What a week for our Munster Champions with all 3 Counties through to All Ireland Finals.
All-Ireland u-18 Championship ‘B’ Semi-Final
Clare 5-3 Monaghan 3-7 AET
It was a performance worthy of winning any game, not to mind securing a first All-Ireland Minor B Final place in eight years as a never-say-die Clare shaded an utterly compelling extra-time showdown with Monaghan in Termonbarry, Roscommon, writes Eoin Brennan.
Amidst sweltering conditions, arguably neither side deserved to be on the losing side of such a breathtaking seesaw wrestle for supremacy that amazingly saw the lead change hands on no fewer than ten occasions before Aoibheann Ryan’s fourth goal finally sealed matters in the 76th minute.
No that isn’t a misprint, the Doonbeg forward was the ultimate poacher, supreme with a brace of first half strikes bettered by two extra-time majors that provided timely life to the Banner’s challenge.
If you thought that was impressive, such a remarkable feat was matched by easily the best defensive display from any Clare side this year. Led by the outstanding Aisling Kelly, Clare’s discipline was immense, their tackling almost textbook, with goalkeeper Nicole Clarke pulling off two superb point blank saves, Eimear Burke, Abbie Cahill, Hazel Keating, Leah Daly and Abi Kelly all inspiring their side at crucial junctures.
After all, in such an inch-tight contest that saw every possession magnified, the slightest of mistakes could have been so costly so for Clare’s rearguard to be nearly first to every ball and never backing away from a challenge, it was worth the admission fee alone tov witness.
Tireless captain Aisling Crowe carried so much ball as did Ali Talty while Ria Meaney and Aine McNamara were key targets up front to assist the clinical Ryan.
The intensity was high from the outset as only two minutes into the tie, Karyn McGinn bore down on goal, only to be superbly dispossessed by a timely last ditch tackle by Eimear Burke. Instead it was Clare that opened the scoring two minutes later when a foul on Ria Meaney was punished by Aine McNamara.
Monaghan did settle with points for McGinn and Erin Shannon but Clare’s response would be emphatic as Aoibheann Ryan found the net twice in six minutes to boost her side 2-1 to 0-2 clear by the end of the opening quarter.
The first stemmed from a Sophie Culleton delivery to the left corner where Maeve Clancy centred for the Magpie to find the left corner of the Monaghan net while the second was another instinctive strike following great build up play from Abi Kelly.
Unfortunately the water break came just at the wrong time for Clare as it allowed Monaghan to regroup as they would keep Barry Donnelly’s side scoreless for the second quarter as they raided for an unanswered 1-3.
The goal came only two minutes after the recess for Erin Shannon to rifle past Nicole Clarke, with the full-forward also the one to pop up in injury-time with the point to provide Monaghan with a 1-5 to 2-1 half-time edge.
Clare finally ended their twenty minute barren run with a crucial leveller through Aine McNamara who won and scored the free that also saw defender Ellie Flanagan handed a yellow card and a ten minute sin bin.
Initially it seemed to spur the Ulster champions on more as the unmarked Karyn McGinn was presented with a glorious goal chance, only for goalkeeper Clarke to somehow keep out her powerful effort.
That save would be magnified when only two minutes later, Clare had the ball in the Monaghan net as a push on the raiding Aine McNamara earned a penalty that substitute Shannon Cagney expertly converted to the top right corner to catapult the Banner 3-2 to 1-5 in front at the two-thirds mark.
That pattern would be replicated in reverse when an Aoibheann Ryan shot at one end was repelled, only for Katie McAdam’s shot to rebound off the post and into the Clare net entering the final quarter at 3-2 to 2-5.
Another foul on Rian Meaney ensured that the Banner nudged themselves back in front when Ryan arrowed over the resulting free but a chance to clinch victory would be denied as a flowing move ended up being passed across the square and flicked goal wards by Aine McNamara, only for goalkeeper Molly Flood to produce some vital heroics to field it.
Instead a last minute Katie McAdam free forced extra-time at 3-3 to 2-6, a merited opportunity for both sides to try and snatch victory.
Monaghan struck first with substitute Orlaith Hoey odds on to score a goal, only to be thwarted by the elastic Nicole Clarke once more who somehow got a knee to her close range shot.
Aoibheann Ryan had a goal ruled out for a square ball but after Katie McAdam pointed to put Monaghan back in front, Ryan would be on the end of another brilliant passing move, inspired by captain Aisling Crowe to provide a timely shot-in-the-arm at 4-3 to 2-7 in the 67th minute.
Far from bringing a two point lead into the break, Clare would actually find themselves a point and a player down by that stage after Abbie Cahill fouled substitute Keeva Farmer on her way to goal that saw a penalty and a yellow card issued.
Erin Shannon crashed the spot kick to the net as Monaghan went in 3-7 to 4-3 ahead by the 70th minute.
Clare had to be patient but despite still be down to 14 players, they would unearth the only score of the second period when a foul on Leah Daly saw Sophie Culleton centre a free to Fergus Rovers’ club-mate Ria Meaney whose shot for a point fell shot perfectly for Aoibheann Ryan to billow the net at the back post to boost Clare two points clear in the 76th minute.
From there to the finish, it was best watched between your fingers as Clare hunted in packs to soak up Monaghan’s inevitable wave of attacks that included a superb run from full-back Alannah McMahon for a shot that actually came back off the post.
The final whistle couldn’t some soon enough but Clare admirably held their nerve and discipline in an exceedingly tense crescendo to eventually tee up an All-Ireland Final showdown with defending champions Sligo on Saturday, July 26th.
Clare: Nicole Clarke (Cúil Gaels); Leah Daly (Kilrush), Aisling Kelly (Cooraclare), Abbie Cahill (Fergus Rovers); Hazel Keating (Fergus Rovers), Eimear Burke (Fergus Rovers), Abi Kelly (Miltown Malbay); Ali Talty (Fergus Rovers), Aisling Crowe (Kilrush) (Captain); Sophie Culleton (Fergus Rovers), Ria Meaney (Fergus Rovers), Kayla Darcy (Kilmurry Ibrickane); Maeve Clancy (Fergus Rovers), Aine McNamara (Kilmihil), Aoibheann Ryan (Doonbeg)
Subs: Shannon Cagney (Liscannor) for Darcy (34), Sarah McEvoy (Wolfe Tones) for Clancy (41), Sophie Leahy (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Talty (63), Clancy for Leahy (80)
Scorers: Aoibheann Ryan (4-1, 1f); Shannon Cagney (1-0 Pen); Aine McNamara (0-2f)
Monaghan: Molly Flood (Truagh); Abbie Leer (Doohamlet), Alannah McGahon (Killanny), Aoife Corrigan (Scotstown); Michaela Grew (Scotstown), Ellie Flanagan (O’Neill Shamrocks), Ellie Devlin (Killanny); Niamh Galligan (Éire Óg), Aine Maguire (Tyholland); Alison Gilliland (Aughnamullen), Karyn McGinn (Killeevan Sarsfields), Emily Dawes (Kileevan Sarsfields); Caoimhe Kelly (Scotstown), Erin Shannon (Magheracloone), Katie McAdam (Aughnamullen)
Subs: Cait Hughers (Magheracloone) for Maguire (13, inj), Julie Finan (Sean McDermott’s) for Dawes (40), Orlaith Hoey (Magheracloone) for Kelly (45), Georgia Breslin (Truagh) for Flanagan (48), Dearbhla Quigley (Aghabog) for Gilliland (57, inj), Keeva Farmer (Emyvale) for McGinn (66, inj), Flanagan for Galligan (70), Shannon Corrigan (Scotstown) for Grew (70)
Scorers: Erin Shannon (2-2, 1-0 Pen, 1f); Katie McAdam (1-3, 1f); Karen McGinn (0-2);
Referee: Gerard Canny (Mayo)
All-Ireland u-18 Championship ‘C’ Semi-Final
Waterford Minor LGFA vs Armagh – Wednesday, July 9th, Abbottstown.
On an exceptionally warm evening in Abbottstown, Waterford and Armagh minors produced a thrilling and fiercely contested encounter, reflecting the heart, grit, and determination of both sides. With little to separate the teams throughout, the game served up drama right to the final whistle. Armagh started the stronger of the two, racing into an early lead with 1-01 on the board inside the opening 10 minutes, while Waterford were still settling into the rhythm of the game. However, the Déise girls responded well, gradually clawing their way back with a series of well-taken points. At the break, Armagh held a narrow lead: 1-06 to 0-06. Waterford came out with renewed energy in the second half, showing real intent and attacking flair. Long-range scores from Treasa Ní Chrótaigh, Abbie Fitz, Ava Connolly, and Clodagh Power showcased Waterford’s growing dominance. Although Armagh responded with two points of their own to stay in the game, Ruby Browne added another crucial score for Waterford to maintain their edge. The turning point came when Clodagh Power, using her soccer instincts, found the back of the net with a superb finish, putting Waterford three points ahead in the closing stages. Armagh, refusing to give in, struck back with a thunderous goal of their own – a shot that gave the Waterford keeper no chance and set up a tense finale. With everything to play for, Waterford dug deep, showing great composure and resilience. A final point ensured they edged ahead once more, and as the final whistle blew, it was Waterford 1-13, Armagh 2-09. A well-deserved win in a game that could have gone either way. A tremendous team effort from Waterford, with standout performances across the field, particularly in the second half, sealed a memorable victory on a hot July evening. Waterford will go on to play Westmeath in the All-Ireland Final on Saturday 26th July 2025.
