*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Clare endured a difficult start to their Division 2 Ladies Football National League campaign.
Armagh 5-08
Clare 1-08
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg
It looked positive at the beginning as Clare went toe to toe with Armagh but once the women from Ulster began to raid for goal, the game was turned on its head.
Aoife McCoy and Blaithín Mackin struck for early first half goals to severely dent the confidence of James Murrihy’s charges.
Niamh O’Dea kicked Clare’s first goal of the League to reduce the deficit to two points but Kelly Mallon replied with two points on the bounce. There was some optimism approaching the half-time whistle as the hosts kicked two scores to leave a gap of three points at the break.
Wing-forward Roisin Considine was sent to the sin bin ten minutes into the second half and her absence saw the Ulster women up the ante once again.
Captain Kelly Mallone added to her tally sticking the ball past Michaela Glynn and the result was later wrapped up when Mackin fired home her second green flag of the encounter.
A tough start to the campaign was always predicted within the Clare camp. They face the long journey to Monaghan on Sunday and will hope the shorten the trip home with a decent result.
Clare: Michaela Glynn (Kilmihil); Catriona Callinan (Kilmihil), Ellie O’Gorman (Kilmihil), Grainne Harvey (West Clare Gaels); Aine Keane (St Josephs Miltown), Roisin Looney (Cooraclare), Eimear Keane (St Josephs Miltown); Aisling Reidy (St Josephs Doora/Barefield), Laura Egan (Kilmihil); Roisin Considine (Liscannor), Grainne Nolan (Banner Ladies), Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels); Orla Devitt (Éire Óg), Niamh O’Dea (Banner Ladies), Fidelma Marrinan (West Clare Gaels).
Subs: Amy Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Callinan, Carol O’Leary (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for A Keane, Eimear O’Connor (Cúl Gaels) for E Keane, Aoibhinn Cunningham (Kilrush Shamrocks) for Nolan, Tara Kelly (Cúl Gaels) for Marrinan.
