A winning start for Clare

Clare 0-15

Dublin 1-5

CLARE bagged their opening points in Division 1 of the National League on Sunday with a decisive victory over visitors, Dublin. Crisp sunny weather and a good dry sod enabled both sets of players to display their skills and Clare proved to be the stronger and more determined team and ran out deserving winners.
Clare started strong and had four points on the board in the opening 12 minutes. Máire McGrath had the opening point from play in the first minute, followed by points from Claire McMahon and Naomi Carroll. Dublin should have been on the scoreboard but Sarah Ryan’s shot hit the side netting from close range, while Marie Moynihan saw her attempts from placed ball go wide of the mark and these misses proved costly.
Dublin were thrown a lifeline at the mid-point of the half when a well-executed move the length of the field ended with Áine Fanning goaling after receiving an Aisling Carolan pass. Dublin added points from Fanning and Alison Maguire to push the visitors in front by the 23rd minute.
This lead was shortlived as Clare fought back, Fiona Lafferty levelling matters in the 27th minute before Deirdre Murphy put Clare back in front two minutes later. Claire McMahon added another two points for Clare, from play and a converted free, leaving Fanning to pull one back with 32 minutes on the clock, Clare in front 0-8 to 1-3 at the break.
On the resumption of play, Clare extended their lead with the help of two pointed frees from Claire McMahon.
Chloe Morey’s well-struck, long-range free in the 43rd minute was neatly gathered by the sprightly Naomi Carroll who ran through the Dublin defence to fire over another point for the winners. Maguire pulled a point back for the visitors when she converted a free in the 45th minute, however, it was the home side who were firmly in control.
Dublin, in an attempt to curb the Clare attack and increase their own tally, moved goalie Fiona Hayes, who plays outfield for her club Ballinteer St John’s to an outfield role. Hayes delivered in the 53rd minute with an accurate strike from out on the wing. Carroll added another for Clare after a well-worked move originating with Morey in the half-back line who found McGrath in midfield and the ’Bridge trio combined well. Morey’s free on the 60th minute sealed the win, which was never in doubt throughout the second period.
Clare’s backs defended well throughout the hour, while the midfielders and forwards worked well together to create and take scoring chances.
Márie McGrath’s dominance at midfield, just a week after her strong performance in the Ashbourne final, caused huge problems for the Dubs.
Clare play Galway away in the next round of the league on Sunday week, March 10. The Connacht side went down to Wexford, 2-10 to 1-10 in Sunday’s opening round. In the games in Group 2, Cork and Kilkenny recorded wins over Tipperary.

Clare: Denise Lynch (Kilmaley); Aisling Hannon (Clooney-Quin), Marian O’Brien (Scariff-Ogonnelloe), Carol O’Leary (Newmarket-on-Fergus); Katie Cahill (Kilmaley), Chloe Morey (Sixmilebridge, 0-1f), Eimear Considine (Kilmaley); Máire McGrath (Sixmilebridge, 0-1), Ailish Considine (Kilmaley); Fiona Lafferty (Inagh-Kilnamona, 0-2), Kate Lynch (Kilkishen), Niamh O’Dea (Kilmaley); Naomi Carroll (Sixmilebridge, 0-3), Clare McMahon (Kilmaley, 0-7 5f), Deirdre Murphy (Clooney Quin, 0-1).
Subs: Laura McMahon (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Hannon (half-time); Catriona Hennessey (St Joseph’s) for Murphy (48 mins); Claire Ryan (Clooney-Quin) for A Considine (54 mins); Cushla Hehir (Kilkishen) for O’Dea (58 mins); Leanne Horan (Scariff-Ogonnelloe) for Cahill (60 mins).
Dublin: Fiona Hayes (0-1); Lizzy McSweeney, Gráinne Quinn, Elaine O’Meara; Danielle Smith, Louise O’Hara, Catriona Power; Marie Moynihan, Laura Twomey; Alison Maguire, (0-2f), Aoife Kelly, Ali Twomey (0-1); Aisling Carolan St, Sarah Ryan, Áine Fanning (1-1).
Subs: Aoife Bolger for Moynihan (inj) 14mins; Emma White for McSweeney 48mins; Kate White for Áine Fanning 49mins; Claire Rigney for O’Meara 53mins; Eimear McCarthy for Danielle Smith 55mins.
Referee: Mike O’Kelly, Cork.