2020 Clare LGFA Senior Semi Final Previews

Clare Ladies Football Semi Final Previews

The line up for the 2020 Clare Senior Ladies football final will be known this weekend with both last four ties down for decision.

Reigning champions Kilmihil take on a Banner Ladies outfit who will be bidding to avenge their final defeat last year, while championship newcomers Cooraclare meet West Clare Gaels.

Clare ladies football manager James Murrihy cast his eye over the championship to date and looked ahead to both semi final ties.

Cooraclare have made a really positive start to their first year back at senior level in not only beating Doora Barefield but also toppling the champions Kilmihil. The Banner’s group has been quite one sided and they have not really had to come out of second or third gear in overcoming West Clare Gaels and Cúil Gaels. The game between the other two was competitive enough with West Clare Gaels winning by six or seven points. In that side of it, the Banner have really been the standout team.

On the other side, Kilmihil have been missing a number of players from their team that won the championship last year and that has probably brought them back to the pack a little bit. Outside of 20 minutes against Doora Barefield, they have struggled through their three games. They are probably happy enough to be back into the semi-final, albeit that they are facing an daunting task against the Banner.

From Kilmihil’s perspective, they seem to be almost losing players by the day at this stage. They were without their Newmarket contingent after their exertions in the camogie semi final win over Scariff-Ogonnelloe, and when you throw in the fact that they are without Catriona Callinan, the Considine sisters, Sharon Ryan and Maria Keane, it is a lot to be missing from a championship winning team.

West Clare Gaels had a good win over Doora Barefield in the quarter final, and the difference between the two teams seemed to be that West Clare Gaels can get the scores when needed. They have quality in the final third with the likes of Fidelma Marrinan and Caoimhe Harvey whereas Doora Barefield have struggled in all their games to have that marquee forward who will get you 1-5 on a given day. The loss of Aisling Reidy for Doora Barefield before the championship started was massive because she is one of the top midfielders in the county and her absence was certainly a factor in them not making the last four.

KILMIHIL V BANNER LADIES

The contrast in the situation is the personnel on both teams. The Banner have everyone at their disposal and fighting for places on the starting team. You can only beat what is put in front of you and they have comfortable dispatched West Clare Gaels and Cuil Gaels. Kilmihil struggled past Cuil Gaels so with that form line, everything would seem to point towards a Banner victory. That being said, Kilmihil will not go down without a fight but they have really struggled for scores with the players they have missing. The Banner have won their games with Aoibheann Malone and Niamh O’Dea in flying form up front. They have also been without Grainne Nolan but I would expect her to be back for this game which will only add to Kilmihil’s worries.

COORACLARE V WEST CLARE GAELS

This affair will be a lot closer than the other semi-final. Cooraclare have powerful runners and are primarily a very young, fit team. They have a few more experienced players in the likes of Roisin Looney, Ann-Marie Callinan and Aifric O’Neill but the rest are all nearly U-21 so that element of youth and fitness is certainly on their side. At times, they tend to not get the reward from the amount of scoring chances they create and that might come against them. West Clare Gaels are a seasoned team with the likes of the Harvey sisters, Fidelma Marrinan and Becky Madigan so they are capable of causing plenty problems. I expect West Clare Gaels to shade it based on what I have seen in the championship so far.