Munster U16 A Camogie Final – Tipperary v Clare

Clare defeated Tipperary by 4-7 to 2-10 in the Munster Under 16 “A” Camogie Final on Wednesday at Monaleen, Co. Limerick.

Match Report

U16A Munster Camogie Final

Clare 4-7 v 2-10 Tipperary

A thriller was expected and what these two young teams delivered on the night was nothing less. Tipperary led at the break 1-8 to 1-3. This may led to think of a Tipperary dominated first half, but the Premier didn’t have it all their own way. Clare were the first of the mark and with a free from captain Chloe Morey answered by her opposing captain Nichole Walsh the sides were level. The game was fast and furious though and after great work from Niki Kaiser and Vera Loughnane the ball fell to Susan Fahy at full forward the Banner were a goal up. Morey added to this again with a fine point from play after Niamh O’Dea magnificently fielded a high ball and laid it into her centre forward and Clare look very well.

The Tipperary half back line stepped up though and Aisling Carroll and Maireád Barry with their strong physical presence and hurling ability and fielding to boot held the Clare onslaught. Indeed they set up many attacks from this launching pad and this lead to points from Walsh again from a free and Brid Quinn, Aoife Ryan and Clare Kennedy. This had the sides level mid way through the half. Tipperary were opening up the Clare defence with ease and made the most of this when Sarah Fryday goaled to give a three point cushion. Nichole Walsh, clinical from the spot all night, added a brace of frees and Tipperary were pulling away nicely. Walsh was giving the Clare forwards much trouble with her pace and the ability of the Tipperary forwards to pick each other out. Morey had a free for Clare but this was cancelled out by a similar score from Walsh just before the break to leave a five point gap. Tipperary were in control in most sectors and Clare would be thankful of the presence of Máire McGrath at full back for not being further behind, she stood firm to the Tipperary challenge.

The second half was a bruising 30 minutes for both sides as they gave it their all. Clare had the gap reduced to a goal after Morey had converted a 45 and a free within the opening 2 minutes. Indeed the sides were level again within five after Niki Kaiser goaled for the Banner. Clare were now beginning to win the mid-field battle and getting the supply of ball through, it was this possession the inside forward line were starved of in the first half. This became evident when substitute Sinead Tuohy goaled from a Kaiser line ball which was sent across the goal from Vera Loughnane. Walsh answered the call and converted a free for the premier and followed up with a goal by the tenth minute. This has Tipperary to the fore by the minimum again as scores were coming fast and furious. Morey again levelled matters with a free before Susan Fahy got her second in the 16th minute and Clare were a goal to the good again. Morey then put over a magnificent score when she pointed from half way before Suzie O’Shea was called upon in the Clare goal to save from Walsh who converted the resulting ’45.

Clare: Suzie O’Shea, Caroline Feehily, Máire McGrath, Niamh Cahill, Helen Hehir, Christina Glynn, Laura McMahon, Ellen Horgan, Niamh O’Dea, Orlaith Duggan, Chloe Morey(C)(0-07, 0-04f 1’45), Vera Loughnane, Niki Kaiser(1-00), Susan Fahy(2-00), Katie Cahill. Subs: Ciara Whelan for Hehir, Sinéad Tuohy(1-00) for Horgan, Aisling Darcy for Loughnane, Leanne Boyle for Feehily

Tipperary: Orla McEnrey, Moira Ryan, Sheila Ryan, Louise McLoughlin, Aisling Carroll, Caoimhe Maher, Mairéad Barry, Theresa Ryan, Bríd Quinn(0-01), Sarah Fryday(1-00), Alice Fogarty, Clare Kennedy(0-01), Nichole Walsh(C)(1-07, 0-05f, 1’45), Aoife Ryan, Sarah Cunneen. Subs: Edwina King for McLoughlin, Micheala Graham for Fogarty, Niamh O’Donoghue for Quinn

Match Official: Joe O’Donnell, Luimneach

Match Preview

This is sure to be an interesting game with a tight finish in store if past experience is to judge by. These two sides met already this year in the U16 All-Ireland semi-final where Tipperary were 1 point victory over the Clare girls.

That was a tight game where Tipperary led all the way through but Clare had pushed them all the way. It was an open game with all the skills of the game on display. Since then Tipperary went on to contest the All-Ireland final narrowly losing out to Galway. They will have gained huge expereince though and added to this will be the fact that some of these girls are playing for the Tipperary Intermediate team and so they will be still as sharp as they were in May.

The Clare squad will have girls fresh from their U18 All-Ireland panel where they lost to Kilkenny, but five of the finishing 15 that day were 16 years of age and the experience gained from that campgain, where Davy Fitzgerald coached the girls will have benefited the girls no end.

These two sides have worked hard and after Clare recording their second win over Cork in the semi-final to make the final and Tipperary winning over Limerick both sides will be keen for a win. Cork and Clare have shared this title for the last four years and Clare will be looking to avenge the All-Ireland semi-final defeat and maintain the belt of young players coming through the ranks. Tipperary will be pushing all the way for thier first title in a number of years and will want to repeat the victory of earlier in the year, as Clare have had the upperhand in this age group over the Premier in the last number of years.

Team News

Tipperary Panel Orla McEnriy,Miora Ryan,Sheila Ryan,Louise McLoughlin,Aisling Carroll,Caoimhe Maher,Mairéad Barry,Theresa Ryan,Brid Quinn,Sarah Fryday,Alice Fogarty,Clare Kennedy,Nichole Walsh(C),Aoife Ryan,Sarah Cunneen,Siobhan Hennessey,Kate Aherne,Niamh O’Donoghue,Micheala Graham,Edwina King,Michelle Ryan,Ciara McGrath,Paula Kelly,Niamh Maher,Marianne Murphy,Elizabeth Cahill,Katrina Kenny, Geraldine Kelly,Rachel Kennedy,Andrea Loughrane

Clare Panel: Suzie O’Shea, Niamh Cahill, Máire McGrath, Caroline Feehily, Helen Hehir, Christina Glynn, Laura McMahon, Ellen Horgan, Niamh O’Dea, Vera Loughnane, Chloe Morey(c), Orlaith Duggan, Niki Kaiser, Susan Fahy, Katie Cahill, Clodagh Gray,Sinead Hyland,Mairead Hyland,Rachel O’Halloran,Ciara Whelan,Sinead Tuohy,Ciara Minogue,Leanne Boyle, Rachel Mulcaire,Rachel Bleech,Siadbh Corbett,Ali Quinlan Shauna Moloney,Aisling Darcy,Clodagh Lawlor

Match Official: Joe O’Donnell, Luimneach