*Dervla Higgins is tackled by Norah O’Dwyer. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
Round 2 of the ladies football senior championship saw Banner Ladies and Kilmihil record their second successive wins while Fergus Rovers and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield shared the spoils.
This week the title holders, Banner ladies, have a bye while unbeaten Rovers and Kilmihil meet at Lissycasey
Spoils shared in Gurteen
Fergus Rovers 1-5
St. Josephs 0-8
Venue: Gurteen
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield looked to be heading for their first win in this season’s Clare ladies senior football championship when they led Fergus Rovers by three points at Gurteen on Sunday with the final whistle fast approaching.
A long delivery from Louise Griffin deceived the St. Joseph’s defence and went all the way to the net to level the tie. It proved to be the final score of the game.
This was the first ever meeting of these clubs at senior level and the physically stronger home outfit had the better of the opening half exchanges which was reflected in the half time score which saw the home side ahead on a 0-6 to 0-3 scoreline.
Despite playing against the breeze, Rovers made the better start and they had early scores from Louise Griffin and Ashling Costello before Amy Lenihan opened the home side’s account.
By the midpoint of the half the sides were level and then Lyndsay Clarke put The Parish into the lead. They could have been further ahead at the break but they were guilty of a number of missed opportunities.
In the third quarter the home outfit extended their lead with points from Eabha O’Driscoll and Amy Lenihan and rovers looked to be in trouble.
A brace of points from Ria Meaney brought Rovers back into contention before Louise Griffin’s long range effort went all the way to the net to tie up the scores,
Fergus Rovers had fine displays from Hannah Mai Neylon, Shauna Melican, Louise, Lauren Griffin and Ellen Griffin. Hannah Mai Neylon and Shauna Melican did well for Rovers while Doora/Barefield who were short the services of Síofra Ní Chonaill, Eimear Clune, Siún McNamara and Sinéad O’Connor had good performances from Aisling Reidy, Meadhbh O Connor and Anna Courtney.
In round 3 this week Rovers will entertain Kilmihil in Lissycasey whiile Doora/Barefield will return to Gurteen to play Burren Gaels.
Fergus Rovers; Aoife Griffin; Fiona Breen, Eimear Burke, Ava Cotter; Hannah Mai Neylon, Andrea Moloney, Louise Griffin 1-1; Lauren Griffin, Orla Hogan; Shauna Melican. Ria Meaney 0-2, Ellen Griffin; Sophie Culleton, Sadbh Griffin, Aisling Costelloe 0-2;.
Subs; Clara Meaney for O Hogan, Méabh McCarthy for S Culleton, Gillian Griffin for S Griffin.
Doora Barefield; Jane Quinn; Aisling McMahon, Hannah Doyle, Meadhbh O’Connor; Anna Courtney, Aisling Hannon, Róisín Cahill; Aisling Reidy, Lyndsay Clarke 0-1; Sophie Torpey 0-1, Aisling Meaney, Caoimhe Hoey; Chloe Towey, Amy Lenihan 0-5 f, Éabha O’Driscoll 0-1.
Subs; Shauna Moloney for S. Torpey, Katie Callaghan for Amy Lenihan, Eimear O’Loughlin for E. O’Driscoll (inj)
Referee: Noel Quinn
Another win for Banner Ladies
Banner Ladies 4-13
Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-8
Venue: Banner GAA Grounds, Ennis
Title holders Banner Ladies recorded their second successive win in the race for a fourth successive Clare ladies football senior championship title when they overcame the challenge of Kilmurry Ibrickane at the Banner grounds on Sunday.
Goals from Aoibhinn Ryan, Caoimhe Cahill (2) and Shannon Donovan helped steer the holders to their latest victory against Kilmurry Ibrickane who were having their first outing in this season’s title race.
Chloe Moloney was the Kilmurry goalscorer and they will be hoping to get some points on the board this week when they entertain West Clare Gaels in Quilty on Sunday at 2p.m.
Banner are free this week as they have the bye.
Banner Ladies: Aoife Keane; Sinead O’Keeffe, Clare Hehir, Caomhe Ryan; Laurie Ryan, Louise Henchy, Keelan Fitzgerald; Caoimhe Cahill, Niamh O’Dea; Shannon Donovan, Laoise Ryan, Emer Burke; Louise Woods, Grainne Nolan, Aoibheann Ryan
Subs; Niamh Keane for C. Ryan; Sara Ni Ceallaigh for L. Ryan; Elisha Malone for K. Fitzgerald.
Kilmurry Ibrickane: Lauren McCarthy; Maura Garvey, Rebecca Doohan, Maeve Coughlan; Siofra O’Dea, Rachel Tubridy, Jessica Doohan; Ciara McCarthy, Joanna Doohan; Niamh Miller, Amy Sexton, Kayla Darcy; Karen Galvin, Chloe Moloney, Sophie Daly;
Subs: Aoife Martin for S. O’Dea; Katyln O’Connor for M. Garvey; Katie McMahon for L. McCarthy; Emma Scullane for Sophie Daly
Kilmihil lay foundation in opening half
Kilmihil 4-11
Burren Gaels 0-8
Venue: Glenn Chiosog, Carron
A strong first half showing proved decisive for Kilmihil as they accounted for Burren Gaels at Glenn Chiosog on Sunday.
In fairness to the home side, they were understrength due to a number of injuries and they just managed to have fifteen players available for this one.
A strong wind assisted the winners in the opening half at the end of which they were 4-8 to 0-2 in front, their goals having come from Aine McNamara (2), Una Downes and Becky Mahon from the penalty spot.
Sally King and Emma Healy landed 0-3 each for the home side who will be hoping to get their first win of the campaign when they travel to Gurteen to play Stl Josephs on this Sunday.
Kilmihil: Michaela Glynn; Katie O’Halloran, Ellie O’Gorman, Megan Downes -Rigney; Sarah Browne, Dearbhla Higgins, Aoife McNamara; Rosie Currane, Laura Egan; Una Downes, Becky Mahon, Aine McNamara, Ciara Coughlan, Siobhan Carr, Edel McNamara
Subs: Katie Mullen for C. Coughlan; Catriona O’Gorman for M. Downes; Niamh Govor for S. Carr; M. Haugh for K. O’Halloran; S. Ryan for M. Downes-Rigney
Burren Gaels: Aishling O’Brien; Caoilinn McCormack, Aine Hegarty, Sadhbh Blood; Eileen O’Dwyer, Ailbhe McGann, Aileen O’Reilly; Carol O’Gorman Nora O’Dwyer; Louise Sheils, Emma Healy, Tara Connolly; Laura Griffey, Sally King, Fiona Loughman.
