Dublin 0-12  Clare 0-10  

A two points winning margin was all that separated the sides in this entertaining encounter in Parnell Park.  However had Dublin’s finishing and decision-making closer to goal been better, the margin final tally might have given a better reflection of the home side’s general superiority in the game.

Dublin finished the game with 9 wides to Clare’s 5 yet limited the Banner to just one point in the second period.

The Dubs had an excellent goal chance after two minutes but the Clare cover got back in time.   Dublin then failed to convert two frees as Clare capitalised on every chance presented.   Dublin’s defence could also be said to have been guilty in the first half of failing to clear when in possession and were duly punished.  

But the problems were put right in the dressing room and Dublin outscored the visitors by 0-6 to 0-1 after the break to put them in with a chance of a place in the semi finals depending on the outcome of the final round robin game against Tipperary next Sunday and results elsewhere.

An excellent Chloe Morey point after a minute opened Clare’s account and it was clear that she was the go to girl.   But from there to the finish Mairéad Luttrell had the upper hand.   Morey was forced to alternate between the full and centre forward positions but despite her persistent threat, much of the possession she gained was a distance from the real danger zone.

Dublin levelled in the 2 ^nd minute thanks to an Ali Twomey free and two minutes later took the lead from Siobhan Kehoe (Caragh Dawson of Naomh Jude made her first senior start in the half-forward line and was instrumental in setting up the score) – the first of three points from the impressive corner forward.   A free from 65m close to the sideline was an excellent response from Chloe Morey in the 10 ^th before three unanswered scores from Aoibheann Malone, Sláine Carey, and Aoife Keane put Clare 0-5 to 0-2 clear by the 15 ^th minute.

Ali Twomey showed great leadership to post a fine point from play in the 16 ^th minute.   However Clare’s Zoe McInerney should have had a point a minute later but with no “hawkeye”, the decision of the umpires stood.   It was a significant moment as Dublin’s suddenly clicked into gear and found the range excellently through Laura Twomey (great clearance by Catríona Power to Siobhan Kehoe); another mighty point from Louise O’Hara after Aisling Carolan did superbly to block in the first instance.   The game was level for the scond time by the 20 ^th minute.

But Clare again found their rhythm – referee Eamonn Cassidy correctly penalised a Dublin player for catching the ball three times - Chloe Morey pointed the resultant free, Michelle Caulfield added an excellent score before Aisling Carolan called a halt with a Dublin point.   It was a temporary reprise as Clare brought the half to a close with points from Morey and Aoibheann Malone to lead by 0-9 to 0-6.

While the game was still a one score match – one could not have forseen the Clare attack – five of the six forwards had scored from play in the first half – being held scoreless in the second 30 minutes.    But that’s what happened.

Dublin’s defence was a much more solid unit in the second period.   Only one free was conceded within 50m of the goalposts and the occasional sloppiness of the first half was eliminated.   Eve O’Brien was nullifying the threat of Chloe Morey at centre back and Catríona Power, Mairéad Luttrell and Siobhan Grimes were outstanding in the full-back line.   Strangely Clare replaced Zoe McInerney at half-time despite a hard-working performance in the first half at corner forward.  

Claire Rigney was her usual energetic self at midfield and with Miriam Twomey doing a “Michael Darragh McAuley” covering both ends of the field, the Dublin attack were not short of a supply.  

A long range free by Orla Beagan was tipped over by Siobhan Kehoe in the 31 ^st minute and six minutes later “Shivers” got on the end of an Ali Maguire free to point.   Clare rallied and midfield captain Orlaith Duggan drove over a great point in the 38 ^th minute.   It was to be their last score.

Orla Beagan began to exert a strong influence on the game.   It seemed as if the allocation of the free-taking duties sparked her game to life.   Two frees and a 45 from Orla between the 42 ^nd and 54 ^th minutes (not to mention a fine catch from a puck-out) saw Dublin go into a one point lead.     It should also be mentioned that the extra defensive role of Aisling Carolan played a big part in nullifying the Clare scoring in the second half.

However the game had the look of a draw – a repeat of last year’s match in Clare – when Chloe Morey stood over a 45m free in front of the posts in the 59 ^th minute but uncharacteristically it went wide much to the relief of the home fans.   Dublin took full advantage.  Orla Beagan played a great ball to Mairi Moynihan and with a super touch she drew the cheer of the day with a great point from near the stand.

A win over Tipperary now on Sunday is a must if Dublin is to have a chance of making the semi finals.

Dublin Scorers:   Siobhan Kehoe (0-3), Orla Beagan (0-3), Ali Twomey (0-2), Laura Twomey, Aisling Carolan, Louise O’Hara and Mairi Moynihan (0-1 each)

Clare Scorers: Chloe Morey (0-4), Aoibhean Malone (0-2), Orlaith Duggan, Sláine Carey, Michelle Caulfield and Aoife Keane (0-1 each)

Referee: Eamonn Cassidy