Clare 3-12  Dublin 0-9  

At the end the margin was emphatic but the final score fails to do justice to a gutsy performance by a fine Dublin team at St Brendan’s Park, Birr.  From start to finish they gave of their best but a very polished Clare side led from pillar to post and there could be no arguments with the result.

On days when you win you don’t do everything right and on days that you lose you don’t do everything wrong.   There was much to be pleased about in this Dublin performance – the tackling, the great defending, two super points from Kerri Finnegan, the industry of Sinéad Wylde, the tigerish Jennifer O’Sullivan and the striking of Niamh Rock.

But while Dublin matched Clare in many sectors of the field, the Banner girls were a touch sharper in attack and that’s where the game was won and lost.   That and a couple of breaks falling the way of the Munster side.

Break No. 1 came in the first minute when a ball that was drifting across the front of the small box was deflected by a Dublin defender past her own goalkeeper.   It was a tonic start for the team that had elected to play with the stiff breeze. Boosted by early goal, the Clare side came in search of more scores and Dublin had to do some frantic defending but they managed.   Niamh Gleeson was conceding several centimeters to her able opponent Áine O’Loughlin but coped and between the posts Megan Thomas pulled off some fine saves.  

However Dublin’s attack was making little headway up front and therefore the pressure was at the other end of the field.   Clare’s impressive forwards were combining well and their superior first touch saw them notch fine scores from Aoife Power, Áine O’Loughlin and Evelyn Duggan.    Dublin’s cause took another set back when the rangy O’Loughlin took possession and despite the best efforts of Niamh Gleeson, the full-forward managed to get off a shot that went off Megan Thomas’ stick and into the net.   Another Aoife Power point put Clare 2-4 to 0-1 in front and 21 minutes gone on the clock.

The management responded by pulling full-forward Rachel Brennan back as an extra defender and the tactic worked as in the closing 9 minutes Dublin outscored Clare by 0-2 to 0-1.   The first was another Ciara Holland expertly struck free and the next a superb point that started in the Dublin half of the field. Corner back Jennifer O’Sullivan made a fine clearance which eventually found its way to Kerri Finnegan and she nailed a great score.   When the half-time break came Dublin trailed by 2-5 to 0-3 – a not insurmountable lead given the stiff breeze.

Ach ní mar a shíltear a bhítear!   The 8 points margin had given Clare a platform and from the resumption the Munster side had made up their minds that there was no going back.      One girl in particular stood out - Laura Foley at midfield.    She notched the first of four points from play three minutes into the half.   While Kerri Finnegan’s magnificent point from the sideline under massive pressure was a superb score in the 33 ^rd minute.   Laura Foley was back almost immediately with a fine score of her own and when Áine O’Loughlin goaled again in the 39 ^th minute even the most diehard Dublin fan knew the goose was cooked.

Sinéad Wylde in particular never gave up and Niamh Hetherton when introduced had several fine moments.   However Dublin lacked a physical presence in the full forward line.    The supply was decent but on the day the last line of attack was unable to get on the ball and create the goal chances that were needed.   Tribute to the Clare full-back line of Laoise Ryan, Alannah Ryan and Ciara Doyle for the way they snuffed out any danger.

Eimear O’Leary did make one fine break but was upended just outside the box.   From the resultant 20m free, Niamh Rock blasted for goal but the shot was saved and unluckily Aoife Dillon’s double of the rebound went over the bar in the 46 ^th minute.

Both sides traded points in the closing stages but Clare had done the business and were deserving winners on the day.

Dublin Scorers: Ciara Holland (0-4), Kerri Finnegan (0-2), Aoife Dillon (0-2), Niamh Rock (0-1)

Clare Scorers: L.Foley 0-04, B.Dinan 0-01, A.Power 0-02, A.O'Loughlin 3-03, E.Duggan 0-01, S.Conlon 0-01

Referee: Cathal Egan