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Gaels girls breeze into All-Ireland final



West Clare Gael’s Katie Geoghegan gathers under pressure from Mary Farrell.  Photographs by Declan Monaghan

West Clare Gaels 5-19 St Patrick’s, Dromahair 3-9

LAST weekend, the country was warned that a huge storm was about to envelop the nation. This would have had particular significance in the westerly villages of Carrigaholt and Kilbaha if a gale force wind had whipped up. The predicted weather didn’t materialise, although there was plenty of rain. Perhaps there was an exception in Shanahan McNamara Park in Doonbeg, however, as the lady footballers of West Clare Gaels produced a thrilling display, which diverted their supporters from thoughts of the weather or the equally inclement economy, to that of football.
Even if the winter turns out to be a harsh one, the Clare senior champions’ feat in reaching the All-Ireland intermediate club final has already shortened it for their ardent supporters in Kilkee, Carrigaholt, Kilbaha and Cross.
With a Clare senior and Munster intermediate medal already nestling in their grasp, along with memories of that rather expensive quarter-final trip to London, West Clare Gaels’ latest win has secured them a place in the All-Ireland final the weekend after next against St Conleth’s from Laois.
Yet for at least eight minutes, the hordes of West Clare Gaels supporters huddled in the stand in Doonbeg were temporarily silenced. Róisín Frawley’s second-minute goal buoyed St Patrick’s with real hope that their 300 mile round trip from North Leitrim would be a memorable one. Even after Majella Griffin scored twice from frees and Katie Geoghegan put over a point, the home team were rattled again when Róisín Curneen banged in the Leitrim champions’ second goal. 2-0 to 0-3 adrift and playing with the elements, West Clare Gaels needed to settle fairly soon.
Six scores later, including goals from Maria Kelly and Niamh Lardener, the western girls were back in business and leading by 2-7 to 2-0. Although St Patrick’s did manage to put over a couple of points before the interval, West Clare Gaels added a further 2-6 to their mounting tally. Maria Kelly netted her second goal, while corner-forward Katie Geoghegan also goaled, six minutes before half-time.
Although they had started shakily, the Clare and Munster champions entered the dressing room 4-13 to 2-2 up after 30 eventful minutes.
The key to West Clare Gaels retaining most of their 17-point advantage was to make a positive start to the second period. Points from Majella Griffin and Bríd Troy ensured they did just that.
Although St Patrick’s didn’t give up completely, the result was secured long before the final whistle. The Connacht champions’ third goal was scored two minutes into injury time, which underlines the control that the winners had established.
Niamh Lardener scored her second and West Clare Gaels’ fifth goal 13 minutes from time to completely tie up the result.
Three years ago, many of the same players were part of the team that lost the All-Ireland junior club final to Foxrock/Cabinteely in Toomevara. Now that they are back in the national decider, at a higher level, West Clare Gaels will be exceptionally determined to add an All-Ireland club medal to their already impressive collection.
Last Sunday, Shauna Harvey, Maria Kelly and Bríd Troy produced outstanding performances for the Clare champions, whose exploits have already created a huge buzz in the peninsula parishes.

West Clare Gaels: Megan McGrath; Kathleen Foley, Sineád Kelly, Rita Boland; Fiona Troy, Deirdre Troy, Shauna Harvey; Michelle Downes (captain), Maria Kelly; Leanne Lynch, Denise Geaney, Majella Griffin; Niamh Lardener, Bríd Troy, Katie Geoghegan.
Subs: Ciara Harvey for Fiona Troy and Lauren McMahon for Rita Boland.
Scorers: Majella Griffin (0-9, 5f), Maria Kelly (2-2), Niamh Lardener (2-0), Katie Geoghegan (1-2), Bríd Troy (0-3, 1f), Leanne Lynch (0-2) and Shauna Harvey (0-1).

St Patrick’s: Michelle Dolan; Sharon Kelly, Mary Farrell, Mairéad McMorrow; Marcella McGovern, Leonie Conlon, Edel Fowley; Anna Conlan, Sinéad Fowley; Mairéad Fowley, Róisín Curneen, Deirdre McDermott; Róisín Fowley, Erin Farrell, Joyce Cunningham.
Subs: Emer McDermott for Edel Fowley.
Scorers: Róisín Fowley (1-2), Róisín Curneen (1-2), Erin Farrell (1-1), Sineád Fowley (0-2), Anna Conlon and Joyce Cunningham (0-1) each.

Referee: Mags Doherty (Wexford).

 

Captain focussed on final showdown

WEST Clare Gaels captain Michelle Downes feels that the All-Ireland finalists owe potential national success to their supporters as much as they do to the playing panel.
When the pressure hit the Clare senior champions to come up with €11,000 to pay for their trip to London two weeks ago, the people of Kilkee and their peninsula neighbours put their hands in their pockets for their champion ladies.
“We were under major pressure with the London trip but you couldn’t give enough credit to the people of Kilkee, Carrigaholt and Cross for the amount of fundraising they have done for us. There are banners and buntings everywhere and people are going to every match. Some people have gone above and beyond,” the West Clare Gaels midfielder told The Clare Champion.
About 70 supporters travelled to London for West Clare Gaels’ All-Ireland quarter-final, where they were joined by a couple of dozen London-based West Clare people, while in the Munster final, West Clare Gaels outnumbered the Roscarbery supporters by four to one.
Last weekend a huge crowd packed Doonbeg. In fact, the St Patrick’s Dromahair supporters had filled the car park by 1.15pm, 45 minutes before throw-in.
Michelle acknowledged her team were slow to get going but once they settled, they had the measure of the Leitrim girls.
“It was the same as what happened in London. We were slow to start off but we were lucky that we had the breeze and when the two goals went in, we were able to kick on from there. Home advantage was massive,” the sports rehabilitator reflected.
Between now and the All-Ireland final, West Clare Gaels’ primary task will be to park the fuss and make amends for their 2007 junior final defeat.
“We don’t want to be remembered as the team that lost two All-Irelands. But there’s a lot more maturity about the team now. When we were winning in 2007 we couldn’t believe that this was happening to us, whereas this time we know that we have to stay focused, stay in the competition as long as can and we can celebrate after,” Michelle reflected.
“We’ll have to try and focus again. We’ve been here before and we didn’t win it. I think everyone is aware that is not going to happen this time.
“We’ll be going in confident but knowing that every game is getting tougher as we go further,” the All-Ireland finalists leader maintained.

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