It was all about the underage in Clare camogie this weekend with competitions reaching the business end, Brid MacNamara reports.
The Clare People Minor Championship
Minor A Cup Semi Finals
Inagh Kilnamona 5-13 Feakle/Killanena 0-6
In perfect conditions in Inagh early Sunday morning, Inagh/Kilnamona and Feakle/Killanena went to battle for a place in the 2016 Minor A Championship Final against Truagh/Clonlara, with the home-side winning the coveted spot, 5-13 to 0-7.
This was a game where the East Clare side found it impossible to get any foot hold in with only three scores on the score board in the first half.
Seconds from the whistle, Amy Keating sailed the ball over the bar, she was to add another 0-4 throughout the half, three from placed ball and one from play. Inagh Kilnamona’s opening goal of the game resulted from a lovely passage of play out from their full-back line, Jane Fitzgerald firing it to the net.
A minute later Chloe McNamara was to get their second of the half. Feakle/Killanena registered their first score in the sixth minute when Regan Conway popped over after a pass from Polly Edge O’Neill Fine performances within Inagh/Kilnamona’s defence meant Feakle/Killanena were kept to two more Conway points in this half, with the combo adding three to their tally from the O’Keefe sisters and Fitzgerald, leading at the interval, 2-8 to 0-3.
The second half started more promising when Poly Edge O’Neill attacked from the throw in to raise the first white flag of the half. Regan Conway followed this with a point from play. Feakle/Killanena needed goals but Inagh Kilnamona continued their dominance for the remainder of the half. A solid Inagh Kilnamona defence held firm against the east Clare amalgamation while at the other end it was Inagh Kilnamona who continued to raise the green flag, substitute Michelle Mescall contributing one, Keating firing two more past the keeper.
Further points from Chloe Foudy, Teresa and Andrea O’Keefe, and Keating extended their lead. This game was played at pace and tough, but Inagh Kilnamona were the better of the sides on the day, determined and focused throughout, earning their place in this year’s Minor A final.
Inagh Kilnamona: Rebecca Keating; Michaela Roughan, Clare Hehir, Roisin Clancy; Ciara Hehir, Sinead Power, Orlaith Cotter; Andrea O’Keefe 0-2, Laosie Ryan; Jane Fitzgerald 1-1,Teresa O’Keefe 0-2,Chloe Foudy 0-1; Caitlin McInerney, Amy Keating 2-7,Chloe McNamara 1-0. Subs: Michelle Mescall 1-0 for Fitzgerald (inj) 28m, Cathy Cullinan for McNamara 42 mins,Leah Wynne for Ryan 46 mins,Kate Hehir for Cotter, Eimear O Looney for McInerney 55 mins, Jane Fitzgerald for Power 56 mins
Feakle/Killanena: Shauna Canny; Eileen Daly, Aoife Tuohy, Roisin Tuohy; Ella McNamara, Laura McGrath 0-1, Aedomar Smyth; Evelyn Duggan, Regan Conway 0-3; Sinead Canny, Robyn Conway, Roisin McMahon; Trish O Donnell, Polly Edge O’Neill 0-1, Rachel McNamara. Subs: Teresa O’Donnell for Trish O’Donnell, Jennifer O’Meara for Sinead Canny, Emma Walsh for Rachel McNamara, Eleanor Nugent for Regan Conway.
Referee: John Dolan
Truagh Clonlara 3-20 Scariff Ogonnelloe 3-9
This Minor A semi-final was played in Clonlara on Saturday evening. Truagh Clonlara started the stronger scoring two points in the opening minutes before Scariff Ogonnelloe got their first score on the board a point from play.
Truagh Clonlara continued to dominate and had several shots on goal which were saved by Rachel Daly. Determined battling from Scariff Ogonnelloe backs Alison Madden and Anna McNamara prevented Truagh Clonlara from raising a green flag in the first half. They did however keep the points ticking over, scoring 5 points to Scariff Ogonnelloes three.
Scariff Ogonnelloe did finish the half stronger though, scoring a goal from Katie Minogue and a point from Aoife Power, leaving just a point in it at half time Scariff Ogonnelloe 1-5 to Truagh Clonlara 0-9.
Truagh Clonlara came out a much stronger team in the second half scoring 2-5 to Scariff Ogonnelloes point. Scariff Ogonnelloe never gave up however, with Katie Minogue scoring her second goal, and two frees were also converted following good work from Lynda Daly and Aisling Corry. But it wasn’t to be for the Scariff Ogonnelloe girls as Truagh Clonlara piled on another 1-7 and Scariff Ogonnelloe only managing 1-1, a point from Corry and goal from Power. This left the final score at 3-20 to 3-9.
Scariff Ogonnelloe: Rachael Daly, Orla O’Gorman, Clodagh Nash, Anna Mcnamara, Susan Daly, Alison Madden, Holly McGee, Rachael Minogue, Amy Barrett, Emma Slattery, Lynda Daly, Aisling Corry, Aoife Power, Katie Minogue, Aoife Maloney. Subs: Anna Ryan for E. Slattery, Aoibheann O’ Gorman for A. Maloney, Fiona Hayes for Holly McGee.
Referee Aidan Ryan
Minor B Cup Semi Finals
St Josephs 2-9 Clarecastle/Ballyea 0-4
St. Josephs winning run continued on Wednesday evening as they accounted for Clarecastle/Ballyea in the Minor B semi-final in Gurteen and booked a place in the county final against Clooney-Quin who accounted for Newmarket later in the week.
Often a scoreline will not reveal the competitiveness of a game and this was such a game.
St. Josephs began with intent and were 1-2 ahead after 8 minutes through Hannah Meaney (0-1) and Ciara Whelan (1-1) before Doireann Murphy registered Clarecastle/Ballyea’s first point from play. The home side added two further points from Ciara Whelan and Keira McGrath mid-way through the half.
Aisling Reidy and Murphy exchanged points and with 7 minutes remaining in the opening half, Ciara Duggan goaled for the Parish side with a high dropping ball into the back of the net to put daylight between the sides as Hannah Meaney pointed on the half time whistle to take a 2-6 to 0-2 lead into the break.
Ultimately this strong finish was the platform for a comfortable win, with two pointed frees by Ciara Whelan soon after half time. To their credit, Clarecastle/Ballyea kept the pressure on and while Doireann Murphy did her best to keep the scoreboard ticking over at the other end through frees, hopes were soon quashed when substitute Siofra Ní Chonaill pointed in the closing stages and by then the game had drifted away from them as St. Josephs progressed to next weeks final.
Strong performances on the day for St. Josephs from mid-fielder Laura Hayes, Michelle O’Neill, Mary O’Connor and Orla Moloney while Chloe Devitt, Sarah McGuane, Hannah Dinan and Ally Fleming were prominent for Clarecastle/Ballyea.
St. Josephs: Karen McMahon; Orla Moloney, Kate Dillon, Aisling Hannon; Orla Hoey,Vanessa Meaney Capt. Áine Moloney; Laura Hayes, Aisling Reidy 0-1; Keira McGrath 0-1, Michelle O’Neill, Mary O’Connor; Ciara Duggan 1-0, Hannah Meaney 0-2, Ciara Whelan 1-4 3f. Subs: Aoife Shannon for Ciara Duggan, Siofra Ní Chonaill 0-1 for Hannah Meaney,Chloe Towey for Áine Moloney, Amy Lenihan for Keira McGrath.
Clarecastle/Ballyea: Laura Hogan, Hannah Dinan, Sarah McGuane, Ally Fleming,Chloe Devitt, Chloe Eustace, Ellen Barry, Roisín Fallon, Emily Barry, Sinead Cullinan, Ciara Lynch, Cathy Casey, Doireann Murphy 0-4 3f, Alex Potter, Lisa Hogan. Subs: Ann-Marie Meenahan for Casey, Clodagh Vaughan for Lynch.
Referee: Aine nic Cormaic
Clooney Quin 4-6 Newmarket on Fergus 2-9
Clooney-Quin held out to win through to the U18B final on Sunday evening with a hard fought win over Newmarket. Two evenly match teams played out a thrilling game to the very end. Newmarket were first of the mark when they goaled twice in the opening 5 minutes. Clooney were still getting to grips with the game and were working hard to get back into things and points from Sarah Costello and Sinead Considine with a brace of frees helped to settle the nerves.
Sarah Costello was working hard and a strong break saw her through on goal and bring the game back to level. Newmarket added three further points before the break while Clooney took the lead with further scores through Aoibhean Duggan and Emma Deegan points and Roisin Keogh and Rachel Begg goals. Clooney went in at the break 3-05 to Newmarkets 2-03 ahead.
The second half was also a close affair with the sides again trading scores and Clooney having a penalty saved. Newmarket added six points four from frees and Clooney adding a Sarah Costello point and Aoibhean Duggan goal.
As Newmarket pushed hard for the scores to come back level the Clooney defense held strong and repelled the attacks with Ciara Halpin, Mary Conneally, Michelle Meere and Ellen Liddy doing very well and Aine Nash in the goal. Ciara Grogan, Aoibhean Duggan, Sarah Costello, Orlaith Nash and Moya Dunne did well up front. Clooney Quin go on to play the final against St. Joseph’s.
Clooney Quin: Aine Nash; Sinead McGee, Ellen Liddy, Michelle Meere; Mary Conneally, Ciara Halpin, Rachel Begg; Aoibheann Duggan, Ciara Grogan; Sinead Considine, Sarah Costello, Orlaith Nash; Moya Dunne, Emma Deegan, Roisin Keogh . Subs: Roisin Corbett for Keogh, Siobhan Cunningham for Meere
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Ciara McCarthy, Alice Sheedy, Amy O’Halloran, Sinead Whity, Tara O’Neill, Katie O’Flanagan, Eimear White, Rachel Kelleher, Aine Feehily, Kate Clancy, Mary Enright, Michelle McMahon, Orla Walsh, Ailbhe Barry, Elise Mulcaire. Sub: Kira O’Flanagan
Referee: Kevin Walsh
Minor B Shield Semi Finals
Broadford 6-16 Kilkishen 0-7
Broadford and Kilkishen met in the in Under 18’s camogie semi-final on Wednesday evening in Broadford. Catherine Donnellan captained the team and led a strong backline that proved effective at preventing Kilkishen from creating too much of a dent in the scores that were being raked up by Broadford; despite working hard to do so.
Aoife Vaughan and Zoe O’Keefe provided the express delivery service through the middle of the field dispatching the ball effectively to the forwards to send in to the net or over the bar consistently throughout the match.
Broadford: Aoife Boland; April O’Regan, Catherine Donnellan, Alannah Browne; Vanessa Killnackey, Siobhan O’Connell, Anna Spaight; Zoe O’Keefe, Aoife Vaughan; Moya Marsh McMahon, Niamh Mulqueen; Katie Moloney, Anna Lee Marsh, Emma Hall. Subs: Hannah Ryan for Moya Marsh McMahon; Laura O’Connell for Katie Moloney; Ciara Noonan for Aoife O’Brien; Emily Hill for Emma Hall.
Referee Aaron Hogg
Kilmaley 6-20 Eire Og 1-3
Minor C Cup Final
Whitegate 7-7 Ruan 1-2
Four first half goals ensured the ideal start for Whitegate in the first of the Minor Championship Finals on Sunday evening in Tulla.
The sides traded points in the opening minutes, Greta Hickey and Louise McDonnell both on target. An Amy Solon clearance in the sixth minute had the distance to travel far and Hickey gathered to split the posts. Whitegate’s Niamh Quirke added a third point for the East Clare side when she converted a free in the eleventh minute. The first goal of the game came immediately from the puckout, Clare Morgan finding her sister Leah who sent a pass to Michelle Power with Power lobbing in a shot which just dipped under the bar to give Ruan the lead.
However this lead was short lived as play moved to the other end and with Ruan defending well in a goalmouth scramble, the ball broke loose and Quirke used her boot to finish to the net edging Whitegate back in front.
Whitegate dominated proceedings for the remainder of the half, Cait Keenan goaling in the eighteenth minute before Quirke added a second goal to her tally when she struck a free that sailed over the heads gathered in the Ruan goalmouth to the back of the net. Quirke and Keenan added a further 1-1 to see the half time score Whitegate 4-5 Ruan 1-1.
The second half was equally well contested with the two teams showing great a spirit of determination and team play. The Ruan forwards were unable to get past the Solon sisters and Anna Burke on the full back line, who were creating a difficult wall to break through. A Keenan pass to Whitegate’s Alannah MacNamara result in a goal being flicked in from her hurley and Hickey added two goals. Keenan scored another point from play. Ruan scored a final point from Louise Mc Donnell.
It was Whitegate who proved the stronger team and the final tally was 7-7 to 1-2. Clare Camogie assistant PRO Brid McNamara presented the victorious joint captains Lauran Solon and Katie Hynes with the silverware.
Whitegate: Lauren Solon (Joint Captain); Amy Solon, Anna Burke; Leah Bugler, Katie Hynes (Joint captain), Anna Sugrue; Molly Spazzi, Maeve O’Rourke; Cait Keenan, Niamh Quirke, Ciara Geoghegan; Alannah MacNamara, Greta Hickey. Subs: Aoife Quirke for Geoghegan, Dara Donnelan for McNamara, Rebecca Dooley for Keenan
Ruan: Clara Morgan; Eimear O’Brien, Aoife Stankard; Claudia O’Donoghue, Lauren Crowe, Sinead Mullins; Rosin O’Loughlin Captain, Louise McDonnell; Sarah O’Donoghue, Saoirse McNamara, Leah Morgan; Laura Neilan, Michelle Power. Sub: Emma O’Brien for Power
Referee: Liam Duggan
U13 Championship
U13A
St Josephs 0-1 Scariff Ogonnelloe 3-7
Gurteen was the venue last Wednesday evening for the first round of the U13A Championship between the hosts St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield and Scarriff/Ogonelloe and Whitegate.
The East Clare amalgamation proved the strongest from the start with scores from Kate Walsh, Jennifer Daly, Aideen Hickey and Abby Walsh raising a green flag without any reply from St. Joseph’s leaving the score line at half time 2-5 to no score.
It was an uphill struggle for the hosts in the second half while Scarriff Ogonelloe cruised further ahead with another goal and three points while St. Joseph’s did get their names on the scoresheet thanks to a Kate Montwill point leaving the final score line 3-7 to 1 point.
Scariff Ogonnelloe: Kathy Dinan, Roisin Collins, Cathriona Aspel, Emma O’Grady, Laura McGrath, Alva Rodgers, Eilis Coleman, Jennifer Daly, Aoife Kelly, Kate Walsh, Abby Walsh, Sadhbh Giblin, Aideen Hickey, Leana Spazzi
U13B
Kilkishen 4-6 Eire Og 1-2
Éire Óg lost out to their hosts in the opening round of the U13B Championship when they met in Kilkishen on Tuesday evening. The home side had a dream start, raising a green flag after two minutes of play.
While Éire Óg had a lot of possession, they were denied scores time and again by a strong Kilkishen defence with Chloe Philpott playing a particularly strong role for the hosts. Ella Cahill got the Townies up and running from a well struck placed ball after ten minutes of play. However, a brace of Kilkishen goals left Éire Óg with a mountain to climb. Ella Cahill scored her second point of the match but Kilkishen finished the half strongly with three unanswered points to give them an 11 point lead at the break.
The second half was a real battle with both sides fighting hard for possession. Once again, the home side had the opening score with a point from play. Éire Óg had a much improved second half with some excellent performances from Eunice Boateng & Niamh Kennedy in the full back line, Aoibheann Hahessy at centre back and Jamila Liani and Jodie Russell in the middle of the pitch.
A great passage of play culminated in a cracking goal from Éire Ogs’ centre forward, Phoebe Boateng. Olive Shannon pulled off some fantastic saves in the Éire Óg net, however, Kilkishen managed to get one more past her, giving them the win.
Éire Óg: Olive Shannon; Eunice Boateng, Niamh Kennedy, Aoise Kelly; Aimee Cosgrove, Aoibheann Hahessy, Ciara Shanahan; Jamila Liani, Jodie Russell; Ella Cahill(0-02f), Phoebe Boateng(1-0), Shauna Faughey ; Shannon Fox-Tierney, Roisin Malone, Rachel Russell. Subs: Sarah Murphy for Shauna Faughey (HT) Shauna Faughey for Rachel Russell (45min)
Kilkishen: Hollie Nugent; Laoise Baker, Kayleigh Bentley, Katie Frost; Rebecca Burke, Chloe Philpott, Rachel Henry; Abby Heffernan, Aoife Ryan, Eimear Murphy; Megan Hayes, Shauna Keane, Ella Donovan.
Referee: Joe O’Donnell
U13C
Ruan 4-3 Broadford 4-2
Broadford got off to the better start in this game with Kathy O’Farrell scoring the first two goals. Ruan fought back and were leading at half time. Broadford never gave up and with good support work Kathy scoring rest of scores in the second half. Girls fought hard an were in hard luck not to draw the game.
Broadford: Saidbhe O’Sullivan, Emma O’Brien, Rachel O’Connell, Aisleigh McNamara, Laura Ryan, Ava Vaughan, Kathy O’Farrell, Sinead Vaughan, Isabel O’Connell, Ella Ryan Meaney, Beatrice Vaughan, Ella O’Brien, Claire Heffernan
Ballyea 7-3 Cratloe 1-1
Ballyea had a decisive victory in this first round of the U13 C Championship, with a final score of 7-3 to 1-1, in a match where it was felt the score did not reflect the efforts of the Cratloe visitors.
Ballyea: Luisne Corey, Stella Quinlivan, Aisling Costelloe, Hannah Mai Neylon, Molly McMahon, Rebecca Carmody, Lilly McMahon, Eileen Costelloe, Anna Whelan, Jillian Sweeney, Aoife Crowley, Aine Reddan, Sorcha Donnellon, Shauna McCarthy
Cratloe: Emma O’Connell, Kate O’Donoghue, Chloe Casey Reidy, Giselle Keogh, Abby Mason, Sadbh Foley, Cliona Murphy, Chloe Ryan, Eva O’Donoghue, Lucy Earls, Rachel O’Doherty, Ali Manly, Kayla MacMahon, Alannah O’Connell, Aoife Healy, Aela Lawlor
Crusheen 3-1 Bodyke 4-2
On a perfect day for camogie two evenly matched teams had an epic battle. Crusheen settled well early in the first half and a goal by Aoife Rodgers gave them an early advantage. Bodyke worked their way back into the game and were rewarded with a point. Crusheen dominated again and after good work by their forwards Grainne Daffy scored a fine goal.
In spite of some great defending from the Crusheen backs and goalie, Bodyke finished the half strongly and scored a goal when Leah Minogue collected a pass from Sorcha Mulvihill just before half time to go in at the break trailing by 2 points, Crusheen 2-0 Bodyke 1-1.
The second half saw Bodyke dominate the early stages and were rewarded with 1-1. Crusheen responded strongly with a fine individual goal from Aine Clancy. Bodyke finished the half strongly and two goals from Hannah Minogue and Leah Minogue ensured they emerged victorious. Resolute defending by Bodyke ensured that Crusheen could not find a way through.
Bodyke: Chloe O’Brien, Ailbhe Dobson, Ciara Healy, Emma Ryan, Megan Kilkenny, Leah Treacy, Sorcha Mulvihill, Hannah Minogue (2-0), Leah Minogue (2-1), Emma McNamara (0-1), Caoimhe Dobson, Fiona O’Brien, Chelsea Tubridy. Subs: Amy Healy for Caoimhe Dobson, Ella Hogan for Fiona O’Brien
Crusheen: Aine Clancy 1-0, Ellie Cullinan, Grainne Daffy 1-1, Faye Dean, Eva Fitzgibbon, Jodie Fogarty O’Neill, Mary Hanrahan, Spohie Hull, Ava Lyons, Desiree McMahon, Sinead O Halloran, Aoife Rodgers 1-0, Meave Stankard, Zara Waterhouse.
Subs: Grace Gleeson, (H/T) Hannah Gleeson (H/T).
Referee: Aine nic Cormaic
Parteen 12-6 Wolfe Tones 0-00
The Clare People Minor Championship
Minor A Cup Semi Finals
Fixtures
Tues 30th Aug
U13 Championship
U13A
Scariff Ogonnelloe v Inagh Kilnamona
Kilmaley v Truagh Clonlara
Sixmilebridge v St Josephs
U13B
Feakle/Killanena v Kilkishen
Eire Og GAA: Eire Og v Clarecastle, 6.30pm, Referee Joe O’Donnell
Newmarket on Fergus v Clooney Quin
U13C
Cratloe v Ruan
Broadford v Parteen
Wolfe Tones v Ballyea
Corofin v Crusheen
Bodyke v Tulla
Wed 31st Aug
Clare people Minor Championship
Minor A Final
Truagh Clonlara v Inagh Kilnamona
Minor A Shield semi finals
Sixmilebridge v Feakle/Killanena
Scariff Ogonnelloe v Tulla/Bodyke
Minor B Final
St Josephs v Clooney Quin
Minor B Shield Final
Broadford v Kilmaley
In all Minor semi finals, extra time has to be played in the event of a draw
All results to be texted immediately after game to Fixtures 085 1995194 & Brid 086 3978996