Loreto Clonmel will represent Tipperary in All-Ireland ladies football semi-final

Loreto Clonmel have an All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Ladies Senior A Football semi-final to look forward to against Loreto Navan, after they beat John the Baptist Community School, Hospital, Co Limerick in the Munster final.

The match is provisionally fixed for Saturday, March 18 in Birr, although this has yet to be confirmed.

The Clonmel girls captured the provincial crown with a 13-points victory over John the Baptist Community School at  
Sean Treacy Park in Tipperary Town.

Both sides were on opposite sides in the group stages and therefore had not met each other prior to the final.

Both had struggles in the group stages, losing a game each, but rallied to come out on top in the semi-finals and book their place in the final.

There was a considerable amount of football played since October, and Loreto Clonmel felt they were up for the challenge of claiming the title that they last held back in 2020.

This Loreto team felt they had the talent and composure to bring the game to John the Baptist. A game that promised to show the fruits of all that is good in Munster ladies football, it certainly did not disappoint.

The game began at a pace that everybody expected, with the Loreto midfield pairing of Brid McMaugh and Ellie Franklin expected to attack and track at a high speed.

With the wind at their backs, Loreto took control in the first half. They set down a marker and demonstrated their intent when Ellie Franklin found the back of the net after an excellent Loreto break through the middle.

A rip-roaring goal from Méabh Russell in the 10th minute, followed by two converted frees off the ground from Eabha Dolan, meant Loreto led by 2-2 to 0-0 after 15 minutes.

The Loreto defence was immense in the first half and showed great composure and perseverance when John the Baptist went on the attack.

Loreto gained momentum when Hospital’s full forward, Aine Cleary, was sinbinned for a tackle on Nora Martin. Loreto used the spare player to their advantage, and Nora Martin went on a run with Brid McMaugh and finished the attack with a terrific goal.

The first half came to a close with Loreto centre forward, Méabh Russell, sinbinned for a tackle on the Hospital centre forward.

Outstanding performances from Mia Cahalane, Ailis O’Meara and Gretta Nugent in defence and some fantastic defensive tracking and point-scoring from wing forward Emma Carey saw John The Baptist held scoreless in the first half, despite numerous attacks.

Loreto led at the break by 3-5 to no score and looked to be on track to secure the elusive Munster title.

However, things were never going to be that easy. With Loreto having to face the first eight minutes of the second half with 14 players, John the Baptist came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders.

The first 10 minutes of the second half went the way of the Limerick side, scoring two goals followed by 2 points, and Loreto were on the back foot.

Once Loreto went back to 15 players and found their structure again, they regained a stronghold on the game.

Points from Ava Wall, Brid McMaugh and an amazing point from corner forward Summer Peters had Loreto settled as they took control of the game once more.

It looked like Loreto were cruising to victory, but John the Baptist never gave up and fought and brought the game to an exciting and tense finish.

The Limerick side began to increase the speed of their own attack and it took all the strength of the Loreto defenders Ellie Morris, Thea O’Leary and Rebecca Acheson Dennehy in goal to thwart their advances.

Loreto then lost Ellie Franklin to the sinbin with 12 minutes of normal time remaining. It looked as though Loreto had done enough but the atmosphere was tense.

With the majority of the Loreto players now within their own half of the field, they defended gallantly and after three minutes of additional time, which included a penalty converted by Brid McMaugh to seal the win, the relief was palpable and the celebrations began as the Kerry referee Seamus Mulvihill blew the final whistle and Loreto were champions on a scoreline of 5-8 to 2-4.

Full credit must go to John The Baptist who, when reduced to 14 players in the first half, never gave up and fought to the bitter end.

The same can be said for the Loreto side. When the game was nearing the close and the backs were up against it, they fought gallantly and showed great heart and determination to hold on for the win.

This is a Loreto side that includes players who have now earned themselves the title of Munster A champions for the first time, as well as those who were part of the winning team in 2020.

It was a special day for the Loreto community, who turned up in the droves to support the girls and the management team.

Loreto Clonmel: Rebecca Acheson Dennehy, Ailis O’Meara, Gretta Nugent, Ellie Morris, Mia Cahalane, Nora Martin (1-0), Thea O’Leary, Brid McMaugh (1-2), Ellie Franklin (1-0), Emma Carey 0-1, Méabh Russell (1-1), Ava Wall (0-1), Kate Moore, Eabha Dolan (0-2), Summer Peters (0-1).