30 July 2007 Clare Brush Aside Fermanagh FIXME Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Clare Brush Aside Fermanagh Match Report All Ireland Intermediate Championship Date: Sat. 27th July Venue: Cusack Park Ennis Referee: Richard O’Connor (Tipperary) Clare 3 – 12 Fermanagh 2 – 7 Clare easily brushed aside the challenge of Fermanagh in this Intermediate championship third round match played in difficult conditions in Cusack Park on Saturday. Played in a persistent downpour the game itself fizzled to a damp squib as Fermanagh’s challenge completely disintegrated in the second half. Saturday’s win puts the Deirdre Murphy trained Clare side in a strong position to secure a championship quarter-final spot and a result in their final match against Longford next week will definitely see them through. Clare opened the game with an early attack which yielded a close in free that captain and ace markswoman Majella Griffin pointed with nonchalant ease. Three minutes later a high delivery from Fiona Lafferty caused confusion in the Fermanagh full back line and up popped Áine Kelly to take maximum advantage of the defensive mix up and slot home a cheeky goal. Mid-fielder Úna Downes then got her name on the score sheet with a seventh minute point before Clare lost their shape for a brief period. Centre back Glenda Fitzpatrick opened Fermanagh’s account with a well taken point in the eleventh minute and this was followed by a brace of points for the Ernesiders from sisters Caroline and Sharon Little. Indeed the Little sisters were Fermanagh’s main threat throughout the game and finished with a scoring tally of 2-6 between them. Majella Griffin then got Clare back in focus again on twenty four minutes with a well taken goal after both she and Caroline Little had swapped points. Another goal for the Banner side on twenty nine minutes had Clare cruising - especially when Niamh Keane added a point just a minute later. The home side were caught napping however just on the stroke of half-time when Sharon Little broke through for a Fermanagh goal. This left the score 3-5 to 1-4 in favour of Clare at the break. After the break Clare continued to dominate the game despite Fermanagh scoring two early points. A succession of Clare points between the fortieth and fifty fifth minutes saw them race into an unassailable 3 -11 to 1-6 lead. Louise Henchy completed the scoring for Clare with a point three minutes from time and Fermanagh had two consolation scores of a goal and a point from the Little sisters. Both the players and the very small home attendance breathed a sigh of relief when referee Richie O’Connor signalled full time with Clare the easy victors on a 3-12 to 2-7 score line. As already stated Clare now travel to Longford for their final match in the qualifying series next week. With six points secured from a possible nine their place in the quarter finals already looks safe but a win next week will guarantee them a spot and also secure a more favourable draw. Clare: Denise Walsh (St. Michael’s Galway), Lorraine Kelly (Fergus Rovers), Carmel Considine (Liscannor), Michelle Delaney (The Banner), Ciara Cleary (Coolmeen), Sinéad Kelly (West Clare Gaels), Grace Lynch (Coolmeen), Louise Henchy (The Banner), Úna Downes (Kilmihil), Niamh Keane (The Banner), Majella Griffin (West Clare Gaels), Marie Kelly (West Clare Gaels), Áine Kelly (Fergus Rovers), Fiona Lafferty (Miltown), Olivia Lucas (Liscannor). Subs: Myra Daly (Fergus Rovers) for Áine Kelly, Jane Kennedy (The Banner) for Úna Downes, Helen Quinn (Cooraclare) for Olivia Lucas, Bernie Kelly (Cooraclare) for Niamh Keane, Michelle Madigan (Shannon Gaels) for Ciara Cleary. Scorers: Majella Griffin 1-4, Marie Kelly 1-2, Áine Kelly 1-1, Louise Henchy 0-2, Una Downes, Myra Daly, Niamh Keane 0-1 each. Fermanagh: Frances Maguire, Claire Woods, Nuala Curran, Edel McGovern, Orla Reihill, Glenda Fitzpatrick (0-1), Shauna Hamilton, Shauna Woods, Kyla McManus, Áine O’Brien, Caroline Little (1-2), Donna Maguire, Eimir Martin, Marcella Connolly, Sharon Little (1-4). Dr. Paul McKenna,PRO Clare Ladies Football 086 6036385 www.bannerladiesfootball.com Share this Article 0 0