Dalton leads team to final

St Lactain’s/Lisdowney 2-10

Clara 1-11

St Lactain’s/Lisdowney will contest their first county final when they overcame a game Clara side in an entertaining semi-final

Clara got off to lively start, opening the scoring as Emma Shortall fired over a nice point before Mary O’Connell pointed a free

The girls in Blue & White stripes got themselves into the game when Anne Dalton opened their account. Lydia Fitzpatrick added another on 9^th minutes, before a Dalton free gave them the lead after 10 minutes

Clara levelled matters from the puck out as Emma Shortall collected to shoot over the bar. Leading up to the water break Clara went ahead again when Mary O’Connell (free) and Keara Ryan added a point a piece

Resuming after the break, Anne Dalton added to her tally when she fired over a 30 metre free. The girls in maroon then tacked on 2 points through a Mary O’Connell (free) and Emma Shortall who was giving her marker a tough time as her speed was a major factor

Back came St Lactain’s/Lisdowney, as Anne Dalton (free) and Lydia Fitzpatrick scored to leave the minimum between the sides. However, Clara had the last score of the half when Mary O’Connell converted a free to leave two between the sides at half time (0-8 to 0-6)

Although trailing, St Lactain’s/Lisdowney roared out of the blocks in the second half. Anne Dalton led the charge, picking up a breaking ball

Racing towards the Clara goal she struck a thunderbolt of a shot that flew to back of the net

It was nearly all one way traffic for the 3^rd quarter as the girls from the north hit another 1-3 without reply. Lydia Fitzpatrick and Laura Hegarty added points before Dalton hit the net from a 37^th minute penalty. She traded pointed frees with Mary O’Connell leading her side 2-9 to 0-9 ahead at the water break

Fire in their bellies

Whether something was added to the water or maybe there was some harsh words from their mentors – Clara came out with fire in their bellies after the water break

They took control of the game, proving it by shooting 1-2, the goal coming from Emma Shortall who stole a march on her opponents with a very clever passing movement being set up by Margaret O’Connell before blasting to the roof of the net

They added points from the reliable free taker Mary O’Connell and Keara Ryan but missed some chances to notch up more scores. That was a let-off for the winners, who put a little more daylight between the sides when Lydia Fitzpatrick replied with a point. Clara put in a mighty effort in the last quarter, but came up agonisingly short as St Lactain’s/Lisdowney held on for thar final berth

St Lactain’s/Lisdowney – Anne Dalton (2-5, goal penalty, 5f), Lydia Fitzpatrick (0-4), Laura Hegarty (0-1)

Clara – Emma Shortall (1-3), Mary O’Connell (0-6, 6f), Keara Ryan (0-2)

St Lactain’s/Lisdowney – Sinead Farrell, Tara Hickey, Maria Brennan, Annie Maher, Laura Hegarty, Claire Phelan, Claire O’Carroll, Aoife O’Carroll, Emma Bergin, Laura O’Sullivan, Lydia Fitzpatrick (Capt), Anne Dalton, Chloe Delaney, Saoirse Davis, Julianne Bergin

Subs – Chloe Dooley, Aoife Jordan, Caoimhe Bergin, Holly Moore, Aoibheann Murphy, Clodagh Ryan, Michelle Hickey, Sarah Staunton, Kathleen Dowling, Sinead Dalton, Mairead Kennedy, Siobhan Holland, Aisling Phelan, Sarah Phelan, Blathnaid Bergin, Chloe Tiernan, Kara Phelan, Kate Keoghan

Clara – Lisa Kehoe, Rachel Whelan, Aine McDonald, Katie Ryan, Tamsin English, Aisling Curtis (Capt), Claire Nolan, Aisling Nolan, Rebecca Nolan, Keara Ryan, Siobhan Curtis, Mary O’Connell, Emma Shortall, Niamh Byrne, Grainne Glynn

Subs – Margaret O’Connell for Grainne Glynn, Margaret Kehoe, Laoise Nolan, Roisin Kealy, Niamh Ward, Dianamh Phelan, Siobhan Treacy, Ciara Treacy, Grainne Byrne, Aoife Glynn, Anna Walpole, Aoife Treacy, Leah Phelan, Erin O’Connell, Catherine Murphy, Lucy Cody inj, Grace Barcoe inj , Peig Carrigan inj, Aoife Ward , Orla Farrell, Maria Shortall