Clara show composure to claim Roinn B camogie crown against James Stephens

A solid response to a strong charge saw Clara fight back to claim the under-22 Roinn B county camogie spoils.

The result wasn’t as straightforward as the final score would suggest as a gallant James Stephens got off to a flying start in Clara, their athleticism causing bother for the home side.

Laura Leahy opened the scoring in style with a goal while points from Mia Dunne and Róisín Leahy (free) had the city girls five points to the good before the Clara girls got on the scoreboard with a Keara Ryan free.

Roisin Leahy then converted a free as Clara struggled to contain the hard running Village forwards. Emma Shortall closed the gap, but Roisin Leahy and Tara McGuire struck a point each from play to open up a six point lead.

Emma Shortall, who was looking more dangerous as the game progressed, hit another point but Tara McGuire responded in kind. Sixteen year old Caragh Brennan was then tasked with picking up the on-fire Roisin Leahy and did a serious job of curbing her influence.

Clara’s more physical presence began to pay dividends and they slowly wore down the Village resistance. A prolonged goalmouth scramble ended with a determined Peig Carrigan forcing the sliotar across the line, and when Emma Shortall followed up with another goal (from a brilliant Laoise Nolan pass) the game was tied.

Gráinne Glynn edged Clara ahead for the first time and Keara Ryan landed a free to leave Clara 2-5 to 1-6 ahead at the interval. It was noticeable that the Clara defence had now settled, their use of Onagh Fitzgerald as a spare defender in front of Roisin Leahy working a treat.

Katie Ryan, Joanne Comerford and Siobhan Treacy were defending very resolutely while Grace Barcoe was as safe as a house between the posts, with Rachel Whelan commanding at centre back.

The ever dangerous Roisin Leahy closed the gap to the bare minimum a minute in to the second half but the Village girls were rocked two minutes later. A Peig Carrigan shot across the face of the goal was parried by Village goalkeeper Lucy McGrath. It broke into the path of Gráinne Glynn who pulled first time on it and the net shook. This put Clara four points clear. Although Roisin Leahy responded with a pointed free this would prove to be the Village’s last score of the game.

Clara took control and further points by Keara Ryan (0-3, two frees) Emma Shortall and a monster Lucy Boyd point saw Clara home with a bit to spare. Forwards like Emma Corr and Moya Kelly worked like demons to keep the ball in the opposition half and cut down the Village opportunities.

Clara - Grace Barcoe; Caragh Brennan, Katie Ryan, Joanne Comerford; Siobhan Treacy (captain), Rachel Whelan, Onagh Fitzgerald; Laoise Nolan, Keara Ryan (0-5, 0-4 frees); Lucy Boyd (0-1), Gráinne Glynn (1-1), Emma Corr; Peig Carrigan (1-0), Emma Shortall (1-3), Moya Kelly.

Subs: Lucy Kealy, Lucy Boyd; Katie O’Connell, Aoibheann McDonald, Sarah Dunne (inj).

James Stephens - Lucy McGrath; Niamh Leahy, Hannah Larkin, Roisin O’Sullivan; Lucy Lennon, Anna Doheny, Molly Burke; Emily Smith, Anna Bergin; Sophie Meagher, Tara McGuire (0-2), Lucy Cooney; Roisin Leahy (0-5, 0-3 frees), Mia Dunne (0-1), Laura Leahy (1-0).

Subs: Cady Boyle, Emily Lauhoff, Hannah Joyce, Kate Larkin, Niamh O’Hara, Jenna Larkin, Aoibh Lawlor, Molly Purcell, Lucy Drennan, Ciara McDonald, Maeve White, Sarah Kenny, Yoma Etaferi, Rachel Leahy (inj).

Referee - Vivienne Holmes (Bennettsbridge).