First league title for Burren Gaels

Burren Gaels  2-21   West Clare Gaels  3-7
A SUPERB individual haul of 2-5 from corner-forward Niamh Carrucan propelled Burren Gaels to their first Junior A league title when they overcame West Clare Gaels’ challenge in Quilty last Friday.

Burren Gaels got the upperhand early and were 2-13 to 0-2 ahead at the break. While Carrucan grabbed the headlines with her scoring power, there were also significant contributions from Niamh Considine, Róisín Howley, Fiona Loughman, Kayleigh McCormack and Megan Byrne in moulding the Burren girls’ victory.
Bríd Troy became a hugely influential figure for West Clare Gaels as the game wore on. Just after the break, she banged home 1-2 but these scores only served to inspire Burren Gaels to greater efforts.
They entered their most fruitful period of the game in the subsequent 10-minute spell. Burren Gaels hit 0-5, with the scores coming from McCormack, Considine, Howley and Byrne.
Now leading 2-18 to 2-7, Burren Gaels appeared to have the title in their grasp and managed to weather an inevitable late rally from West Clare Gaels. Lynn Carrucan and Howley put over two great points to seal a memorable victory for the North Clare side.
Fiona Troy, Lisa McMahon, Suzi O’Gorman and Bríd Troy turned in impressive displays for West Clare Gales, with Troy hitting 2-2 in the second half.
After the game Johnny Hayes, chairman of the Clare Ladies Board, presented the trophy to Burren Gaels captain, Lynn Carrucan.

Burren Gaels: Emily McNamara; Róisín Curtin, Tiana Flanagan, Amy O’Brien; Niamh Tierney, Fiona Loughman, Joanne Howley; Kayleigh McCormack (0-2), Orla Cullian; Megan Byrne (0-3), Niamh Considine (0-6), Róisín Howley (0-3); Niamh Carrucan (2-5), Lynn Carrucan (0-1), Lisa O’Brien.
Subs used: Cora Commane (0-1) and Katie Connole.
West Clare Gaels: Sinéad Tevlin; Tracey Downes, Fiona Troy, Lorraine Ryan; Mary Beth Downes, Suzi O’Gorman, Gráinne Harvey; Ailish Brew (0-1), Colette Keniry; Emma McMahon (1-0), Lisa McMahon (0-3), Michelle Fitzpatrick (0-1); Becky Farrell, Bríd Troy (2-2), Heather Harvey.
Subs used: Andrea Kenny, Eileen Kelly and Siobhán Marrinan.
Referee: Barry Kelly, Miltown.