Loreto Clonmel dethrone All-Ireland champions for place in Munster final

Ladies football Senior A Munster Semi Final

LORETO CLONMEL 1-12 ST MARY'S MIDLETON 1-7

Loreto Clonmel made the journey to The Gold Coast, Dungarvan on Wednesday morning last to take on the reigning All-Ireland champions, St Mary’s of Midleton, in the Senior A Munster semi-final.
This repeat of the 2020 Munster decider was sure to prove a spectacle for all who travelled, and it was a game that did not disappoint.

A powerful first half display, along with sheer heart and determination from the Clonmel side, proved too much for their Cork opponents, and Loreto bounced back to come out victorious.
A five-points margin was enough to see the Clonmel side given the opportunity to contest the Munster final in the coming weeks.

The first half was a competitive affair, with both sides working hard to gain a foothold in the game.
Loreto Clonmel started very well and made use of all their possession to move the ball quickly and they took control of the game.

A goal from corner forward Kate Moore, and three frees from full forward, Eabha Dolan, acted as the catalyst for the Clonmel girls’ first half performance and they led at the break 1 – 6 to 0-6.
The second half saw a spirited comeback from the Cork side. They attacked in force and applied immense pressure on the Loreto backs.

Outstanding defensive performances from Nora Martin, Gretta Nugent and Ellie Morris saw numerous attempts on goal denied. Loreto worked extremely hard under pressure, with Mia Cahalane and Ellie Franklin very tactical with their distribution, and Meabh Russell and Brid McMaugh constantly threatening in attack.

An outstanding penalty save from Rebecca Acheson Dennehy saw the Loreto side kick on and get the next two scores, one from Summer Peters and the other a free kicked from the ground by Eabha Dolan.

Shane Long's nephew, Eamon, scores extra-time winner in Tipperary Youths Cup derby

As the game approached the final minutes, vital runs from Ava Wall and Emma Carey to get back to defend, and blocks from Ailis O’Meara proved too much for Midleton. The whistle blew, and Loreto had booked their ticket to the final.

Credit must be given to the Loreto girls, whose heart and determination got them over the line against the Midleton team.

The Cork side has set the standard in Munster Post Primary Schools football, and they can be proud of what they have achieved over the past number of years.

No doubt Loreto and St Mary’s Midleton will do battle again in the future, but for now Loreto can look forward to preparing for a Munster Senior A final against John the Baptist of Hospital.

Loreto: 1. Rebecca Acheson Dennehy; 2. Ellie Morris; 3. Gretta Nugent; 4. Ailis O’Meara; 5. Thea O’Leary; 6. Nora Martin (0-1); 7. Mia Cahalane; 8. Ellie Franklin; 9.Brid McMaugh; 10. Emma Carey; 11.Meabh Russell; 12.Ava Wall; 13.Kate Moore; 14.Eabha Dolan; 15.Summer Peters; 16.Rachel Butler; 17. Sarah Mulcahy; 18. Eabha Slattery; 19. Robyn Hogan; 20. Leah Roche; 21. Caoimhe O’Callaghan; 22. Ava Ryan; 23.Rosaleen O’Gorman; 24. Hannah Muhlwald ; 25. Clodagh Hallinan; 26. Emma Kiely; 27. Lucy Kearney; 28. Ava O’Riordan.