A gripping All Ireland Semi Final played In perfect conditions in the idyllic setting of St.Brigid’s Park Roscommon produced a spectacle worthy of any venue in the land.
Prolific sharpshooter Fidelma Marrinan got Clare off the mark with the first kick in anger, however such was the nature of the tit for tat encounter , before the first 60 seconds had elapsed, Laois would take the lead thanks to a brace of scores from the constant lethal thorn in Clare’s side of Mo Nerney.
On the stroke of the second minute Liscannor native Roisín Considine issued the perfect response finishing to an empty net truly bringing the contest to life.
Just moments later Marrinan pointed for the second occasion to put Clare three Points in front, however this would prove the catalyst for the O’Moore Ladies claiming the next four scores in a row thanks to two more efforts from Mo Nerney as well as contributions from Jane Moore and Emma Lawlor allowing Laois to retake the lead on twelve minutes.
Credit must go in this hectic period to Laois Netminder Eimear Brady who pulled off two terrific point blank saves firstly from Fidelma Marrinan and moments later denying Róisín Considine her second goal of the game.
However goal saving interceptions from Gráinne Harvey and Tara Kelly would minimise the impact of the Laois response.
The sides would continue to trade scores until Laois scored their first goal of the game on 25 minutes after a sweeping team move leaving Eva Galvin all the time she needed to bury the ball in the back of Amy Lenihan’s net.
Clare would very nearly replicate Laois’s team move from their resulting kickout, however at the vital moment it was judged Kilmihil’s Catríona Callinan had been fouled on the edge of the square and the Banner were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately Chloe Moloney’s effort had the keeper beaten but not the post.
Clare would get a fifth goal chance before the cessation of first half hostilities and Amy Sexton made no mistake with a classy finish to the bottom left hand corner.
At the break the sides went in level at 2-05 to 1-08
Immediately on the restart Laois showed their claws and as Clare were dispossessed carrying the ball out of defence, the relentless Mo Nerney used the opportunity to fire a unstoppable effort to the top right of the net foreshadowing her deadly nature.
Laois would build up a six point advantage by the 44th minute on this momentum with thanks to chief taliswomen Erone Fitzpatrick and Mo Nerney whose display was worth the admission fee alone.
As the sides entered the final quarter of the regulation period, Evan Talty’s side dug deep to produce a magnificent comeback , the ever dangerous Fidelma Marrinan became the first to reduce arrears with a brace of scores followed by All Star Midfileder Aisling Reidy parading through the centre to leave just one score between the sides.
Roisín Considine and Niamh O’Dea would then get in on the act reducing the margin of deficit to a single point on fifty-six minutes before Mo Nerney would add Laois’s final score of the day bringing her personal tally to 1-8.
Corner Back Ellie O’Gorman went on a tour of St.Brigid’s Park in the 59th minute and showed she can kick points as well as her clubmate in the right position and gave Clare the impetus to snatch a draw when in the final moment of normal time Banner club women Niamh O’Dea had ice in her veins to split the posts from all of 30 metres out sending an already pulsating contest into the pressure cooker of extra time.
As Laois enjoyed a purple patch at the beginning of the second period, It was Clare who made the first half of extra time their own with substitute Cliodhna Blake firing the Banner in front for the first time since the sixteenth minute.
Catríona Callinan , And two more strikes from Fidelma Marrinan would give Clare the largest lead of the day and even to the most neutral observer it appeared that Clare had all the necessary momentum to see the tie out.
However The O’Moore ladies would leave the Banner haunted by the ghosts of missed opportunities as Mo Nerney who would finish her day out in Roscommon with an incredible haul of 1-14 and Arone Fitzpatrick were to the fore.
Each and every member of this courageous young Clare side left everything on the field in a commendable display which will no doubt provide plenty of fuel for the 2023 Campaign’s fire
It finished in St.brigid’s Park, Laois 2-21 to Clare’s 2-19
Laois will face Wexford in the Intermediate decider after the Slaney Siders secured their place with an emphatic victory over Roscommon.
The Final will take place on July 31st in Croke Park.