*Caoimhe Cahill leads the charge for Clare. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’s involvement in the 2024 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship concluded as they recorded a four point victory over Wexford.
Clare 1-15
Wexford 1-11
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
On paper this Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship tie may have been seen as a ‘dead rubber’ as, assuming Dublin finished their group programme with victory over bottom of the table Down, neither Wexford or Clare could progress to the championship quarter-finals.
Given that scenario, these teams would have been forgiven if they didn’t appear as fired up as would be expected for a championship tie.
That’s not how it turned out, however, and Clare camogie followers left Cusack Park on high spirits after their favourites delivered an impressive performance to overcome a fancied Wexford side.
And it was a victory fully merited by Clare who led from start to finish and who responded impressively each time Wexford closed the gap.
Clare started impressively, dominating the opening quarter when they scored 0-5 without reply.
At the turn of the second quarter the visitors struck for three points in as many minutes but Clare responded in like fashion and they landed three in a four minute spell to lead 0-8 to 0-3 with six minutes to go to the break.
A defensive error by Clare was punished with an Ailis Neville goal for the visitors who followed with a point to trail by the minimum at the break, 1-4 to 0-8.
A Wexford point in the opening minute of the second half levelled the tie but an indication of Clare’s determination to finish the campaign on a winning note came a minute alter when Caoimhe Carmody finished off a fine move with a goal.
A brace from Anais Curran, one of Wexford’s best players on the day, brought them to within a point of the home side again but two from Laura Foley from frees put three between the sides by the three quarter stage.
Wexford tried all they knew to get back on terms but great defending from Clare kept them at bay and the Banner ladies went on to record a fully merited win.
Clare had many stars on the day including Ciara Grogan, Laura Foley who had a fine game from centre back, Caoimhe Carmody, Aine O’Loughlin, Roisin Begley and the Daly sisters.
Scorers: Clare: Laura Foley (0-6); Caoimhe Carmody (1-1); Aine O’Loughlin, Roisin Begxley (0-3) each; Ellen Casey (0-2)
Scorers Wexford: Aiais Curran (0-7); Ailis Neville (1-1); Chloe Foxe, Sarah O’Connor, Shelley Kehor (0-1) each
Clare:
1: Rachel Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)
2: Susan Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)
3: Ciara Grogan (Clooney-Quin)
4: Cliodhna Queally (Inagh-Kilnamona)
5: Muireann Scanlan (Cratloe)
6: Laura Foley (Truagh-Clonlara)
7: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
8: Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley)
9: Lynda Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)
10: Jennifer Daly (Scariff-Oginnelloe)
11: Aine O’Loughlin (Truagh-Clonlara)
12: Zi Yan Spillane (Feakle|)
13: Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley)
14: Ellen Casey (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
25: Roisin Begley (Truagh-Clonlara);
Subs:
17: Grace Carmody (Kilmaley) for N. Mulqueen (47)
23: Laoibhse O’Donnell (Scariff-Ogonnelloe) for J. Daly (47)
20: Laoise Ryan (Inagh-Kilnamoa) for C. Queally (49)
18: Hannah Mai Neylon (Ballyea) for Zi Yan Spillane (57)
19: Aoife Anderson (Ruan) for C. Cahill (60)
Wexford:
1: Laura Brennan (Rathnure)
2: Orla Sinnott (Ferns St. Aidans)
3: Ciara Storey (Oulart the Ballagh)
4: Miria O’Dowd (Oulart the Ballagh);
5: Roisin Cooney (Glynn Barntown)
6: Sarah O’Connor (St. Martins)
7: Laura Dempsey (Glynn Barntown)
8: Chloe Foxe (St. Martins)
9: Amy Cardiff (St. Martins)
10: Aiais Curran (Oulart the Ballagh)
11: Shelley Kehor (Oulart the Ballagh)
12: Kate Kirwan (HalfWay House, Bunclody)
13: Linda Bolger (St Martins)
14: Joanne Dillon (Rathgarogue Cushinstown)
15: Ailis Neville (St. Ibars)
Subs:
21: Emma Dempsey (Glynn Barntown) for K.Kirwan(half time)
20: Aideen Brennan (Oulart the Ballagh) for C. Foxe (40)
22: Karen Tomkins (Kilrush) for M. O’Dowd (45)
18: Emma Tomkins (Kilrush) for L. bolger (53)
19: Clodagh Jackman (Glynn Barnstown) for R.Cooney (57)
Referee: Karol Collins (Galway)
