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Tag Archives: Clare ladies football

Long wait is driving the Banner

Clare’s last appearance in an All-Ireland intermediate final was in 2016 when they were edged out by Sunday’s opponents Kildare, writes Joe Ó Muircheartaigh, in recalling a contest that will give motivation to the current crop, particularly the four survivors from that day out in Croke Park seven years ago. With a Dr prefix before her name it goes without writing that Laurie Ryan is a seasoned academic, so the chances are that if you kicked or hand-passed a quote from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche at her that she’s control it straight away without breaking stride, know it, own it and pass another one right back to you. “Out of life’s school of war,” he stated, “what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger,” he added. He coined it in 1888 when the GAA was just a couple of years young, but it could have been minted with the Clare ladies’ footballers in mind as they face down Kildare and some …

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Amy Lenihan

Family bond strong in Clare camp ahead of All-Ireland final

On the eve of Clare’s first All-Ireland Intermediate Final in seven years, the Lenihan family have unquestionably been hugely influential in the Banner’s passage back to the LGFA’s most prestigious annual day. It essentially came down to answering the county’s call as Sean Lenihan admirably stepped up to assume the vacant Chairperson’s position at short notice ahead of the 2021 season while later in the same year, his daughter Amy, a notable forward for her club St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, was asked by new manager Evan Talty to cover as sub goalkeeper despite having never played in that position before. Both have only gone from strength to strength in their respective roles ever since as Sean is now in his third year as Clare’s administrative figurehead while Amy has made the custodian’s position her own since last season. However, while their impacts have emanated from contrasting on and off the field approaches, their goal is certainly common to both as getting …

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Clare Ladies' Football manager Wayne Freeman

Wayne can be a Freeman of Clare with All-Ireland breakthrough

There was almost a sense of inevitability when Kildare eventually overcame chief Leinster rivals Wexford to cement their place against Clare in the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Final in Croke Park this Sunday. After all, the hand of fate had thrown up a potential revenge mission for the Banner who had agonisingly missed their chance at intermediate glory in the 2016 decider against the Lilywhites. More than that though, having been contentiously edged out twice by Kildare already in 2023 alone including an extra-time National League Division 3 Final reverse back in April, it’s easy to see why Clare are hell bent on redressing the balance. However, the final ingredient of Clare’s date with destiny is the fact that Clare Manager Wayne Freeman and his immediate backroom team of Lee Hunt and Brian Willis are all Kildare natives, albeit that their residency permits could be in jeopardy as the banter levels have intensified over the past three weeks. “I’ve been …

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Freeman sets sights on promotion for Clare ladies

One would be forgiven for thinking that Freeman, Hunt and Willis was a high powered law firm but Clare’s new ladies football management have been holding court together for the past six years. Formulated as a backroom team for their native Kildare’s Minor LGFA team back in 2018, the triumvirate have subsequently developed an innate understanding and bond that has seen them incrementally move up the ranks of ladies football. Appointed as Louth’s flagship manager for 2020, under Freeman the Wee County quickly ascended from being a struggling Division 4 side to an established intermediate team and now the next rung of that ladder for the trio is to finally bridge that 14-year gap to Clare’s last All-Ireland Intermediate Championship crown. First thing’s first, Clare’s new-look squad and management team need to construct a well-oiled championship machine which means that the county’s new surroundings in Division 3 of the National Ladies Football League will be predominantly utilised as the ultimate …

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GALLERY: Banner Ladies tough it out to add to amazing tally

Derek Dormer watched The Banner Ladies overcome atrocious weather condititions to beat Kilmihil 0-9 to 0-6 and win a 13th senior ladies football title in 15 years   AFTER a dour struggle in atrocious weather conditions it was dual star Niamh O’Dea who must take all the plaudits as she almost single handedly dragged The Banner Ladies from four down to kick the last seven scores in a tough tight tense battle with Kilmihil. With the incessant rain and almost gale like wind this was never going to be a free flowing contest but it was still an engaging battle between Clares two best sides in what has now become their almost annual County final showdown, that kept patrons entertained throughout. In fact this County final can best be described as a war of attrition with both teams putting their bodies on the line in pursuit of County Championship glory. Becky Mahon opened the scoring with a well taken point …

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Relentless Banner Ladies still looking to raise the bar

Despite being the barometer by which other teams within Clare measure themselves, Banner Ladies manager JJ O’Dea insists that his side are trying to raise the bar. With the Ennis club aiming to win their 13th county title in 15 years, O’Dea maintains that blending young players in to his side is a necessity if the club are to stay ahead of the chasing pack. Despite possessing players of the ilk of Niamh O’Dea, Laurie Ryan and Gráinne Nolan, Banner Ladies have continued to give youth its chance with Caoimhe Cahill, Keelin Fitzgerald, Emer Burke, Caoimhe Ryan and Gráinne Burke all plying their trade at adult level after impressing at underage with club and county. “We have to blend youth. The most important teams, in any club is the U-10s or U-8s because they are the future of the club. This team didn’t happen overnight. We worked hard to get this group together. People think we are a big club, …

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Experienced Banner Ladies can take 13th title in 15 years

Eoin Brennan previews the senior and intermediate ladies football championship finals taking place in Doonbeg this Sunday Kilmihil v Banner Ladies at Shanahan McNamara Park Doonbeg, Sunday 3pm Much like Kilmihil and Banner ladies will have an almost forensic knowledge of each other at this stage, there’s very little more than can be said when it comes to assessing this well-worn pairing that are contesting their sixth senior decider in seven seasons. More than that though, this is Banner Ladies 15th consecutive final appearance, an unprecedented record in the county as they bid to secure a 13th crown in that time. Only West Clare Gaels (2010) and Sunday’s opponents Kilmihil (2019) have interrupted that staggering power surge that still possesses an experienced core of Niamh O’Dea, Laurie Ryan, Grainne Nolan, Louise Henchy, Naomi Carroll, Louise Woods and Eva O’Dea. Kilmihil’s team is also noteworthy for their winning knowhow as Ellie O’Gorman, Catriona Callinan, Micaela Glynn, Laura Egan, Becky Mahon and …

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Pack close on Banner while Miltown hope to finally clinch glory

Eoin Brennan previews the senior and intermediate ladies football championships which get underway this weekend   With a vice-like grip over the Clare senior ladies football championship over the past 15 seasons, will Banner Ladies latest challenge be a potentially lucky or unlucky 13th title bid? With their age profile rising with every passing year, the Ennis-based side still possess a vastly experienced core and remain the team to beat but what do the chasing pack hold in terms of threat to potentially knock them off their perch? Having contested five of the last six senior deciders, Kilmihil, who managed to take the Banner’s scalp in a historic 2019 final breakthrough, are the main contenders. The only other side to lower the Banner were West Clare Gaels in 2010 but there were precious few survivors for the peninsula amalgamation when humbled by the Banner in the 2020 final. Senior B winners St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield look to be the side best …

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