In what was now an end to end contest Keeper Amy Lenihan found Aisling Reidy with a magnificent pin point kick out, Reidy burst through the centre playing a lovely one two with Niamh O’Dea who released Amy Sexton with Sextons shot being illegally stopped and a penalty awarded. Up stepped Chloe Moloney only for her effort to come off the post. Rather than let this blow affect them Clare found the net moments later when Amy Sexton burst through the centre on a driving run burying the ball into the bottom corner to head to the dressing room all square at 2-5 to 1-8.

Disaster for Clare on the resumption when a 1-3 scoring blitz in the first five minutes meant an uphill battle the,goal a moment of individual brilliance from the majestic Nerney gathering possession on the twenty yard line before firing an unstoppable rocket into the top corner. The teams traded scores before this Clare team showed immense character in sweltering heat to kick six of the last seven scores to force extra time with Fidelma Marrinan nailing a 63rd minute free with virtually the last kick of normal time.

Clare now had all the momentum and raced into a four point lead at the beginning of the extra time period. However four more opportunities were kicked wide as Laois struggled to get out of their own half. An injury to Captain Orla Devitt delayed proceedings and in the six additional minutes played the irrepressible Nerney kicked two late points as Clare led 2-18 to 2-16. On the restart Nerney continued her tour de force kicking three more in rapid succession. Clare responded with a Fidelma Marrinan score but Nerney had the last say kicking the final score of the game to ensure a personal haul of 1-14. At the final whistle the heroic Clare players fell to the ground heartbroken losing out in a game for the ages.

Clare Amy Lenihan (Doora-Barefield), Ellie O’Gorman (Kilmihil), Tara Kelly (Cùil Gaels), Grainne Harvey (West Clare Gaels), Siofra Nì Chonaìll (Doora Barefield), Laurie Ryan (Banner), Orla Devitt (Eire Og), Aisling Reidy (Doora Barefield), Chloe Moloney (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Amy Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Gràinne Nolan (Banner), Ròisìn Considine (Liscannor), Fidelma Marrinan (West Clare Gaels), Niamh O’Dea (Banner), Catriona Callinan (Kilmihil) Subs Cliodhna Blake for Grainne Nolan (44 mins), Rebecca Doohan for Graìnne Harvey (44 mins), Emma McMahon for Amy Sexton (50 mins), Lizzy Roche for Chloe Moloney (52 mins), Sinèad Considine for Roìsìn Considine (57 mins), Roìsìn Considine for Orla Devitt (inj ET), Grainne Nolan for Catriona Callinan (ET).

Scorers Fidelma Marrinan 0-9 (2f), Roìsìn Considine (1-2), Amy Sexton (1-0), Grainne Nolan 0-2 (1f), Catriona Callinan, Niamh O’Dea Chloe Moloney, Cliodhna Blake, Aisling Reidy (0-1 each).

Laois Eimear Barry, Amy Potts, Aisling Donoher, Aimee Kelly, Rachel Williams, Ellen Healy, Clodagh Dunne, Anna Healy, Jane Moore, Eva Galvin, Laura Marie Maher, Erone Fitzpatrick, Mo Nerney, Emma Lawlor, Sarah Anne Fitzgerald Subs Joyce Dunne for Sarah Anne Fitzgerald (42 mins), Orla Hennessy for Eva Galvin (45 mins), Anna Moore for Laura Marie Maher (57 mins), Shifra Hall for Orla Hennessy inj (59 mins).

Scorers Mo Nerney 1-14 (3f), Eva Galvin (1-2), Erone Fitzpatrick (0-2), Jane Moore, Emma Lawlor, Laura Marie Maher (0-1 each)

Referee Kevin Corcoran (Mayo)