Claire’s turn the pain of defeat into joy of victory

St Claire’s 3-9

James Stephens 0-9

Goals were the difference when St Claire’s defeated James Stephens in John Lockes Park last Saturday. Also, the experienced gained of having been in last years decider helped St Claire’s get over the finish line as they were determined not to suffer two defeats in finals in a row

James Stephens settled the better and were the first to score in the 3^rd minute, Sophie O’Dwyer slotting over a point. For the next nine minutes, the game ebbed and flowed with both defences standing firm

Caroline Kennedy opened St Claire’s account in the 12^th minute with a point after being played in by Hannah Irish. The southern side then took the lead with points through Cliona Murphy and a pointed free from Afton Grace, but James Stephens were back on level terms by the 25^th minute with two pointed frees from Sophie O’Dwyer. Then in the 27^th minute, Ciara Delaney put the city side ahead with a point from play but the lead was short lived when Afton Grace found Cliona Murphy two minutes later on the edge of the box and Cliona turned and hit a rasper of a shot, finding the top corner of the net to leave the half time score St Claire’s 1-3 James Stephens 0-4

On the resumption of the second half, St Claire’s continued with their momentum, extending their lead further when Afton Grace played a ball forward, Alannah Dolan stole in behind the Village defence, pulled on the sliotar first time and found the bottom corner of the net

Sophie O’Dwyer did tag a point back for James Stephens in the 35^th minute. Afton Grace and Sophie O’Dwyer traded pointed frees in the 38^th & 41^st minutes

St Claire’s scored the next three points through two pointed frees from Afton Grace and one from play from Caroline Kennedy

Sophie O’Dwyer slotted over a 45-metre free in the 51^st minute

Cliona Murphy & Afton Grace extended St Claire’s lead out to eight points with a point a piece

Heading towards the fulltime whistle Sophie O’Dwyer score a pointed free & Michelle Teehan ventured up from defence to slot over a fine point for the city side

But the last score of the game was left to the Player of the Match, Caroline Kennedy. A free was driven out of defence which found the forementioned who soloed towards the goal and she hand passed the sliotar to the net leaving the final score St Claire 3-9 James Stephens 0-9

Scorers – St Claire’s – Caroline Kennedy 1-2, Cliona Murphy 1-2, Afton Grace 0-5 (4f), Alannah Dolan 1-0

James Stephens – Sophie O’Dwyer 0-7 (6f, 1 45), Ciara Delaney, Michelle Teehan 0-1 each

St Claire’s – Kathleen Croke, Hannah Lacey, Aisling Flynn, Heather Doyle, Laura Mulcair, Aine Phelan, Eve Lacey, Mairead Kennedy (Captain), Kate Sheridan, Hannah Irish, Caroline Kennedy, Alannah Dolan, Afton Grace, Cliona Murphy, Ellen Kennedy

Subs – Jane Anne Rochford for Ellen Kennedy, Ciara Atkins, Aisling Atkins, Nell Murphy, Ellen Rockett, Niamh Buggy, Clare Buggy, Eva Doherty, Katelyn Roche, Sheonaigh Croke, Aoife Slattery, Orlaith Deegan

James Stephens – Ruth Dooley, Saoirse Comerford, Hannah Scott (Captain), Chloe Power, Jennifer Leahy, Michelle Teehan, Kerri Hennessy, Meg Ryan, Niamh Deely, Sophie O’Dwyer, Aoife Cantwell, Ciara Delaney, Hannah Larkin, Elizabeth Keher, Caoimhe Moran

Subs – Aoife Bergin for Elizabeth Keher, Anna Doheny, Aylisha Shannon, Ciara Adams, Nicole Lawlor