*Banner Ladies celebrate. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Banner Ladies led by Niamh O’Dea, captained by Eva O’Dea and managed by JJ O’Dea claimed the Clare LGFA senior title for the thirteenth time.

Banner Ladies 0-09
Kilmihil 0-06
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg

In most aspects of life familiarity breeds contempt but despite a sixth championship final meeting in seven years there was no such contempt in Doonbeg as a tremendous sporting contest went the way of the now thirteen time champions after a sensational performance from dual star Niamh O’Dea kicking four points and dominating possession when the need was the greatest.

Laurie Ryan on the attack for Banner Ladies. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

The first half saw Kilmihil playing with the elements. In what was a windswept rain engulfed venue, the first thirty minutes was a stop start affair. Becky Mahon opened the scoring in the fifth minute before two frees converted by Niamh O’Dea off her left and Grainne Nolan off her right gave the Banner a 0-2 to 0-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

For the remainder of the first half Kilmihil took over proceedings. Aided by the huge wind they pinned the Banner back in their own half. Centre back Ellie O’Gorman landed an absolute peach of a score off the outside of her right peg from distance to level the contest. Two converted frees from Mahon and Catriona Callinan followed before we had a superb save from Emma O’Driscoll in the Banner goal.

Winning Banner Ladies captain, Eva O’Dea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

A long delivery found Edel McNamara who cut inside the 21 and unleashed a rocket that seemed destined for the top corner. O’Driscoll dived full length and somehow got a fingertip to deny McNamara with the rebound falling to Catriona Callinan who kicked over to give Kilmihil a half time lead of three on a 0-5 to 0-2 scoreline.

On the resumption another Callinan free extended the lead to four before O’Dea took over proceedings. Denied a point by a strange umpiring decision this only angered her into action as she kicked a monster score immediately following this. Speaking to The Clare Echo afterwards O’Dea said in jest, “I made sure that point went over the second net so there could be no denying it”.

Clare LGFA Chairman, Seán Lenihan with player of the game, Naomi Carroll. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

O’Dea then turned provider with a wonder fifty yard pass to Keelin Fitzgerald who popped it to Sarah Ní Cheallaigh for a great team score. Try as they did Kilmihil could just not penetrate the Banner defence who held firm late in before O’Dea fittingly kicked another majestic score just before the final whistle.

Scorers Banner Ladies: Gráinne Nolan (0-4 4f),Niamh O’Dea (0-4 f), Sarah Ní Cheallaigh

Scorers Kilmihil: Catriona Callinan (0-3 2f), Becky Mahon 0-2(f),Ellie O’Gorman 0-1

Banner Ladies:
1: Emma O’Driscoll

2: Sinead O’Keefe
3: Clare Hehir
4: Eva O’Dea

5: Sarah Ní Cheallaigh
6: Laurie Ryan
7: Laoise Ryan

23: Keelin Fitzgerald
9: Emer Burke

10: Caoimhe Cahill
11: Gráinne Nolan
12: Naomi Carroll

13: Shannen O’Donovan
14: Niamh O’Dea
15: Aoibhin Ryan

Subs:
Louise Henchy for E Burke (36)
Grainne Burke for S O’Donovan (37)

Kilmihil:
1: Micaela Glynn

2: Rosie Currane
3: Dervla Higgins
4: Aoife McNamara

5: Kate Coughlan
6: Ellie O’Gorman
7: Ailish Kenny

8: Tara Kelly
9: Laura Egan

18: Megan Downes Rigney
11: Catriona Callinan
24: Sharon Egan

13: Áine McNamara
14: Becky Mahon
15: Edel McNamara

Subs:
Sarah Browne for E McNamara (54)
Sharon Egan for A McNamara (58)

Referee: Frank Culleton

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If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

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