O’Dwyer to the rescue as James Stephens survive Clara scare

James Stephens are through to the senior county semi-finals after a hard-fought win over Clara.

The city side got off to a good start at Canon Kearns Park on Sunday morning as Sophie O’Dwyer opened the scoring in the first minute. She added a second point three minutes later

Roisin Leahy tacked on another point for the Village straight from the puckout. The one-way traffic continued as Hannah Scott scored a fantastic point from her own 65m line, making it 0-4 to 0-0 after nine minutes.

Keara Ryan scored Clara’s first point from a placed ball in the 10th minute, before Grainne Glynn doubled their return with another score.

However, they had no answer to Sophie O’Dwyer, who kept the Village in front with some good scoring form. She slotted over three pointed frees to push the Village’s lead out to five points (0-7 to 0-2).

Sensing they needed a response, Clara raised their game and rattled off hit three points through Mary O’Connell (two frees) and Lucy Boyd. It was a vital run, as it cut the gap to two at the break (0-7 to 0-5).

James Stephens were quick to find their feet on the restart and put together a scoring run which took them clear of their rivals. Sophie O’Dwyer was the architect for the first score when she lofted a free towards the target. Hannah Larkin won possession, turned and quickly rattled the back of the net. With O’Dwyer adding two more points, the Village lead was now out to seven points (1-9 to 0-5).

The margin was great, but Clara didn’t panic. Every time Mary O’Connell was the inspiration for her side as every time she got the sliotar she caused havoc in the James Stephens defence. She started the comeback with a pointed free before, in the 39th minute, she hit the net after she was brought down in the square. O’Connell dusted herself down and took the penalty, which was initially saved and cleared, but when the sliotar landed at her feet O’Connell doubled on it - the net shook. When O’Connell and Keara Ryan added another point apiece, the gap was down to the bare minimum.

Clara had the initiative now and, with seven minutes to go, drew level. Mary O’Connell restored parity with another pointed free, leaving the sides on 1-9 apiece.

The stalemate continued when Sophie O’Dwyer and Grainne Glynn swapped points. It looked like nothing would separate the sides until, heading towards the full-time whistle, Sophie O’Dwyer showed ice-cool nerves to point another free and send her side into the semi-finals. The Village will take on city rivals, reigning county champions Dicksboro, in the final four.

Teams and scorers

James Stephens – Sophie O’Dwyer (0-9, 0-6 frees); Hannah Larkin (1-0); Roisin Leahy, Hannah Scott (0-1 each).

Clara – Mary O’Connell (1-5, 0-4 frees), Keara Ryan (0-2, 0-1 free), Grainne Glynn (0-2), Lucy Boyd (0-1).

James Stephens – Tara Murphy; Niamh Leahy, Michelle Teehan, Emma Gaffney; Aoife Cantwell, Niamh Deely, Hannah Scott; Emily Smith, Anna Doheny; Caoimhe Moran, Rachel Leahy, Sophie Meagher; Roisin Leahy, Hannah Larkin, Sophie O’Dwyer.

Subs: Lucy Coomey for Caoimhe Moran, Tara Maguire for Sophie Meagher.

Clara – Aoife Glynn; Lucy Cody, Katie Ryan, Aine McDonald; Tamsin English, Laoise Nolan, Grace Barcoe; Rebecca Nolan, Aisling Curtis; Mary O’Connell, Grainne Glynn, Lucy Boyd; Emma Shortall, Niamh Byrne, Keara Ryan.

Subs: Margaret O’Connell for Niamh Byrne.