Clare 3 - 12 Westmeath 0 - 10

The game had a championship pace throughout with both teams striving for the win that would guarantee them a semi-final berth. After initial Clare pressure it was Westmeath who opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a Laura Walshe point. Indeed Walshe, together with her midfield partner Fiona Lavey and full forward Katie Sommers, were to cause the Clare defence many anxious moments but in fairness to the Clare rearguard they withstood all that Westmeath could throw at them (sometimes with a modicum of good fortune thrown in) during the blistering first half. Clare’s opening point came from the boot of Áine Kelly in the eight minute and this was followed by quick-fire points from Marie Kelly and Louise Henchy in the minutes that followed before a brace of Westmeath points sat the teams all square after the first quarter hour.

Westmeath were dominating affairs through the middle at this stage and corner forward Eimear Connellan deservedly put them a point up on eighteen minutes. Then came Westmeath’s penalty miss which was a turning point in the game as a converted kick would have put the midlanders four points to the good. As it was Clare equalised with another Áine Kelly point and went ahead when captain Louise Henchy scored a great point from play on twenty seven minutes. Aine Kelly and Fiona Lavey swapped points just as half time was approaching. Then followed the second, and probably most significant, turning point of the game. Clare centre back showed quick thinking when latching on to a poor Westmeath clearance to launch a high ball forward to the unmarked Marie Kelly. The West Clare Gaels starlet accepted Kennedy’s gift pass as though an early Easter egg had arrived and smashed the ball to the Westmeath net to give Clare a significant 1 – 6 to 0 – 5 interval advantage. Clare knew their luck was in to retire to the dressing room with a four point lead and Westmeath must have been bitterly disappointed with the interval score. Overall they were the dominant team in the opening half but had nought to show for it.

Clare, as if energised from their first half reprieve, set out their stall early in the second half and despite a few early misses soon asserted their superiority on the scoreboard. Caotain Louise Henchy was magnificent during this period and indeed it was Henchy who opened Clare’s second half account with a wonderful point from play on thirty eight minutes. Inside forwards Aine Kelly and Niamh Keane followed with points before Westmeath had their first second half score from Leona Archibald from a placed ball. Fiona Lafferty, who was having a storming second period, then chipped in with a brace of points to leave it Clare 1 – 11 to 0 – 6 with ten minutes remaining. The final ten minutes belonged to Kilmihil’s Eimear Considine when she pounced for two goals to put the issue beyond doubt. Eimear’s second goal was a work of sheer brilliance and the coolness in which she took the score belied her tender year’s and the fact that she was playing just her third game for Clare since graduating from the U-16 ranks last year. Substitute Ann Marie Callinan added Clare’s final point in the last minute and although Westmeath did tack on some late points themselves the day was emphatically the Bannerette’s on a 3 – 12 to 0 – 10 score. Match referee Keith Delahunty of Tipperary had a fine game and in fairness the honest endeavour of both side made it easy for him.

Clare now progress to a semi-final encounter with either Down or Donegal in two weeks time. On the evidence of today’s second half performance they can look forward to this game with growing confidence. In fairness they are improving with each game played and this must be pleasing for their management team. Praise again to the Cooraclare GAA Club who pulled out all the stops to ensure their grounds and facilities were in top class condition for the game.

Clare: Denise walsh, carmel Considine, Lorraine Kelly, Aifric O’Neill, Michelle Delaney, Jane kennedy, Sinéad Kelly, Louise Henchy (0-3), Sandra Malone, Minnie Considine, Marie Kelly (1-1), Úna Downes, Áine Kelly (0-4), Fíona Lafferty (0-2), Eimear Considine (2-0).

Subs: Niamh Keane (0-1), Ann Marie Callinan (0-1), Tammy Hehir, Niamh Coyne.

Westmeath: Gemma Leahy, Edel Marshall, Lisa Burke, Triona Durkin, Fiona Claffey, Jennifer Rogers, Elaine Finn, Fiona Lavey (0-1), Laura Walshe (0-2), Máiréad McCormack, Edel McCormack, Leona Archibald (0-3), Laura Halligan (0-1), Katie Sommers, Eimear Connellan (0-3).

Dr. Paul McKenna,
PRO Clare Ladies Football
www.bannerladiesfootball.com