Strong Monaghan finish too much for Clare in Ladies Football league

*Clare’s Eimear Keane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Clare have suffered back to back defeats in the Lidl Ireland National Ladies Football League.

Monaghan 2-15
Clare 1-10
Venue: St Tiernachs Park

Concession of goals once again proved to be the downfall for Clare’s ladies football side with green flags in the final twelve minutes the rock on which their challenge perished.

A large crowd gathered in St Tiernachs Park to see Monaghan make it two wins from two in the second tier of the Ladies Football National League.

In an evenly matched opening half, the hosts helped the upper hand but only just, leading by a single point at the break. It was level pegging inside the opening quarter with Niamh O’Dea and Grainne Nolan kicking Clare’s scores.

Liscannor’s Roisin Considine almost put the visitors in front for the first time but her effort narrowly sailed over the crossbar. Not long after, Ellen McCarron who had a tally of 3-06 in Monaghan’s first round win over Wexford had to leave the field injured and Clare soon found themselves back on level terms thanks to O’Dea.

Ciara McAnespie and Muireann Atkinson responded for Ciarán Murtagh’s side to build up a two point advantage only for Niamh O’Dea to reduce the arrears before the half-time whistle.

Edel Corrigan was tested in between the Monaghan posts on the resumption, Clare’s forceful start paid off with vice captain Grainne Nolan raiding for goal to put James Murrihy’s charges in front for the first time on thirty six minutes.

An admirable response from Monaghan saw them kick four scores on the trot. A needed score for Clare arrived from an O’Dea free but then the Farney County would fire their first goal of the game as Cora Courtney and Ciara McAnespie combined to put the ball past Micaela Glynn.

McAnespie scored with the next attack and was again involved as they struck for goal, this time Casey Traynor getting the finishing touch. They almost had a third goal but a penalty from Cora Courtney went over the crossbar.

Victory for Clare in this outing was always going to be a difficult task. Monaghan are competing in Division 2 of the National League for the first time in two and a half decades, their return to the top grade is expected and remains on track following two impressive wins.

As the contest wore on, Kilfenora’s Niamh O’Dea was forced to drift away from goal in search of possession and as such it diluted their attacking threat. On Sunday next, Clare will be making the trip to Tyrone.

Monaghan:

1: Edel Corrigan (Scotstown)

2: Aoife McAnespie (Emyvale)
3: Sarah Boyd (Latton)
4: Grainne McNally (Emyvale)

26: Lauren Garland (Donaghmoyne)
6: Laura McEneaney (Corduff)
7: Cora Courtney (Donaghmoyne)

8: Eimear McAnespie (Emyvale)
9: Abbie McCarey (Scotstown)

10: Shauna Coyle (Latton)
11: Ellen McCarron (Aghabog)
12: Therese Scott (Emyvale)

13: Casey Traynor (Scotstown)
14: Muireann Atkinson (O’Neill Shamrocks)
24: Aisling McAnespie (Emyvale)

Clare:
1: Micaela Glynn (Kilmihil)

18: Tara Kelly (Cúil Gaels)
3: Ellie O’Gorman (Kilmihil)
17: Siofra Ní Chonáill (St Josephs Doora/Barefield)

5: Áine Keane (St Josephs Miltown)
6: Roisin Looney (Cooraclare)
7: Eimear Keane (St Josephs Miltown)

8: Aisling Reidy (St Josephs Doora/Barefield)
9: Laura Egan (Kilmihil)

10: Roisin Considine (Liscannor)
11: Gráinne Nolan (Banner)
12: Caoimhe Harvey (West Clare Gaels)

13: Orla Devitt (Éire Óg)
14: Niamh O’Dea (Banner)
21: Amy Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane).

Subs:
15: Fidelma Marrinan (West Clare Gaels)
20: Eimear O’Connor (Cúil Gaels) for Devitt (52)