Clare v/s Waterford Match Report
By Anthony Newman
Clare 1-12
Waterford 1-2
Clare were worthy winners of the Sharon O’Keeffe U16 C ladies football final at Banteer on Saturday.
The Banner were deserving winners, despite the best efforts of a Waterford side who battled to the end and never gave up.
Both teams had some outstanding displays with Olivia Darcy, Mairead Queally, and Lauren Morrissey in top form for the winners.
Above them was Aoibhinn Donnelly, who was simply outstanding for Clare. She was all over the pitch and it was fitting she got the last score of the game for her side.
Waterford can’t be faulted for their efforts but just came up against a better side on the day, who made full use of their wind advantage in the first half to build up a score that it was always going to be difficult to come back from.
For them Kate Hennessy, Siobhan Lynch, Kate O’Donnell and Lauren O’Connor led by example.
Special mention must be made of the fact that Waterford had 14 subs and made sure that all got a game, a nice touch by their management.
The Deise took the lead three minutes in, when a quick free from Chloe Royle found Gabriella Connolly to point.
Clare didn’t take long to hit back with Darcy getting their first point, quickly followed by one from Elke Downes.
With 16 minutes gone Darcy got her second, to make it 0-3 to 0-1.
Two from Queally increased their lead, before Darcy got their goal.
With 24 minutes gone Darcy took on the Waterford defence to find the back of the net, to make it 1-5 to 0-1.
Morrissey added a point and just before half-time Charley Duggan scored to see the Banner lead by 1-7 to 0-1 at the break.
Straight from the restart Morrissey increased their lead, with Sarah Corey also scoring after 33 minutes.
Katie Troy and Morrissey both pointed, to see Clare leading by 1-11 to 0-1 after 40 minutes.
Kate Mannix pointed from a free for Waterford as they tried to get back in contention.
Donnelly pointed for Clare and with the last kick of the game Hennessy scored a goal for Waterford, a deserved score for their efforts over the hour.
But in the end Clare were deserving winners of an entertaining game.
Scorers for Clare: O Darcy 1-2, L Morrissey 0-3, M Queally 0-2, E Downes, C Duggan, S Corey, K Troy, A Donnelly 0-1 each.
Waterford: K Hennessy 1-0, G Connolly, K Mannix (f) 0-1 each.
CLARE: A Daly; A Donnelly, V O’Connor, K Murphy; C Kelly, A Considine, K Feeley; O Darcy, M Queally; C McMahon, C Duggan, E Downes; A Shannon, L Morrissey, S Corey.
Subs: K Troy for C McMahon, E Ryan for E Downes, H O’Malley for C Duggan, A Glynn for L Morrissey, M Coughlan for A Daly.
WATERFORD: A Power; A Casey, L O’Connor, K O’Donnell; A Dunphy, S Lynch, H Healy; A O’Connell, T Burden; C Royle, K Hennessy, R Keohane; K Mannix, G Connolly, A Gaffney.
Subs: K Murphy for T Burden, E Keane for A O’Connell, A Walsh for A Dunphy, A Keevans for R Keohane, S O’Dea for C Royle, A Brett for A Casey, M Costin for G Connolly, C Hickey for K O’Donnell, K Cullinane for A Power, L O’Grady for L O’Connor, A Kiely for K Mannix, A Brett for A Gaffney, C Whelan for H Healy, R Keohane for E Keane.
Referee: Grainne Sands, Down.
