All roads led to Semple Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday the 01st of June, with the Drangan / Cloneen under 12 girls playing for the first time ever in the county final. The Drangan / Cloneen girls had overcome Powerstown, Moycarkey and Fethard in the South Final, to claim a place in the county final against the North winners Templemore. The weather conditions were awful on the day, with sleeting rain and wind both before and during the game but nothing could deter the excitement for the girls, who were fascinated in getting togged out and taking in the atmosphere of Semple Stadium.
The game was broke into four 10 minute quarters as per the community games rules. Templemore were first to settle and led the first quarter one point to Drangan / Cloneen no score, who had five wides in the first quarter. For the next ten minutes, it looked like the shooting boots had been left back in Drangan and Cloneen, with a further three wides, however on the verge of halftime Eabha Hogan lobbed the Templemore goalkeeper, to score a wonderful goal. Half time score: Drangan / Cloneen one goal to Templemore two points.
The third quarter was a very tight affair, with both teams playing very defensively, Ava Heffernan getting a point in this quarter, to leave the score 1.1 to 0.2, leading into the last ten minutes. The Drangan / Cloneen girls left their best performances to the end and eventually the scores started to come, with well taken goals from Amy O'Connell and Niamh Boland and points from Jessica Strappe and Eabha Hogan. All credit to Templemore, they did not give up and scored 1.1 in the final minutes, to leave a nail bitting finish. There was huge relief for all the Drangan / Cloneen girls, coaches and the many supporters when Jean O'Connor blew the final whistle. The Drangan / Cloneen girls where truly delighted with their victory, which was carved out by all 14 girls who played on the day. The final score was Drangan / Cloneen 3.3 to Templemore 1.3. Siobhan O'Hanlon captain on the day accepted the Tipperary community games u12 county title on behalf of her teammates, amidst scenes of great joy and celebration. The Drangan / Cloneen team was: Jessica Strappe (0.1), Laura Murphy, Gemma Gahan, Isabelle Hayden, Rachel Butler, Erín O'Brien, Eabha Hogan (1.1), Siabdh Morrissey, Ava Heffernan (0.1), Kileen Ryan, Mia O'Dwyer, Amy O'Connell (1.0), Niamh Boland (1.0) and Siobhan O'Hanlon (captain). This now leaves the Drangan / Cloneen u12 girls representing Tipperary in the Munster round, which will be held in UL on the 04th of July. Good luck to all the girls and coaches!
