This article is from page 84 of the 2008-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 84 JPG
CLARE’S Under 18 camogie team are just 60 minutes away from an All-Ireland final. That is how the Banner girls will be approaching the semi-final fixture this weekend. Clare play Tipperary on Saturday in what is hoped will be a double bill of Under 18 semi-finals with Kilkenny and Cork also vying for a spot in the NUON
Clare are facing into this game well prepared as a group and while they have every reason to be quietly con- fident going into the fixture they will be prepared to fight to the end and will be leaving no stone unturned in their final preparations this week.
Clare have had the better of the ex- changes over Tipperary throughout the last number of years and on that form along with vast improvements this year Clare will be hoping to con- tinue in that frame.
Clare will not be without their own difficulties though as they look to be without the presence of Roisin McMahon and Niamh Martin. Both have been starting in the Banner’s rearguard with McMahon dominat- ing the center back position in all the games so far and Martin shoring up on the right corner.
Stephanie Moloney who had a very strong game against Galway may also be in doubt for the tie as she picked up a groin strain in the
first round of the championship with Broadford, when they were defeated by Newmarket. These changes will have to be accounted for when the management of Fintan McNamara, Eamon O’Loughlin, Maura Sheedy, Kevin Halpin and Davy Fitzgerald sit down to finalise the team towards the end of the week.
Clare haven’t played a game since the overwhelming defeat over Gal- way in Clareabbey on July 2. That was Clare’s third win (Antrim and Cork being the others) and with a walkover in the final round to Dub- lin, top position in the group had been secured.
The long lay off since that Galway game will be the only worry for the
panel going in to this tie. But prepa- rations have gone well and the posi- tive attitude to the training sessions will help in bringing the final prepa- rations together. The win over Cork in the early stages also gave Clare a much coveted Munster Final win and with the attitude shown on that day coupled with the desire of this bunch to go further, this should be enough to bring Clare to the final.
Team wise, Susan Vaughan in goal has been very dependable this year with a strong defensive unit outside her. Aine O’Brien and Chloe Morey have held the midfield area comfort- ably and with Niamh Corry, Shona Enright and a fit Stephanie Moloney Clare have a very strong center for-
ward line that will cause trouble.
Inside, Carina Roseingrave will captain the side from the full for- ward line and Roisin O’Brien and Aoife Griffin have been working very hard this year. With Martin and McMahon looking likely to miss the game, there will be room for the re- turn of Aiveen O’Shea who missed the Galway game. There could also be room for Eimear Considine, with Mary Clune, Michelle Caulfield and possibly Aisling Hannon also in the running these can be ready for action either way as the strong Clare panel should have enough in the tank to overcome the challange of Tipper- ae