*Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
CLOONEY/QUIN have secured their return to the top flight of Clare camogie.
A 2-11 2-8 win over Broadford/Bodyke saw the county’s first camogie club to be founded ensure they would be playing in the senior championship next season.
Relegated in 2023, Clooney/Quin confirmed their return to the top flight with a three point victory over a fancied Broadford/Bodyke outfit who had clocked up big tallies en route to the decider.
Aisling Fitzgerald’s first half score had the East Clare amalgamation 1-6 0-6 in front by the sounding of the half-time whistle.
They quickly extended that lead to four when the second half commenced but Clooney/Quin sprung to life when a Ciara Grogan free was flicked to the back of the net by wing forward Emma Deegan.
Clooney/Quin took inspiration from this major and hit four points without reply to create a three point advantage.
Susan O’Shea, one of the lively forwards for Broadford/Bodyke in this year’s run shoved her side back in front when pulling first time to the back of the net.
However, Nicole O’Riordan and Ciara Grogan combined for the calm Ciara Halpin to step up and land the all-important major to send Clooney/Quin on their way back to senior camogie.
Following the game, captain Ciara Grogan accepted the Fr Liam Murray Cup from Clare Camogie Chairperson, Fergal O’Brien from Broadford.
Scorers Clooney/Quin: E Deegan (1-2), C Halpin (1-1), E Considine (0-3 2f), C Grogan (0-2 1f 1’45), S Beirne (0-2), E Moynihan (0-1).
Scorers Broadford/Bodyke: A Fitzgerald (1-2 1-1f), S O’Shea (1-2), S Wiley (0-2), A O’Brien (0-1), S Doyle (0-1).
Clooney/Quin: Rachel McHugh; Moya Dunne, Beibhinn Gallagher, Rachel Conneely; Sinead McGee, Ciara Grogan, Claire Murphy; Ciara Halpin, Clodagh Quinn; Emma Quinn, Emily Costello, Emma Deegan; Sheena Beirne, Emer Moynihan, Emma Considine.
Subs: Caoimhe McDonnell for E Quinn (45), Nicole O’Riordan for E Considine (51), Sarah Costello for C Quinn (57).
Broadford/Bodyke: Laura Ryan; Ella O’Brien, Catherine Donnellan, Rachel Murray; Aoife Vaughan, Karen Ryan, Beatrice Vaughan; Niamh Mulqueen, Áine Ryan; Aoife O’Brien, Aisling Fitzgerald, Saoirse O’Farrell; Sarah Wiley, Shauna Doyle, Susan O’Shea.
Subs: Aoibhean O’Sullivan for O’Farrell (48), Emer O’Shea for Fitzgerald (49), Ella Ryan Meaney for O’Brien (57).
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
All photographs by Ruth Griffin
