Banner Ladies Get Off To A Flying Start

Suzuki Ladies National Football League Div. 2 A

Venue: Kildimo, Co. Limerick.

Referee: Richard O’Connor (Tipperary)

Clare 3 – 12 Limerick 4 – 3

Clare ladies got the start they were hoping for with a six point
victory in this their opening game of the 2007 Suzuki Ladies National
Football League. In a game played in Kildimo on Sunday the Clare
team always looked in command of proceedings even if Limerick
did threaten briefly in the early second half exchanges.

Playing with wind assistance Clare opened the scoring on five
minutes with an Olivia Lucas point from play and Olivia’s score
settled the team down for a good opening half performance. Olivia
was to find the Limerick net later in the half but player of the
match Marie Kelly of West Clare Gaels was to mark her return to
competitive inter-county action with a scintillating display at
wing forward. She constantly tormented the Limerick rearguard
and contributed 1 – 3 of Clare’s first half tally. Further banner
points came from Majella Griffin (2) and a point apiece to Niamh
Keane and Áine Kelly.

With Clare’s Louise Henchy and newcomer Fíona Lafferty
dominating affairs at midfield Limerick were struggling to get
the ball forward. When they did get past the Clare midfield they
were particularly dangerous however and 2006 All Star Dympna O’Brien
caused all sorts of problems for the Clare fullback line. Dympna
scored 1 – 2 of Limericks first half tally of a goal and three.
The half time score read Clare 2 – 8 to Limerick’s 1 – 3.

Clare opened the scoring again in the 7th minute of the second
half with a Marie Kelly point to extend their lead to nine points.
Inexplicitly Clare then seemed to go into a slumber and were rattled
when Limerick scored three goals without reply over the next fifteen
minutes to level affairs. These goals were sloppy affairs and
reflected some poor defending from the Clare fullback line in
particular. At the other end of the field some glaring scoring
opportunities were also missed during this period. The pressure
now on Clare upped the tempo of their game again and held Limerick
scoreless for the time remaining while comfortably adding 1 –
3 of their own. Clare’s third goal came from the boot of Marie
Kelly while Marie herself and Majella Griffin added late points
to seal victory. Final score Clare 3 – 12, Limerick 4 – 3.

Clare will be satisfied with this opening result and happy that
their season in Division two has gotten off to a winning start.
They will have to tighten up defensively as they progress through
the leagues and will have learnt a valuable lesson that you cannot
afford to switch off for any period at inter-county level. Best
for the winners were Grace Lynch, Sinéad Kelly, Louise
Henchy, Fíona Lafferty, Majella Griffin, Olivia Lucas,
Niamh Keane and player of the match Marie Kelly. For Limerick
Dympna O’Brien shone and was a constant threat up front.

Clare: Emma O’Driscoll (Banner), Carmel Considine (Liscannor),
Lorraine Kelly (Fergus Rovers), Ciara Cleary (Coolmeen), Sinéad
Kelly (West Clare Gaels), Grace Lynch (Coolmeen), Úna Downes
(Kilmihil), Louise Henchy (Banner), Fiona Lafferty (Miltown),
Niamh Keane (Banner) (0-1), Majella Griffin (West Clare Gaels)
(0-3), Marie Kelly (West Clare Gaels) (2-6), Olivia Lucas (Liscannor)
(1-1), Michelle McCaw (Miltown), Áine Kelly (Fergus Rovers)
(0-1).

Subs: Helen Quinn (Cooraclare) for Michelle McCaw & Myra Daly
(Fergus Rovers) for Áine Kelly.

Limerick: Martina Giltenane, Teresa Mulcaire, Yvette Moynighan,
Rose Giltenane, Sinéad O’Connor, Emer Enright, Olivia Giltenane,
Liz Doran, Mary Ita Casey, Lisa Moylenaux, Catríona Davis,
Catherine Murphy (1-0), Marie Keating (0-1), Dympna O’Brien (2-2),
Siobhán Stenson (1-0).

Dr. Paul McKenna,

Sec/PRO Clare Ladies Football

086-6036385