Minors seek to banish previous All-Ireland defeats

THE disappointment felt by players, mentors and supporters in Athy in 2008 and in Thurles last year after the All-Ireland U-18 finals is something that followers of Clare camogie don’t want to experience again.
Heading into their third successive final at this level, it is understandable that the memories of the defeats suffered from Kilkenny in both of those finals come flooding back.
However, there is an air of confidence sweeping through the county, that it will be ‘third time lucky’ and that the All-Ireland trophy will be carried back to Clare on Saturday evening by Chloe Morey, a member of the squad for the past two years.
That Clare are facing a huge task is without question. Galway have won the All-Ireland U-16 title for the past two years and were installed as favourites for this title at an early stage.
Clare lost to Tipperary 1-7 to 1-10 in the opening round but they then went to Cork and scored a two-point win over the home side to bounce back into contention. Later, they met the Cork side again, this time in the Munster final and Clare emerged one-point winners of a great contest played in Sixmilebridge.
In the All-Ireland semi-final, they came up against Tipperary again and this time Clare avenged the first-round defeat when they had a 3-11 to 1-9 win over the Premier outfit.
There will be at least one change from that side for Saturday’s final. Midfielder, Orlaith Duggan from Clooney-Quin has been ruled out with a broken hand, which she suffered in the semi-final win over Tipperary and this is a big blow to Clare hopes.
Morey will captain the team from centre-back and the defence is also expected to include Maire McGrath and Jessica O’Neill, with Susie O’Shea between the posts. Niamh O’Dea, who is also a prominent member of the Clare ladies’ football side, is expected to be at midfield while the attack will include Naomi Carroll, Niamh Corry and Sinéad Tuohy, along with Whitegate’s Susan Fahy, who scored a hat-trick of goals in the semi-final.
There is no doubt that this is a huge task for Clare as Galway are one of the strongest counties in underage camogie. That said, this Clare squad has gained huge experience in the past two years, winning Munster honours at U-16 and minor levels. They may be the underdogs but they are determined to bring home another title and, come 5pm on Saturday evening, Clare camogie may well be celebrating another first.
Clare panel: Susie O’Shea (Ballyea), Joanne Walsh (Newmarket), Maire McGrath (Sixmilebridge), Jessica O’Neill (Clooney-Quin, Laura McMahon (Newmarket), Chloe Morey (Sixmilebridge, capt), Christina Glynn (Kilnamona), Orlaith Duggan (Clooney-Quin), Niamh O’Dea (Corofin), Rachel O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge), Regina O’Brien (Ogonnelloe) Niamh Corry (Sixmilebridge), Naomi Carroll (Sixmilebridge), Susan Fahy (Whitegate), Sinead Tuohy (Sixmilebridge), Katie Cahill (Kilmaley), Lisa Loughnane (Kilkishen), Joanne Walsh (Newmarket), Lorna Higgins (Kilmaley), Helen Hehir (Inagh), Regina O’Brien (Ogonnelloe), Caitriona Hennessy (St Josephs), Leanne Boyle (Wolfe Tones), Caroline Feehily (Newmarket), Lisa Loughnane (Kilkishen), Saibhe Corbett (Clooney-Quin), Aisling O’Halloran (Kilmaley), Ciara Minogue (Feakle), Rachel McNamara (Tulla), Vera Loughnane (Feakle), Ellen Horgan (Truagh-Clonlara), Edel Broderick (Killanena), Ailish Considine (Kilmaley), Louise Woods (St Joseph’s).
The team mentors are Francie Mahon (manager), John Carmody (coach), Jim Loughnane, Niamh McInerney and Brendan Mulcaire.