Winning start for Clare ladies

*Sinead Considine was among Clare’s goal scorers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Impressive performances at both ends of the pitch played a key role as Clare got their TG4 All-Ireland intermediate ladies football championship off to a winning start at Clones on Sunday afternoon. 

Clare 6-6
Monaghan 1-13
Venue: Clones

The game was played as a curtain raiser to the Monaghan v Louth senior football championship tie.

Full forward Fidelma Marrinan continued her impressive form when scoring four goals while at the other end goalkeeper Amy Lenihan produced some outstanding saves.

Clare had two changes from the named team with Chloe Moloney and Ailish Considine filling the corner forward positions in place of Amy Sexton and Megan Downes.

Despite Clare having much of the play, the game remained low scoring due to some poor shot selections until two well finished shots by Fidelma Marrinan following pinpoint accurate passing from Chloe Moloney yielded two goals for the visitors.

Clare went on to score another goal when Ailish Considine followed through on a Chloe Moloney rebound off the Monaghan crossbar. At half time the winners led on a scoreline 3-2 to 0-4.

When play resumed Monaghan quickly showed that they weren’t going to be easily overcome as they landed three quick points without reply.

Clare resumed with an unchanged team but ten minutes into the half the introduced Amy Sexton and Orla Devitt got Ailish Considine and ciara McCarthy.

Indeed the home side would have drawn closer but for a brilliant save from Amy Lenihan in the Clare goal, one of a number made by the Clare net minder during the course of the tie.

A Monaghan goal from Eabha Sherry left just a score between the sides at the three quarter stage when the score was 4-4 to 1-10.

Marrinan who finished the tie with 4-1 to her credit, found the net twice in the second half while Clare’s other goal in this half came from midfielder Sinead Considine.

In round 2 on Sunday, Clare will face Offaly at Cusack Park at 1p.m.

Scorers Clare: F Marrinan (4-1), S Considine (1-0), A Considine (1-0), C Moloney (0-2), A Keane (0-1), C McCarthy (0-1), O Devitt (0-1)

Clare;
1:Amy Lenihan (Doora/Barefield);

2: Aine Keane (Miltown)
3: Siofra Ni Chonail (Doora/Barefield)
4: Grainne Marrinan (West Clare Gaels)

5: Roisin Conzidine (Tir Chonaill Gaels, London)
6: Joanna Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
7: Louise Griffin (Fergus Rovers)

8: Laurie Ryan (Banner)
9: Sinead Considine (Liscannor)

10: Ciara McCarthy (Kilmurry-Ibrickane)
11: Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels), Captain
12: Teresa Collins (Burren Gaels)

20: Chloe Moloney (Kilmurry-Ibrickane)
14: Fidelma Marrinan (West Clare Gaels)
23: Ailish Considine (Kilmihil)

Subs:
19: Orla Devitt (Éire Óg) For Ailish Considine (40);
13: Amy Sexton, (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for C. McCarthy (40)
17: Rebecca Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for L. Griffin (50)
15: Megan Downes (Cooraclare) for T. Collins (50)

Monaghan
1: Órna Kelly, (Carroclmacross)

2: Aoife Bannigan, (Aughamullen)
3: Naomi Cogan, (Corduff)
4: Kerry Nolan, (Eire Og)

5: Amy Garland, (Donaghmoyne)
6: Maeve Monaghan, (Eire Og)
7: Aine Lougman, (Carrickmacross)

8: Jennifer Duffy (O’Neills Shamrock)
9: Ella Crolan, (Carrickmacross)

10: Sarah Tierney,( Aghabog)
11: Éavha Sherry, (Scotstown)
12: Casey Treanor, (Scotstown)

13: Leanne Maguire, (Magheracloone)
18: Chloe McBride, (Eire Og)
15: Lauren Garland, (Donaghmoyne)

Referee: Brendan Rice (Down)