The Banner County deny Dublin’s All-Ireland progression
By Ruth King
The wind was strong down in Fr McNamara Park in Clare making it clear that it was going to benefit whichever team had it. Dublin were only needing a draw, however, manager Dave Dunning wanted a win from his team.
Dublin had the breeze in the first half and started with a great attack which was overturned by the Clare backs making an attack, going in on goal but were denied by Dublin goalkeeper Rosie Kinneally. However, Clare were awarded a 45 very early on and opened the game with the first score from number 13, Chloe Morey in the first two minutes. Dublin’s Aisling Maher, wearing number 11, got Dublin’s first score from a 45 straight after this score.
It was very much tit for tat at this point in the match with, number 11, Eimear Kelly for Clare scoring a point from play in the 5th minute and Dublin’s Maher scoring another from a free in the 6th minute. However, Dublin could have been ahead as they had racked up a few wides in the opening minutes. Both teams went in level at the water break.
Clare got the first point after the water break with number 15, Mairead Scanlon, scoring from play in the 18th minute, it took Dublin six minutes to respond to this with a score from wing back, number 5, Niamh Gannon. Dublin showed some great team play with their next score with a series of lovely passes starting with Ellen McGovern passing to Ali Twomey who laid it off to Aisling Maher who then popped it over in the 25th minute.
However, Clare finished off the first half with three points. One from play from their full forward, Aine O'Loughlin and two from frees from Morey showing the lack of discipline from Dublin as they had given a few away in their forward line as well.
Half-time score Clare 0-06 Dublin 0-4
After the wind died down before the second half the game became very bleak for the Dubin side with Clare completely taking over the game. Clare scored three points in a row from Chloe Morey, Mairead Scanlon and number 12, Maire McGrath each adding to Clare’s scores.
Dublin brought in sisters Gabby and Zoe Couch to try and change the game for the Dub’s however, that wasn’t going to stop number 9, Orlaith Duggan for Clare as she scored a point. Clare’s Mairead Scanlon got the first goal of the match after a ball dropping in on her. With Clare’s Duggan, Morey and McGrath scoring a point each before the water break. It was very clear at this stage that Clare had completely taken over.
Dublin started off the 4th quarter on a positive note with goalkeeper Rosie Kinneally making a save to deny Clare a second goal. However, Morey for Clare had the umpire waving the white flag again after scoring another point from a free.
However, number 10, Ali Twomey was refusing to give up after scoring a point after a solo run up the pitch but number 11, Eimear Kelly scored two points in the space of 30 seconds for Clare.
Dublin did see the back of the net after number 15, Sinead Wylde scored a goal after a lovely pass in by Twomey. Clare’s sub number 20, Gretta Hickey scored a point in the 59th minute. Dublin got a late free which was converted by Aisling Maher in the 64th minute but another Clare sub number 22, Robyn Conway getting the last score of the match by scoring a point.
Final score Clare 1-18 Dublin 1-6
Photo Credit: iLivephotos.com
1.Rosie Kinneally
2.Orla Gray
3.Dee Johnston
4.Ash Carolan
5.Niamh Gannon
6.Emma Flanagan
7.Grainne Quinn
8.Hannah Hegarty
9.Leah Butler
10.Ali Twomey
11.Aisling Maher
12.Ellen McGovern
13.Roisin Baker
14.Laura Quinn
15.Sinead Wylde
16.Faye McCarthy
17.Emily Browne
18.Julia Buckley
19.Gabby Couch
20.Jody Couch
21.Zoe Couch
22.Caragh Dawson
23.Orlaith Durkan
24.Kerri Finnegan
25.Muireann Kelliher
26.Ali Maguire
27.Emma O'Bryne
28.Aoife Walsh
29.Siofra Walsh
30.Aoife Whelan
31.Ciara Tierney
32.Alix Buckley
33.Dearbhla Nolan