*Lucy Shanahan. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
A MUNSTER FINAL awaits for Clare’s minor ladies footballers.
Mallow GAA Sports Complex will host the meeting of Clare and Cork on Wednesday (April 19th), the winner advancing to the All-Ireland A semi-final.
Clare are unbeaten to date in the competition following impressive home victories over Kerry and Limerick which were followed by away wins to Tipperary and Waterford.
John O’Malley’s panel includes a number of survivors who won an All-Ireland C title last year, there are seven dual players who are also on this year’s Minor Camogie panel. Other members of the team have been successful in rugby, basketball and soccer with two players, Grainne Burke and Lyndsay Clarke, representing Ireland in this years Under 18 Women’s Six Nations. Other challenges for players at this age include a number sitting their leaving Certificate exams this year including team captain Caoimhe Cahill.
Miltown Malbay’s O’Malley has been very pleased with the effort and commitment of the panel since their first session in January. “The atmosphere among the players and mentors has been great. The extended panel have put in a massive effort over the last few months which has pushed all of us on and there is a real belief and hunger to go on and give the best account of ourselves the next day”.
Ex Clare footballer Graham Kelly is coach of the side while former county goalkeeper Emma O’Driscoll is a selector alongside John Torpey, Fergus Conway and Seamus Byrne with Pat Walsh as liaison officer.
Panel Abby Downes (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay), Áine Longe (Banner Ladies), Aimee McNamara (Cooraclare), Aoife Griffin (Fergus Rovers), Aoife Moloney (Kilrush Ladies), Caoimhe Cahill (Banner Ladies), Caoimhe Ryan (Banner Ladies), Caragh Killeen (Doonbeg), Catríona Byrne (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay), Clíodhna Queally (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay), Éabha O’Malley (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay), Eimear Clune (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Ellis O Flaherty (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Ellie Hanrahan (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Emer Burke (Banner Ladies), Gráinne Burke (Banner Ladies), Gráinne McMahon (Newmarket on Fergus), Jenna Murphy (Kilrush Ladies), Keelin Fitzgerald (Banner Ladies), Lauren Conway (Doonbeg), Lauren Flaherty (Liscannor), Leah Commane (Liscannor), Lucy Shanahan (Doonbeg), Lucy Power (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Lyndsay Clarke (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Maria Wallace (Kilrush Ladies), Nell Walsh (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay), Niamh Miller (Kilmurry Ibrickane), Poppy Rees (Clooney Quin), Sarah Blunnie (Kilrush Ladies), Saoirse Flanagan (Banner Ladies), Sophie Torpey (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield).
