Michael Lyng Motors Senior Championship Quarterfinal
Tullaroan 0-22 Clara 3-7 AET
On Sunday morning in Castlecomer, Tullaroan got the better of Clara after extra time in an energy sapping encounter. After torrential rain the night before the pitch was slippery underfoot and well softened. Tullaroan adapted quicker and deservedly led three points to one after 10 minutes. Ciara Dunne, Eleanor Doheny and Miriam Walsh scored for the winners while Siobhan Curtis replied for Clara. Two Mary O Connell frees levelled the contest and then Tullaroan hit something of a purple patch with three points in a row from Shannon Doheny and two from Niamh Dowling. But somewhat against the run of play Lucy Boyd and Emma Shortall struck for two goals and Niamh Dowling converted a free for Tullaroan to leave the halftime score at 2-3 to 0-7 in favour of Clara.
Keara Ryan extended Clara’s lead at the start of the second half before Tullaroan hit back with three from play, the first by Niamh Dowling and two from the evergreen Miriam Walsh. Mary O Connell edged Clara back in front with a free but a strong Tullaroan surge yielded points from Niamh Dowling, Ciara Dunne and substitute Ciara Murphy. Mary O Connell closed the gap from a 45 and then the same player made a terrific run, lost possession initially, but regained it and blasted a rocket to the roof of the Tullaroan net from a tight angle. There were just 6 minutes remaining and Clara were two points up. However, a composed Tullaroan converted a Niamh Dowling free and Miriam Walsh ensured that this game would go to extra time at 0-15 to 3-6.
Newly crowned Shield champions Tullaroan started extra time in the same fashion as normal time. Miriam Walsh fired over her fifth point to start it off and Niamh Dowling added two (one free) before halftime to move 0-18 to 3-6 in front. Tullaroan again hit the ground running in the second period of extra time with Eleanor Doheny and Niamh Dowling (a free) finding the mark. The next couple of minutes would prove crucial to the outcome. First Lucy Boyd unleashed a rasper of a shot that went an inch wide of the post with Ella Walton rooted to the spot in the Tullaroan goal. Then two minutes later Ella produced a superb treble save to deny first Emma Shortall and then Siobhan Curtis twice to deflect the third shot over the bar. With those near misses went Clara’s chance of salvaging this game. Tullaroan closed it out in style through Ciara Murphy and Miriam Walsh to leave it 0-22 to 3-7 at the death. They had impressive performances from goalkeeper Ella Walton, Sinead Cash, Anna Doheny and Sinead Keoghan in defence, their midfield pairing of Grace Keoghan and Shannon Doheny, while Eleanor Doheny, Niamh Dowling, Miriam Walsh and Ciara Dunne were prolific in attack. For Clara Aoife Glynn was very solid in goal, Rachel Whelan, Gráinne Glynn, Claire Nolan and Aisling Nolan defended heroically, Rebecca Nolan tried her heart out in midfield while Mary O Connell and Siobhan Curtis threatened most in attack.
Clara: Aoife Glynn, Ónagh Fitzgerald, Rachel Whelan, Katie Ryan. Gráinne Glynn, Aisling Nolan, Claire Nolan. Rebecca Nolan, Laoise Nolan. Keara Ryan 0-1, Aisling Curtis, Mary O Connell 1-4, 0-3f, 1 x 45. Siobhan Curtis 0-2, Lucy Boyd 1-0, Emma Shortall 1-0. Subs used Grace Barcoe, Niamh Ward, Emily Phelan.
Tullaroan: Ella Walton, Sinead cash, Grace Brennan, Orla O’Grady, Sinead Keoghan, Anna Doheny, Rachel Brennan, Grace Keoghan, Shannon Doheny, Eleanor Doheny, Niamh Dowling, Beth Grace, Miriam Walsh, Ciara Dunne, Grace Walsh. Subs: Rachel Walsh, Leanne Simpson, Jess Cuddy, Ella Moore, Rebecca Cuddihy, Katie Dunphy, Ciara Murphy, Tara McGree, Emma Walsh, Karen Jones, Sinead Murphy, Katie Hennessy, Ava Dillon, Laura Millea, Eimear Davis, Noelle Maher, Caoimhe Holland.
Referee: Conor Everard
By PRO Fri 2nd Oct
