Zi Yan Spillane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A comfortable and expected victory over Westmeath saw Clare commence their Division 1B Very National Camogie League on a winning note.
Clare 3-14
Westmeath 0-4
Venue: Tubber
Clare went into the game as favourites against Westmeath side that were competing in Division 1 for the first time having won promotion from Division 2 last season.
Clare got off to a great start with a goal from Zi Yan Spillane in the third minute. An Ashbourne cup medal winner with U. L. last week, she emerged as Clare’s top scorer in this tie.
Clare were well on their way to the points at half time in this tie when they led 2-7 to 0-3 and it fair to say that their lead could have been greater at this stage.
Indeed Clare would not have been flattered by a much bigger winning margin as the woodwork and some last gasp defending by the visitors had denied Clare on a number of occasions when goals look the likely outcome.
The first half had just passed the midpoint when Caoimhe Cahill struck for the winner’s second goal having taken a good pass from Ellen Casey
Defences had the better of matters in the third quarter which produced just three scores, two points for the winners to the visitor’s only score of the half.
On top throughout, Clare were able to give game time to eight of their substitutes panel in the second half and amongst those to put their hands up for inclusion the next day were Hannah Mai Neylon and Mary Hanrahan, both of whom got on the scoresheet.
Having missed out on last season due to travel, Clare Hehir’s return to the team is a massive boost and she was in sparkling form throughout as were the half back trio of Niamh Mulqueen, Abby Walsh and Lynda Daly.
Full forward Ellen Casey caused a lot of problems for the visitors and this led to some impressive scores from Caoimhe Cahill and Zi Yan Spillane.
Clare will be in action again next week when they travel to play Wexford who are likely to be hurting having suffered a one point loss to Antrim in Saturday’s first round.
Scorers Clare: Zi Yan Spillae (1-4, 0-2 f); Caoimhe Cahill (1-2), Aine O’Loughlin (1-1); Jennifer Daly, Hannah Mai Neylon (0-2) each; Ellen Casey, Caoimhe Carmody Mary Hanrahan (0-1) each;
Scorers Westmeath: Caoimhe McCrossan (frees) and Hannah Core (0-2) each
Clare
1: Rachel Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
2: Cloodhna Queally (Inagh/Kilnamona)
3: Clare Hehir (Inagh/Kilnamona)
4: Muireann Scanlan (Cratloe)
7: Lynda Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
6: Abby Walsh (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
5: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
8: Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley)
9: Grace Carmody, (Kilmaley)
12: Aine O’Loughlin (Truagh/Clonlara) Captain
11: Aoife Anderson (Ruan)
10: Jennifer Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
13: Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley
14: Ellen Casey (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
15: Zi Yan Spillane (Feakle/Killanena)
Subs:
25; Mary Hanrahan (Crusheen) for J. Daly (half time)
17: Susan Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe for A. Anderson (42)
20: Hannah Mai Neylon (Ballyea) for G. Carmody (42)
18: Maeve Millea (Parteen/Meelick) for C. Cahill (50)
19: Michelle Powell (Truagh-Clonlara) for A. Walsh (51)
23: Ashling Cooney (Pareen/Meelick) for Z. Y. Spillane (51)
22: Sinead O’Keeffe (Kilmaley) for C. Queally (60)
21: Chloe Neylon (Kilmaley) for E. Casey (60)
Westmeath
1: Anna Weir (Raharney)
2: Emily McCabe (Drumraney)
3; Dearbhail McLoughlin (Crookedwood)
4: Mary Grraghty (Raharney)
5: Katie Coleman (Raharney)
6: Julie McLoughlin (Crookedwood)
7: Laura Doherty (Raharney)
8: Aoife O’Malley (Raharney)
9: Claire Gaffney (Clonkill)
10: Muireann Scally (Crookedwood)
11: Caoimhe McCrossen (Lough Lens Gaels)
12: Karen Keegan (Castletowngeoghegan)
13: Maedhbh McLoughlin (Crookedwood)
14: Hannah Core (Raharney)
15: Olivia Kellehan (Delvin)
Subs:
17: Shannon Dalton (Castletowngeoghegan) for K. Keegan (35)
19: Katie Penrose (Crookedwood) for K. Coleman (48)
20: Ciara Corcoran (Castletowngeoghegan) for Kellehan (48)
21: Roisin Scally (Crookedwood) for M. Geraghty (55)
Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)
