Late Clare goal takes no shine of rousing Rebel win

PICTURED: Niamh Mulqueen attempts to put in a block. Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Cork 2-19 Clare 1-4

Cork had their expected victory over Clare in round 3 in the Glen Dimples All-Ireland senior camogie championship at Cusack Park this Saturday afternoon.

The Leesiders went into this tie as the hottest of favourites and they were well on their way to victory by the halfway point when they led 2-11 to 0-1.

They played with the aid of whatever breeze was there in the opening half and they held the upper hand throughout the field.

Their lead could well have been much greater at half time but for Clare goalkeeper Rachel Daly who had pulled off two superb point blank saves.

She continued in that form after the break and produced another two superb stops in the second half.

Clare rarely got the ball past the halfway line in the opening half with only Aine O’Loughlin offering any threat up front.

She was instrumental in Clare’s only score of the half, providing the pass to Caoimhe Carmody who pointed in the second minute of ‘added time’ for Clare’s only score of the half.

Clare did better in the second half but they had to wait until the turn of the final quarter for their second point of the day, Aine O’Loughlin pointing from a 50m free.

The home side battled bravely to the end and they were rewarded with a goal from Roisin Begley in the final minute of the half.

There was no doubting the merit of Cork’s win and they clearly are one of the favourites for the All-Ireland title.

For Clare, it’s back to the drawing board and in two weeks’ time they will travel to play Galway. They will be hoping to have Laura Foley and Cliodhna Queally available for that one

Scorers; Cork;Amy O’Connor (1-5); Orlaith Cahalane (1-4); Cliona Healy (0-3); Hannah Looney, Fiona Keating (0-2) each; Saoirse McCarthy, Katrina Mackey, Orlaith Mullins (0-1) each

Clare; Roisin Begley (1-0); Aine OLoughlin (0-3), Caoimhe Carmody (0-1)

Clare;

1; Rachael Daly (Scariff-Ogonnellloe)

2; Susan Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelllo)e

3; Caoimhe Lally, (Newmarekt-on-Fergus)

4; Muireann Scanlan (Cratloe)

5; Ellen Casey (Newmarket on Fergus)

6; Ciara Grogan Joint Captain (Clooney Quin)

7; Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)

8; Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley)

9; Grce Carmody (Kilmaley)

17; Lynda Daly (Scariff-Ogonnelloe)