Truagh/Clonlara retain McMahon Cup to win back to back camogie titles

*Truagh/Clonlara celebrate. 

WINNERS of the Clare senior camogie title for the first time last year, Truagh/Clonlara will have the McMahon cup in the parish for a second successive year after they retained the title at the expense of Inagh/Kilnamona.

Truagh/Clonlara 2-11
Inagh/Kilnamona 2-7
Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla

Before a big attendance in Tulla on Saturday afternoon, they emerged as deserving winners in what was a most entertaining contest.

A Leah Hawes goal after twelve minutes helped them to a four point lead which they held to the break when the score was 1-5 to 0-4. They had the better of the first half exchanges and would not have been flattered if their lead was greater at this time.

Inagh/Kilnamona returned for the second half in very determined mood and two early points from Aoibhin Ryan saw them close the gap and put down a marker that they were not going to be overcome easily.

It was 1-7 to 0-7 at the three quarter stage before a brace of Aine O’Loughlin frees stretched the winners lead to five.

A superb run by Clare Hehir ended with the Inagh/Kilnamona forward blasting the ball to the roof of the Truagh/Clonlara net but the champions showed just why they are champions with a superb response which ended with Aine O’Loughlin blasting to the roof of the net to restore her side’s seven point lead.

Inagh/Kilnamona stormed back and won a penalty when Clare Hehir was fouled. Aoibhin Ryan found the net from the resultant free to rally to within two points but, try as they did, they were unable to close the gap and the champions finished the tie with a brace of Aine O’Loughlin, points. She was named as the player of the match and others to impress on the day were Laura Foley, Ellen Horgan and Eimear Kelly.

Laoise Ryan, Jane Fitzgerald, Aoibhin Ryan, Clare Hehir, and Fiona Lafferty were prominent for the Inagh/Kilnamona side.

Scorers Truagh/Clonlara: Aine O’Loughin (1-5, 0-3 frees); Leah Hawes (1-0); Laura Foley (0-2, frees); Eimear Kelly, Rebecca Foley, Aoibhin Marren, Joanne Egan, (0-1) each

Scorers Inagh/Kilnamona: Aoibhin Ryan (1-6, 1-5 frees); Clare Hehir (1-0); Fiona Lafferty (0-1).

Truagh/Clonlara:
1; Sophie Cullen

19; Sinead Ryan
3; Michelle Powell
4; Sinead Hogg

5; Ellen Horgan
6; Laura Foley
7; Louise Egan;

8; Emer Foley
18; Rebecca Foley

17; Emer Kelly
11; Joanne Egan
12; Hannah Horgan

13; Roisin Begle
14; Leah Hawes
15; Aine O’Loughlin

Subs:
10: Aoibhin Marren for H. Horgan (35)
20: Niamh Ryan for R. Foley (46)
18: R. Foley for L. Hawes (57)
12: Hannah Horgan for J. Egan (60)

Inagh-Kilnamona
1: Cara McInerney;

2; Hannah Shannon
3; Cliodhna Queally
4; Cathal Cullinan;

5; Jame Fitzgerald
6; Laoise Ryan
7; Teresa O’Keeffe

8; Laura Rynne
9; Sinead Power

10; Clare Hehir
11; Aoibhin Ryan
12; Kate Dowling

13; Danielle Griffin
14; Fiona Lafferty
15; Elisha Rynne

Subs:
19: Mary McInerney for E. Rynne (47)
18: Helen Hehir for L. Rynne (28)

Referee: Andy McMahon (Cratloe)