Clare 2-06 v 0-07 Tipperary
It was a great weekend for Clare Camogie as the county continues in its rise to challange those at the top of the rankings. Clare’s Intermediate team travelled to Roscrea on Sunday and defeated the fancied Tipperary side in their home grounds.
Clare got of to a flying start and Ciara O’Leary had the ball in the back of the Tipperary net before the home side had realised that the game was on. Tipperary were confident of their chances against what was deemed a second strength side, but this O’Leary goal brought them back to ground and they had a game on their hands from there. Jackie O’Connor had Tipperary’s first score in reply as she pointed her first of four first half points. Danielle Sheedy exchanged points with O’Connor on two occasions before Carol Kaiser goaled for the Banner. Kaiser was set up on her way to goal by her sister Iris, and the third of a family affair was getting through mountains of work at mid-field as Ruth held her own. The youngest of the sisters, Carol, had a third Clare point on the board with 17 minutes gone and Clare lead 2-03 to 0-02. Jackie O’Connor had a brace of points just before the break as the home side went in chasing the game by five points, 2-03 to 0-04. Clare were certainly the happier of the teams at half time as Tipperary were frustrated in their attempts to break the Clare rear guard. Aine Nic Cormaic was unbeatable in the goal as she foiled many close in shots. Ashling Kelly and Sarah Sherlock were also solid in the back line.
Danielle Sheedy converted a Clare free early in the half to halt the Tipperary impending fight back. Clare lived on the edge for the next quarter as neither side managed to break the deadlock. Forwards applied the pressure at both sides, Clare pressure paid of though as Danielle Sheedy converted a æ45 in the 15th minute and pointed again 4 minutes later. This was to be Clare’s last score of the game as they fought hard to hold Tipperary at bay. Tipperary had their chances at the other end as Aine Nic Cormaic saved and Sarah Sherlock knocked the ball out for a æ45. In their eagerness to get closer to Clare O’Conner shot short for a goal chance but this was cleared by Helen Guinnane. Tipperary substitute Alison Lonergan pointed for the home side 5 minutes later and Ailish Langton and Ciara Callinane added a point a piece. It wasn’t enough though as two days in a row a Clare team held firm to hold out any challange to their win.
Louise Hayes worked very hard with Ruth Kaiser at mid-field. Sarah Hoey, Carol Kaiser and Danielle Sheedy were too much for the Tipperary back line to cope with. Aisling Tracey dominated the back line and flanked by Mary Roseingrave and Ellen Solan who both did very well.
Scorers Clare: Danielle Sheedy(0-05, 2frs, 1 æ45), Carol Kaiser(1-01), Ciara O’Leary(1-00) Tipperary: Denise O’Connor 0-04, Alison Lonergan, Ailish Langton and Ciara Callinane 1 pt each
Clare: Aine Nic Cormaick(Wolfe Tones), Ashling Kelly(Whitegate), Iris Kaiser(Newmarket-on-Fergus), Sarah Sherlock(Truagh/Clonlara), Ellen Solan(Tulla), Aisling Treacy(Whitegate), Mary Roseingrave(Kilnamona), Louise Hayes(Bodyke), Ruth Kaiser(Newmarket-on-Fergus), Danielle Sheedy(Broadford), Sarah Hoey (C) (St, Joseph’s), Lorraine Tracey(Whitegate), Siobhan Kinery(Broadford), Ciara O’Leary(Whitegate), Carol Kaiser (Newmarket-on-Fergus) Subs: Helen Guinnane(Truagh/Clonlara) for A Kelly, Aisling Kelly for Roseingrave, Sarah Reidy for R Kaiser, Evelyn Glynn for I Kaiser.
Ref: Peter Downey, Cork
Clare 4-08 v 3-09 Derry
Atonement was order of the day in Blakestown Dublin on Saturday as Clare overcame the strong challange of Derry to win the National League Division 2 title. Clare were delighted with the win and while delighted with their win still haven’t forgotten that depression which shook through the team after last years All-Ireland. Derry were bitterly disappointed though as they were out for victory as they as of yet feel that they have yet to get the credit they deserve for winning that Title.
Clare opened the game in very determined fashion and Carina Roseingrave had the opening point with just a minute on the board. Clare were on top throughout the field in these opening minutes and after constant pressure Fiona Lafferty broke on to a Deirdre Murphy ball on the 40 line and headed goal bound with a strong finish which was too much for the Derry defence. Indeed Fiona was causing major problems on the 40 mark and followed up with a point two minutes later.
Clare looked to be in complete control but dropped in concentration and let Maebh McGoldrick in for a Derry goal. This gave the Northern side the push they needed. While Deirdre Murphy did follow up with a 45 a minute later, Derry were in control for the next 10. They had five unanswered points from Aileen Laverty(3), Claire McNicholl and Sinead Cassidy. This gave the Derry side the lead. Deirdre Murphy though was leading by example again and with superb fielding in midfield delivered a ball to the forwards. Sharon O’Loughlin showed great control in the corner running on to the breaking ball and crashed the ball to the back of the Derry net, this gave Clare back a slender 1 point lead. They would never let this lead slip. Claire Commane, Deirdre Murphy and Sharon O’Loughlin all added Clare points before the break. Clare went in leading 2-06 to 1-05.
Derry laid siege to the Clare goal for the opening period of the second half. Denise Lynch found herself under sever pressure, but held firm. In the opening five minutes she was called on three times batting and catching under the cross bar. Derry did break through but this took ten minutes and they had two points from Sinead Cassidy and Grainne McGoldrick. Sharon O’Loughlin though was clinical with her supply of the ball and after Chloe Morey cleared the Clare line of defence Sharon snapped onto the ball and had the second of two cracking goals. Derry did not let Clare rest on this though as Katie McCauly had a goal back to keep the Derry side on the heels of the Banner. Laura Linnane had been introduced early in the second half and after following up a long ball in was on hand to kick the ball to the net as it splled from the Derry keeper.
Derry continued to lay siege to the Clare girls and Siobhan Lafferty, Aimee McInerney and Helen McMahon held out tremendously. Aimee McInerney pulled off great fielding and Siobhan Lafferty was solid at full. They had great support in the outside backs as Kate Lynch covered acres of ground in the second half and did well covering back. Dee Corcoran used all her experience in getting in some vital blocks and Chloe Morey was a revelation on the other wing as she was consistant throughout, strong in the air and gave relieving clearances.
Laura Linnane helped with the pressure as she pointed for Clare’s last score. Derry never gave up though and Oonagh Mullan had a dubious goal as it hit the up right and rickoched across the line, with the umpires awarding a goal. Derry were back within two points and four minutes of injury time were announced.
Clare had learned from previous games though and held out to the end. Siobhan Lafferty was under constant pressure in the final minutes but never came unhinged.
Clare were worthy winners in the end and a delighted and relieved Deirdre Murphy accepted the cup for the Clare team. She paid tribute to all her team mates as an injured Orla Slattery made her way with her to lift aloft the cup. The win was dedicated to the memory of Enid O’Loughliln and Anne Maher.
Clare: Denise Lynch, Jane Scanlon, Siobhan Lafferty, Aimee McInerney, Kate Lynch, Dee Corcoran, Chloe Morey, Aoife Ryan, Deirdre Murphy (0-02, 1 æ45), Carina Roseingrave (0-01), Fiona Lafferty (1-01), Aine O’Brien, Claire Commane(0-01), Sharon McMahon, Sharon O’Loughlin (2-01) Subs: Helen McMahon for Scanlon (h-t), Laura Linnane (1-02) for O’Brien (41 min), Stephanie Moloney for Ryan (49 min), Aiveen O’Shea for Roseingrave (51 min)
Ref: Ciaran Quigley, Kildare
Player of the game: Siobhan Lafferty, Clare
Orla Considine
Claure & Munster PRO
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