Clare 1-9 Laois 1-8 @ Banagher, Offaly

Clare are through to Croke Park for another crack at the big time after beating Laois in the semi final. It was a bright start for Clare and saw them lead by two with just five minutes gone but Laois rallied and hurled in packs making life very difficult for the Clare girls.
They left no room for Clare to hurl and began to work their way back into the game. Their first score had come from corner forward Aine Mahony and her sister Louise at midfield was also very accurate from the placed balls - adding four points in that first half. Laois were also dominating proceedings at midfield and cutting out the supply of ball to the Clare forward line and when Sarah Anne Fitzgerald pointed for Laois, it gave them a two point lead. That was before Carina Roseingrave had Clare back in the game with a brace of points but Laois clawed their way back in front, which they eventually extended to four at the break.
Clare emerged with more bite to their play in the second half and were more punishing in front of the posts. Roseingrave - with the little room she got all day - lined up a nice delivery to Claire McMahon and she calmly slotted to the net.
This gave Clare the boost they needed and brought them back to within a point. Sh—nagh Enright who was working hard on the wing pointed to level matters with just four minutes gone in the second half.
Laois continued to make Clare work hard though and scoring chances were very few. Claire Commane converted a free to give Clare a slender lead with six minutes gone and it looked like Clare would pull away at this point. The Banner did add another point through Sharon McMahon before Laois got of the mark in the second half when Louise Mahony converted a free.
Deirdre Murphy had a similar result from almost mid-way in the 20th minute. This gave Clare a two-point lead but the Banner side were not to score again and would have to hold out for the next ten minutes plus the four of added time.
Laois made them work hard for this time and when Mahony went for goal from 20 yards Deirdre Murphy somehow managed to block it out and Clare cleared this pressure.
Claire Commane had dropped deep at this stage to help out and cleared to set up Carina Roseingrave who was pulled on when bearing in on goal. Laura Linnane was unlucky to see the free effort hit the upright and cleared.
Laois were down the field on the attack though and were awarded a penalty when Trish Cuddy was pulled down in the small square. Mahony, who had been clinical all day, stood up to take the penalty but the ball sailed over the bar and Clare were holding on to a one point lead. This Clare did for the remaining six minutes and were very relieved at the final whistle to earn a journey to Croke Park.
Deirdre Murphy again ground out a match winning performance, corner backs Amy Colleran and Aimee McInerney were very tight. Chloe Morey did very well in the second half and Laura Linnane worked hard throughout and with some very delicated touches and all her experience showing on the ball this was needed.
It all adds up to the Clare win and as a positive, it means that the county are now scraping wins from tight situations.

Match Details
Clare Denise Lynch, Cathy Hally, Siobhan Lafferty, Aimee McInerney, Kate Lynch, Dee Corcoran, Jane Scanlon, Chloe Morey, Deirdre Murphy (0-1, 1 free), Carina Roseingrave (0-2), Sharon McMahon (0-1), Sh—nagh Enright (0-1), Claire Commane (0-1, 1 free), Claire McMahon (1-1), Laura Linnane (0-2, 1free). Subs Amy Colleran for Hally, Aoife Ryan for Corcoran, Aine O'Brien for S McMahon, Dee Corcoran for Scanlon(inj)

Laois Laura Dunne, Aoife Donoghue, Eimear Moynan, Catriona Downey, Elaine Downey, Caitriona Phelan, Bridgie Cuddy, Louise Mahony (0-6, 2 45's, 4 frees), Sarah Anne Fitzgerald (1-1), Elaine Mahony, Sinead Lanham, Eimear Delaney, Sharon Moylan, Trish Cuddy, Aine Mahony (0-1) Subs Denise Quigley for A Mahony(inj), Angela Hanlon for Downey, Sarah Cuddy for Dohohue, Laura Mahony for Lanham.

Player of the Game
Laura Linnane (Clare)

Match Official Malachy McToal (Derry)

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