All Ireland Minor A Championship Semi Final

St Brendans Park, Birr

Clare 3-12 Dublin 0-9

Clare booked their All Ireland Minor Final spot on Saturday afternoon in St Brendans Park Birr with a stylishly comfortable win over Dublin. Clare were full value for money as they dominated proceedings all over the field right from the throw in. Clare elected to play with the aid of a strong wind having won the toss and they quickly took control, getting off to a dream start with a goal in the opening minute.

Dublin had the opening attack of the game, however the tight knit backs were on guard and Laoise Ryan blocked well before being fouled. Allanah Ryan sent a powerful shot down the field where Evelyn Duggan, lining out at centre forward, from out on the wing sent her shot goalwards, a scramble in the goal mouth ensued and Aine O’Loughlin struck with Dublin goalie Megan Thomas misjudging for the opening score of the tie. Aoife Power and O'Loughlin followed with points and Clare were five points clear in as many minutes. Dublins opening score came tem minutes into this game, Ciara Holland splitting the posts from placed ball. Duggan replied for the Banner girls just before O’Loughlin struck for Clare second goal mid way through the half to have Clare ahead 2-3 to 0-1.

Clare eased off somewhat on the scoreboard over the next ten minutes, although both Bridin Dinan and O’Loughlin had shots stopped on the line. Holland converted a free in the twenty third minute and the young Dubs had their first score from play just two minutes later when Keri Finnegan split the posts. Clare however had the last say before referee Cathal Egan sounded the half time whistle, when Dinan fired over to give Clare a comfortable cushion going in at the break, Clare 2-5 Dublin 0-3.

Clare employed a similar play as their Dublin counterparts in the second half with Amy Barrett playing a sweeper role. Again Clare were first on the scoreboard, mid fielder Laura Foley to which Finnegan responded to in kind. Foley split the posts and from the puckout Dublin were on the attack, Clare net minder Ciara McCarthy who wasn’t overly troubled throughout the sixty minutes was fast to react and blocked well, with the eager Dublin forwards fouling her as she came away with possession. Ryan again sent a long delivery which Power gathered, off loading to Foley who was well positioned in support, the Truagh youngster found her club mate O’Loughlin and it was green flag number three for the Banner outfit giving the a 3-7 to 0-4 advantage.

Dublin responded with three points, frees from Holland and Niamh Rock, and a well struck effort from substitute Aoibhe Dillon. Sinead Conlon replaced Phelan and the Tulla youngster had her name on the scoreboard within minutes of entering the fray, pointing on the run. Holland converted from a free, however there was no let up from the Clare forwards. Foley struck for the first of a trio of points, while Sinead Power set up O’Loughlin for the bnext with Foley converting a free for the third to see clare with a 3-11 to 0-8 advantage as the game entered the closing minutes. Dillon converted a free for Dublins last score while it fell to O’Loughlin to secure Clares last score of the game.

Credit to Dublin, they never gave up but faced with a determined and focused Banner outfit, they were outplayed on the day. The Clare outfit displayed a maturity beyond their years in their read of the game, while the support play was ever present.

Clare will now play Galway who accounted for Cork in the other semi final, in the Final on the 22nd April at a venue to be confirmed. The two sides met in the opening game of the Championship, with Clare recording a 2-9 to 0-12 victory on that occasion. However the next day out will be a tighter affair, with both teams vying for the ultimate win.

Clare; Ciara McCarthy (Newmarket on Fergus); Laoise Ryan (Inagh-Kilnamona) Alannah Ryan (Kilkishen), Louise Egan (Truagh-Clonlara); Ciara Grogan (Clooney-Quin), Emma Kennedy (Sixmilebridge) Captain, Ciara Doyle (Scariff-Ogonnelloe); Amy Barrett (Scariff-Ogonnelloe), Laura Foley (Truagh-Clonlara) 0-4; Laura McGrath (Feakle), Evelyn Duggan (Tulla) 0-1, Aoife Power (Scariff-Ogonnelloe) 0-2; Olivia Phelan (Sixmilebridge) 1-0, Aine O'Loughlin (Truagh-Clonlara) 2-3, Bridin Dinan (Tulla) 0-1;

Subs; Sinead Power (Inagh-Kilnamnona) for Dinan; Sinead Conlon (Tulla) 0-1 for Phelan; Hannah Dinan (Clarecastle) for Duggan; Roisin Power (Truagh-Clonlafra) for McGrath

Dublin; Megan Thomas; Jennifer O'Sullivan, Niamh Gleeson, Sarah Meagher; Orla Gray, Isabelle Costello, Niamh Rock(0-1); Chloe Mullen, Evelyn Twomey; Eimear O'Leary, Kerri Finnegan (0-2) Sinead Wylde; Ciara Hlland (0-2), Rachel Brennan,Aliz Buckley (0-2);

Subs; Aoife Dillon (0-2) for Wylde;

Referee; Cathal Egan, Cork