Whelton goal sets Clon girls on way to first All-Ireland

SACRED HEART COLLEGE, Clonakilty survived a tremendous rally by St Joseph’s to take the Pat the Baker All-Ireland Post Primary Schoolgirls ‘B’ SFC title at Cashel yesterday.

With both schools bidding to win their first national title at this level, it made for a marvellous match.

Amy Burke, Claire O’Mahony and Aine O’Leary were outstanding in a very busy Clon defence; the powerful running of Claire O’Leary at midfield ensured the West Cork attack got a good supply of ball, while Sharon Whelton and Marie O’Donovan were a constant threat up front.

The ‘Bridge made a major contribution to an excellent contest which hung in the balance all through, and it was no fault of Fiona Leavy, Siobhan Loran, Edel Marshall and Lisa Kelly that they failed.

The sides were level three times in the opening quarter, which ended level at 0-3 apiece. Only an excellent save by keeper Amy Burke prevented Clon from falling a goal behind, before the West Cork girls got the tonic of a goal a couple of minutes later which was to prove a crucial score.

Claire O’Leary made a lot of ground before parting to Erica Jennings whose pass set up Sharon Whelton for a goal from the edge of the square.

With Claire O’Leary dominant at midfield and Sharon Whelton, Mary O’Donovan and Marie O’Donovan playing superbly in attack, Clon finished the half on top and were full value for their 1-5 to 0-4 half-time lead as the Westmeath school wasted several chances.

Clon maintained their grip on the change-over and, after Benlah McManus drove into the side netting when it looked easier to score, they struck for a second goal in the 40th minute.

The hugely impressive Marie O’Donovan took off on a run before rattling the net from close range. It gave her side an eight-point lead and Clon were never going to be caught from that position.

St Josephs hit back for a goal when Siobhan Loran found the net in a crowded square and left the Clon girls and their supporters on tenterhooks for the remaining minutes as their eight-point lead had been cut to three.

Great defending by Claire O’Mahony and Sinead O’Brien ensured Clon conceded no further scores and in a welter of excitement Sharon Whelton landed the insurance point.

Scorers for Clonakilty: S. Whelton 1-5 (0-2 frees); Marie O’Donovan 1-2; Mary O’Donovan, Juanita Brennan 0-1 each.

St. Joseph’s scorers: F. Leavy 0-6 (0-5 frees); S. Loran 1-0; A. Hyland, L, Darby 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY: M. O’Brien; A. Burke, S. O’Brien, C. Burke; S. O’Neill, C. O’Mahony, A. O’Leary; C. O’Leary, J. Brennan; B. McManus, S. Whelton, Marie O’Donovan; A. O’Donovan, Mary O’Donovan, E. Jennings.

Subs: D. Moloney for A. O’Donovan; A. O’Donovan for S. O’Neill.

ST JOSEPH’S: C. Judge; S. Dolan, L. Kelly, S. Whelehan; C. Hannon, E. Marshall, C. Deegan; F. Leavy, MA Foley; A. Hyland, C. Gill, L. Darby; S. Loran, D. Wallace, A. Doyle.

Subs. L. Hendley for Kelly; A. Brady for A. Doyle.

Referee: R. O’Connor (Tipperary)