Boland brace not enough for Clonmel
Clonmel 2-4 Limerick
Division 2, Rockwell
Starting the 2022/2023 season in lovely weather in Rockwell College, Clonmel were up against Limerick. The game started at a very fast pace and both sides were keen to get on the scoreboard quickly.
After several circle entries by both sides, Limerick were awarded the first short corner of the game, defended by Clonmel’s Grainne O’Malley, Kate O’Sullivan, Antonia McGrath and Aoife Kennedy. Limerick were determined and got on the scoreboard with a reverse shot. From the restart Clonmel’s midfield of Edwina McGrath, Roisin Moroney and Meabh Russell made excellent advances down the pitch feeding the ball into Clonmel’s forwards Ger Boland, Susan Meaney, Roisin Barry and Lucy Boland.
Clonmel were determined to equalise and Ger Boland found the back of the goal with a perfect touch to make it 1-1. Limerick were quick to respond and went ahead with another goal to put them 2-1 in front at half time.
Clonmel were quick from the restart and with some lovely set-pieces Ger Boland found the back of the goal with a well executed shot, bringing the game level. Shortly afterwards Clonmel’s midfielder Mia Cahalane was taken down in the circle and Clonmel were awarded a penalty stroke, taken by Kate O’Sullivan. However, Limericks goalkeeper proved too good and it was not to be for Clonmel and the game stayed level.
Clonmel continued the pressure and made several attacks into Limerick’s circle, Roisin Moroney struck from the top and was just wide off the post. Despite Clonmel’s defence of Ellen O’Donnell, Vikki Castellaro, Antonia McGrath, Kate O’Sullivan and Aoife Kennedy all playing well, Limerick scored the final two goals of the game against the run of play to come away with a 4-2 victory.
