Clonmel Div 5: 0-2 Cork Wanderers
With home advantage and in the local training grounds of Rockwell College, Clonmel ought to have bagged three points from Wanderers who they defeated in the combined cup final but sadly it wasn’t to be. Wanderers were out for blood and benefited on Clonmel’s slow start. Winning a short corner and forcing an off the goal line clearance they applied heavy pressure for most of the first half. Not long after the interval, Wanderers capitalised on another short corner and scored from the top of the circle with an unstoppable shot to the right of goal keeper Claire Boland. This kicked Clonmel back into gear but a number goal attempts from the forward line proved unsuccessful. Whilst the warmth of the spring sun was welcome, its glare made life a bit difficult and Wanderers were awarded a highly controversial goal which left the final score at 0-2. Clonmel now need to gain points from the five remaining matches to achieve mid-table position by the end of the season.
Clonmel Div 3: 1-2 Kilkenny
The hopes of All Ireland glory were dashed this weekend with Clonmel bowing out gracefully from a hard fought semi-final against neighbouring Kilkenny. Clonmel were uncharacteristically caught off guard within the first two minutes by Kilkenny’s Sue Shirley who scored the first of her two goals following a long corner free from the sideline. Clonmel gathered themselves and following a forecasted downpour of hailstones forced a number of errors from Kilkenny to get six short corners. Tight defence from Kilkenny failed to allow Clonmel penetrate and it was in the 17th minute when Kilkenny, against the flow of play, saw a quick break allow Shirley to smash the ball with the reverse of her stick up into the Clonmel net. Clonmel retaliated by switching shape to put more pressure upfield and were soon rewarded when Barbara Ryan passed to Ger Boland and while her shot was saved Dawn Grace was ready and waiting for the rebound and slipped it into the net in the 25th minute.
The second half was devoid of goals but was a great display of skill from both teams which was thoroughly enjoyed by the many spectators. The balance of power switched regularly with defence lines tested on many occasions. A powerful pass by right back Pamela Corcoran to Ger Boland, strategically located at the Kilkenny 25, was full of promise only to be foiled with quick clearance that allowed Kilkenny break down the left. It was this writer’s nominated player of the match, Aine O’Dwyer, who tactfully intercepted the very dangerous attack. When the final whistle blew, unfortunately for Clonmel it was Kilkenny who progressed to the final in March against Dublin’s Botanic but with all our best wishes.
Fixtures
Div 5 vs Church of Ireland, Tipperary Town, Sat 25/02/12, 11.30am – Division 5 Cup Semi Final
U10 blitz in Limerick & U12 blitz in Cork, Sat 25/02/12
U14 vs Belvedere, Tipperary Town, Sun 26/02/12
