Curtin cameo takes victory from Banner girls

In a game that Clare led for 50 minutes, Veronica Curtin’s introduction in the 48th minute caused all manner of problems for the visitors as she struck for goal to level matters and then tacked on three points to push her side in front.
Galway went into the game confident of an easy win over their neighbours. However, the Banner girls, whose fighting spirit was evident against Cork last weekend, were determined to show they can compete at senior level.
Clare opened the scoring with a Claire McMahon free in the second minute to which Galway’s Sandra Tannian responded two minutes later. Galway’s Aislinn Connolly saw her attempt at an early goal saved by Clare’s net minder Susan Vaughan and cleared back down the field. McMahon pointed another free for Clare in the 12th minute to push the visitors out in front and when Clare were awarded a free, Chloe Morey dropped in a long-range shot, which saw the combination of Enright and O’Loughlin in action again, this time O’Loughlin raised a white flag for her efforts.
Brenda Hanney narrowed the margin to the minimum with a well-struck point in the 14th minute before McMahon and Morey pointed again for the Banner, pushing Clare ahead, 0-5 to 0-3.
Connolly pointed for Galway in the 32nd minute and the last score of the half came from Clare’s Fiona Lafferty, who went on a solo run, having won possession in midfield and finished off with a well-struck point, leaving Clare in front by three points going to the break.
Galway came out in more determined fashion and had two points from Connolly, a free and a 45, following another great save from Vaughan.
Clare won the midfield battle again for the puck-out and O’Loughlin sent a long shot into the square to the waiting Mairéad Scanlon and as she bore down on goal, both Susan Earner and Sinéad Cahalan brought her down.
Referee Cathal Egan awarded the penalty, which Chloe Morey duly dispatched to the net.
Clare were dominant all over the field with Fiona Lafferty in inspirational form and Galway, sensing that Clare could upset their championship aspirations, introduced Curtin in the 48th minute. It proved to be a vital decision as she had a fortuitous goal within two minutes of being introduced and added three points, two from frees. Clare fought hard to the final whistle but failed to regain the lead.

Galway: Susan Earner; Therese Manton, Sinead Cahalan, Lorraine Ryan; Annemarie Hayes, Therese Maher, Heather Cooney; Orla Kilkenny, Emer Havety; Niamh Kilkenny (0-1, Sandra Tannian (0-1), Brenda Hanney (captain, (0-2); Noreen Coen, Martina Conroy, Aislinn Connolly (0-3, 2f 1 45).
Subs: Anne Marie Starr for Emer Haverty (45 mins), Veronica Curtin (1-3) for Sandra Tannian (48 mins) and Fionula Keely for Aislinn Connolly (55 mins).
Clare: Susan Vaughan; Helen McMahon, Siobhán Lafferty (captain), Aimee McInerney; Ruth Kaiser, Chloe Morey (1-1, 1f), Róisín McMahon; Fiona Lafferty (0-2), Aisling Hannon; Áine O’Brien, Deirdre Murphy, Sinead O’Loughlin (0-1); Claire McMahon (0-3, 2f), Mairéad Scanlon, Shonagh Enright.
Subs: Kate Lynch for Áine O’Brien (39 mins) and Aiveen O’Shea for Ruth Kaiser (56 mins, inj).
Referee: Cathal Egan, Cork.

Other results at the weekend were Wexford 0-14 Cork 1-8; Tipperary 3-14 Offaly 1-14; Kilkenny 2-12 Dublin 1-2.
The championship continues this Saturday when Clare will have a home game against Tipperary. The throw-in time is 1pm and the match will be refereed by Karl O’Brien, Dublin.

Clare referees
Clare camogie referees Fintan McNamara and John Dolan were both in action last weekend, with McNamara taking charge of the Cork v Wexford senior game, while Dolan was the man in the middle for the same sides in the intermediate championship.