Regan Conway. Photograph: ©INPHO/Oisin Keniry

CLARE’S JUNIOR CAMOGIE SIDE began their All-Ireland campaign with a comprehensive twenty two point home win over Mayo.

Clare 4-17
Mayo 0-07
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Goals from Shauna Canny, Regan Conway, Olivia Phelan and Abby Walsh steered Clare on their way to a successful start in the All-Ireland championship.

Fresh from their provincial success, Clare showed no signs of letting up while easing past their Connacht counterparts.

Except for spells in the opening quarter, the tie remained one-sided with Shauna Canny’s nineteenth minute goal taking the wind out of Mayo’s sails despite the women from the west playing with the aid of the elements.

By the half-time juncture, Clare led 1-08 0-05, having conceded three points in a row between the sixth and thirteenth minute to be behind by a single score. The hosts were not deterred in any way and brought both a confidence and calmness in their approach.

They would keep Mayo scoreless for half an hour in the second half with Jimmy Lyons’ charges tacking on two points in additional time.

Managed by Conor Dolan and John Carmody, Clare had the damage well and truly done by that stage. They snuffed out any ounce of trouble in defence while kept the scoreboard ticking to carve out the win.

Second half goals from Regan Conway, Olivia Phelan and Abby Walsh put the icing on the cake for the Banner who are aspiring to win their fifth All-Ireland at this grade and first since 2008.

Aoife Anderson, Abby Walsh, Kate O’Gorman, Sinead O’Keeffe, Regan Conway and Sinead Hogg were best for the winners. Clare’s next outing is away to Tipperary on June 5th with a home tie to follow against Waterford (June 18th) before making the long journey to Cavan (July 2nd).

Scorers Clare: R Conway (1-03), O Phelan (1-02), A Anderson (0-04), A Walsh (1-01), S Canny (1-01 1f), G Carmody (0-03), A Hickey (0-01), R Kelly (0-01), S Lenihan (0-01).

Scorers Mayo: M Delaney (0-02 1’45, 1f), S Delaney (0-02), F McLaughlin (0-01), C Delaney (0-01), R Cassidy (0-01)

Clare:
1: Lauran Solon (Whitegate)

2: Caoimhe Lally (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
3: Michelle Powell (Truagh/Clonlara)
4: Sinead Hogg (Truagh/Clonlara)

5: Rebecca Crowe (Ruan)
6: Kate O’Gorman (Kilkishen)
7: Sinead O’Keeffe (Kilmaley)

12: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
9: Abby Walsh (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)

20: Grace Carmody (Kilmaley)
11: Shauna Canny (Feakle/Killanena)
23: Aoife Anderson (Ruan)

13: Aideen Hickey (Whitegate)
14: Olivia Phelan (Sixmilebridge)
22: Regan Conway (Feakle/Killanena)

Subs:
8: Rachel Kelly (Sixmilebridge) for Mulqueen (HT)
15: Siobhán Lenihan (Kilkishen) for Canny (38)
19: Emma Kennedy (Sixmilebridge) for Lally (42)
17: Aisling Cooney (Parteen) for Hickey (44)

Referee: Enda Loughnane (Galway)