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U15 All Ireland Blitz, GAA Centre, Abbotstown, Dublin

A well balanced Clare Under 15 squad emerged the victors in the Division 2 Cup, winning all four of their matches in confident manner at the GAA Centre of Excellence in Abbotstown, on a windy but dry last Saturday in July.

Clare were dominant from the start in the first two matches against Kildare and Meath, winning these easily. The third match against Limerick was a tougher affair. Still with a final score of 2.4 to 1 point, with Limerick only scoring from the placed ball, Clare did not have much to be concerned about.

This meant that Clare did not play a fourth group match, as it was clear that Clare and Tipperary would finish top of the group and therefore qualify for the final.

The final saw the Clare team gave an outstanding performance and display of team work, with excellent passing and reading of the game, and fluid play from the backs up to the forwards. Tipperary got off to an excellent start with a goal and a point. Clare settled and equalised with a goal from Alison McGee and a point from Claire McNamara to leave the teams all square at half time.

Clare came into their purple match from the start of the second half, with Susan O’Shea opening her account with a point, and Alison McGee following up with another. Clare’s momentum was maintained with an excellent goal from Leah Talty. Still Tipperary fought back and threatened Clare’s goal mouth, but hardy defending by Caoilfhionn Nic Giolla Cearra, Rachel Murray and Ava Gardner protected goalie Roisin Quilligan, and prevented any break through. The half back line of Megan O’Connor, Cara Close and Claire McNamara were solid and together with the mid fielders of Rosie Young and Jodie Cahill, fed an excellent supply of ball to the forwards. Claire McNamara  pointed from a ‘45. The Clare supporters could start to relax and enjoy the moment after Susan O’Shea added a goal and a point with the final score a point coming from Alison McGee. Emma Cooper, Johanna Fogarty and Elena Sanz all pressurised the Tipperary backs and supplied ball to the scorers. In the last quarter the full panel was required to stem the Tipperary fight back, and fresh legs in Jasmine Tuohy, Maria Healy, Orla Commons, Dearbhla McMahon and Leona Grace helped to copper fasten a well-deserved victory for the Banner. The final score was Clare 3-6 to Tippeary 1-1, with no score from the premier county in the second half. Joint captains Cara Close and Claire McNamara accepted the Division 2 cup from Pat Martin and thanked Tipperary for an excellent match, their coaches and mentors for all their help, and the officials at Abbotstown for the use of the superb facilities for the blitz.

Clare: Alex O’Sullivan, Ava Gardner, Caoilfhionn Nic Giolla Cearra, Caoimhe Leamy, Cara Close, Caire McNamara, Elena Sanz, Emma Cooper, Eva Larkin, Jazmine Tuohy, Johanna Fogarty, Leah Talty, Leona Grace, Maria Healy, Megan O’Connor, Rachel Murray, Patricia Coote, Sarah Coote, Alison McGee, Susan O’Shea, Jodie Cahill, Dearbhla McMahon, Roisin Quilligan, Orla Commons, Rosie Young.