13 November 2006 Clare Ladies Board Press release Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Clare Ladies Board Press release Co. Minor Championship Group A Cooraclare 5 – 12 The Banner Ladies 0 – 1 Cooraclare completely outclassed an under strength Banner team in this one sided group match played under lights in Coolmeen on Friday night. Led by impressive displays from Rachel Garry, Áíne Pyne, Aifric Ó’Neill and Sally Glynn Cooraclare dominated this game from start to finish and were rarely troubled by a Banner side for whom Niamh Martin and Eimear O’Connor gave good displays. Resulting from this game The Banner will finish group A runners up and will face Group B winners Miltown in the semi-final with Cooraclare advancing for a semi-final meeting against Wolfe Tones na Sionna. Defending champions Miltown will be strong favourites to retain their title but judging by Cooraclare’s display on Friday this championship is still very much in the melting pot. A word of praise to Coolmeen for the excellent facilities provided on Friday night. Despite it being the middle of November the pitch was in excellent condition, the dressing rooms spotless and the facility of playing under lights added to the occasion. Credit the Coolmeen GAA club, from a very small West Clare parish for having developed such top class facilities. Rural clubs throughout Ireland should pay them a visit to see what can be achieved if the organisation is right. Well done Coolmeen. Referee: Michael Bohannon County Senior League Final Venue: Quilty Date: Sunday November 12th St. Joseph’s Miltown 2 – 12 Cooraclare 0 – 9 A large crowd attended this league final in Quilty on Sunday but the game never really lived up to its pre match billing. Before a ball was kicked recent county champions Cooraclare were ravaged by injuries with influential players like Eithne Morrissey, Niamh Chambers and Áine Pyne all sidelined through injury. The wind in Quilty on Sunday also played a major role in proceedings and Miltown had luck on their side when winning the toss and electing to play with the elements in the first half. From the throw in the St. Joseph’s ladies went on the attack and despite two early misses they opened their account in the second minute with a well taken Fiona Lafferty point. Over the next six minutes Miltown’s star centre forward Aoife Healy added four points on the trot as the St. Joseph’s ladies threatened to completely overwhelm their near neighbours. Cooraclare persisted with a short passing possession game but all too often the final pass went astray and this played into the Miltown girl’s hands. Despite staunch defending by Majella Lillis, Tammy Hehir and Aifric O’Neill Miltown continued to dominate affairs and had further points from Michelle McCaw (2) and Aoife Healy (3) before a slick passing movement in the twenty sixth minute saw the Miltown full forward through on goal. Cool as you like McCaw blasted the ball past hapless Máiréad Griffin to set Miltown really on their way. McCaw was on hand again two minutes later to land another point to leave the interval score 1 – 11 to 0 – 0. From the restart and wind assisted Cooraclare launched themselves forward in an all out effort to retrieve the game. A minute into the half Claire Walsh had their opening score from a close in free. However the Sky Blues were finding it difficult to score and missed some good scorable opportunities. Further pointed frees from the boot of Ann Marie Callinan reduced the deficit to nine points by the halfway mark of the second half and one felt if Cooraclare could engineer a goal at this stage then the game would be back in the melting pot. However it was Miltown who were to get the decisive score and a breakaway move on forty six minutes saw Diane Kelly raise the green flag with a vital score. This was the match winner as there was no way back for Cooraclare after this. In fairness to the county champions they kept plugging away and had further points from Callinan (3) and Elaine Griffin (1) while substitute Denise Sexton added a point for Miltown. At the final whistle Miltown were deserving winners on a 2 – 12 to 0 – 9 score line. Following the game Clare ladies Board Chairmen James Lafferty presented the league trophy to Miltown captain Deirdre Killeen. This win will provide some consolation for Miltown following their shock championship exit and they will definitely be a major force in the year ahead given the youthful make-up of their squad. Miltown: Catherine Shannon, Karen Egan, Lorraine Griffin, Siobhán Lafferty, Veronica Hehir, Deirdre Killeen, Marie Lenihan, Sandra Malone, Tara Glynn, Diane Kelly, Aoife Healy, Suzanne Murphy, Fiona Lafferty, Michelle McCaw, Niamh Coyne. Cooraclare: Mairéad Griffin, Majella Lillis, Louise Murrihy, Fiona McMahon, Orla Kelly, Aifric O’Neill, Monica Lillis, Tammy Hehir, Bernie Kelly, Noreen McGuane, Ann Marie Callinan, Patricia Callinan, Claire Walsh, Elaine Griffin, Helen Quinn. Referee: James Murrihy. Clare Senior B Final Venue: Clareabbey Date: Sunday November 12th. Fergus Rovers 3 – 8 Crusheen 3 – 1 Despite being shocked by two early Crusheen goals Fergus Rovers settled down and used their in depth strength and experience to overcome senior newcomers Crusheen in this entertaining match in Clareabbey. Although well beaten in the finish Crusheen can take much pride in their performances in their maiden year at senior level. Fergus Rovers will also be happy to have some silverware on the sideboard from a season which promised much for the Lissycasey outfit but was disappointing for them with their early championship exit. Still they are a team brimful of talent with players like Áine Kelly, Lorraine Kelly, Orla Griffin and Myra Daly to name but a few. So congratulations to the Rovers on this fine win and well done again to Crusheen for their efforts at senior level in 2006. Referee: Michael Talty. Share this Article 0 0