Clare overcome Westmeath challenge to avoid relegation battle

*Clare’s Aine O’Loughlin. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

Clare’s senior camogie side have held off the challenge of Westmeath to wash away any relegation worries.

Clare 2-12
Westmeath 0-12
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

It could have been easier and it should have been for Clare as their involvement in the 2021 championship drew to a conclusion due to Saturday’s result.

President of the Camogie Association, Hilda Breslin was in Cusack Park for the clash but it was not a rip-roaring contest that will stay long in her memory.

After back to back defeats, Clare’s hopes of appearing in the All-Ireland quarter-finals for a successive season were dashed. As if that scenario was not disappointing enough, Clare had the possibility of appearing in a relegation dogfight if matters against Westmeath did not go according to plan.

First half goals from Truagh/Clonlara duo Eimear Kelly and Aine O’Loughlin went a long went to abating these worries as it allowed Clare build up a 2-06 0-04 advantage. A plentiful supply to Clare’s full-forward line was not capitalised on in the opening half with the return of eight scores from thirteen scoreable opportunities. O’Loughlin (1-02), Kelly (1-01) and Chloe Morey (0-03) accounted for all of Clare’s first half tally.

Indeed the trio would only be joined by Siofra Ní Chonaill in the scoring stakes come the final whistle from the Clare contingent.

Westmeath showed an attacking threat throughout, this becoming most evident in the third quarter when Clare tacked on a single score and the visitors rallied for three points. A spirited showing from Darren McCormack’s side ensured they remained in the constant until the final whistle with the concession of first half goals their downfall to causing an upset.

For Clare, the level they need to get is fairly obvious. Their inability to exert their dominance in the aftermath of the two goals highlighted the difference between them and counties reaching the semi-finals year in year out.

Scorers Clare: Chloe Morey (0-07 4f 1’45), E Kelly (1-02), A O’Loughlin (1-02), S Ní Chonaill (0-01).

Scorers Westmeath: M Dowdell (0-08 7f), M Scally (0-02), S McGrath (0-02).

Clare:
1: Doireann Murphy (Clarecastle)

2: Susan Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)
3: Clare Hehir (Inagh-Kilnamona) (Captain)
4: Ciara Grogan (Clooney-Quin)

5: Alannah Ryan (Kilkishen)
6: Niamh O’Dea (Kilmaley)
17: Laura McMahon (Newmarket-on-Fergus)

9: Ziyan Spillane (Feakle-Killanena)
8: Orlaith Duggan (Clooney-Quin)

10: Máire McGrath (Sixmilebridge)
11: Aoife Keane (Inagh-Kilnamona)
12: Becky Foley (Truagh-Clonlara)

13: Eimear Kelly (Truagh-Clonlara)
14: Chloe Morey (Sixmilebridge)
18: Aine O’Loughlin (Truagh-Clonlara)

Subs:
15: Robyn Conway (Feakle/Killanena) for Kelly (30)
19: Sinead Conlon (Tulla) for McMahon (42)
13: Eimear Kelly for Keane (42)
26: Siofra Ní Chonaill (St Josephs Doora/Barefield) for McGrath (51)
23: Bridin Dinan (Tulla) for O’Loughlin (62)

Westmeath:
1: Fiona Keating (Culleton)

2: Dearbhail McLoughlin (Crookedwood)
3: Emily McCabe (Drumraney)
4: Laura Doherty (Raharney)

5: Amy Cully (St Brigids)
9: Jade McKeogh (Raharney)
7: Aisling Egerton (Clonkill)

8: Muireann Scully (Crookedwood)
15: Aoife Doherty (Raharney)
26: Meabh McLoughlin (Crookedwood)

10: Megan Dowdall (Clonkill)
11: Jane Nangle (Lough Leane Gaels)
12: Sheila McGrath (St Munnas)

13: Hannah Core (Raharney)
14: Meabh Scully (Clonkill)

Subs:
20: Caoimhe McCrossnan (Lough Lene Gaels) for Nangle (HT)
28: Roisin Scally (Crookedwood) for McCabe (58)
23: Emma Broughan (Cullion) for Core (58)

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)