The second meeting in a week between the Banner Ladies and West Clare Gaels took place last Friday, September 10th, when Miltown hosted the U14 A and B Championship Finals double header. Kilrush defeated Doorabarefield in the second game, the U14B final and brought glory back to the West Clare stronghold for the second time this year.
With the memory of the Senior championship loss to the Gaels still fresh, the Banner U14 panel lead from the front by the outstanding Karen Roche, needed no further motivation and approached the game with a single-mindedness that is usually displayed by more mature panels. This panel of girls have, for the most-part, been team-mates for the last five years and have stormed their way through the U12 championships in the last three consecutive seasons. They formed the core of the U14 side that were pipped at the post last year, losing out to Burren Gaels. They knew they just let one slip and certain promises were made before they togged in, unusual for such a young team. Now they were at the coalface once more and it remained to be seen if they had matured into the new grading.
West Clare Gaels were obviously pumped up for the game and, following the senior blueprint from the week before, rattled the town-end net first with a well taken goal by Grainne Harvey. When the Banner's Emily Moloney found Eva O'Dea from the kickout, a quick release to Captain Karen Roche ended up in the Gaels net and a minute later she was set up by midfielder Doireann Hennessy for a text book point. However, an offensive into the Banner twenty one saw Caoimhe Harvey release a snap shot before Banner corner back Aine O'Shea arrived on the scene putting the Gaels two points up at the end of the first quarter. An inspiring Captain Roche ran at the Gaels defence incessantly and her next point rallied the Banner forwards who between them despatched three goals past the custodian Naoise Murray in the last quarter. Aoibheann Malone's and Grainne Nolan's distribution was relentless for the Saffron and Blues and when Aishling Cahill found herself on the end of a gifted pass, she made no mistake as she picked her spot in the top left hand corner. Midfielder Eva O'Dea then released Roche again with a pinpoint pass and as she cut a hole in the Murphy Foran defence, her shot had goal written all over it. In response West Clare Gaels attackers Amy Keane took two lovely points and Aine Murphy took one. In the last passage of play before the halftime whistle, the ball took the direct route via Elaine Casey, Aoife Keane, Aoibheann Malone to the tireless Grainne Nolan who rattled the net and pushed The Banner Ladies into a four point cushion at the break. Banner Ladies 4-2 West Clare Gaels2-4.
The sanctity of the dressing room must be preserved but suffice it to say that the Banner panel re-emerged with little doubt of what was expected of them and they proceeded to execute the battle plan to the letter. The Banner half back line of Niamh Donnellan, Aoife Keane and Laura Chesser, (who came on for Shauna O'Connor) put up a magnificent defence, harrying their opponents, forcing errors and collecting ball. Now the key supporting players of the first half took on the attacking roles and points from the athletic Doireann Hennessy, centre forward Aoibheann Malone (two), corner forward Eilish Counihan, midfielder Eva Keane and a second goal from the dynamic Grainne Nolan remained unanswered as the Banner laid siege to the West Clare Gaels rear guard. The Westie's only contribution of the half arrived when Fidelma Marrinan split the posts much to the annoyance of the full back line Emma Neylon, Elaine Casey and Emily Tone (who replaced Aine O'Shea) all of whom were splendid in their anticipation and reading of the game. When the O'Keeffe twins Andy and Teresa were sprung from the bench to strengthen the half forwards and half backs respectively, the Gaels would never make it into Banner territory again. As if to crown an outstanding performance and claim her right to the title of player of the match, Karen Roche sealed the 2010 U14A final by firing over a further three points before lifting the cup for her team, ending a three year drought.
Starting the game with a very promising performance from the Harvey girls, the Marrinan girls and Amy Keane, the West Clare Gaels attacking power fizzled out just before the break and failed to materialise when they needed it most, in the second half.
With all the Banner forwards on the scoreboard and only one point conceded by the defenders in the second half, there were no substandard performances but a mention must go to Elaine Casey, Aoife Keane, Eva O'Dea, Doireann Hennessy, Aoibheann Malone, Grainne Nolan and the modest Karen Roche, captain, who brought the whole team with them, time and again.

Banner Ladies 5-10 west Clare Gaels 2-5
The 2010 Clare Ladies Football U14A Champions are :
Emily Moloney (Vice Capt), Emma Neylon, Elaine Casey, Aine O'Shea, Niamh Donnellan, Aoife Keane, Shauna O'Connor, Eva O'Dea (0-1), Doireann Hennessy (0-1), Sinead Quinn, Aoibheann Malone (0-2), Grainne Nolan (2-0), Eilish Counihan (0-1), Aishling Cahill (1-0), Karen Roche - Capt (2-5), Meghan Fitzgerald, Laura Chesser, Emily Tone, Andrea O'Keeffe, Teresa O'Keeffe, Maria Clune. Tweet

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