*Ellen Casey in possession. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’s senior camogie side will be consigned to Division 1B of the Very Camogie National League for a second season after losing out to Antrim in Saturday’s league final.
Antrim 3-10
Clare 1-11
Venue: NGD Centre, Abbotstown
Conceding three first half goals, two of which came in the opening quarter proved costly for Clare as they suffered a five point league final loss to Antrim.
These early goals came when Antrim were playing against the wind and while Clare managed to fight back to level terms as the half time whistle approached, they never managed to get in front.
In fact just after they had drawn level, they were hit with Antrim’s third goal, a score which helped the Northerners lead at the interval on a scoreline of 3-3 to 1-7.
Scores were a lot hard to come by in the second half and while Clare drew level twice, they failed to get a lead score and Antrim finished strongly, landing the final five points to seal a merited win.
Overall Antrim were the sharper side and held the upperhand in the key areas.
Clare put in a huge effort to get back into contention after falling behind in the opening quarter.
Two points in the opening minute signalled Antrim’s intent in this final and while Caoimhe Carmody struck for Clare’s opening score a Caitlin Dobbin goal rocked Clare in the fifth minute.
Three Clare points followed from Grace Carmody, Ellen Casey and Zi Yan Spillane with Casey being most unlucky not to find the net as Antrim goalie Caitriona Graham produced an outstanding save when deflecting the Newmarket-on-Fergus woman’s piledriver over the bar.
Antrim’s next attack yielded a goal from full forward Katie Molloy but this was quickly cancelled out by a Caoimhe Cahill goal aftee she was put through by Aine O’Loughlin.
Points from substitute Jennifer Daly and from a Zi Yan Spillane free levelled the tie but then Antrim struck another blow when Caitlin Dobbin struck for her second and Antrim’s third goal, a score which helped her side lead at the break on a score of 3-3 to 1-7.
Clare resumed with Sinead O’Keeffe and Mary Hanrahan in their line up in place of Grace Carmody and Cliodhna Queally but Antrim picked up where they had left off with a point from Caitlin Dobbin.
Clare dominated the next period and points from Zi Yan Spilane (2) and Caoimhe Queally had the tie level after ten minutes of the half.
Try as they did however, Clare just could not get their noses in front and only managed one more point in the tie which came from another substitute, Aisling Cooney.
Antrim dominated the closing ten minutes firing over 0-5 without reply to seal victory.
Clare Hehir was outstanding for the Banner side while Lynda Daly, Abby Walsh, Caoimhe Cahill, Zi Yan Spillane and Aine O’Loughlin fought hard throughout.
Overall, however, Antrim were the sharper side and deservingly captured the title and promotion to Division 1A for next season.
Scorers Antrim: C. Dobbin (2-2); K. Molloy (1-1); D. Cosgrove (0-2), C. Mc Arthur; R. McCormick (0-2) each
Scorers Clare; Zi Yan Spillane (0-5); Caoimhe Cahill (1-1); Grace Carmody, Caoimhe Carmody, Ellen Casey, Jennifer Daly, Aisling Cooney (0-1) each
Antrim;
1: Caitriona Graham
2: Clare McKillop
3: Katie Lyne
4: Caoimhe McNaughton;
5: Erin Coulter
6: Sarah O’Neill
7: Shanagh Hegarty
8: Amy Boyle Captain
9: Nicole McAtnmey
10: Marie Kelly
11: Roisin McCormick
12: Dervla Cosgrove
13: Cassie McArthur
14: Katie Molloy
15: Caitrin Dobbin;
Subs:
22; Lucie McNaughton for C Dobbin (inj) (37(
26: Eaoinne Martin for M. Kelly
Clare
1: Rachel Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
2: Susan Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
3: Michelle Powell (Truagh/Clonlara)
4: Cliodhna Queally (Inagh/Kilnamona)
5: Lynda Daly, (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
6: Abby Walsh (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
7: Clare Hehir (Inagh/Kilnamona)
8: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
9: Grace Carmody (Kilmaley)
10: Aoife Anderson (Ruan)
11: Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley)
12: Aine O’Loughlin (Truagh/Clonlara) Captin
13: Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley)
14: Ellen Casey (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
15: Zi Yan Spillane (Feakle)
Subs:
17: Jennifer Daly (Scariff/Ognnelloe) for M. Powell (26)
18: Sinead O’Keefe (Kilmaley) for G. Carmody (half time)
22: Mary Hanrahan (Crusheen) for C. Queally (half time);
21: Aisling Cooney (Meelick/Parteen) for E. Casey (43);
23: Hannah Mai Neylon (Ballyea) for C. Carmody (55)
Referee; Patrick Murphy Carlow
