MINOR A SHIELD ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP

COMPOSED CLARE EARN SHARE OF SPOILS 
Report by Derek Dormer

CLARE 0-13
OFFALY 1-10
Leading by five at the interval Clare would subsequently trail by two with less than ten minutes to play and defeat looked the likeliest outcome but in a tremendous showing of character they hit the next three scores before an Amy O'Sullivan injury time free secured a share of the spoils.
" Those girls showed unbelievable character when going behind. The performance overall was disappointing to be honest but when the tide was against us we delivered in spades" manager Eleanor Walsh with a relieved look immediately after.
In truth Clare probably should have put this game to bed early such was their superiority. Four points in succession courtesy of Aoibhin McNamara, Sophie Torpey, Maeve Millea and Caoimhe Cahill had Clare in total control by the tenth minute. Such was their dominance that Offaly only scored one point from play from star forward Roisin Kinsella in the entire opening thirty minutes and the Banner headed to the dressing rooms in cruise control on a 0-8 to 0-3 scoreline.
" We had a couple of goal chances that we didn't take and it nearly cost us. But again I have to take my hat off to them. Yes we were flat for the first twenty minutes of the second half but it's our third week on the trot. These girls are nearly all dual players and they have leaving cert coming up with the girls doing oral exams right now. So to see the commitment they put in is hugely impressive. It's hard going week after week. You only have to look at the hurling to see that. I'm so proud of them today. When it was looking like we were in trouble they came roaring back with a determination not to be beaten."

The second half saw Offaly keeping Clare pinned back. Dominating the restarts provided the platform and when Kinsella caught a huge delivery at the edge of the square before blasting home at the second attempt after a wonderful Grainne McMahon hook all the momentum was with the Faithful County. Moments later the visitors had a penalty which Kinsella fired high and over but even after this let off Clare were in trouble. Three more unanswered Offaly points quickly followed from Caoimhe O'Donovan, Orla Kilmartin and Fianait Dooley and the writing seemed on the wall for a tired looking Banner side.
" The finish was superb. To be trailing and looking in all sorts of trouble we actually took the lead again at the depth and it was us who forced Offaly to find an equaliser deep into additional time."
Those last five minutes saw Kilmaley player Caoimhe Cahill leading her team by example. Refusing to be beaten she landed a pressure filled 45 before scoring a beauty from play in the 57th minute. The highly impressive Maeve Millea landed her third from play in the 60th minute before O'Sullivan's free ensured a draw. Despite not winning Clare are still firmly on track for one of the coveted semi final spots.
" We are in a good place overall. We are unbeaten still after two wins and a draw which keeps us on course for the semi final. That's been out target from the get go. We now have to regroup try rest and get the focus ahead of our trip to Wexford on Sunday. It's not easy going all the time but these girls love playing for their County and I'm just so proud of all of them again today." 
With that the Scariff-Ogonolloe clubwoman and mother of Senior player Abby Walsh headed off smiling with a proud look and why wouldn't she? Clare minors are still unbeaten and on this display are full of never say die characters that will give their all for the Saffron and Blue.


Clare:Eva O'Halloran (Inagh-Kilnamona), Lauren Slater (Truagh-Clonlara), Grainne McMahon (Newmarket on Fergus), Aine Longe (Inagh-Kilnamona), Alison Collins (Scariff-Ogonolloe) , Cliodhna Queally (Inagh-Kilnamona), Neasa Ni Lachtnàin (Ruan), Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley), Sarah Meade (Truagh-Clonlara), Aoibhin Marren (Truagh-Clonlara), Sophie Conway (Feakle-Killanena), Sophie Torpey (Doora Barefield), Maeve Millea (Parteen-Meelick), Elisha Rynne (Inagh-Kilnamona), Aoibhin McNamara (Sixmilebridge) 
Subs: Danielle Beston (Scariff-Ogonolloe) for S Conway (HT), Roisin O'Grady (Sixmilebridge) for A Marren (HT), Charlotte Chaplin (Sixmilebridge) for S Torpey (47), Caoimhe Ryan (Banner) for A Longe, Aine Lenihan (Kilkishen) for S Meade (54), Emili Domini (Scariff-Ogonolloe) for L Slater inj (60)


Scorers: Caoimhe Cahill 0-5(2f, 1 45), Aoibhin McNamara 0-4 (2f), Maeve Millea 0-3, Sophie Torpey 0-1




Offaly: Sophie James (St.Rynaghs), Emma Buggy (Tullamore), Aoife Liffey (Shinronie), Elizabeth Kilmartin (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Ciara Maher (Moneygall), Grainne Kennedy (Lus/Drum), Aoife O'Donovan (St.Cillians), Meabh Nolan (St.Rynaghs), Emily Conlon (Tullamore), Roisin Kinsella (Birr), Fianait Dooley (Lus/Drum), Molly Hogan (St.Cillians), Allie Butler (St.Rynaghs), Amy Sullivan (St.Rynaghs), Orla Kilmartin (Kilcormac/Killoughey)

Subs: Caoimhe Quinn (Kilcormac/Killoughey) for M Hogan inj (27), Caoimhe 0'Donovan for E Conlon (HT), Aoife Byrne (St.Rynaghs) for A Butler (40), 


Scorers: Roisin Kinsella 1-4 (1f, 1 pen), Amy O'Sullivan 0-3 (3f), Orla Kilmartin, Fianait Dooley, Caoimhe O'Donovan 0-1 each 


Referee: Mike Ryan Tipperary