Fermanagh’s strong finish bests seniors

WHEN Clare led by a point with over 50 minutes played, a six-point defeat did not appear to be on the cards. However, a strong finish by Fermanagh, in which they outscored Clare by 1-5 to 0-1, saw them collect all three points. This was their first win of the campaign in a game played Kinawley, County Fermanagh last Sunday.
Clare are still in fourth place heading into their final group game at home to Kerry on April 1, while Fermanagh have moved up to leave Tipperary at the bottom. With the top four teams going through to the semi-finals, Clare appear to have booked the fourth spot ahead of the final round, provided Mayo beat Cavan in their last game. Should Clare lose to Kerry and fifth-place Waterford defeat Tipperary, the Déise would be tied with Clare on nine points but Clare would advance due to the fact that when they met in the opening round, victory went to Clare. Should Cavan cause a surprise and defeat Mayo in Round 7, Cavan would also have nine points but again Clare have already defeated Cavan so therefore would appear to be through to the semi-finals on April 29. Where a problem would arise is if Cavan and Waterford won their remaining games and Clare lost, all three would be on nine points and a play-off would then be necessary, as per the regulations put in place before the competition started.
Clare, who travelled to Fermanagh on Sunday morning, were slow to get going and trailed 1-3 to 0-0, the Fermanagh goal courtesy of Sharon Little before Ailish Considine got Clare off the mark from a pointed free in the 13th. The winners’ opening score came from midfielder Aisling Moane, while a Caroline Little free and a Marcella Monaghan point had put them three in front. Eimear Considine, who had by now moved to full-forward, had Clare’s first goal in the 15th minute when she fielded superbly and headed for goal to narrow the margin, 1-4 to 1-1. Both sides traded points in this lively contest with Niamh O’Dea really on song kicking three points from play before a Sharon Little goal in the 23rd kept Fermanagh in front, 2-4 to 1-3.
An excellent Clare move was started by Maria Kelly and involved Niamh O’Dea and Eimear Considine. The latter gave the final pass to minor Róisín O’Looney, who sidestepped her opponent before dispatching to the Fermanagh net for her first goal in a Clare senior jersey and what a goal it was. The score brought Clare to within a point of the home side with 25 minutes played. Niamh O’Dea added her fourth point of the afternoon and when the half-time whistle sounded, the scoreboard read Fermanagh 2-5, Clare 2-5.
It is worth noting that Emma O’Driscoll had kept Clare in the game with a number of fine saves, while Fiona Lafferty, introduced early in the half, was most unfortunate not to finish to the net at the end of a powerful run where she bypassed several green jerseys, while a Niamh Keane goal chance was denied when Róisín Gleeson saved after a surging Keane run. Louise Henchy had a super first half at centre-back, setting up many attacks and it was a surprise to see her moved to full-back for the second half. 
With eight minutes of the second half played, the home side had pushed ahead by 2-8 to 2-6.  Then came Clare’s third goal by the impressive Niamh O’Dea who was set up by Ailish Considine. For the first time, Clare were now in front 3-6 to 2-8. Twice the sides traded points, first Caroline Little and Niamh O’Dea exchanged pointed frees and then Little again and Ailish Considine did likewise to see Clare maintain the slim lead, 3-8 to 2-10. 
From here to the finish, Fermanagh took over as Clare lost their shape. Fresh legs were needed but Clare left it very late to introduce further subs. The winners dominated midfield and a feature of their game was their ability to kick long-range points from both play and frees. The northerners, who recorded their first ever win over Clare in a repeat of last May’s Division 3 league final and the All-Ireland Intermediate Final of 2009, added 1-5 which included 1-2 from their best player on the day, Caroline Little, while Clare just had a single point from Niamh O’Dea who finished with a personal tally of 1-7.
For Clare, who lined out without Shauna Harvey and Áine Kelly (both out through illness), Emma O’Driscoll was outstanding in goals making a number of fine saves in each half. Louise Henchy had a super first half but the move to full-back for the second half gave her a different role and her attacking presence was sorely missed. Lorraine Kelly had a reasonable hour on a day in which the defence was under pressure. Fiona Lafferty did well following her introduction early in the game, while the forwards did well once the team got going after a slow start but were starved of possession for much of the second half. In particular, Maria Kelly, Eimear Considine and Niamh O’Dea linked up well with some slick passing.
For Fermanagh, Marcella Monaghan, Nuala McManus, Aisling Moane, Sharon Little, Shauna Hamilton, Noelle Connolly, Lynn McFrederick and the impressive Caroline Little performed well.

Clare: Emma O’Driscoll (Banner Ladies); Clare Hester (Fergus Rovers), Lorraine Kelly (Fergus Rovers, captain), Bernie Kelly (Cooraclare); Eimear O’Connor (Coolmeen), Louise Henchy (Banner Ladies), Deirdre Troy (West Clare Gaels); Marie Considine (Liscannor), Róisín O’Looney (Cooraclare) 1-0), Susan McNamara (Banner Ladies), Eimear Considine (Kilmihil, 1-0), Maria Kelly (West Clare Gaels); Ailish Considine (Kilmihil, 0-2f), Niamh O’Dea (Banner Ladies, 1-7, 0-2f), Niamh Keane (Banner Ladies). 
Subs: Fiona Lafferty (Donaghmoyne) for B Kelly (inj 14mins), Anne Marie Callinan (Cooraclare) for Niamh Keane (68) and Sarah Bohannon (Shannon Gaels) for Maria Considine (68).
Fermanagh: Róisín Gleeson; Emma O’Keefe, Orla Rehill (captain), Naomi McManus; Marcella Monahan (0-1), Tara Little, Nuala McManus (0-2); Áine McHugh, Aisling Moane (0-1); Shauna Hamilton, Sharon Little (2-0), Áine McBrien; Noelle Connolly (0-1), Lynn McFrederick (0-2), Caroline Little (1-8, 0-5f). 
Subs: Sarah McCausland for S Little (inj), Edel McGovern for E O’Keeffe and Róisín O’Reilly for A McHugh.
Referee: Kieran McShea (Donegal).

Division 2, Round 6 results
Waterford 2-7 Cavan 0-10; Mayo 1-9 Kerry 1-7;
Galway 4-12 Tipperary -12.