By Seamus Hayes

Clare 1-10 Galway 0-8

CLARE moved a step closer to a place in the last four in the National senior camogie league when they defeated All-Ireland champions, Galway in the first of the play-off games at Corofin on Thursday evening.

The opening half was a very evenly-matched affair, ending with the sides level at 1-3 to 0-6. Rebecca Hennelly was responsible for five of Galway’s points from frees.

Niki Kaiser was magnificent for Clare though and finished with a tally of 1-5. The goal came after Niamh O’Dea offloaded to her after a strong run, the Newmarket on Fergus woman found the net from a tight angle.

All star Chloe Morey had her first outing of the season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury last year and she excelled in an outstanding full-back line that also included Máire McGrath and Carol O’Leary. Her long-distance free-taking was right out of the top drawer and she defied her long absence by lofting over three 60m frees as the Bannerwomen pulled clear.

Kaiser added a couple of points and Róisín McMahon split the posts from 45m to put seven points between the teams entering injury time. Galway were unable to escape the shackles placed on them by a Colm Honan managed Clare side that hunted in packs

Clare will now play Limerick, who they defeated last Sunday, on Wednesday evening next and victory here will see them qualify for a semi-final meeting against three-in-a-row chasing Cork.