*Keeva Steadmond blocks Maeve Millea’s shot. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
CLARE emerged as seven point victors over Wexford to record their first win of this year’s Centra National Camogie League.
Clare 0-16
Wexford 0-9
Venue: Meelick
Unbeaten in two outings in Division 1B, Clare were merited winners against Wexford on Saturday afternoon, producing an all-round team display.
Continuous heavy rain over the previous twenty four hours resulted in the game being moved om Clareabbey to the South Clare venue. The match was preceded by a hurling charity match between the hosts Parteen/Meelick and their neighbours Clonlara.
Playing with the aid of the breeze, Clare took control of this tie from the outset and Zi Yan Spillane opened the scoring in their first attack. Lorna McNamara, one of the stars of this tie, doubled their advantage in the second minute before Chloe Cashe opened the visitor’s account when she converted a free.
Clare grew in confidence as the game wore on and at the end of the opening quarter they were 0-7 to 0-2 in front.
When the half time whistle sounded, the home side had extended their lead to eight points, full forward McNamara having contributed 0-7 of that tally.
Clare’s lead could have been greater at his time but for the sharpness of Wexford goalkeeper, Keeva Steadmond who had denied the winners goals on three occasions.
A strong response was expected from Wexford in the second half and they made the better start with Chloe Cashe converting an early free.
Clare’s response was strong and they fired over three unanswered points in the next ten minutes clearly showing that they were determined to build on their impressive first half display.
Anytime Wexford threatened danger the home side’s defence stood tall with Sinead O’Keeffe at full back, Abby Walsh and Clare Hehir particularly prominent. Up front Lorna McNamara was particularly outstanding and her availability this year having missed last season due to injury, is a huge boost for Clare. She got great support from Zi Yan Spillane, Andrea O’Keeffe and Caoimhe Cahill.
Scorers; Clare; Lorna McNamara (0-8, 4f, 1 ‘45); Zi Yan Spillane, Andrea O’Keeffe (0-3) each Caoimhe Cahill (0-2);
Scorers Wexford; Chloe Cashe (0-5, 4f, 1’45); Linda Bolger (0-2). Joanne Dillon, Orla Sinnot (0-1) each
All photographs by Ruth Griffin.
Clare;
1: Doireann Murphy (Clarecastle)
2; Muireann Scanlan (Broadford)
3: Sinead O’Keeffe (Kilmaley)
17: Danielle Griffin (Inagh/Kilnamona)
5: Lynda Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
6: Abby Walsh (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
7: Clare Hehir (Inagh/Killnamona)
23: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
9: Roisin McMahon (Feakle/Killanena)
10: Andrea O’Keeffe (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley)
12: Jennifer Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
13: Ziyan Spilllane (Feakle/Killanena)
14: Lorna McNamara (Feakle/Killanena)
15: Maeve Milllea (Parteen/Meelick)
Subs:
22: Aine O’Loughin (Truagh/Clonlara) for Millea (42)
21: Aisling Cooney (Parteen/Meelick) for R. McMahon (48)
24: Ciara Grogan (Clooney/Quin for L Daly (48)
8: Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley) for N. Mulqueen (60)
Wexford;
1: Keeva Steadmond (Craanford/Monaseed)
2: Clodaagh Jackman (Glynn Barntown)
3: Maeve Sinnott (Bunclody)
4: Karen Tomkins (Kilrush)
5: Siobhan Sinnott (Oulart the Ballagh)
6: Orla Sinnott (Ferns St Aidans)
7: Laura Dempsey (Glynn Barntown)
8: Muireann Fitzpatrick (Casttletown Liam Mellows)
9: Chloe Cashe (Glynn Barntown)
10: Layla Stafford (Glynn Barntown)
11: Linda Bolger (St. Martins)
12: Leah Furlong (Cloughbawn)
13: Emma Tomkins (Kilrush)
14: Caoimhe Byrne (Rathnure)
15: Joanne Dillon (Rathgarogue Cushinstsown)
Subs:
19: Amy Cahill (Rathnure) for K. Tomkins (27)
17: Sadhbh Buttle (Kilush) for E. Tomkins (36)
23: Ciara Butler (Glynn Barnstown) for M. Fitzpatrick (42)
22: Erin O’Bien (Blackwater) for L. Stafford
Referee: Enda Loughnane (Galway)
