U16A All Ireland Championship

Clare 2-8 Tipperary 1-9

A gutsy, hard fought battle from the Clare U16A panel on Sunday afternoon in Cratloe saw them avenge their defeat by Tipperary in the Munster semi final. Goals from Aoibhin Ryan and Lorna McNamara in each half along with excellent defending and a very strong performance from Rachel Daly in the Clare goals means that the last round of games in a weeks time will decide who progresses to the semi final stage.

A Becky Foley free within thirty seconds of the throw in saw Clare launch the first attack of the game, however the visitors dealt with the attack and swiftly moved play to the other end where Rachel Daly blocked well and cleared from danger. Tipps Emer McGrath opened the scoring in the third minute, converting a free. Tipp won possession from the puckout and Clodagh McIntyre passed to Rose Anne O’Dwyer only for Daly again to deny the visitors. From the puckout Clare went on the attack and when Siobhan Lenihan was foulded, Lorna McNamara converted the resulting free to level the sides. The pairing of Siofra ní Chonail and Emily Cahill in mid field saw both girls prove to be a thorn in Tipps side throughout and winning possession, passed to Ciara Halpin who sent her shot forward to Becky Foley out on the wing. The Truagh Clonlara youngster sent forward to Ryan who gathered and drove through the Tipp defence and hand passed to the net. A brace of points from Finia O’Brian saw Clare ahead 1-3 to 0-2 mid way through the opening half. However the visitors upped the tempo in the next quarter. McGrath, Tipps chief scorer on the day added a point from placed ball. Tipps goal came from the stick of Eimear Heffernan when the visitors won a free just inside their own half, Heffernans shot had the distance and dipped under the bar to see the sides level in the twenty second minute. Daly again saved Clare with Tipps next attack. McGrath converted a free just before the half time whistle to give the visitors the minimum advantage at half time, Clare 1-3 Tipperary 1-4.

Clare captain Ella McNamara opened the scoring in the second half, a free from out on the wing had the distance to travel and split the posts. With the next passage of play ní Chonail set up Lorna McNamara who edged the Banner in front. Again McGrath levelled the sides with a converted free, and her next effort edged Tipp back in front. With both sides needing a win to keep their hopes alive, this was a physical encounter, Tipp went on the attack from the puckout and when full forward O’Donnell was sent a pass she bore down on the Clare goals. With only Daly to beat a green flag beckoned for the visitors, however Daly blocked expertly and came off her line to clear from danger. Ella McNamara winning a free on the wing sent the ball long to Ryan who passed the oncoming Lenihan who split the posts on the run to level the sides for the fifth time. Tipp conceded another free from the puckout and Ella McNamara sent her shot goal bound from forty yards out, Tipp goalie Ella Carey batted the ball out only for the ever vigilant Lorna McNamara bat the ball straight to the back of the net. McGrath pulled a point back from a free to narrow the deficit to two points with ten minutes remaining. A brace of frees from Lorna McNamara gave Clare a four point cushion as the game entered the closing minutes hoiwever the Tipp youngsters threw all they had at Clare during the five minutes of injury time. Daly again dealt with a Tipp attack and McGrath converted the resulting ’45. McGrath converted another free but Clare held out to take the win 2-8 to 1-9.

Clare will travel to Wexford next Sunday, while Tipperary host Cork. The permutations of possible outcomes could see Clare, Tipperary or Cork take the second spot in the Group and progress to the semi final stage along with Waterford.

Clare: Rachel Daly Scariff Ogonnelloe; Ciara Hehir Inagh Kilnamona, Roisin Minogue Bodyke, Caoimhe Kelly Kilkishen; Ella McNamara Killanena - Capt 0-1, Susan Daly Scariff Ogonnelloe, Ciara Halpin Clooney Quin; Siofra ní Chonaill St Josepjs, Emily Cahill Kilmaley; Finia O’Brrien Sixmilebridge 0-2, Becky Foley Truagh Clonlara, Lynda Daly Scariff Ogonnelloe; Lorna McNamara Killanena 1-4, Siobhan Lenihan Kilkishen 0-1, Aoibhin Ryan Inagh Kilnamona 1-0

Subs: Aoife Corey Ruan for Foley, Aisling Hannon St Josephs for Halpin

Tipperary: Ella Carey Nenagh; Bonnie Conroy Kilruane, Gemma Fox Annacarty Capt, Lauren Ryan Toomervarra; Eimear Heffernan Knockavilla 1-0, Sorcha Ryan Cashel, Laura Heffernan Annacarthy; Jill Anne Quirke Toomervarra, Sinead Ryan Clonoulty; Karin Blair Cashel, Rachel O’Dwyer Annacarthy, Clodagh McIntyre Shannon Rovers; Emer McGrath Drom 0-8, Rose Anna O’Donnell Annacarthy, Grace O’Toole Newport 0-1

Subs: Emer Burke Clonoulty for O’Dwyer, Lea Heffernan Annacarthy for O’Donnell

Referee: Mike Ryan, Galway

Player of the Game: Rachel Daly Clare