*The Clare U16 girls side.
There was disappointment for Clare schoolboys/girls soccer last week as three teams representing the league suffered defeat in National finals which were played at the University of Limerick on Saturday.
Both the boys under 14 and under 16 squads suffered narrow defeats to teams representing South Belfast while the girls under 15 side suffered a comprehensive loss to a stronger and well-balanced Sligo/Leitrim outfit.
U14s fall short against South Belfast
South Belfast 1
Clare 0
The decisive goal in the under 14 boys final came fifteen minutes into the second half. The teams were evenly matched throughout in a tie in which both goalkeepers impressed.
Clare created a number of chances in the final quarter in particular but the winner’s goalkeeper impressed with a number of good saves from Conor Brady (Avenue United) and Kaylum Mata (Lifford) who was Clare’s stand out performer on the day.
Goalkeeper Maks Wegryzn from Shannon Town produced two very good saves.
“While it is disappointing to lose, the players will benefit from the experience gained from this competition. It was their first time in an All-Ireland final and the attention now turns to the Kennedy cup which will take place in U.L. in June”, team manager David Hogan told The Clare Echo.
The panel comprised Maks Wegryzn, Tiernan Murphy, Steven O Neill, Daithi Ryan, Daithi Linnane, Kelvin Mulqueen, Toby Akinnagbe, Fionn Connelly, Kaylum Mata, Conor Brady, Iarla Byrne, Gavan Scanlan, Kyle McNamara, Tiarnan Collins, Sean McGee, Matthew Cabida, Liam McEvoy, Bobby Clune, Alistair Lawler Turner.
Heartbreak for U16 boys
South Belfast 2
Clare 1
(after extra time)
There was heartbreak for the under 16 boys who lost out after extra time to South Belfast.
Clare started well and hit the front in the opening half when Newmarket Celtic’s Liam Murphy scored and they held this advantage until ten minutes from time when the Northern outfit levelled.
The winning goal came in the first minute of extra time. Goalkeeper Oisin Tierney along with Luke Deegan and goalscorer Liam Murphy did well for Clare.
“We have a Munster final against Cork to look forward and our focus now turns to that. We are waiting for the date and venue to be confirmed. These players now go on to under 17 level and while we are all disappointed with last week’s loss, credit is due to the players whose last two games at schoolboy level are an All-Ireland final and the upcoming Munster final. They are sure to benefit from that”, team manager John O’Malley from Avenue United stated.
Sligo/Leitrim too strong for Clare girls
Sligo/Leitrim 4
Clare 0
A stronger and better balanced Sligo-Leitrim side proved too strong for Clare in the girls under 16 final.
The Connacht side led 1-0 at half time and they went on to dominate the second half on a day when Clare’s performance fell below their best.
They set out in the second half hoping to get back on terms but they conceded a goal from a 25 yard free kick and from here on they were chasing the tie.
Isabel McInerney (Corofin), Orla Cahill and Molly Purcell (both Bridge United were Clare’s best on the day.
“A lot of these players are eligible for under 16 again next year. It was a disappointing finish to the campaign as these players are better than Saturday’s performance suggests. As I said last week, we are struggling to get players at this level which is disappointing”, team manager Donal Magee from Shannon reflected.
“We are waiting to play a Munster final but, as of yet, we haven’t a date for this game”, the manager concluded.
