*Clare’s Fidelma Marrinan with Leitrim’s Claire Qwens. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography It’s back to the drawing board for a shellshocked Clare after suffering their third successive opening round defeat in Ballinasloe this afternoon at the hands of a never-say-die Leitrim.
Following a debut season as coach in 2020, Evan Talty’s elevation to the managerial hot-seat of Clare ladies football is matched by heightened ambition for this year’s All-Ireland Intermediate Championship.
*Niamh O’Dea. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Embroiled in a Group of Death for camogie and a welcome Group of Life for ladies football, there’s no room for error on either front for Niamh O’Dea and Co. this weekend.
*Captain Caoimhe Harvey holds off a Meath challenge. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Clare’s exit from the National Ladies Football League has been described as “humbling” by the county manager, Evan Talty.
*Tara Kelly is forced to offload. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Clare’s Royal hoodoo continued as Meath dished another sizeable defeat, this time on their home soil of Páirc Tailteann to seal a National League Division 2 Semi-Final spot this evening.
*Caoimhe Harvey holds off Ciara Banville. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Clare’s intermediate ladies footballers left it late to claim a win in their first encounter of the year.
*Fidelma Marrinan. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Mark Twain’s famous quote about ‘never letting the truth get in the way of a good story’ immediately sprang to mind when enquiring about Fidelma Marrinan’s different coloured playing boots that she wears for both club and county.
*Evan Talty. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Having been a member of the management team last season, newly appointed Clare ladies football manager Evan Talty is well versed on what Clare face this season.
*Clíodhna Blake. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography Life as an elite sportsperson means it’s rare that you take to the field or court without carrying a knock of some variety, but imagine what it’s like to try and play inter-county football while suffering with a chronic illness.
*Grainne Nolan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Dates for the start of the season for Clare’s senior camogie side and intermediate ladies footballers have been outlined.
