Scariff/Ogonnelloe far superior than Feakle/Killanena to seal final return

*Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s Abby Walsh. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE will face off with Truagh/Clonlara in the Clare senior camogie final for the third year in a row.

Scariff/Ogonnelloe 2-18
Feakle/Killanena 0-8
Venue: Whitegate

It was an East Clare derby that never burst to life as a ruthless Scariff/Ogonolloe flexed their muscles from minute one. Showing an incredible hunger and desire a lightning fast start secured their county final berth.

Scariff/Ogonolloe captain Ciara Doyle won the toss and elected to play with the really strong wind at their backs. This decision was justified as a flurry of early points gave them a lead they never relinquished. Danielle Beston opened the scoring inside a minute and set the tone.

Róisín Quilligan who it has to be said was outstanding all evening made an outrageous double save in the eighth minute when firstly denying Labhaoise O’Donnell and then Aoife Power at point blank range.

By the tenth minute Alphie Rodgers’ charges had opened up a commanding six point advantage but Feakle/Killanena were then denied a lifeline when a Lorna McNamara free from distance was doubled on in the air by Louise O’Callaghan. Rachel Daly dived full length low to her right to miraculously deflect the sliotar out in what was unquestionably the best save seen this year.

Regan Conway eventually got Michael Helebert’s girls off the mark in the fifteenth minute and this seemed to settle her side. Points were traded and with seven minutes remaining in the opening period the deficit was a manageable five points at 0-8 to 0-3. However Scariff/Ogonolloe upped the ante and when midfielder Abby Walsh released Jennifer Daly with a precise ‘Brick flick’ pass this game was effectively ended as a contest with Daly dispatching to the roof of the net. At half time Rodgers troops had one foot in the County final leading 1-11 to 0-3.

Unfortunately for Feakle/Killanena the strong wind died at the beginning of the second half along with their hopes of a first county final. Only six minutes into this second period half time substitute Alva Rodgers broke through the defence before unselfishly offloading to the hugely impressive Jennifer Daly who blasted home her second major.

Feakle/Killanena did keep battling to their credit but the reigning county champions kept the scoreboard ticking over with some fine points from play and some expertly converted Mairéad Scanlon frees. On this performance they will take some stopping as they are now just sixty minutes away from the coveted three in a row.

Scorers for Scariff/Ogonolloe; Mairéad Scanlon 0-11 (9f), Jennifer Daly 2-0, Aoife Power 0-3, Lynda Daly 0-2, Danielle Beston, Ciara Doyle,

Scorers for Feakle/Killanena; Lorna McNamara 0-4 (3f, 1 45), Regan Conway, Robyn Conway, Zi Yan Spillane, Shauna Canny 0-1 each

Scariff/Ogonnelloe:
1: Rachel Daly;

2: Bonnie Wiley Murphy;
3: Susan Daly;
19: Robyn McKenna;

5: Rachel Minogue;
30: Susan Vaughan
7: Amy Barrett;

8: Abby Walsh;
9: Ciara Doyle;

10: Danielle Beston;
11: Lynda Daly;
18: Jennifer Daly;

13: Aoife Power;
17: Labhaoise O’Donnell;
15: Mairéad Scanlon;

Subs:
14: Alva Rodgers for A Walsh (HT)
27: Holly McGee for B Wiley Murphy (50)
32: Caoimhe McNulty for A Power (51)
12: Lorraine Grady for J Daly (52)

Feakle/Killanena:
1: Róisín Quilligan;

2: Eileen Daly;
3: Ella McNamara;
4: Meave Brady;

5: Rachael McNamara;
6: Laura McGrath;
11: Claire McNamara;

8: Róisín McMahon;
7: Sophie Conway;

9: Zi Yan Spillane;
10: Lorna McNamara;
12: Shauna Canny;

13: Robyn Conway;
14: Regan Conway;
15: Louise O’Callaghan;

Subs
20: Aine Daly for S Conway (41)
17: Vera Loughnane for R McNamara (41)
18: Clodagh Gray for Robyn Conway (47)
19: Sinead Canny for L O’Callaghan (48)

Referee: Andy McMahon (Cratloe)