*Clare’s Chloe Moloney. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
CLARE’S ladies footballers are heading back to Croke Park for the first time since 2016 after defeating the previously unbeaten Antrim in the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate ladies football semi-final.
Clare 2-14
Antrim 1-13
Venue: Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford
Clare have reached the promised land of Croke Park after overcoming Antrim by four points in a magnificent display full of skill guile and character.
It was a blistering start from Clare raiding for 1-5 inside the opening six minutes. Antrim though came storming back in a see saw battle and actually levelled the tie at 1-7 apiece on the twenty seventh minute. The Banner didn’t panic though and kicked the last two vital scores to head to the dressing rooms leading by two on a 1-9 to 1-7 scoreline.
When Chloe Moloney rattled the net with forty four minutes played, Clare were seven to the good and heading for Jones Road. Despite being reduced to fourteen for a ten minute spell they showed tremendous game management to book their spot on the marquee day in the ladies football calendar.
Powerhouse midfielder Aisling Reidy who was outstanding throughout had the game’s opening major inside three minutes when firing an unstoppable rocket into the top corner. Player of the match Chloe Moloney kicked three beauties before Fidelma Marrinan landed an audacious point from a standing position a full forty yards out. Clare were cruising but that was never going to continue with the quality of the opposition.
Ulster Intermediate Champions Antrim came roaring back into this pulsating All Ireland semi-final when star forward Orlaith Prenter ignited their charge with a peach from play on the ninth minute. Three more points quickly followed before Clare were overturned on their own kickout with Antrim capitalising fully when three swift passes through the hands freed up corner forward Maria O’Neill who palmed to the net. Crucially though a majestic Marrinan free was followed by an Aisling Reidy beauty and Clare had regained control.
On the resumption of play substitute Ciara McCarthy had a telling impact when immediately assisting in another Marrinan beauty. Points were traded then before a McCarthy delivery found her clubmate Moloney at the edge of the square. She swivelled left before unleashing a bullet into the top corner and Clare were on their way.
The impressive McCarthy then saw yellow for a pulling down offence and were reduced to fourteen with fifteen minutes to play.
They didn’t panic though and despite conceding four points in a row they were killing the clock to great effect. Substitute Megan Downes then had Clare’s first score in thirteen minutes and when West Clare Gaels star forward Fidelma Marrinan converted another free it was all systems go to Croke Park in three weeks time.
Scorers for Clare: Chloe Moloney (1-4 2f), Fidelma Marrinan (0-5), Aisling Reidy (1-2), Ciara McCarthy, Megan Downes, Laura Griffey, (0-1 each).
Scorers for Antrim: Orlaith Prenter (0-5 1f), Maeve O’Néill (1-1), Grainne McLaughlin (0-3 1f), Lara Dahunsi (0-2), Cathy Carey, Theresa Mellon (0-1 each)
CLARE
1: Amy Lenihan (Doora Barefield)
2: Áine Keane (Miltown Malbay)
3: Síofra Ní Chonaill (Doora Barefield)
4: Gráinne Harvey (West Clare Gaels)
5: Louise Griffin (Fergus Rovers)
6: Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels)
27: Orla Devitt (Éire Óg)
8: Aisling Reidy (Doora/Barefield)
14: Cliodhna Blake (Doonbeg)
15: Caoimhe Cahill (Banner)
10: Laurie Ryan (Banner)
12: Amy Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
13: Laura Griffey (Burren Gaels)
9: Chloe Moloney (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
11: Fidelma Marrinan (West Clare Gaels)
Subs:
Sinead Considine (Liscannor) for C Cahill (25),
Ciara McCarthy (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for L Griffey (HT)
Megan Downes (Cooraclare) for L Griffin inj (35),
Joanna Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for A Sexton (60)
ANTRIM
1: Anna McGann (Moneyglass)
2: Duana Coleman (Sarsfield)
3: Emma Ferran (St.Brigid’s)
4: Meave Mulholland (Con Magees)
5: Orla Corr (St.John’s)
6: Ciara Brown (St.Paul’s)
7: Sarah O’Neill (Moneyglass)
8: Lara Dahunsi (St.Paul’s)
9: Áine Tubridy (St.Paul’s)
10: Gráinne McLaughlin (Glenavy)
11: Cathy Carey (Moneyglass)
12: Theresa Mellon (St.Brigid’s)
13: Bronagh Devlin (Moneyglass)
14: Orlaith Prenter (Moneyglass)
15: Maria O’Neill (Moneyglass)
Subs: Laura Agnew (Naomh Bríd) for B Devlin (53),
Carla McKenna (Patricks Sarsfields) for D Coleman (60)
Referee: Anthony Marron (Monaghan)
