Clonduff 1-16 Clanmaurice (Kerry) 1-11
This was not a game for the faint-hearted – it had absolutely everything that a game of such magnitude deserved – two very evenly matched teams with unreal skills and commitment in abundance and a never-say-die attitude – played in the freezing fog in Coralstown GAA Club, Kinnegad, Co Westmeath.
Clonduff got the first score of the game and half way through the first half led 0-3 to 0-2 and minutes later the Munster side scored a great goal to take the lead.
Captains Jenna Boden (l) Clonduff and Jackie Horgan (Clanmaurice) with referee Gavin Donegan (Dublin)
Thereafter the Munster Champions were finding their range and coming to terms with the conditions seemingly more easily than Clonduff, their physicality was also a telling factor. With visibility worsening as the game progressed Clonduff trailed at the break 1-6 to 0-5. The half time team talk obviously had the desired effect for the Ulster Champions – they had ‘tightened up’ all over the field, were picking their passes and finding their range and were perhaps unlucky not to win in regular time – the Kerry side had a very well marshalled defence. At the long whistle it was all square Clanmaurice 1-8 Clonduff 0-11.
Extra time – 2 periods x 10 mins still couldn’t separate them. Clanmaurice were out of the blocks fastest and had 3 points on the board before Clonduff registered their first – but once again they dug deep scoring 2 points in the first period and one in the second period – that strength of character coming to the fore. With the score at 1-11 to 0-14 it was into a further spell of extra time – 2 x 5 mins. Cramp and the cold were taking their toll on the players but it was the superior fitness and strength of the bench that stood the Clonduff girls in good stead. Clonduff got two points in the first 5 mins to take the lead which they would not again relinquish! In the second 5 min spell constant pressure caused the Clanmaurice keeper to spill the ball which was pounced upon by Amy Morgan and finished to the net with aplomb by Beth Fitzpatrick in the dying seconds of the game.
Sara Louise Graffin was, deservedly, selected as ‘Player of the Match’ but there was any number of other players who would have been on the shortlist, including players from the Clanmaurice side – undoubtedly, they are a team that will be back.
A big contingent of Clonduff supporters had made the long journey to Kinnegad for the game and their vocal support certainly helped the Clonduff girls across the line! Somehow the journey home didn’t seem to take as long!
Final score was Clonduff 1-16 Clanmaurice 1-11 to set up a final in Croke Park on Saturday 17th December at 4.15pm v Leinster finalists James Stephens’ of Kilkenny. It will be a tough ask given the short recovery time but this band of warriors will undoubtedly be up for the challenge!
Well done to the entire panel of players and management and good luck in Croke Park – We are looking forward to an early Christmas present!
Clonduff Panel: Katie McGilligan, Erin Rafferty, Jenna Boden, Niohmi Murray, Claire Kearney, Fionnuala Carr, Katie Morgan, Isabella O’Hare, Clare McGilligan, Cassie Fitzpatrick, Orla Gribben, Beth Fitzpatrick, Paula O’Hagan, Orlaith McCusker, Sara Louise Graffin, Ceallagh Byrne, Amy Morgan, Elizabeth Wilson, Niamh Fitzpatrick, Cara Boden, Ellen Shields, Caitlin Harper, Tiarna Savage, Hannah Wilson, Ursula Kearney, Ally Magee, Erin McAlinden, Erin Lively, Michaela Harper, Clara Cowan; Management – Kieran McGourty, Alastair McGilligan, Oisin McManus, Guinevra McGilligan
Clonduff 1-16 Clanmaurice (Kerry) 1-11
