Munster Minor Championship Waterford 1-17 Clare  1- 8 Clare took on Waterford in the Munster minor championship quarter final at Solohead, Co. Tipperary on Easter Monday and despite a much improved and battling performance defeat was again their lot. That Clare were forced to line out without Niamh Greene and Marie Raferty, and also lost Eimear Greene after twelve minutes due to injury, did not help their cause.  On the bright side Clare played well in the first half and were level at half time on the score line Waterford 0-8 Clare 1-5.  Indeed Clare missed several scorable first half goal chances and should have been ahead at the break as they were wind assisted. Clare's first half scorers were Karen Galvin 0-3, Aine Pyne 1-0, Amanda Peril 0-1 and Edel Hynes 0- 1. In the second half Clare opened well against the wind and were in control for ten minutes with scores from Karen Galvin 0-1  and a great point from wing back Maria Lenihan to put Clare two points ahead. Then came the turning point of the match, a great save by the Déise keeper Kelly Moroney from a pile driver from Karen Galvin was quickly followed by a  Waterford goal at the other end to turn the game in Waterford's favour. Waterford went on from this and score points at will and Clare's final score came >from an Aine Pyne point to leave the final score 1 - 8 to 1 - 17. Best for Clare were on the day were:-  Laura Hanrahan, Fiona McMahon, Niamh Cavanagh, Tara Glynn, Lorraine Griffin, Marie Lenihan, Niamh Coyne and Aine Pyne. Clare Team: Laura Hanrahan (Coolmeen), Eimear Greene (Coolmeen), Fiona McMahon (Coolmeen), Niamh Cavanagh (The Banner), Tara Glynn (Miltown), Lorraine Griffin (Miltown), Maria Lenihan (Miltown), Sandra Malone (Miltown), Ananda Peril (Crusheen), Niamh Coyne (Miltown), Ciara Hannon (Wolfetones), Aine Pyne (Cooraclare), Aisling McCaw (Miltown), Marie Alice Cleary(Wolfetones), Karen Galvin (Kilmurry Ib). Subs:  Edel Hynes (Miltown), Lorraine O Halloran (Kilmurry Ib), Niamh Bourke (Cooraclare), Fiona Sexton (Kilmurry Ib), Claire Curtin (Miltown), Helan Burke (Miltown). Footnote: Apart from the above squad members the fact that many established players did not takes time out  to wear their county colours this year Clare have lost a great opportunity to reach a Munster B Final. The Clubs will need to do more to get players out next season as all but four of the above players are under age again next year.   We need to build year on year and look positively to the future.   Team manager James Pender (Miltown)  would like to thank his back room team of John Gergerty (The Banner),  James Lafferty (Miltown),  Sean O Neill (The Banner), Majella Lillis (Cooraclare), Bernie Regan (Wolfe Tones) and Johnny Hayes (Fergus Rovers) for their help and dedication. The Clare Ladies Football Board would also like to thank Mullagh Field committee for the use of their grounds for training. Munster Under 14B Championship: Clare under 14 footballers will open their campaign on Saturday when they take on Waterford in the first round of the Munster B Championship at 2 O Clock in Solohead, Co.Tipperary.  Clare go into this game as 2005 Munster B Champions and a good performance is anticipated from the squad. The Clare team management led by James Lafferty and selectors Dr. Paul McKenna:  Kay Considine:  Johnny Hayes;  James Pender  and P.J O Halloran have put an amount of work in to building a new team for this years campaign having lost seventeen players from last year panel. Clare have had good work outs against Dublin,  Mayo and  Galway in recent weeks and this should stand to them on Saturday.  However nothing can be taked for granted and first round matches can be notoriously tricky affairs so nothing short of 100% will do if Waterford are to be defeated. The Clare team will be selected from the following panel:- Eimear O Connor,  Niamh O Dea, Megan Haugh, Laura Brennan, Aoife Davoren, Laurie Ryan, Louise Woods, Marion Conway (The Banner), Tiana Flanagan, Katie O Brien (Burren Gaels),  Sally Glynn, Shauna Coughlin (Cooraclare), Lisa Loughnane (Clooney-Quin), Niamh O Connell (Coolmeen), Rachel Ryan (Doonbeg), Aoife Murphy, Sarah O Keeffe (Doora-Barefield), Sauna Keane (Eire Og), Laura Meaney (Fergus Rovers),  Ailish Considine, Mariam Frawley, Deirdre Waters (Kilmihil), Siobhan Talty, Katie Curtin, Sinead Sexton, Niamh Pender, Ciara Burke (Miltown), Sarah Bohannon (Shannon Gaels), Catherine Danaher,  Leona Regan,  Tataina Duarte (Wolfetones). All players are asked to be at the West County Hotel at 11.30am sharp on Saturday. Training will continue on this Thursday evening at 6.45pm in Mullagh Community Grounds with Michael Neylon in charge. Clare Under 16's Training this Friday evening at 6.45pm in Mullagh Community Grounds for the Clare panel.  Clubs are asked to inform & to instruct their nominated players to attend. Tweet

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