*Clare’s Áine Keane with Westmeath’s Francesca Walshe. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
CLARE’s intermediate ladies footballers picked up their first win of the year when accounting for Westmeath on Sunday.
Clare 2-17
Westmeath 0-7
Venue: Páirc Chiarán, Athlone
As they travelled to Athlone for the third round of the league, Clare knew that anything other than a comprehensive win would leave them facing relegation back down to Division 3.
Following their disappointing heavy defeat at the hands of Roscommon a week earlier, Clare needed to deliver a strong response and this they certainly did.
A powerful first half at the end of they led by fourteen points laid the foundation for comfortable win and it fair to say that there will be a spring in their step when they entertain Tipperary in round four in two weeks time.
Manager Graham Shine and his backroom team made three changes to the starting line up from that which took to the field in Roscommon seven days earlier.
Jenna Murphy from Kilrush replaced Aoife Griffin in goal while Áine Keane and Emer Burke were in the right flank of defence in place of Hannah Doyle and Louse Griffin.
Playing with the aid of a fresh breeze on a bitterly cold but dry day, Clare had early points from Fidelma Marrinan and Ailish considine before the home side got their opening score.
The visitors hit back with 1-3 without reply, the goal coming from full forward Considine whose attempt for a point deceived the home side’s goalie and dropped into the corner of the net
Westmeath kept in touch with their second point but Clare responded with four in a row on their way to a half time position of 1-14 to 0-3.
Points were swapped in the early minutes of the second half but the game had reached the three quarter stage before Westmeath had their next point.
Hopes of a rally were quickly crushed as Teresa Collins struck for her side’s second goal, on hand to apply the finish after Aine Keane’s effort rebounded off the post. Substitute Ellie Hanrahan in her first action within her arrival picked up a harsh yellow card which resulted in her spending ten minutes in the sin bin.
Westmeath tried hard to close the gap but the Clare defence held firm as the visitors ran out comfortable and very deserving winners on a day when Áine Keane, Joanna Doohan, Shauna Melican, Caoimhe Harvey, Ailish Considine, Chloe Moloney and Fidelma Marrinan were to the fore
Scorers Clare: Ailish Considine (1-4); Fidelma Marrinan (0-7, 2f); Teresa Collins (1-0); Roisin Martin, Caoimhe Harvey, Áine Keane (0-2) each
Scorers Westmeath; Lucy Power, Tracey Dillon, Philippa Ruane, Anna Jones(free), Caoimhe Kilmurry, Mead Monahan, Rebecca Higgins (0-1) each
Clare:
16: Jenna Murphy (Kilrush Shamrocks)
17: Aine Keane (St Joseph’s Miltown)
3: Grainne Harvey (West Clare Gaels)
4: Rebecca Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
18: Emer Burke (Banner Ladies)
6: Joanna Doohan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
7: Shauna Melican (Fergus Rovers)
8: Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels)
9: Roisin Martin (Éire Óg)
10: Roisin Considine (Liscannor)
11: Megan Downes (Cooraclare)
12: Teresa Collins (Burren Gaels)
13: Fidelma Marrinan (West Clare Gaels)
14: Ailish Considine (Kilmihil)
15: Chloe Moloney (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs:
27: Aoibhin O’Loughlin (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for M Downes (HT),
20: Ellie Hanrahan (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for C Moloney (45),
19: Edel McNamara (Kilmihil) for R Martin (45)
23: Lauren Conway (Doonbeg) for E Burke (50)
2: Hannah Doyle (St. Josephs Doora Barefield) for T Collins (50)
30: Lucy Shanahan (Doonbeg) for A Considine (60)
Westmeath
1: Amy Donlon (Loughnavalley);
2: Lara McCartan (St Lomans),
3: Sarah Murphy (Moate Ladies),
4: Ayesha Roche (Kilbeggan Shamrocks)
5: Chloe Kelly (Tyrellspass),
6: Lucy Power (The Downs),
7: Fiona Coyle (St. Marys Rochfordsbridge)
8: Tracey Dillon (Mkiltown),
9: Vicky Carr (St. Lomans);
10: Philippa Ruane (Loughnavalley),
11: Anna Jones (|Mullingar Shamrocks),
12: Caoimhe Clarke McMahon (Loughnavalley);
13: Caoimhe Kilmurry (St.Lomans),
14: Meadh Monahan (Killucan),
15: Rebecca Higgins (Goldsmith Girls);
Subs:
18: Chloe Smullen (Mullingar) for R Higgins (38)
28: Ashling Ruane (Loughnavalley) for Caoimhe Clarke McMahon (42)
20: Megan Ennis (St.Lomans) for L McCartain (55)
21: Susana Buckley (Mullingar) for C Kilmurray (55);
Referee: Sinead McHugh (Donegal)
