Minor A Cup Final 

Fr McNamara Park: Inagh Kilnamona 1-6 Scariff Ogonnelloe 2-6 

The rain held off on what was to be a perfect morning in November for playing a camogie final with Scariff Ogonnelloe battling it out again with old rivals Inagh Kilnamona in what was the 3rd meeting of these clubs in County finals this year, for the chance to be crowned Clare Minor A champions 2021.  

Two strong teams named with plenty of talent sitting on the bench of each panel and a grand collection of supporters ready to cheer on the contenders. As expected, there was plenty of action to cheer on as the game started at a high pace and didn’t let up until the final whistle. 

First blow to Scariff Ogonnelloe as a free within two minutes of the game starting was duly pointed by Abby Walsh. Not to be outdone as the ball made it down to the other half of the field, Inagh Kilnamona responded in same as Cara McInerney pointed to level the sides 0-1 to 0-1. 

Both teams finding their feet early in the game meant plenty of scoring opportunities in the first quarter. A couple of wides for Scariff Ogonnelloe were quickly followed by a well-earned goal calmly but precisely finished by Abby Walsh. The East Clare club back lines were holding steady and keeping Inagh Kilnamona away from their goal however Inagh Kilnamona having the same determination popped over another three points, McInerney with a brace and Danielle Griffin to keep it even stevens as the whistle blew for the first water break. 

Every ball was hard fought with little space afforded to any player trying to make a break or run but that didn’t stop Danielle Griffin of Inagh Kilnamona hitting a low struck shot across the goal and into the corner net giving her team the lead for the first time. Both teams trying hard to keep the shots flowing while nearly always under pressure lead to a few more wides before half time however with two frees slotted over for Scariff Ogonnelloe and another point for Inagh Kilnamona left the score at 1-3 to 1-5 in favour of the ‘yellow and green’. 

A speedy start to the second half from Scariff Ogonnelloe saw amazing work rate from their midfield and captain Jennifer Daly pushed through to get the ball to Danielle Beston to strike over for a point. No sooner was the ball pucked out it was won by Lorraine Grady who rocketed past her marker and buried the ball in the back of the net. Inagh Kilnamona were not allowed to get in the game in this quarter but did have one shot on goal which was cleared by Scariff Ogonnelloe keeper Emily Domini. Some more wayward shooting saw Scariff Ogonnelloe have three more wides and leave the door open for a final battle after the water break, 2-5 to 1-5 in favour of Scariff Ogonnelloe. 

Last quarter and Scariff Ogonnelloe had no intention of giving up their lead, Alva Rogers and Karen O’Mahony dominating the back lines with Bonnie Wiley Murphy, Rosin Collins and Robin McKenna stopping and clearing any ball that comes their way. Labhaoise O’Donnell driving around the centre field keeping Inagh Kilnamona from setting up any form of attack. Scariff Ogonnelloe made sub changes with the two corner forwards who were immediately in the middle of the action. Scariff Ogonnelloe closed in on goal only for the shot to go wide. There was no time to breath as they won the ball again when Alison Collins was fouled in a ruck, a swift free into the corner and a pass from Seva Brennan saw Labhaoise O’Donnell knock over another point for Scariff Ogonnelloe. Inagh Kilnamona hadn’t given up and pulled back a point back but that’s as much as the East Clare side would give them. As the final whistle blew, Scariff Ogonnelloe had maintained their one goal advantage to run out winners 2-6 to 1-6 and make more camogie history on winning their first Minor A title. Chairperson Joe O’Donnell presented the cup to captain Jennifer Daly. 

Scariff Ogonnelloe: Emily Domini; Roisin Collins, Bonnie Wiley Murphy, Karen O’Mahony; Alison Collins, Alva Rodgers, Robyn McKenna; Jennifer Daly-Capt, Lorraine Grady; Aoife Kelly, Labhaoise O’Donnell, Danielle Beston; Eimear Rodgers, Abby Walsh, Rebecca Rodgers 

Subs: Seva Brennan for E Rodgers 

Inagh Kilnamona:Eva O’Halloran; Caoimhe Longe, Aine Longe, Grainne Burke; Caoimhe Devitt, Tierna Hegarty, Cliodhna Queally; Ella Leyden, Muireann Daffy; Elisha Twomey, Danielle Griffin (1-1), Karlene McGerr; Elisha Rynne, Cara McInerney (0-5 3F), Amy Shannon  

Subs: Rhea Foudy for Shannon, Ailbhe Devitt for Devitt, Emer Burke for Twomey, Amy Shannon for C Longe 

Referee: Fergal O’Brien 

Scariff Ogonnelloe - Minor A Cup winners

Minor A Shield Final 

Clarecastle GAA: Clarecastle/Ballyea 1-11 Clooney Quin 1-13 

A strong first half performance from Clooney Quin paved the road to victory in the Minor A Shield Final played in damp conditions in Clarecastle on Saturday evening. 

The winners had the perfect start with a goal from Clodagh Quinn. Clarecastle/Ballyea replied with two pointed frees from Hannah Mai Neylon. Clooney Quin added the next four points through Emma Considine with a brace of frees and Emma Quinn with a point from play.  

Clarecastle/Ballyea responded with a third point from Neylon. As both sides fought hard for possession Clooney Quin had a point from play from Emma Considine. Clarecastle/Ballyea replied with a fourth pointed free, but it was Clooney Quin who pushed on adding a further three points from Emma Considine, Emily Costelloe and Clodagh Quinn leaving half-time score Clooney Quin 1-8 Clarecastle/Ballyea 0-4. 

Clarecastle/Ballyea regrouped together at the start of the second half and pointed a brace after four minutes, Neylon from a free and one from play from Aisling Costello but Clooney Quin kept in control with two further points from Emma Quinn and Emma Considine. 

Evie Scanlon who was central to her side fightback scored a goal in the 12th minute of the second half and with further points from Aoife Murphy (1) and Neylon (2f) by the second water break, Clarecastle/Ballyea were two points behind.  

In the final quarter both sides exchanged frees while Emma O’Loughlin and Costello pointed from play for their side.  Clooney Quin kept driving forward to notch up points from Emma Considine & Clodagh Quinn (2) to win by two to seal the victory.  

Best for Clooney/Quin were Anna Doyle, Hannah Clune, Saoirse Keogh, Emer Hynes, Emma Considine, Clodagh Quinn and Cliodhna Ryan while Clarecastle/Ballyea had good performances from Brooke McInerney with some excellent saves throughout, Molly McMahon and Charlotte O’Brien. 

Clooney/Quin: Ella Moloney, Lucy O’Donnell, Anna Doyle, Claire Murphy, Saoirse Keogh, Cliodhna Ryan (C), Hannah Clune, Emily Costelloe (0-1), Emer Hynes, Orna Moynihan, Holly Deegan, Emma Considine (0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ‘45), Emma Quinn (0-3), Niamh McGee, Clodagh Quinn (1-3).
Subs: Ava Corbett for Hannah Clune (35 mins, inj), Ellie McSherry for Holly Deegan (45mins), Eimear McGee, Eabha Brennan, Ellen Collins, Sarah Brassil. 

Clarecastle/Ballyea: Brooke McInerney, Eileen Costelloe, Molly McMahon, Roisin Halpin, Rebecca Carmody, Charlotte O’Brien, Ciara Sexton, Hannah Morrissey, Aoife Murphy (0-1), Aisling Costelloe (0-2),  Lily McMahon, Stella Quinlivan (Capt), Evie Scanlon (1-1), Emma O’ Loughlin (0-1), Hannah Mai Neylon (0-7). 

Subs: Zoe Ellingstad for Eileen Costello, Luisne Corey, Katelyn Talty, Anna Whelan, Tara Casey, Orla Hogan, Ciara O’Dell & Emma Hogan. 

Referee: Noel Quinn 

Clooney Quin - Minor A Shield winners