Superb second half sees Limerick minor camogie side draw with Clare

LIMERICK and Clare played out an entertaining draw in their Electric Ireland Minor A Camogie Shield All-Ireland Championship clash in Kilmallock.

This Sunday afternoon a late goal by Caoimhe Cahill seemed to have pushed the game in Clare's favour but a last ditch free from Roisin O'Brien gave Limerick a deserved draw with the game finishing 3-12 to 4-9.

Limerick were eight points down at the break but fought superbly to get back into the game with corner forward Donna Kenny landing a hat-trick of goals.

Kenny's first goal arrived in the 10th minute but Cahill responded immediately to put Clare 1-2 to 1-1 ahead. Sophie Torpey then sent over two points to see Clare extend their lead before Sophie Conway landed their second goal.

Laura Southern got Limerick back scoring and then Kenny's second goal on 23 minutes saw them bring the deficit back to just two points.

However, Conway then got in for a second goal that helped Clare into a 3-7 to 2-2 half time advantage.

Claire Power got the second half scoring underway and then Kenny fired in her third goal with a rocket into the top corner that brought Limerick to within four points.

Southern, Poppy Giltenane and three Niamh Brennan scores in a row put Limerick into the lead for just the second time in the game on 45 minutes. 3-8 to 3-7.

Limerick continued to lead heading into added time but a brilliant Cahill finish looked to have won the game at the death for the Banner.

The Paul Neenan and Tony Dunne managed side were not done, however, as O'Brien showed nerves of steel to score a free from an acute angle and give Limerick a deserved draw.

Scorers - Limerick: Donna Kenny 3-0, Niamh Brennan 0-5 (2 frees, '45), Roisin O'Brien 0-3 (1 free), Laura Southern 0-2, Claire Power and Poppy Giltenane 0-1 each.

Scorers - Clare: Caoimhe Cahill 2-3 (1 free), Sophie Conway 2-0, Sophie Conway 0-4 (1 free), Aisiling Moloney and Aoibhin McNamara (1 free) 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Leah Quinlan (Newcastle West); Amy Mullins (Adare), Orla Ryan (St Ailbes), Abby Murrihy (Ahane); Ciara Buckley (Monaleen), Lucy O’Brien, (Newcastle West), Alex Russell (St Ailbe's); Ciara Neenan (Bruff), Ciara Dunne (Adare); Poppy Giltenane (Adare), Roisin O’Brien (Patrickswell), Niamh Brennan (Ahane); Donna Kenny (Croagh-Kilfinny), Lilly Duggan (Newcastle West), Laura Southern (Monaleen). Subs: Claire Power (Blackrock-Effin), for Neenan (27mins), Kate Foley (Newcastle West) for Duggan (h-t), Ellen Meehan (Blackrock-Effin) for Dunne (57mins), Kate Dore (Killeedy) for Brennan (58mins).

CLARE: Eva O'Halloran (Inagh-Kilnamona); Lauren Slater (Truagh-Clonlara), Grainne McMahon (Newmarket on Fergus), Aine Longe (Inagh-Kilnamona); Caoimhe Ryan (Banner), Cliodhan Quelly (Inagh-Kilnamona), Neasa Ni Lachtnain (Ruan); Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley), Aisling Moloney (Ruan); Danielle Beston (Scariff-Ogonnelloe), Sophie Conway (Feakle-Kilanena), Sophie Torpey (St Joseph's Doora Barefield); Evie Scanlon (Clarecastle), Sarah Meade (Truagh-Clonlara), Aoibhin McNamara (Sixmilebridge). Subs: Clodagh Quinn (Clooney Quinn) for Scanlon (h-t), Eisha Rynne (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Beston (49mins), Alison Collins (Scariff-Ogonnelloe) for McMahon (53mins), Maeve Millea (Parteen) for Meade (56mins).

REFEREE: Enda Loughnane (Galway).