*Abby Walsh. Photograph: Dave Ribeiro / Inpho
CLARE suffered an extra time one point defeat to Waterford losing with the last puck of the game.
Waterford 0-25
Clare 3-15
(after extra time)
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosog
While the end result was a heart-breaking one point loss on Saturday afternoon, the result highlights that Clare camogie are returning to their previous heights at senior level.
Crowned league Division 1B champions just six days earlier an air of confidence was evident as they faced the Division 1A league finalists and from an early stage it was clear that little would separate the sides.
Clare were in a strong position at half time as they went to the dressing room on level terms (1-5 to 0-8) with the visitors after playing against the breeze. Andrea O’Keeffe was Clare’s goalscorer in the opening half while Lorna McNamara hit four of their five points.
Six minutes after the resumption Clare had opened a four point lead, 2-8 to 0-10, the goal coming from Áine O’Loughlin. and clearly there was anxiety in the Waterford camp. This led to some changes and these helped the side respond with three unanswered points.
Scores were then swapped three times before Niamh Rockett pointed a 20m free to level the tie with four minutes remaining.
They then went ahead with an Annie Fitzgerald point but Lorna McNamara replied for Clare forcing the game into extra time.
Waterford had the aid of the breeze for the first period and they opened a three point lead as they outpointed the home side 5 to 2. When they stretched their advantage to four midway through the second period of extra time it looked to be all over for Clare but they fought back and after Lorna McNamara pointed. With a minute remaining the Feakle/Killanena player’s delivery into the 20m line was won by Aisling Cooney who blasted to the net to level the tie.
One minute of additional time was signalled and with the last puck of the game Roisin Kirwan pointed for the visitors to send them to the next round in the Munster campaign.
For Clare, Doireann Murphy, Sinead O’Keeffe, Niamh Mulqueen, Abby Walsh, Clare Hehir, Andrea O’Keeffe and Lorna McNamara excelled on a day when the loss of Caoimhe Cahill (injured), Roisin Begley (unavailable) and Susan Daly (forced out of the tie after twelve minutes due to injury) was sorely felt.
Scorers Waterford: Niamh Rockett (0-10, 7f, 2 ‘45’s); Annie Fitzgerald (0-3); Lorraine Bray, Abby Flynn, Alannah O’Sullivan, Bevan Bowdren (0-2) each; Ciara Sherlock, Mairead O’Brien, Beth Carton, Roisin Kirwan (0-1) wach;
Scorers Clare: Lorna McNamara (0-8, 4 f); Andrea O’Keeffe, Aine O’Loughin (1-1) each Aisling Cooney (1-0); Aoife Anderson, ZiYan Spillane (0-2) each; Roisin McMahon (0-1)
Waterford
1: Brianna O’Regan;
2: Alannah McNullty
3: Keeley Corbett Barry
4: Vikke Falconer
5: Rachel Walsh,
6: Clodagh Carrolll
7: Ciara Sherlock
8: Orla Hickey
9: Lorraine Bray;
17: Maireann O’Brien
11: Beth Carton
23: Annie Fitzgerald;
13: Abby Flynn
14: Niamh Rockett
20: Maggie Gostl
Subs:
21: Alannah O’Sullivan for O. Hickey (inj. 15)
18: Roisin Kirwaan for A. Fynn(40)
12: Bevan Bowdren for M. Gost (40)
15: Laoise Forrest for C. Sherlock (58)
13: Abby Fynn for M. O’Brien (70)
19: Sarah Lacey for A. Fitxgerald (76)
Clare;
1: Doireann Murphy (Clarecastle)
2: Susan Daly, (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
3: Sinead O’Keeffe (Kilmaley)
4: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
5: Muireann Scanlan (Broadford)
6: Abby Walsh (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
7: Clare Hehir (Inagh/Kilnamona)
8: Roisin McMahon (Feakle/Killanena)
9: Danielle Griffin (Inagh/Kilnamona|)
10: ZiYan Spillane (Feakle/Killanena),
11: Andrea O’Keeffe (Inagh/Kilnamona)
12: Ellen Casey (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
18: Lyda Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
14: Lorna McNamara (Feakle/Killanena)
15: Aine O’Loughlin (Truagh/Clonlara)
Subs
22: Aoife Anderson (Ruan) for S. Daly (inj. 13)
17: Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley) for E. Casey (43)
13: Maeve Millea (Parteen/Meelick) for L. Daly (50)
21: Aisling Cooney (Parteen-Meelick) for A. Anderson (55)
12: Ellen Casey for A. O’Loughlin (70)
Referee; Colm Maher, Cork
