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Cooraclare Take Down The Champions In Clare LGFA Senior Championship

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Clare LGFA Senior Championship: Cooraclare 2-6 Kilmihil 1-4

Cooraclare took a notable scalp on their first outing in the senior championship as last year’s intermediate winners took down the current title holders in their own back yard.

Local rivalries meant that friendships and family links were put to one side with bragging rights at stake, and it was the Sky Blues who took them thanks to a strong finish on a difficult night for playing football.

Heavy rain and wind was an ever present feature as the West Clare neighbours clashed, with the win now putting Cooraclare in pole position to seal a semi-final spot. It also means that Kilmihil’s fate is out of their own hands, with the champions now likely to face having to take the quarter-final route to defend their title.

There was little to seperate the sides throughout the contest, and with less than ten minutes to play they were tied at 1-4 apiece. It was Cooraclare who made the crucial kick for home, as Caoilfhionn Morrissey’s late goal proved crucial in getting over the line.

The sides were level at the break with Brianne Byrne finding the net for the winners while Emma O’Grady was on target for the holders. It was deadlocked at 1-2 each at half-time, and the stalemate continued until Morrissey’s intervention late on.

Shauna O’Gorman was also prominent for Cooraclare with 0-2 from midfield while Roisín Looney, Megan Downes and Saskia Morrissey also chipped in with scores.

It means if Cooraclare avoid defeat against Doora Barefield next week, they will top the group and go straight to a semi-final. Should the Parish prevail, the group standings will be decided on scoring difference.

Cooraclare: Ann-Marie Callinan; Saskia Morrissey, Laura Quinlivan, Aifric O’Neill; Sinead Lillis, Aislinn Morrissey, Katie Lillis; Shauna O’Gorman, Niamh Conlon; Megan Downes, Keeva Corry, Brianna Byrne; Roisín Looney, Caoilfhionn Morrissey, Nicola Keating.

Subs: Zoe Downes for Corry, Heidi Morrissey for Byrne.

Scorers: Brianna Byrne (1-1), Caoilfhionn Morrissey (1-0), Shauna O’Gorman (0-2), Roisin Looney, Megan Downes and Saskia Morrissey (0-1 each).

Kilmihil: Michaela Glynn; Megan Downes-Rigney, Dervla Higgins, Elaine O’Halloran; Rosie Currane, Carol O’Leary, Kate Coughlan; Ellie O’Gorman. Laura Egan; Sharon Egan, Becky Mahon, Jenny Kelly; Katie Mullen, Sarah Browne, Emma O’Grady.

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