U-16C All-Ireland final beckons

Clare 10-3   Meath 1-7

THE Clare U-16 team scored a comprehensive win over Meath in Birr last Saturday to qualify for the C All-Ireland final on Saturday, August 25. Clare will play Leitrim in the final. They scored a 6-17 to 2-12 win over Down in their semi-final.

 

Clare were never in any danger as they despatched Meath in a one-sided affair that produced 13 scores for the Saffron and Blue.

Meath scored from the throw-in with Sarah O’Brien pointing but in the following 20 minutes, Clare clocked up 3-6. Clare goaled following a foul on Orla Devitt, which Gráinne Nolan converted from the penalty spot. Devitt and Nolan dominated up front for Clare, distributing as much as scoring. Contributions to the board from midfielder Laura Rynne, wing-back Róisín Considine and forwards, Áine Browne and Jenny Ryan were sparked from midfield dominance in the opening 20 minutes by Rynne and captain Katie Connolle.

The Royals clawed back 1-3 before the break but a good defence that included Rachel O’Toole, Sinéad Quinn, Joanne Howley, Sinéad Considine  and Marie Foran soon cut off the supply but not before Aoife O’Neill pulled off a point blank save preventing a certain Meath goal. Before Mags Doherty (Wexford) blew up the first half, Orla Devitt had goaled, followed up by a Jenny Ryan point restoring a 12-point advantage to the Banner County,4-7 to 1-4.

The Royals resumed with vigour and had three points scored in the first quarter but that was the extent of their efforts. Aoibheann Malone enjoyed a four-point run that saw the Saffron and Blue swarm the Meath end for the remainder of the game. Orla Devitt then began the 6-3 frenzy for the last nine minutes that saw her and Chloe Normoyle take two each. Carla Behan and Malone finished with 1-1 each and Laura Rynne pointed her second of the game.

A strong Clare panel that includes recent minor All-Ireland champions Aoife O’Neill, Orla Devitt (minor Munster final player of the final), Gráinne Harvey and Marie Foran proved too much for a Meath side that did not perform as expected. Róisín Considine, Áine Bowne and Marie Foran worked very hard to push Clare forward from the middle third while Sinéad Considine was very steady at full-back.   

Clare: Aoife O’Neil (Éire Óg), Rachel O’Toole (Wolfe Tones), Sinéad Considine (Liscannor), Joanne Howley (Burren Gaels), Sinéad Quinn (Banner Ladies), Marie Foran (West Clare Gaels), Róisín Considine (Liscannor) (0-1), Laura Rynne (Miltown) (0-2), Áine Browne (Kilrush) (0-1), Orla Devitt (Eire Óg) (3-2), Katie Connolle (Burren Gaels) (captain), Jenny Ryan (Kilrush) (1-1), Nollaig Blake (Doonbeg), Aoibhainn Malone (Banner Ladies) (1-4), Gráinne Nolan (Banner Ladies) (2-1, 1 penalty).
Subs used: Amy O’Brien (Burren Gaels), Carla Behan (Shannon Gaels) (1-1), Eva O’Dea (Banner Ladies), Chloe Normoyle (Coolmeen) (2-0), Emer Casey (Doora- Barefield).
Subs: Amy Keane (West Clare Gaels), Sophie Devanny (Coolmeen), Gillian Finnucane (Coolmeen),  Fionnula Nagle (Fergus Rovers), Gráinne Harvey (West Clare Gaels), Aisling McMahon (Doora Barefield), Susie Williams (Kilrush), Emma Neylon (Banner Ladies), Kay Walsh (Kilrush), Aoife Keane (Banner Ladies).
Management: Joe Downes (Cooraclare), Martin Nolan (Banner Ladies), Róisín Garry (Kilmihil), Edel Malone (Fergus Rovers), Sharon Malone (Éire Óg).
Physio: Bernie Reagan.