Clare 0-7 Dublin 1-7
DUBLIN did enough to take the points in a lacklustre game in Cusack this afternoon. They were full value for their three-point win as they were the better team for the majority of the encounter.
It took six minutes for the scoring to open through an Aisling Maher free and this was the only score in an opening quarter that was scrappy as both teams struggled to gain a foothold. Clare had to wait until the 18th minute before Chloe Morey got them up and running with a free. Eimear Kelly then got the score of the half, going on a lovely solo run through the middle and slotting over a fine point.
Dublin were the better side in the first half and scores from Sinead Wylde and Orla Beagan as well as an Aoibhe Dillon free had them ahead as the break drew near.
Morey added two more frees to ensure that the gap was the minimum at 0-5 to 0-4 in Dublin’s favour at half-time.
Dublin extended their advantage in the early minutes of the second half through an Aisling Maher goal that was brilliantly created by Siobhan Kehoe by beating her marker before drawing two defenders and cleverly offloading to Maher who blasted to the net.
Dublin were coasting after this in a poor game. Clare had to wait 21 minutes before they got their first score of the second half – a free from Morey.
Beagan and Dillon both got their second scores soon after and Dublin were comfortable as they eased their way to victory.
Chloe Morey’s free-taking kept Clare in the game but with only one score from play, they could never land a blow to draw level.
Clare: Lauran Solon; Niamh Powell, Laura McMahon, Ciara Doyle; Aimee McInerney, Clare Hehir, Alannah Ryan; Roisin Begley, Amy Barrett; Eimear Kelly, Aoife Keane, Orlaith Lynch; Fiona Lafferty, Chloe Morey, Doireann Murphy.
Orlaith Duggan of Clare in action against Roisin Baker of Dublin during their Division1, Group 1 game at Cusack park. Photograph by John Kelly.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.