*Caoimhe Harvey is surrounded by Galway players. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Clare’s inevitable return to Division 3 was emphatically confirmed in Doonbeg when overpowered by a well-oiled Galway juggernaut.
Galway 4-22
Clare 0-05
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg
Two divisions divided the counties this time twelve months ago and it will be the same in 2026 again after the Tribewomen completed a flawless seven match group campaign ahead of a Division 2 Final showdown with Cork in Croke Park in a fortnight’s time.
Having already been assured promotion back to the top tier following a 40 point pummelling of Monaghan on away soil, there would be no let up for a rampant Galway as manager Daniel Moynihan played his full side in order to keep their undeniable momentum motoring.
In contrast, four Leaving Cert students started for Graham Shine’s relatively inexperienced side that were without such players as Ailish Considine, Fidlema Marrinan, Roisin Considine, Louise Griffin, Jenna Murphy and Sinead Considine.
Consequently, it was always going to be a difficult final league day for the hosts who resisted most through Chloe Moloney, Caoimhe Harvey, Joanna Doohan, Edel McNamara, Aine Keane, Lauren Conway and Rebecca Doohan without ever looking like closing the gap.
Galway’s superior pace, movement and finishing power was impressive to watch and wouldn’t be out of place in the Division 1 decider as nine different players got in on the scoring action.
Olivia Divilly, the only player to play the full hour for the visitors excelled with 1-5 but first half stars such as Roisin Leonard and Kate Slevin were matched by the eager fresh legs off the bench such as the Noone sisters Eva (1-2) and Lynsey (0-2) who combined for 1-4 in a cut-throat competition for league final places.
Galway demonstrated their clear intent from the outset as straight from the throw-in Ailbhe Davoren played a one-two with Olivia Divilly before crashing her shot off the left post. Another early goal sighting for Davoren was excellently prevented by Emer Burke but the incessant pressure did finally pay off, albeit in fortuitous circumstances as Shauna Hayes’ fifth minute shot for a point dipped into the far right corner of Aoife Griffin’s net on their way to a 1-4 to 0-0 cushion.
Lauren Conway did have a chance at the other end only for her shot to flash across the face of goal and wide. Edel McNamara did finally open Clare’s account in the tenth minute but while it was followed by a brace of Chloe Moloney points, they sandwiched a further brace of Galway goals which arrived at the one-third mark.
Failing to clear their lines in the 19th minute, Clare coughed up possession to Aoibhinn Eilian who worked the ball through Olivia Divilly to the waiting Kate Slevin to expertly fire to the bottom left corner of the home net. From the kick-out, Nicola Ward teed up Divilly to double the dose and effectively seal victory at 3-7 to 0-2.
3-12 to 0-03 clear by the break, Galway made 14 alterations over the course of the third quarter but it still didn’t lessen their standards as the Noones kept Clare’s overworked rearguard on their toes.
Aine Keane was unlucky to see a goal chance drifted just outside the right post after being put through by Chloe Moloney while down the other end Rebecca Doohan produced a superb block to deny Lynsey Noone a certain goal.
Galway would duly finished out the contest in style as they held their hosts scoreless while adding 1-7 without reply themselves in the final quarter. Home goalkeeper Griffin did make an outstanding point blank save from substitute Andrea Trill but a relentless Galway did finally grab a fourth goal with the final kick of the hour as fellow replacement Eva Noone punished a defensive error to complete a comprehensive 29 point triumph.
Galway will be favourites to maintain their winning start to 2025 in the Division 2 decider in Dublin in two weeks time while Clare will turn their attentions to an equally important developmental Munster Senior B Championship which commences at home to Limerick in four weeks time.
All photographs by Gerard O’Neill
Scorers for Galway: Olivia Divilly 1-5, Roisin Leonard 0-5 (1f), Kate Slevin 1-2, Eva Noone 1-2 (2f), Shauna Hynes 1-1, Kate Thompson 0-3, Lynsey Noone 0-2, Siobhan Divilly 0-1, Ailbhe Davoren 0-1
Scorers for Clare: Chloe Moloney 0-3, Edel McNamara 0-1, Lauren Conway 0-1
Galway
1: Leah O’Halloran (Claregalway)
2: Maryanne Jordan (Caltra Cuans)
3: Sarah Ní Loingsigh (Naomh Anna Leitir Moir)
4: Kate Geraghty (Tuam Cortoon)
5: Aoibhinn Eilian (Oughterard)
6: Nicola Ward (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
7: Hannah Noone (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
8: Louise Ward (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
9: Siobhan Divilly (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
13: Kate Thompson (Salthill Knocknacarra)
11: Shauna Hayes (Milltown)
12: Ailbhe Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes)
15: Kate Slevin (Claregalway)
14: Roisin Leonard (Corofin)
10: Olivia Divilly (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
Subs
25: Eva Noone (Kilkerrin Clonberne) for Leonard (HT)
26: Lynsey Noone (Kilkerrin Clonberne) for Davoren (HT)
20: Sophie Healy (Dunmore MacHales) for H. Noone (HT)
23: Aoife Ní Cheallaigh (Caltra Cuans) for Geraghty (39)
29: Andrea Trill (Claregalway) for Hynes (39)
27: Aoife O’Rourke (Tuam Cortoon) for Slevin (42)
16: Orla O’Connor (Loughrea) for O’Halloran (42)
28: Bronagh Quinn (Annaghdown) for Eilian (42)
17: Marta Banek (Ougherard) for N. Ward (45)
18: Charlotte Cooney (Claregalway) for Thompson (45)
19: Mairead Glynn (Dunmore MacHales) for S. Divilly (45)
21: Aisling Madden (Kilkerrin Clonberne) for L. Ward (45)
22: Emma Mitchell (Ballinasloe) for Ní Loingsigh (45)
24: Shiofra Ní Scanláin (Micheál Breathnach) for Jordan (45)
Clare
1: Aoife Griffin (Fergus Rovers)
4: Rebecca Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
3: Grainne Harvey (West Clare Gaels)
27: Caitriona Byrne (Miltown Malbay)
5: Emer Burke (Banner Ladies)
6: Joanna Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
11: Megan Downes (Cooraclare)
8: Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels)
9: Rosin Martin (Éire Óg)
12: Teresa Collins (Burren Gaels)
2: Aine Keane (Miltown Malbay)
10: Lauren Conway (Doonbeg)
13: Edel McNamara (Kilmihil)
15: Chloe Moloney (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
17: Ellie Hanrahan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs
25: Lucy Power (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Martin (35)
18: Aoibhinn O’Loughlin (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Burke (35)
24: Lucy Shanahan (Doonbeg) for Collins (42)
20: Lauren Flaherty (Liscannor) for Conway (50)
23: Johanna Fogarty (Crusheen) for Moloney (50)
21: Eabha O’Malley (Miltown Malbay) for Byrne (54)
19: Katie O’Halloran (Kilmihil) for Downes (55)
22: Aine Slattery (Fergus Rovers) for Hanrahan (55)
Referee: Kevin Corcoran (Mayo)
