Galway’s strong finish seals the deal

 

Galway 3-12
Clare 1-12

Despite suffering their second defeat of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship campaign, Clare are still in the race for a place in the play-offs. To achieve this, they must beat the defending champions Wexford at the Slaneysiders’ venue on this Saturday. Wexford are in a similar position after their loss to Kilkenny in last week’s third round.

At sun splashed Cusack Park on Saturday, there was little between the sides on a day when the teams were level on five occasions.

Galway were two points in front after five minutes but Clare hit the next three to lead by the minimum margin by the 13th minute. They were level at the mid-point of the half and then Galway struck for the game’s first goal when Breda Hanney gave Denise Lynch no chance from close range.

From here to the half time whistle, Clare had the better of matters and they hit five unanswered points to lead by two at the half way stage, 0-8 to 1-3.
Galway had a dream start to the second half and after good work by Niamh McGrath and Ailish O’Reilly, full-forward Ann Marie Hayes found the net in the first minute.

Clare came storming back and Lisa Loughnane got the vital touch after good work by Clare McMahon for a goal in the fourth minute to restore their two-point advantage.
Four unanswered Niamh McGrath points, three from frees, followed before Claire McMahon hit a brace for Clare to leave the sides tied for the fifth time, 1-10 to 2-7, entering the final quarter.

Nine minutes from the end, Galway hit a vital score when Molly Dunne applied the finish after good work by Niamh Kilkenny for her side’s third goal. They followed with five unanswered points from Niamh Kilkenny (2) Niamh McGrath (2) and Molly Dunne to secure the victory.

Clare battled to the end and had the final two scores of the day from Naomi Carroll and Chloe Morey.
This loss leaves Clare needing to beat Wexford at the Leinster side’s venue on this Saturday if they are to get through to the play offs. It’s a tall order as the All-Ireland champions will not want to bow out and with the advantage of home venue, they will start as favourites.

Chloe Morey, Claire McMahon, Maire McGrath, Deirdre Murphy, Denis Lynch and the hard working Naomi Carroll battled hard for Clare on a day when refereee Alan Lagrue made a number of surprise decisions.
“It’s a winner take all game on Saturday in Wexford Park where, we understand, it will be played as a curtain raiser to the Laois v Wexford football qualifier.

“That will ensure a big home following for Wexford and that will be a help for them. We recognise that its going to be hard to win down there but we feel we learned a lot about our weaknesses on Saturday and if we can plug the gaps, we will have a great chance of progressing.” Clare manager John Carmody said this week.

Earlier in the season, Clare travelled to play Wexford in the league where the home side emerged with a one-point win.

For this week’s game Clare will select from the same panel they had against Galway. Wexford have lost seven of last year’s All-Ireland final team but they will still carry the favourites tag and, on home soil, will be difficult to beat.
“Its backs to the wall for both sides as its winner take all. It will go down to the wire and hopefully we will be ahead at the end”, Carmody concluded.

Clare: Denis Lynch; Sinead O’Loughlin; Marion O’Brien, Carol O’Leary; Maire McGrath (0-1), Chloe Morey (0-3), Niamh O’Dea; Eimear Considine, Naomi Carroll (0-1); Deirdre Murphy, Susan Vaughan, Lisa Loughanne (1-1); Sinead Tuohy, Rosiin McMahon, Claire McMahon (0-6).
Subs: Vera Loughnane for Tuohy (29 minutes); Joanne Walsh for O’Loughlin (34 minutes); Caitriona Hennessy for R McMahon (57 minutes).

Galway: Susan Eamer; Theresa Manton, Sarah Dervan, Heather Cooney; Sinead Cahalan, Therese Maher, Lorraine Ryan; Niamh Kilkenny (0-2), Molly Dunne (1-1); Emma Kilkelly (0-1), Niamh McGrath (0-6), Emer Haverty; Brendan Harney (1-1), Ann-Marie Hayes (1-0), Ailish O’Reily (0-1).
Subs: Noreen Coen for Kilkelly (38 minutes); Gina Glynn for Cahalan (47 minutes).

Referee: Alan Lagrue, Kildare.