Winning start for Kilmihil as title defence gets underway

*Carol O’Leary offloads the ball. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

The race for the Clare senior ladies football championship got underway on Monday evening when the title holders Kilmihil made a winning start to their campaign.

When the final whistle sounded the champions had three goals to spare over Doora-Barefield, winning by 4-8 to 1-8 at Gurteen.

Exchanges were even in the first quarter and at the first quarter break the sides were level at 1-2 each. From here on the winners got a grip on proceedings and once they got ahead, they held the advantage to the end.

Laura Egan scored two goals for the winners while the other goal scorers were Ellie O’Gorman and Emma O’Grady. Becky Mahon and Catriona Callinan were amongst the point scorers.

In the other first round senior game, West Clare Gaels emerged winners over Cuil Gaels at Coolmeen on a final scoreline of 3-15 to 3-7.

The sides were level at the end of the first quarter. Goalscorers for the winners were Fidelma Marrinan, Becky Madigan and Niamh Lardner in what was a good team performance. West Clare Gaels officials and supporters are keeping their fingers crossed that Caoimhe Harvey will have recovered from injury in time for their next outing

Emma McMahon and Leanne Tubridy were goalscorers for Cuil Gaels

Fergus Rovers got their intermediate campaign off to a great start when they scored a hard earned two point win over Liscannor at the Moher pitch. Sarah Mullins scored both goals in Rovers’ 2-12 to 1-13 win over the home side while Rebecca Culligan kicked the majority of the winners’ points.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane put down a marker when they scored 7-14 on their way to a comfortable win over Eire Og whose tally on the evening was 3-9.

Miltown scored a big win over Doonbeg in their first round game which ended on a scoreline of 2-18 to 0-3.

Round 2 games in both senior and intermediate championships are scheduled for Monday evening next