Goal rampage keeps Clare in Division 2

Clare 7-8   Westmeath 0-8

Clare deservedly retained their National Football League Division 2 status following this decisive victory over Westmeath on Sunday in Kilbeggan.

This was a game Clare had to win following Waterford’s surprise win over Kildare the previous afternoon.
Clare had to wait until the seventh minute for their opening score and involved some individual brilliance from Niamh O’Dea as she carved her way through the Westmeath defence and gave keeper Sarah Keegan no chance with a blistering shot to the net.

 

The Midlanders continued to pressurise Clare and were guilty of some poor shooting before Sarah Dolan converted a free from a tight angle on eleven minutes. Clare responded with points from O’Dea, Marie Kelly and Minnie Considine to lead 1-3 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.

Clare then hit a purple patch that laid the foundation for their victory. It all started in the 26th minute when a Niamh O’Dea effort for a point from forty yards dipped in under the Westmeath crossbar for a fortunate goal. From the kick out Clare attacked again and Sue Higgins raised a white flag and a minute later Ailish Considine had the ball in the Westmeath net and followed this up with a point from play a moment later.

Thus Clare scored an unanswered 2-2 in the vital minutes before half-time to earn a significant 3-5 to 0-3 lead at the interval.

Clare fought valiantly in the second period and defended against the wind and by the 45th minute had conceded just two points while adding a point of their own from Marie Kelly. The game totally swung Clare’s way when Kelly, just off a plane from Dubai earlier on Sunday morning, was at the end of a breakaway counter attack to score a great goal. This was quickly followed by a goal and a point from frees from Ailish Considine. Susan Higgins then got in on the goal-scoring act for Clare and Marie Kelly put the icing on the cake for Clare with their seventh goal in the final minute.

Niamh O’Dea was outstanding for Clare in this game and apart from her 2-1 scoring contribution her overall work rate throughout the game was admirable. Fiona Lafferty and Niamh Keane again had big games for Clare and Marie Kelly was outstanding considering she had stepped off a 12 hour flight just a few short hours before throw in. Ailish Considine was dependable in the Clare attack and goalkeeper Emma O’Driscoll made several outstanding saves throughout the hour. Marie Considine, Niamh Cavanagh and Susan Higgins were others to shine for Clare on the day.

Clare: Emma O’Driscoll, Niamh Cavanagh, Lorraine Kelly, Marie Foran, Kayleigh McCormack, Fíona Lafferty, Sarah Bohannon, Marie Considine (0-1), Niamh Keane, Roisín Looney, Niamh O’Dea (2-1), Eimear Hillery, Ailish Considine (2-3), Marie Kelly (2-2), Susan Higgins (1-1).
Subs: Rebecca Culligan, Amy O’Brien, Katie Connole, Katie Geoghagan.
Westmeath: Sarah Keegan, Aoife Brady, Amie Giles, Carole Finch, Tara Fagan, Tríona Durkan, Laura Brennan, Ruth Kearney (0-2), Maud Anne Foley (0-2), Johanna Maher (0-1), Laura Walsh, Beth McGuire, Sarah Dolan (0-2), Fíona Claffey (0-1), Vicky McEnery.