Clancy crushes Cúil dreams of silverware

Junior A Ladies’ Football Final
Crusheen 3-10 – Cúil Gaels 0-14

Crusheen back at the start of the century under the management of the late Michael Cullinan possessed some of the best underage players in the county winning four Under 16A titles plus Minor, Junior A and Intermediate honours finally contested a senior final joined with Kilmihil. Time moved on, players left and lean times followed but once more Crusheen are back in the Intermediate championship for 2025 following a five-point success over Cúil Gaels in Lissycasey on Sunday evening.
Cúil Gaels for their part had ample scoring chances over the course of the hour and really worried Crusheen but unfortunately from the estuary’s perspective they kicked a dozen wides as opposed to just five for the title winners. At least four of the Cúil Gael points skimmed the Crusheen crossbar much to the relief of Grace Gleeson. Yet, the matchwinner was at midfield for Crusheen, namely Anna Clancy with strong Tubber lineage as her powerful running and shooting was not contained with any success by the Cúil Gaels defence.
Her midfield partner Caoilfhionn Perrill opened the scoring before Leah Kelly who impressed in the corner for her side kicked two in a row quickly followed by Coláiste Muire teacher Michelle Madigan to leave their side (3-1) after five minutes of end-to-end action.
This changed dramatically in a moment as Denise Diviney broke free and set up Clancy for goal number one quickly added to by a Johanna Fogarty point and now Crusheen were two clear. Two minutes passed before goal number two as Eva Fitzgibbon acted as playmaker for Anna Clancy and the ball was sent racing past Mairead Madigan.
Cúil Gaels drew breath and responded with a brace of well taken scores from Michelle Madigan and Leah Kelly as well as spurning two goal opportunities. Niamh O’Brien who worked quite well all over the park as a link player had her own score in the 20th minute with good replies coming from Leah Kelly and Jessica Kennedy to keep Cúil Gaels just two in arrears before what really was the score of the final as Niamh O’Brien and Denise Diviney once more worked well to release the inrushing Clancy for goal number three. This was too much for Cúil Gaels who had enacted so much positive play and were now (3-3) to (0-7) in arrears facing the second-half.
Enda Haugh and Shane O’Neill spoke well at half-time to their charges and Cúil Gaels recommenced battle in some style with the first two scores of the half from Leanne Tubridy and Tara Kelly with Orlaith O’Connor also on target following a fine score from Sherena McGrath to leave Crusheen(3-4) to (0-10) ahead.
Crusheen were beginning to falter a little with Cúil Gaels attacking and it took a couple of scores from Johanna Fogarty and Denise Diviney to restore a cushion of five points entering the final quarter. Holly Swire dragged back one for Cúil Gaels but Eva Fitzgibbon and Fogarty once more left six in the game entering the final ten minutes.
Cúil Gaels finished the game strongly with three more scores from Tara Kelly and Leah Kelly (2) but it was too little too late as Grace Gleeson and Johanna Fogarty sealed the honours for Crusheen as it was a memorable outing for corner back Tina O’Connor who played in the senior final with Crusheen/Kilmihil over two decades previous.
Following the game David O’Brien from Clare LGFA presented the Junior A cup to joint captains Jacinta O’Grady and Aoife Stankard with Anna Clancy receiving the Player of the Game laurels. Crusheen now move on to represent Clare in Munster Club action in three weeks time.

Crusheen: Grace Gleeson, Tina O’Connor, Jacinta O’Grady, Louise McNamara, Aimee McDonagh, Sinead Mullins, Faye Dean, Anna Clancy, Caoilfhionn Perrill, Sherena McGrath, Denise Diviney, Maeve Stankard, Eva Fitzgibbon, Johanna Fogarty, Niamh O’Brien. Subs: Caoimhe Clancy for McGrath, Aoife Rodgers for Fitzgibbon, Hannah Gleeson for McDonagh

Scorers: Anna Clancy (3-0), Johanna Fogarty (0-4), Grace Gleeson, Niamh O’Brien, Caoilfhionn Perrill, Denise Diviney, Eva Fitzgibbon, Sherena McGrath (0-1 each)

Cúil Gaels: Mairead Madigan, Jessica Kennedy, Fiona Cleary, Aine O’Neill, Nicole Clarke, Eimer O’Connor, Ailish Kenny, Orlaith O’Connor, Tara Kelly, Leona Kennedy, Michaela Neary, Holly Swire, Helen McMahon, Michelle Madigan, Leah Kelly.
Subs: Cliodha McMahon for Madigan, Eimear McGee for Swire, Leanne Tubridy for McMahon

Scorers: Leah Kelly (0-6), Tara Kelly, Michelle Madigan (0-2 each), Holly Swire, Orlaith O’Connor, Leanne Tubridy, Jessica Kennedy (0-1 each)

Referee: Paul Howard (Ruan)