Goals galore in Johnny Hayes Cup opening game

Ennistymon 5-15   Spanish Point 6-9

Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon and Spanish Point played the first round of the Clare secondary schools ladies’ senior B Johnny Hayes Perpetual Cup’ in Miltown last Friday. Ennistymon got off to a great start with a goal and a point from Aisling Torpey.

Spanish Point then piled on the pressure, with four points in a row from the boots of Laura Rynne and Chloe Moloney. Ennistymon’s Emer Hillery kicked over three great points from play and three well-pointed frees and a penalty from Aisling Torpey left the North Clare girls comfortably ahead.

Ennistymon’s lead was short lived as Spanish Point’s Chloe Moloney stepped up to score three goals in the lead up to half-time. Before Michael Talty had blown the half-time whistle, Spanish Point added three more points to leave the score at half-time Spanish Point 3-7, Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon 2-7.

Ennistymon started well in the second half with Eva O’Dea finding the net two minutes into the half, leaving the scores level. Ennistymon then went ahead with points from Clare Hehir, Eimer Hillery and Aisling Torpey.

Spanish Point replied with a two goals and two points, leaving Spanish Point ahead once more. Eva O’Dea scored two great goals for Ennistymon, with Aisling Torpey kicking over five well-taken frees. Spectators were treated to a fine display of ladies’ football by both teams but Ennistymon edged ahead with the assistance of a strong wind, leaving the final score Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon 5-15, Spanish Point 6-9.

Spanish Point had excellent displays from Chloe Moloney, Tara Comber, Karen Coughlan, Aoife Lillis and Laura Rynne. Emer Hillery, Kayleigh Murrihy, Mairéad Healy, Aisling Torpey and Eva O’Dea tried hardest for Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon. Both teams will now play Kilkee and Kilrush in the next two rounds of the Clare secondary schools competition.

Ennistymon: Maire Donoghue; Therese Shannon, Shannon Murrihy, Aisling Parra Harren; Mairéad Healy, Sinéad Considine, Maire Garvey; Emer Hillery, Kayleigh Murrihy; Katie Considine, Róisín Howley, Eva O’Dea; Aisling Rouine, Aisling Torpey, Clare Heiher.
Sub: Róisín Rouine for Aisling Parra Harren.
Spanish Point: Orla Kennelly; Lauren McCarthy, Niamh Sexton, Aoife Lillis; Rebecca Doohan, Eimear Lynch, Helen Flanagan; Tara Comber, Karen Coughlan; Caoimhe McMahon, Chloe Moloney, Áine Cunningham; Laura Rynne, Shauna Healy, Ciara Hickey.
Referee: Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane).

Munster clash
Meanwhile, Clare intermediate champions Doonbeg will play St Ailbe’s of Limerick in the Munster intermediate quarter-final replay in Lissycasey at 12noon on Saturday. Extra time will be played if necessary.