Champions edge out Cooraclare in opening game

West Clare Gaels   2-7   Cooraclare   1-8
HOLDERS, West Clare Gaels showed six changes in their starting line-up from the team that started in last September’s county final but still came away with two points to spare over a competitive Cooraclare in Coolmeen on Saturday evening in the opening round of the ladies senior championship.
Suzi O’Gorman, Gráinne Harvey, Ailish Brew, Lauren McMahon, Siobhán Marrinan and Lisa Harte all came into the team. The first score of the championship was recorded by Gaels’ full-forward, Bríd Troy when she pointed from play after four minutes. Cooraclare full-forward Anne Marie Callinan equalised from a free.
The champions dominated the next quarter and scores from a Niamh Lardner free, two from centre-forward Denise Geaney, who had a fine hour and another from Bríd Troy saw the Munster and All-Ireland intermediate club champions lead by five points with 25 minutes played.
Cooraclare got motoring and points followed from the Callinan sisters, Patricia and Anne Marie, whose attempt at a goal was tipped over the bar by Gaels’ keeper Megan McGrath. A goal from Leanne Lynch gave the champions a real lift and at half-time they retired 1-6 to 0-3 ahead.
Cooraclare really came into it in the second half but missed opportunities early on proved costly in the end. A 30m free was kicked wide, while Niamh Chambers was unfortunate not to goal when her effort was saved and Anne Marie Callinan’s attempt for a point, from the rebound, was also kicked wide.
Points from the Callinans and Niamh Chambers closed the gap to three points. Then came a crucial score for the winners when corner-forward Niamh Lardner finished a fine move that involved several passes to the net to put her side 2-6 to 0-6 ahead.
Cooraclare captain, Noreen McGuane replied with a point and when Patricia Callinan goaled for the Blues, the champions just led by two.
Lisa Harte and Chambers exchanged points and West Clare Gaels were relieved when referee Michael Bohannon blew the final whistle. The absence of Róisín O’Looney and Aoife O’Gorman proved costly for Cooraclare.
West Clare Gaels: Megan McGrath; Suzi O’Gorman, Kathleen Foley, Gráinne Harvey; Ailish Brew, Deirdre Troy, Rita Boland; Michelle Downes (captain), Leanne Lynch (1-0); Lauren McMahon, Denise Geaney (0-2), Siobhán Marrinan; Niamh Lardner (1-2, 1f), Brid Troy (0-2), Lisa Harte (0-1).
Subs: Becky Farrell for Lauren McMahon, Saoirse McMahon for Siobhán Marrinan and Marie Foran for Suzi O’Gorman (inj).
Cooraclare: Mairéad Griffin; Fiona McMahon, Louise Murrihy, Orla Reidy; Dympna O’Dwyer, Orla Kelly, Sherina Clarke; Monica Lillis, Bernie Kelly; Noreen McGuane (capt), Patricia Callinan (1-3), Rachel Garry; Tara Golden, Anne Marie Callinan (0-3, 2f), Niamh Chambers (0-2).
Subs: Danielle Lillis for F McMahon.
Referee: Michael Bohannon (Shannon Gaels).