*Fidelma Marrinan takes on the Kilmihil defence. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Title holders Banner Ladies will meet West Clare Gaels in the final of the Clare ladies senior football championship after both secured their places in the decider at the weekend.
Both semi-finals were very tight affairs with extra time required in the West Clare Gaels and Kilmihil clash at Doonbeg.
Hot favourites Banner Ladies were put to the pin of their collar by Kilmurry- Ibrickane with the minimum margin separating the sides when the final whistle sounded.
The final is scheduled for Saturday week, October 14th.
🏆INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONS🏆
Congrats to Miltown who overcame Kilrush in today’s Intermediate Final.
Also congratulations to Abby Downes from Miltown who was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’. Thanks to David from West Clare Trophies for sponsoring todays award 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/esbmm9MkMI
— Clare LGFA (@Clarelgfa) October 1, 2023
Meanwhile, St Joseph’s Miltown overcame Kilrush Shamrocks in the intermediate final on a score of 4-16 0-7 win. Captain Rachel Healy was presented with the Sile Callinan trophy by Ann-Marie and Mary Callinan, family members of the late Cooraclare player.
There was better luck for Kilrush in the Junior B final where they had a 3-7 2-7 win over Burren Gaels. In the Junior B Plate final, Corofin defeated East Clare Gaels 4-15 2-3.
🏆JUNIOR A🏆
Congrats to Newmarket on Fergus who overcame Fergus Rovers in todays Junior A Final.
Final Score:
NOF: 6-7 (25)
Fergus Rovers: 0-4 (4)Congrats to Carol OLeary from NOF who was awarded Player of the Match. Thanks West Clare Trophies for sponsoring todays award🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/0qd93BXMFH
— Clare LGFA (@Clarelgfa) October 1, 2023
Newmarket-on-Fergus will be moving up to the intermediate ranks after a 6-7 0-4 victory against Fergus Rovers on Sunday.
Champions made battle all the way
Banner Ladies 1-11
Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-7
Venue: Cooraclare
From the outset in this semi-final, Kilmurry Ibrickane took the game to the hot favourites and they had opened a five point margin, 1-4 to 0-2 midway through the opening half.
The title holders finished the half strongly and when the half time whistle sounded they were a point in front, 1-5 to 1-4, their goal having come from dual star Niamh O’Dea.
The second half was an evenly fought affair with the teams matching each other score for score.
Goal scorers for Kilmurry Ibrickane on the day were Karen Galvin and Johanna Doohan.
In the end, the greater experience of Banner ladies saw them over the line and through to yet another final.
Banner Ladies: Shannon Donovan; Elisha Malone, Clare Hehir, Sinead O’Keeffe; Laoise Ryan, Laurie Ryan, Emer Burke; Caoimhe Cahill, Niamh O’Dea; Keelin Fitzgerald, Aoibhinn Ryan, Louise Henchy; Louise Woods, Niamh Keane, Grainne Nolan;
Subs: Naoimi Carroll for G. Nolan (inj); Helen Hehir for L. Woods
Kilmurry Ibrickane; Katie McMahon; Aoife Martyn, Rebecca Doohan, Niamh Miller; Kayla Darcy, Joanna Doohan, Jessica Doohan; Ciara McCarthy, Sophie Daly; Ciara Hickey, Amy Sexton, Katlyn O’Connor; Ellie Hanrahan, Chloe Moloney, Karen Galvin
Subs: Maeve Foley for A. Martyn; Rachel Tubridy for C O’Connor Keela Markham for K. Darcy
Fidelma Marrinan leads the way
West Clare Gaels 2-17
Kilmihil 4-9
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Park, Doonbeg
A five star performance from Fidelma Marrinan was the highlight as West Clare Gaels booked their place in the Clare ladies senior football final when accounting for Kilmihil at sunny Doonbeg on Sunday.
All Star nominee Marrinan hit 2-12 in her side’s victory which came after extra time on a day when the lead changed hands on a number of occasions.
Kilmihil had marginally the betters of the opening half at the end of which they were a goal in front, 2-3 to 1-3.
The winners edged the second half and when the final whistle sounded it was 1-10 for West Clare to 2-7.
KIlmihil looked to have taken the spoils when they struck for their fourth goal shortly before the end of extra time but West Clare Gaels launched a strong attack which ended with the awarding of a penalty which Fidelma Marrinan converted to seal victory and their place in the final.
Other scorers for the winners were Ella Nagle (0-3), Ciara Harvey and Colette Keniry (0-1) each.
Goalscorers for Kilmihil were Aine McNamaa (2), Becky Mahon and Ciara Coughlan.
West Clare Gaels: Ciara Harvey; Sara Marrinan, Ruth Ferguson, Amber Keane Thompson; Serena Clancy, Grainne Harvey, Ella Nagle; Caoimhe Harvey, Emer Hanrahan; Aine Moloney, Shauna Harvey, Colette Keniry; Clodagh Keane, Fidelma Marrinan, Siobhan Keane;
Subs: Ailish Marrinan for Keane-Thompson; Roisin Brew for E. Hanrahan; Emma McMahon for A. Moloney
Kilmihil: Micaela Glynn; Katie O’Halloran, Dearbhla Higgins, Megan Downes-Rigney; Sarah Browne, Ellie O’Gorman, Aoife McNamara; Catriona Callinan, Laura Egan; Edel McNamara, Becky Mahon, Una Downes; Katie Mullen,, Aine McNamara, Rosie Currane
Subs: Niamh Keane for K. O’Halloran; Ciara Coughlan for K. Mullen; Catriona O’Gorman for C. Callinan; Siobhan Carr for N. Keane
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
