It took three hours to separate Truagh Clonlara and Gailltir in an extraordinary Munster final replay on Saturday. In pitch darkness, after double extra time, a sudden death 45 from Róisín Begley saw the Clare side celebrate their first Munster senior title.
The two teams got a rapturous round of applause after 90 minutes of nail biting drama (4-12 to 3-15). Supporters wandered out onto the pitch to watch the shootout unfold. Begley missed her first attempt which opened the door for Annie Fitzgerald to win it for Gailltir. A roar from the crowd, just as she was about to strike, distracted her however and the ball landed in the net. Gailltir management and players expressed their anger with the incident. The tension mounted as it went to sudden death. Fitzgerald missed her second but Begley didn't. A pile of black and amber bodies ended up on the ground to greet a hard fought victory.
Clare senior Áine O’Loughlin collected her Player of the Match award in the dark after shooting 2-6. Eimear Kelly also caught fire with 2-4 from play. Gailltir teenager Emma Fitzgerald scored 1-9. Laoise Forrest was heroic in defence, even though her right boot was heavily strapped, while midfielder Kate Lynch won six frees.
The drawn game was tough but this was even tougher. Referee Donnacha O'Callaghan allowed the physical challenges to fly in.
Truagh Clonlara came flying out of the traps. In the first minute, Aine O'Loughlin found Eimear Kelly and she crashed the ball to the roof of the net. O'Loughlin added two frees to give the Clare champions a five point lead inside four minutes. Laoise Forrest and Emma Fitzgerald converted frees at the other end.
On thirteen minutes, Rebecca Foley blocked down Clodagh Carroll and O'Loughlin capitalised with a green flag. Truagh Clonlara worked hard and hit hard. Points from Joanne Egan and Kelly extended their lead to seven (2-4 to 0-3).
On 27 minutes, Clonlara goalkeeper Sophie Cullen saved from Annie Fitzgerald but Molly Comerford flicked home the rebound. Fitzgerald blasted over to reduce the arrears to three at the break (2-4 to 1-4).
Four Emma Fitzgerald frees edged Gailltir in front for the first time on 47 minutes. Aine O'Loughlin landed Clonlara's first point in thirteen minutes and another from Rebecca Foley put them within touching distance of victory. It all ended in a welter of excitement. Ciara Sherlock levelled for Gailltir on 66 minutes. Eimear Kelly then thought she swung over the winner but Emma Fitzgerald forced extra time with a last gasp free (1-11 to 2-8).
Four goals arrived in a frantic five minutes at the start of extra time. Gailltir sub Aoife Fitzgerald netted after just ten seconds. Kelly responded straight away. Emma Fitzgerald then found the far corner but O'Loughlin immediately cancelled that out. Epic stuff.
Points from sisters Emma and Aoife put the Waterford team two up. O'Loughlin saw a goal disallowed at the death but her two frees did bring the game to a second phase of extra time (4-10 to 3-13). O'Loughlin and Kelly pointed for Clonlara but two Emma Fitzgerald frees resulted in that dramatic 45s duel.
