Burren Gaels capture Division 3 title

Burren Gaels 3-12
Kilmurry-Ibrickane 1-0

A fine team performance by a young, evenly balanced Burren Gaels outfit saw them deservedly claim the Division 3 League title at Ennistymon on Monday evening.

They led 1-5 to 1-0 at half-time, the goal coming from the boot of Lynn Carrucan late in the half while Carrucan, who had the game’s opening score in the sixth minute, Bronagh Considine, Róisín Howley, substitute Megan Byrne and Amy Moloney all registered a point each.
Chloe Moloney goaled in the seventh minute, finishing a well-worked Kilmurry move from a quick free and an even contest seemed in store for the sizeable attendance.
Kilmurry-Ibrickane had won the toss and elected to play against the breeze but overall the North Clare outfit played the better football in that half and could have been further ahead but for good defending from Sarah Glenny and Maeve Foley.
Five points adrift, Kilmurry, who had represented Clare at Féile over the weekend, were expected to storm into the game in the second half with the wind advantage but it was not to be the case. A livelier Burren Gaels, who put some fine moves together and kicked some excellent points, outscored their opponents by 2-8 in the half.
County U-16 captain Katie Connole was outstanding at midfield and kicked two fine points while Bronagh Considine had her side’s second goal early in the second half and the impressive centre-forward Róisín Howley had the third one in the 58th minute. Full-forward Amy Moloney, who kicked three points, also stood out for the winners while their half-back line of Joanne Howley, Fiona Loughman and Kayleigh McCormack all played well.
The team management was Anthony Geraghty, David Flanagan, Deirdre Jordon, Patsy Carrucan and Dympna Howley. Burren Gaels will now play Division 2 football in 2013.
After the game, county adult PRO Mary Keane presented the shield to Burren Gaels full-back and captain, Tiana Flanagan.
Burren Gaels: Kanisha Flanagan; Róisín Kelly, Tiana Flanagan (capt), Amy O’Brien; Joanne Howley, Fiona Loughman, Kayleigh McCormack; Orlaith Cullinan, Katie Connole (0-2); Lynn Carrucan (1-0), Róisín Howley (1-1, 1f), Leanne Flaherty; Niamh Carrucan (0-3), Amy Moloney (0-3), Bronagh Considine (1-2).
Subs: Megan Byrne (0-1) for L Flaherty and Shannon McCormack for R Kelly.
Kilmurry-Ibrickane: Leanne Meaney; Niamh Sexton, Sarah Glenny, Gabrielle McCarthy; Audrey Cahill (capt), Fiona O’Neill, Maura Garvey; Bernie McGuire, Maeve Foley; Sarah Cunningham, Edel Lynch, Sharon Sexton; Chloe Moloney (1-0), Karen Galvin, Loretta Hanrahan.
Subs: Lauren McCarthy for G McCarthy, Rebecca Glenny for E Lynch, Siobhán Sexton for N Sexton, Rebecca Doohan for S Cunningham, Áine Cunningham for L McCarthy, Anita O’Dwyer for L Hanrahan, Áine Sexton for C Moloney and Teresa Morrissey for R Doohan.
Referee: Michael Bohannon (Shannon Gaels).