By
Cóilín Duffy and Máire Uí Scolaí

Clare advanced to the final of the Gala All-Ireland Junior Championship thanks to an impressive 2-14 to 1-6 win over Division 2 league champions Waterford, at Templemore today.

The Banner last appeared in the Junior All-Ireland final in 2005.

Conditions were ideal for this All-Munster semi-final showdown with Clare dominating the opening half, after which they held a 0-10 to 0-2 lead with Waterford not opening their account until the 17th minute after Áine Lyng pointed a free.

Clare held a 0-7 to 0-1 advantage at this stage thanks to good work from Claire Commane, Catherine O’Loughlin, Corina Rosengrave and Sharon McMahon and this impressive play certainly continued in the second half.

Clare were now in the driving seat with forwards Claire Commane and Carina Roseingrave in flying form. Though Waterford tried hard they lacked the necessary power up front to net the crucial goal they so required in the first half. Clare may have been further ahead were it not for Waterford 'keeper Aisling O'Brien denying Clare at least two goal chances in the opening half.

Waterford were keen to bounce back on the restart and answered the call of their manager Paul Lyng well, thanks to a hand passed goal from their under 16 captain Patricia Jackman. However Clare responded four minutes later with a similar strike from corner-forward Claire Commane after a pass from full-forward Sharon McMahon and this was the death knell in the Deise’s chances of making a determined comeback. Sharon was hovering near the square and found the waiting Claire Commane on sight, to leave it, Clare 1-10, Waterford 1-2 after just five minutes gone.

The enthusiastic crowd which included Derry Manager Pádraig O'Mianáin got behind both sides, but it was Clare who showed more determination and though Waterford's top scorer Áine Lyng sent over two successive 45's it was not enough to see them through on the day.

Despite the Clare goal Waterford failed to give up and they worked hard thanks to the impressive play of Áine Lyng from placed balls. However, Clare had done enough initial groundwork in the opening half and a late injury time goal from substitute Stephanie Maloney sealed the issue.

Clare fought as a team in the final moments and finished worthy winners. A second goal in extra time from minor player and substitute Stephanie Maloney put the game well and truly out of Waterford's reach. Watching from the side was the legendary goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald who was assisting Clare FM with their commentary.

This is a handy Clare side who have seven players who are also in contention for minor All-Ireland honours as well this year as the minors must soon play Galway in a play off. Clare Manager Colm Hanley who took the players for a warm down after the game will know that he will face tougher opposition on September 9th against Derry.

Wexford v Limerick Senior B
Meanwhile Siona Nolan, Lenny Holohan and Ciara O’Connor were impressive for Wexford as they took a comprehensive 1-10 to 0-5 win over Limerick in the final group stages game of the Senior B championship at the Gaelic Grounds.

The visitors held a 0-8 to 0-2 interval lead and continued to build on this in the second half with Shelly Kehoe the goalscorer in the 37th minute.

Scorers
Clare: C Commane (3f) 1-4; S McMahon 0-4; S Maloney 1-0; C O’Loughlin 0-3; C Rosengrave, D Murphy (1f) 0-1 each. Waterford: A Lyng (1f, 3 45’) 0-4; P Jackman 1-0; A Ryan (1f) 0-2; G Kenneally 0-1.


Patricia Jackman ... scored Waterford's goal