All Ireland Minor B Semi-Final

Clare 4:13 Kildare 2:10

The final score line doesn't reflect the effort shown by this spirited Kildare team, whilst there is no disputing the result as Clare were faster and stronger on the day. The game was played in glorious sunshine in Nenagh on Saturday afternoon. Kildare opened with an early point from a Roisin Byrne free but in the second minute Clare's intentions were shown Orla Devitt ghosted in behind Ciara Conaty and as the Kildare girl tried to get back she tripped her opponent in the box. Penalty it was but what was harsh was the yellow card show to Ciara in the second minute of the game. Aisling Torpey converted the spot kick to put Clare in front. The Kildare girls reorganised them selves and for the next ten minutes they dominated Clare. This dominance saw them regain the lead with a point from Emer Fogarty and when the same player was fouled she put a high ball in around the square where Clare Fox acted quickly to fist to the net. Clare can back down the field and tried to work another goal but some great blocks by Michela Nolan and Rachael Corrigan kept them at bay. However Roisin Howley did find the range for a point to cut the deficit. Again Kildare defence was tested by the fast running Clare midfield but the stood solid and a clearance from Rachel Corrigan found Shannon Doheny who went on a trade mark run and passed to Eadaoin Connolly who put Kildare two points clear again. The faster movement from the Clare half back and forward lines were causing problems for the Kildare defence and a couple of frees from Aisling Torpey soon had Clare level. Kildare again showed their spirit when Aisling Curley went on a run through midfield and released Shannon Doheny who shot on the run to put Kildare up again. Clare were soon level again through a fine point from Alan O'Brien. The last five minutes on the half saw Clare dominate as the Kildare defence were under pressure to stay tight, points from Orla Devitt and Aoife O'Gorman put two points between them. Kildare's hopes of keeping the score to this margin were dashed right on the half time whistle when Orla Devitt somehow won a ball that Kildare seemed to have control of and her shot from out wide deceived Aoife Hederman and ended up in the net. Half Time Clare 2:6 Kildare 1:4.



Kildare had the breeze behind them and needed a quick start but it was Clare who opened the scoring with another Alana O'Brien point. The Kildare girls steadied the ship and hit another purple patch where despite their good attempts couldn't find away through the resolute Clare defence. However Roisin Byrne and Emer Fogarty hit two points each to narrow the difference to two points. Clare's response was immediate and a well taken point from Aisling Torpey was soon followed by a goal from Molly Brannock who found herself in acres of space behind the Kildare defence. The Kildare spirit was called upon again and some good defending cleared their lines to the forwards who were rewarded with another pair of points from Roisin Byrne and Emer Fogarty. With ten minutes to go and only 4 points between them Kildare kept trying but Clare caught them on the break and it was their ever busy Orla Devitt who put the final nail in the Kildare coffin when a low shot from outside of the box ended up in the Kildare net, the same player got free to add another couple of points as Kildare lilies wilted. There was still time for Roisin Byrne to break free and she unleashed a powerful drive to the roof of the Clare net. A minute later she was in behind the defence but couldn't get her shot away or a pass to the unmarked Emer Fogarty and the Kildare fight was over. Clare went back up the field and added the final few points to claim their deserved victory. Kildare players were obviously disappointed afterwards but they played well in patches but didn't have enough to hold this good Clare team on the day.