First league final date for Clare

By Seamus Hayes

Clare 1-12 Cork 0-11

Clare will contest the division 1 A camogie league final for the first time in their history next week as a result of a fully merited win over Cork at Kilmallock on Saturday.

Beaten by the same opposition after exta time at the same stage last year, Clare dominated on this occasion and fully deserved their victory which has earned them a tilt with Kilkenny in the final. The decider will take place as a curtain raiser to the Allianz hurling league final between Tipperary and Kilkenny at Thurles next Sunday.

A magnificent display b y the defence inspired this Clare win on a day when the Banner ladies led by a goal, 1-4 to 0-4 at half time. The goalscorer was centre forward Fiona Lafferty after great work by Ellen Horgan and Laura McMahon.

Facing into the wind in the second half, there were fears that Clare might struggle but the hit the opening two points to send out a message that they meant business. Cork got to within two points with nine minutes remaining but, try as they did, they failed to get back on terms as a magnificent Clare backline in which Maire McGrath, Chloe Morey and Niamh O’Dea were particularly outstanding, held firm.

Others to impress for the winners were team captain Kate Lynch, Nikki Kaiser and Fiona Lafferty. All roads lead to Semple stadium on Sunday next, May 4, when the Colm Honan managed Clare side will hope to bring the division 1 league crown to the  Banner county for the first time

Clare;–Denis Lynch (Kilmaley); Roisin McMahon (Newmarket), Maire McGrath (Sixmilebridge) Carol O’Leary (Newmarkt); Chloe Morey (Sixmilebrige) 0-6, Niamh O’Dea (KIlmaley) Eimear Considine (Kilmaley); Kate Lynch (Kilkishen) Captain, Orlaith Duggan (Clooney-Quin); Caitriona Hennessy (St. Josephs), Fiona Lafferty (Inagh-Kilnamona) 1-0, Deirdre Murphy (Clooney-Quin); Nikki Kaiser (Newmarket) 0-4, Laura McMahon (Newmarket) 0-2, Ellen Horgan (Truagh-Clonlara);

Subs–Clare McMahon (Kilmaley) for Hennessy; Lisa Loughnane (Kilkishen) for Horgan;