Munster Minor A Championship
Clare 1-11 Limerick 0-12
Match was played in near perfect conditions with some slight gusts across the field not favoring either team.
Limerick started the better and owned the first ten minutes registering three early points before Aisling Cooney registered Clares first point from a free.
Clare came to terms with the Limerick midfield and half forward lines and started pressing the Limerick defence, aided by some exceptionally long puckouts and fine clearances from Cara McInerney in goals.
Clare registered two more points from frees before Limerick equalized from a free at the 20th minute (4 points each)
For the rest of the half Clare had the better play and with three more points (two from Aisling Cooney including a ‘45) and fine point from play from Ella Cahill who was now causing big issues for the Limerick backs. Cahill capped off the first half with a deserved goal, well taken on the 30th minute, leaving Clare in the driving seat as the half time whistle sounded, Clare 1-7 Limerick 0-4.
Aisling Moloney replaced Jennifer Nicholas at half time with Eimear Murphy moving into centre back and Cliona Queally dropping back into the wing back slot.
Limerick now had a slight breeze on their side and again started well with three early points (2 from play) before Cooney registered a calming free for Clare on the 40th minute.
However, on the next Clare attack, Ella Cahill brought play to a stop when her knee gave way, when in full flight, causing concern all around. She was replaced by Elisha Twomey who was unlucky not to start. Limerick continued to push, and Limerick’s Laura Frawley added four more points, two from play and two frees while Clare tried to steady with a point each from Aoife Andersen and a Cooney free.
The game was in the balance in the closing five minutes with the score at Clare 1-10 to Limerick’s 11 points. Another Laura Frawley free took the score down to the minimum with a minute (plus four additional) left in the game.
From another lengthy Clare puck out, Grace Carmody gained possession from a ruck on the 45, was fouled and with advantage drove forward to score a fine point from 35 yards.
Limerick’s last attempt came from a free won just outside 50 yards. However, it was longer than intended and eventually broke out for a harmless wide.
Clare’s goal was the difference as well as the previous week’s experience versus Limerick’s first day out. Solid for Clare were Cara McInerney and Eva Fitzgibbon while Abby Walsh steadied midfield with Ella Cahill the main threat up front.
Limerick’s player of the match was Laura Frawley who contributed the bulk of the scores for their side.
Clare: Cara McInerney Inagh Kilnamona; Aoife Dillon Truagh Clonlara, Eva Fitzgibbon Crusheen, Lauren Slater Truagh Clonlara; Eimear Murphy Kilkishen, Jennifer Nicholas Tulla, Hannah Mai Neylon Ballyea; Abby Walsh Scariff Ogonnelloe, Cliodhna Queally Inagh Kilnamona; Lorraine Grady Scariff Ogonnelloe, Mary Hanrahan Crusheen, Grace Carmody Kilmaley 0-1; Aoife Anderson Ruan 0-1, Ella Cahill Eire Og 1-1, Aisling Cooney Parteen 0-8 7F 1’45
Subs: Aisling Moloney Ruan for Nicholas, Elisha Twomey Inagh Kilnamona for Cahill(inj)
Limerick: Leah Quinlan; Niamh Mulcahy, Muireann Leahy, Amy Mullins; Roisin Corbett, Ellie Woulfe, Aine O’Tiarnaigh; Claire Power, Ciara Dunne; Laura Southern, Ciara Riordan, Laura Frawley; Molly Hussey, Aine Conway, Amy O’Halloran
