Liza Moloney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
SCARIFF/OGONNELLOE and Truagh/Clonlara appear on course to renew acquaintances in the Clare senior camogie final.
(Additional reporting by Brid MacNamara)
Although only two rounds have been played, the two East Clare sides are the ones setting the ground alight and moving at such a pace that other clubs will struggle to catch them. Both sides recorded successive victories in the second round of the championship.
Kilkishen/Bodyke are also on the march forward, they picked up a win to go with their first round draw while Kilmaley returned to winning ways and in the process have Newmarket-on-Fergus on edge in their pursuit to make it back to the knockout stages.
Truagh/Clonlara lay down a marker
Truagh/Clonlara 4-19
Clooney/Quin 0-07
Venue: Páirc Mhichíl Uí Eithir, Cratloe
Truagh/Clonlara produced a clinical ruthless performance to dismantle the challenge of Clooney/Quin on Friday evening.
Clearly inspired from coming so close in last year’s decider, the women from South-East Clare are determined to go one step further in 2022 and get their hands on the McMahon Cup for the first time.
They’re starting as they mean to go on and have recorded two comprehensive wins, adding Clooney/Quin to their list of victims as the current intermediate holders were given a rude awakening on their return to the senior ranks.
Leading 1-02 0-00 with under four minutes played, the side coached by Clare hurler John Conlon had already built a strong foundation. Roisin Begley raised the green flag and was lively throughout the encounter, Michelle Caulfield pulled the strings from midfield, Laura Foley was reliable from placed balls, the backline remained solid while Clooney/Quin were unable to curb the passing co-ordination between Eimear Kelly and Áine O’Loughlin.
Emma Considine was Clooney/Quin’s only scorer for the first quarter while the experienced Deirdre Murphy was utilised as a sweeper but even a high-powered dyson would not have assisted the All-Ireland winning Junior captain in cleaning up the amount of problems posed by the opposing defence.
Excellent team play came to the fore when Truagh/Clonlara netted their second goal. Michelle Caulfield picked out Niamh Ryan who offloaded to Eimear Kelly, she found the ideal target in O’Loughlin and she made no mistake in putting the ball to the back of the net on twenty eight minutes. They closed out the half with points from Begley and Foley to hold an advantage of fifteen points.
Although they only tacked on 2-02 in the second half, Truagh/Clonlara did so in an impressive fashion. Eimear Kelly superbly stuck the sliotar in the top left hand corner of the net from a wonderful O’Loughlin handpass while Ellen Horgan raised for goal number four with forty six minutes gone, she fired the ball low to the bottom right leaving Ella Moloney with no chance.
Having brushed aside both challenges to date, Truagh/Clonlara are in a very healthy position ahead of upcoming clashes with Kilkishen/Bodyke and Inagh/Kilnamona.
Truagh/Clonlara: Liza Moloney; Aoife Dillon, Sinead Ryan, Sinead Hogg; Roisin Powell, Michelle Powell, Louise Egan; Laura Foley, Michelle Caulfield; Eimear Begley, Eimear Kelly, Ellen Horgan; Niamh Ryan, Aine O’Loughlin, Roisin Begley.
Subs: Maire Begley for Ryan (47), Leah Hawes for Kelly (47), Aoibhin Marren for R Begley (55).
Clooney/Quin: Ella Moloney; Kathy Halpin, Nicole O’Riordan, Lucy O’Donnell; Deirdre Murphy, Anna Doyle, Ciara Grogan, Niamh McGee; Emma Deegan, Emer Moynihan; Emily Maloney, Orlaith Duggan, Emma Quinn; Emma Considine, Eabha Brennan.
Subs: Clodagh Quinn
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Kilkishen/Bodyke still unbeaten
Kilkishen/Bodyke 1-15
Feakle Killanena 0-9
Venue: Gurteen
Kilkishen/Bodyke continued their impressive start to the 2022 championship by securing a nine point victory over East Clare rivals, Feakle/Killanena.
Four points inside the opening eight minutes through Siobhán Lenihan, Alannah Ryan and a double from Kate Lynch kickstarted their dominance.
In the opening half Kilkishen/Bodyke were finding it easier to find scores than their opponents. The crucial score came on the nineteenth minute when the Feakle/Killanena defence who had being playing well failed to deal with a through ball from midfield and Aoife Lynch was on hand to fire to the net to extend their lead to 1-7 to 0-4.
Lorna McNamara responded with two excellent points from play, only to be cancelled out by points from play from Kate O’Gorman and Shauna Doyle leaving the half-time score at 1-10 0-06.
As in their first-round game against Truagh/Clonlara, Feakle/Killanena grew into the game after the break and fired the first three points of the second half with a point from play from Shauna Canny and two frees from Lorna McNamara. This closed the gap to four points by the thirteenth minute.
Those expecting a tight finish were left disappointed as the 2020 intermediate champions failed to score for the remainder of the game while Shauna Doyle, Roisin Minogue and Kate O’Gorman registered further scores.
Kilkishen/Bodyke have little time for rest as the now face table toppers Truagh/Clonlara next week in Shannon. For Feakle/Killanena who have a bye next weekend, they will be glad of an extra week to prepare for the final two rounds.
For the second week in a row Feakle/Killanena’s failure to create a goal scoring chance when the fought their way back into the game proved crucial. Kilkishen/Bodyke were impressive throughout with fine individual performances from Eilis Whitney, Alannah Ryan and Caoimhe Kelly in defence and up front from Kate Lynch, Kate O’Gorman and Roisin Minogue.
For Feakle/Killanena Eileen Daly, Laura McGrath and Sophie Conway were again to the fore. From an attacking perspective, they were again too reliant on county player Lorna McNamara for scores, and for them to progress they will have to find a better spread of scorers.
Referee: Noel Quinn (Gort)
Kilmaley put Newmarket-on-Fergus on the backfoot
Kilmaley 3-12
Newmarket on Fergus 3-10
Venue: Fr McNamara Park, Doora
Having fell to a twenty one point defeat at the hands of Scariff/Ogonnelloe in a flat display, Kilmaley were determined to bounce back for the second round and that they did, earning a two point victory at the expense of Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Leading by the smallest of margins at half-time, few of the spectators at the County Grounds would have predicted that Newmarket-on-Fergus would have been trailing by eight points approaching the final ten minutes of normal time.
However, The Blues for the majority of the tie lacked the necessary fight and desire required for championship affairs and a Kilmaley outfit that uncharacteristically didn’t display these traits in the opening round were not about to make the same mistake.
Claire McMahon’s experience shone through for the 2014 champions, the former county senior attacker finished the hour with 1-09 to her credit and has been Kilmaley’s top scorer so far in this year’s campaign.
Newmarket-on-Fergus find themselves under pressure to emerge from the group as a result of this setback and will need to pick up wins in all their remaining games including their next clash with the reigning county and provincial champions, Scariff/Ogonnelloe.
Scorers Kilmaley: Claire McMahon (1-09 4f 1’45), Eilish Cahill (1-01),
Scorers Newmarket-on-Fergus: Clodagh O’Halloran (1-01), Niki Kaiser (1-01), Laura McMahon (0-05 3f 1’45), Zoe McInerney (1-00), Kaci Toomey (0-02), Michelle McMahon (0-01)
Referee: Kevin Corry (Sixmilebridge)
Scariff/Ogonnelloe make it two from two
Scariff Ogonnelloe 0-15
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-5
Venue: Killanena
On Friday evening last St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield served notice of their determination to be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s championship as they commenced their first game against favourites Scariff/Ogonnelloe.
A lightning-fast start saw Scarriff/Ogonnelloe extend their lead to four points from Lynda Daly and Aisling Corbett courtesy to two frees before Hannah Meaney split the posts from a placed ball. It was to be a similar style for remainder of first half from the same players until corner forward Ciara Guilfoyle raised a green flag to leave four points between the teams at half-time.
Corbett for the East Clare amalgamation added two more to her tally as well as Mairead Scanlon and Lynda Daly adding three more between them, but The Parish were nowhere near ready to throw in the towel and the ever accurate Hannah Meaney converted two more points from play before substitute Ciara Duggan doubled on a high ball in the air to rattle the back of Rachel Daly’s net.
Alphie Rodgers’ side can seal their place in the knockout stages should they defeat Newmarket-on-Fergus for the second year in a row next weekend while St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Sixmilebridge face off with both sides vying to collect their first win.
Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena)
Intermediate Championship
Corofin 2-8
Broadford 1-5
Venue: Glenomra Park, Broadford
Round two of the Intermediate Championship saw Corofin travel to face Broadford. This was the first championship meeting of these two sides since Corofin pipped Broadford to claim the 2020 Junior A title, a crown which Broadford secured last year. Having suffered narrow defeats in their opening rounds both sides were keen to get points on the board. The opening half of the game was a low scoring affair however, there were fine displays as both sides got stuck into this physical encounter. It was Corofin who were first on the score board when Aoibheann Malone picked up the ball on the 21-yard line and burst through to find the net.
Broadford were quick to respond in the tenth minute Anna-Lee Marsh struck the ball over the Corofin bar. Broadford continued to apply the pressure and were rewarded when a dropping ball was caught by Aoife Dillion who made no mistake in hitting the Corofin net. Broadford continued to go on the attack and got their final score of the half once again from Dillion who stuck the ball over the bar from a ‘45. Saoirse Flanagan added to Corofin’s scoring tally up front with a point from play while Aoibheann Malone added a point from a ‘45 just before the break leaving the score tied up at 1-2 apiece.
A tied game left everything to play for in the second half and Corofin began the brighter of the two sides. Aoibheann Malone added a point from a free in the second half and this was followed by a point from sub-Lizzy Roche in the forty fourth minute. As Corofin continued to attack, a long ball in towards the square found Saoirse Flanagan who stuck the ball past the Broadford keeper.
However, Aoife Dillion kept the home side in touch with a point from play and another point from a placed ball. Aoibheann Malone added another point for Corofin while at the other end of the pitch Dillion added to the scoreboard for Broadford. Corofin added further to their tally as Malone scored her fourth point of the day from another placed ball while Saoirse Flanagan added two additional points from play ensuring the visitors came away with the win in a tightly contested game. Final score Corofin 2-8 Broadford 1-5.
Corofin: Siobhan Lane; Beatrice Forde, Aoife Forde, Rachel Fitzpatrick; Corina McMahon, Aleisha Malone, Ciara Heagney; Katie Meehan, Eva O’Dea; Maria Cahill, Emer Kierce, Aoibheann Malone (1-4 1 ’45 2F; Caoimhe O’Connor, Louise Browne, Saoirse Flanagan 1-3
Subs: Lizzy Roche 0-1 for Caoimhe O Connor, Keelin Fitzgerald for Maria Cahill, Kelly Flanagan for Louise Browne
Broadford: Laura Ryan; Emma O’Brien, Catherine Donnellan, Ella O’Brien; Ally Troy, Karen Ryan, Aine Ryan; Aoife Vaughan, Niamh Mulqueen; Anna-Lee Marsh, Aoife O’Brien, Beatrice Vaughan; Sioban Walsh, Emma Cooper, Aoife Dillon
Subs: Caroline Fortune Moloney for Emma Cooper, Sinead Vaughan for Beatrice Vaughan, Naoise O’Sullivan for Aoife O’Brien, Aoife O’Brien for Anna-Lee Marsh
Whitegate 3-16
Clarecastle/Ballyea 0-6
Venue: Whitegate
Whitegate Intermediate girls continued their winning streak this evening when they made it two out two after defeating Clarecastle/Ballyea.
Weather conditions were damp and overcast but this didn’t hinder the play in the Whitegate camp, who gave a great display of skill and determination. It was Whitegate who were first out of the traps when Susan Fahy on the run scored a point and got the opening score of the evening. Whitegate were the more dominant throughout this match and had notched up a score line of 1-4 before Clarecastle/Ballyea got their first score, which came from the stick of Doireann Murphy after fourteen minutes of play.
Aideen Hickey scored Whitegates second point when sister Greta laid off a lovely ball to her. Moments later Greta Hickey added a point of her own when a free by Susan Fahy dropped short into the waiting hands of Hickey who tapped it over the bar. Susan Fahy added another point from play and moments later following a foul on Aine McDermott Fahy stepped up to take the free, but she drove it with power which whizzed past the Clarecastle/Ballyea goalie to raise the first green flag of the day. What followed shortly was another goal when Whitegate’s Aine McDermott also found the back of the net.
Whitegate continued to capitalise on their lead and at half time had a healthy tally of 3-06 while Clarecastle/Ballyea managed to score 0-03. McDermott went on and added another goal as well as a point from Greta Hickey and another converted free from Fahy. Clarecastle/Ballyea did have a goal chance in the first half but quick reflexes from Lauren Solan denied them of this opportunity.
The second half continued in the same manner as the first with Clarecastle/Ballyea were only able to match what they had scored in the first half which was another three points to their final score. Whitegate on the other hand scored 10 points in the second half. Sharpshooter Greta Hickey scored five of these from play, Susan Fahy added a further three points and a point each came from Aisling Treacy and Aideen Hickey.
Whitegate: Triona Kelly, Aine McDermott (2-0), Ciara O’Leary, Niamh Quirke, Lauran Solan, Aideen Hickey (0-02), Greta Hickey (0-07), Leana Spazzi, Molly Spazzi, Aisling Treacy (0-01), Caitriona Apsel, Lisa Donoghue, Michelle Dooley, Susan Fahy (1-06, 1-03f), Alison Hynes, Cait Keenan, Katie Hynes, Orla Burke, Abigail Starr, Corinna Hynes, Emma Hynes, Eadaoin O’Grady, Caoimhe Whelan, Aideen Burke, Anna Burke, Ciara Dooley.
Subs: Caitriona Apsel for Michelle Dooley, Abigail Starr for Ali Hynes, Cait Keenan for Aine McDermott, Orla Burke for Aisling Treacy, Aine McDermott for Susan Fahy.
Referee: Brian Keon
Éire Óg 1-08
Tulla 1-05
Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla
Both teams were determined to add to their winning tally from round 1, resulting in a tight, hard fought and though low scoring, thoroughly entertaining match. Played in the shadow of Tullas’ impressive new stand, the outcome hung in the balance right up to Andy McMahons final whistle with the visitors holding out for a three-point win.
Éire Óg were first on the scoreboard with a brace of points from Grainne Nolan, one from a placed ball and the second, a well struck long distance effort. All to be wiped out as Tulla struck for goal within seconds. A second free from Nolan restored parity followed by a super point from Éire Óg stalwart, Sarah Redmond. Two in a row from Tulla followed by Nolan’s third pointed free left matters all square at the break – Tulla 1-2 Éire Óg 0-5
Sarah Redmond’s second point of the evening gave the Townies a brief lead before play moved up the field from the puck out. Tulla orchestrated a fine attack and were unlucky to see their shot on goal put out for a ’45 which was duly converted to level matters once again. Grainne Nolan’s fourth free pushed the visitors ahead.
Tulla’s Lorraine O’Loughlin saved two shots on goal before Leah Ryan eventually broke through and sent a kicked shot to the back of the Tulla net to give her side a four-point lead. Two Tulla points halved the lead before Jodie Russell scored the security point to restore the lead to three. The home side threatened throughout the following three minutes of injury time, but Éire Óg defended well and held out to secure the win.
Éire Óg: Claire McMahon; Aimee Daniels, Eva Whyte, Caireann Kennedy; Rae Wall, Amy Russell, Rachel Russell; Maria Redmond, Grainne Nolan 0-05; Sophie Hanna, Alanna McInerney, Sarah Redmond 0-02; Elana Bradley, Leah Ryan, Aoife Corey
Subs: Jodie Russell 0-01 for Elana Bradley; Elizabeth Russell for Sophie Hanna (both HT); Roisin Martin for Leah Ryan (49mins)
Tulla: Lorraine O’Loughlin; Amy McNamara, Lorna Power, Leah McInerney; Orna Mulconroy, Aine Dinan, Ciara Goland; Sally Quinlivan, Sinead Conlon; Aoife Dooley, Gillian Ryan, Katie Clune; Aoife Leyden, Jennifer Nicholas, Sinead McNamara
Referee: Andy McMahon (Cratloe)
Junior B Championship
Crusheen 5-14
Broadford 3-2
Venue: Glenomra Park, Broadford
A flying start from Crusheen ensured they accounted from Broadford in this Junior B tie played in Broadford. From the throw in Crusheen applied all the pressure with Ann Marie McMahon opening the scoring with a goal from play in the third minute. Another goal was to follow with Ava Lyons delivering in a long ball that found Eva Fitzgibbon who made no mistake with a good finish.
Crusheen were dominating the middle third at this stage with Broadford finding it very hard to work the ball in to their full forward line. Another 1-4 was to follow for Crusheen before Hannah Ryan opened Broadford’s account with her long-range effort finding the back of the net. From the puckout Crusheen worked the ball up to Eva Fitzgibbon for her to score her second goal of the evening.
In the second half Crusheen resumed where they had left off scoring four points on the trot before Aoife Boland scored their side’s second goal from a free. Sinead Mullins responded with a point before Broadford found the back of the net again though Emer O’Shea following some good play. Crusheen were to again take control of this game scoring 1-3 to Broadford’s one point – a free converted from the stick of Aoife Boland.
Best for Crusheen were Ava Lyons, Johanna Fogarty, the Stankard sisters, Jacinta O’Grady and Ann Marie McMahon. Broadford were best served by Aishling Ryan, Emer Gunning, Aoife Boland and Hannah Ryan.
Crusheen: Grainne Daffy, Aislinn Dillon, Aoife Stankard, Sinead O Halloran, Johanna Fogarty, Caoimhe Clancy, Jacinta O’Grady 0-1, Meabh Stankard 0-2, Aoife Rodgers, Sinead Mullins 0-3, Ava Lyons 0-2, Eva Fitzgibbon 2-1, AnnMarie Mcmahon 3-5 3F.
Subs: Niamh Baker for Ava Lyons, Carina Rosingrave for Aoife Stankard, Ava Lyons for Caoimhe Clancy.
Broadford: Apryl O’Regan, Aoife Boland 1-1F, Niamh Mc Mahon, Cliona O’Brien, Amy Carroll, Hannah Ryan 1-0, Emer Gunning, Sarah Berqqvist, Nicole O’Regan, Nataile O’Regan, Romy McKenna, Emer O’Shea 1-1, Rachel O’Connell, Aine O’Grady.
Parteen 11-11
Newmarket on Fergus 1-3
Venue: Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus
Kilkishen/Bodyke 2-04
Clooney/Quin 1-03
Venue: O’Callaghans Mills
Junior C Championship
Banner 3-6
Parteen 1-1
Venue: Banner GAA Grounds, Ennis
Banner Camogie hosted Parteen on Saturday evening in round 2 of the Junior C Championship, where the Banner girls recorded their first victory. This was a great game of camogie played in sunny but slippy conditions, with both teams leaving everything on the pitch. The Banner girls got off to a flying start with a goal from Niamh Cassidy within two minutes of the throw-in.
She followed that up with 2 further pointed frees. A lovely point from play for Hannah McCormack followed by a Parteen point left the score at half-time at Banner 1:03 to Parteen’s 0:01.
Parteen fought hard throughout the second half but could not get past Banner captain Annemarie Meenaghan, ably supported by Caoimhe Ryan, Elena Sanz and Diana Carmody, and when Ciara Meehan scored the first of her two goals from a Caoimhe Meehan pass, the game seemed over.
However, Parteen were not finished and some superb team play resulted in a goal despite Mary Jordan’s best efforts. Banner finished the game strongly, with a further Ciara Meehan goal, and points from Claudine Lynch and Cassidy to leave the final score Banner 3-6 Parteen 1-1
Banner: Mary Jordan; Jenny Healy, Dianna Carmody; Annemarie Meenaghan (cap), Claudine Lynch 0-1, Caoimhe Meehan; Elena Sanz, Caoimhe Ryan; Hannah McCormack 0-1, Ciara Meehan 2-0, Niamh Cassidy 1-4; Rachel Cummins, Sadhbh Shannon.
Subs: Ellen McGrath for Ciara Meehan (inj); Leah Vaughan for Shannon.
Whitegate 5-5
Ruan 3-5
Venue: Ruan
An epic game of camogie kicked off with a goal from Emma Burke followed closely by a point from Corinna Hynes. This was swiftly answered by the home side with two Claire McDonnell points, one from a free. Emma Burke on a roll scored her second goal with Emma Waterstone tapping over a lovely point from play. Ruan answered with two goals, again through McDonnell. Whitegate added a brace of white flags to leave the half time score in favour of the visitors 2-4 to 2-3.
The second half was also a see-saw contest, Whitegate’s Hynes opened the visitors second half scores with a point from play which was cancelled out by a converted free from Ruan’s McDonnell. Three goals for the visitors, Anna Burke found the net twice over playing a sweet roll at corner forward, taking every opportunity to capitalise on loose ball and Emma Burke also netting another goal for Whitegate, put the score board in their favour, and ultimately proved too much for Ruan to pull back.
Whitegate: Amy Solon, Caoimhe Whelan, Emma Hynes, Tania Azara, Carol Minogue, Ciara Dooley, Corinna Hynes, Emma Waterstone, Emma Burke, Hillary Kearns, Anna Burke
Ruan: Ella Forde, Saoirse Barry, Siofra Ní Lachtnáin, Tammy Griffin, Saoirse McNamara, Claire McDonnell, Aedin Wynne, Aoife Glass, Niamh Ní Lachtnáin, Brenda O’Donoghue, Clara Morgan
Referee: Fergal O’Brien
DH Group Minor Championship
Minor A
Scariff Ogonnelloe 3-8 Inagh Kilnamona 0-4
Scarriff Ogonnelloe wore their favourites tag well and went away from Inagh with a deserved win of 3-8 to Inagh Kilnamona’s 0-4.
Scarriff Ogonnelloe had 2-5 on the board at half time while the home side failed to take their opportunities and were unable to register a score in the first half.
Inagh Kilnamona battled hard throughout but Scarriff Ogonnelloe’s back line were solid. Ailbhe Devitt and Cliodhna Queally put two each over the bar. However, Scarriff Ogonnelloe added 1-3 to leave the final score Scarriff Ogonnelloe 3-8 Inagh Kilnamona 0-4.
Inagh Kilnamona: Eva O’Halloran, Alannah Foudy, Aine Longe, Roisin Shannon, Elisha Twomey, Karlene McGerr, Emer Burke, Cliodhna Queally, Ailbhe Devitt, Elisha Rynne, Emily Woods, Rhea Foudy, Cara McInerney, Grainne Burke, Mary McInerney
Subs: Shauna Queally for Alannah Foudy, Ally Hogan for Roisin Shannon, Ella Fitzgibbon for Cara McInerney
Crusheen/Banner 6-2 Newmarket on Fergus 1-6
A goal scoring Crusheen/Banner side overcame Newmarket in the 3rd round of the Minor A Camogie Championship on Wednesday evening in Crusheen.
Although both sides were missing a lot of players due to injuries and Debs balls, the home side still managed to put six goals past a Newmarket side who looked very deflated on the night.
With standout performances from Aoife Rodgers, Faye Dean and Eva Fitzgibbon, Crusheen/Banner lead at half time 4-1 to 1-3, Newmarkets goal coming from the very energetic Emma Crowe.
The second half saw both teams register three scores each, however two of Crusheen/Banners scores were goals and saw them win out on a scoreline of 6-2 to 1-6
Newmarket on Fergus: Grace McMahon; Julie Fitzgerald, Maeve Begley, Caoimhe Hegarty, Neila Ryan, Lucy Enright, Emma Crowe, Andrea Coffey, Jessie Hogan, Sally Kelly, Arianna Cunneen, Maeve Moore, Kaci Toomey.
Subs: Emma Tucker for Arianna Cunneen (15min), Nora McInerney for Lucy Enright – inj (25mins), Aimee McNamara for Avril Moore (h/t), Avril Moore for Andrea Coffey- inj (38min), Ava Kelly for Sally Kelly 44 min
Kilkishen/Bodyke 6-8 Clooney Quin 2-8
Clarecastle/Ballyea 1-11 Truagh Clonlara 4-8
Minor B
Sixmilebridge 0-03 Ruan 4-16
Feakle Killanena 2-11 Broadford/Parteen 7-21
Minor C
Whitegate 7-6 Corofin 5-8
The opening match of the Minor C Championship for Whitegate and Corofin was a very close contest, but it was the Whitegate girls that emerged the winners with a final score of Whitegate 7-6 to Corofin 5-8.
From throw in this was an intense battle between two evenly matched teams. But it was Whitegate that got the opening score when the ball was worked up the field to Ali Hynes who split the Corofin posts. Corofin with a quick reply got a point from play. Moments later Caoimhe Whelan burst through the Corofin defence to raise the first green flag of the day. What followed was a denial of a goal for both teams when first the Corofin goalie made a great save and then quickly at the other end Whitegate’s determined goalie Chantel Zevering stopped what looked like a dead cert goal. Soon after Corofin did get a goal when Whitegate’s goalie stopped and batted down the sliotar but with the quick action of Corofin it was whipped to the back of the Whitegate net.
Leading up to half time more scores for Whitegate came from Lana McDermott who following a solo run from way out the field went all the way to score a goal. Abigail Starr scored a point from play and also Ali Hynes added another point to her tally when sister Corinna Hynes passed her a lovely ball. Corofin capitalised on their score and added more goals and points to their score sheet. Corofin had the upper hand at half time and had a nice lead of five points.
With the second half all to play for it was Corofin who straight away got another point from play. Whitegate were determined not to let this match slip any further. The work rate of Ciara Dooley and Lana McDermott in mid field was pivotal in getting the ball up into the forwards. One such ball fell into the hands of Emma Burked who drove it past the Corofin goalie much to the delight of the Whitegate supporters. This put just a puck of a ball between the teams. Scoring from here on seemed to be tit for tat and the teams were level on a few occasions. Further scores for Whitegate came from Abigail Starr who added another 1-01 to her tally.
Another goal from Emma Burke as well as one from Hilary Kearns. Ali Hynes converted a free. Corinna Hynes scored a 45 and the final score of the day came from the stick of Ali Hynes when she took a 45 which she scored with ease. Corofin did also manage to score 3 goals in the second half. It was definitely a game of goals with 12 goals scored between the two teams. Even though Corofin did manage to claw back some scores it was Whitegate that upped a gear in the closing 5 minutes. This was enough for them to see out the game and emerged winners by 4 points in the end.
Whitegate: Chantal Zevering, Rhoda Carey, Emma Hynes, Caoimhe Whelan 1-0, Ciara Dooley, Eadaoin O’Grady, Lana McDermott 1-0 Corinna Hynes 0-2 1’45), Emma Burke 2-0, Alison Hynes 0-3 1 ‘45, Emma Waterstone, Abigail Starr 2-1, Aiveen Mulgannon, Maria Rodgers, Hilary Kearns 1-0, Isabel O’Brien
Subs: Maria Rodgers for Eadaoin O’Grady
DH Group U13 Championship
U13A
Kilkishen/Bodyke 3-3 Inagh Kilnamona 5-4
U13B
Ruan 2-3 Whitegate 5-4
Eire Og 1-2 St Josephs 1-2
U13C
Cratloe 5-3 Smith O’Briens 3-2
Crusheen 0-7 Wolfe Tones 4-0
