O’Reilly secures final spot for Sligo

Sligo 2-12 Clare 1-14

And for 18 year-old Clare forward Aine Kelly from Fergus Rovers selection as ‘player of the game’ was poor consolation for her misfortune in missing two frees near the end.

Ultimately, two points by Stephanie O’Reilly earned Sligo their place in the final for the third consecutive year after a terrific contest and the hope of compensating for last year’s defeat to Armagh and Kildare in 2004.

Clare made the early running until they fell behind in the 13th minute to a Therese Marren point. And with Stephanie O’Reilly goaling a few minutes later (after Clare goalkeeper Emma O’Driscoll did well to stop a first shot from her), Sligo went in at half-time two points in front, 2-5 to 1-6.

The second half was fought out with great passion and spirit by both sides. Significantly, however, after Clare had quickly drawn level, they never managed to get back in front after full-forward Noelle Gormley had pointed to put the Connacht side in front.

It might have been a different story had not full-back Gráinne O’Gara made a vital block on the goal-line from Aine Kelly. Nevertheless, Clare showed great character in coming back from four points down in the 43rd minute to be on level terms with just over ten minutes remaining. And for that, they could thank Kelly who kicked three scores and came close a second time to getting a goal.

As excitement mounted, a Stephanie O’Reilly point for Sligo separated the sides until she added a second with two minutes to go. In between, Kelly missed the chance of an equaliser and after Myra Daly gave Clare hope, the Fergus Rovers player was off target again, with just 45 seconds remaining.

Scorers for Sligo: S. O’Reilly 1-3; T. Marren 1-2; N. Gormley 0-3 (0-2 frees); I. McNulty 0-2; A. Doohan 0-1.

Clare: M. Daly 1-3; A. Kelly 0-5 (0-3 frees); M. Griffin 0-2; G. Lynch, S. Maher, E. Morrissey and N. Keane 0-1 each.

SLIGO: K. Connolly; F. Aye, G. O’Gara, A. Gerrity; T. O’Hara, C. Kennedy, L. Harte; S. McTiernan, B. Byrne; E. Flanagan, T. Marren, A. Doohan (capt.); H. Haran, N. Gormley, S. O’Reilly.

Subs: I. McNulty for Flanagan (injured, 3rd minute); R. Goodwin for Gerrity (26); K. Maloney for Gormley (50).

CLARE: E. O’Driscoll; C. Considine, L. Kelly, Monica Lillis; S. Kelly, E. Morrissey, S. Eustace; L. Henchy, G. Lynch; N. Keane, M. Griffin (capt.), M. Considine; A. Kelly, Majella Lillis, M. Daly.

Subs: H. Quinn for Henchy (19th minute); S. Maher for Griffin, 28th); A. Kavanagh for M. Lillis (50th).

Referee: T. Clarke (Dublin).