Dublin make two changes for replay

DUBLIN have made two changes from the team that drew with Clare in last month’s All-Ireland junior camogie final in Croke Park for Sunday’s replay at Birr.

Niamh Taylor, who replaced the injured Joyce Donnelly and scored the equalising point, retains her place. She starts at right half forward in a switch that sees captain Eimear Brannigan move to centre forward. Eve Talbot, who was also used as a substitute, keeps the number 13 shirt in place of Gillian McCluskey.

Clare manager Francey McMahon has kept faith with his lineout. However, he wants a much-improved performance this time around.

“We didn’t do ourselves justice. The tension seem to get to the girls and they were somewhat overawed by the occasion. We only scored one point from play and certainly we would be looking to do better on that. I would be looking for at least half of the team to up their performance considerably.

“I feel Sunday, though, will be a different ball game to Croke Park. Both sides looked nervous that day and didn’t play to their ability.

"The two teams will be more comfortable playing in Birr. The standard should be much higher and the game should be more open. We only came into the game in the second half and if we are to win, we will have to give it everything for the full 60 minutes.”

Captain Deirdre Murphy was the outstanding player four weeks ago. The midfielder was the a much-improved performance this time around.

“We didn’t do ourselves justice. The tension seem to get to the girls and they were somewhat overawed by the occasion. We only scored one point from play and certainly we would be looking to do better on that. I would be looking for at least half of the team to up their performance considerably.

“I feel Sunday, though, will be a different ball game to Croke Park. Both sides looked nervous that day and didn’t play to their ability.

"The two teams will be more comfortable playing in Birr. The standard should be much higher and the game should be more open. We only came into the game in the second half and if we are to win, we will have to give it everything for the full 60 minutes.”

Captain Deirdre Murphy was the outstanding player four weeks ago. The midfielder was the in goals, but up front they will need to register more scores. They were overly dependent on Murphy, but Catherine O’Loughlin, Moira McMahon, Fiona Lafferty and Laura Linnane give plenty of reason for optimism.

CLARE: R Lynch; J Scanlon, D Corcoran, Caroline McMahon; E Minogue, C Halley, E Keating; D Murphy (Capt), M McMahon; F Lafferty, A O’Brien, L Linnane; Claire McMahon, C O’Loughlin, C Commane.

DUBLIN: E Butler; S Hanks, A McCluskey, A Cullen; A Fitzpatrick, S Cunnane, C Power; C Lucey, Á Fanning; N Taylor, E Brannigan (Capt), C Durkan; E Talbot, L O’Hara, E Lucey.