Junior B Shield title for Clarecastle

Clarecastle 3-9
Meelick 1-5

Second-half goals from Niamh Daly and Elaine Lyons proved crucial as Clarecastle, who reformed their ladies’ football club earlier this year, claimed the Junior B Shield Championship title when they overcame Meelick at Newmarket on Sunday.

The winners, who led by two points at half-time, registered their opening score in the fifth minute when impressive midfielder Zelma Power saw her 35m free take a deflection to the net off a Meelick defender.
At the end of the first quarter, Clarecastle had pushed 1-4 to no score ahead following points from Power, Sharon Quinn (2) and Niamh Daly but then Meelick came storming into the match.
Full-forward Suzie Hartnett scored a fine goal in the 18th minute and further points followed from Claire Dolan and Katie Moore (2). During this time, Clarecastle registered just a single point through their top scorer, Elaine Lyons. However, despite Meelick’s comeback, it was the Magpies who led 1-5 to 1-3 when Alan Hehir blew the half-time whistle.
It was all Clarecastle in the second half. They had added a further 2-2 before the South-East Clare side twice troubled the umpire for a white flag. Niamh Daly (1-1), Elaine Lyons (1-1), Charlene Reynolds and Sharon Quinn were the winners’ second-half scorers.
Clarecastle were well served on the day by Sinéad Reidy, Jane Scanlon, Ruth O’Gorman, Elaine Lyons, Sharon Quinn and Niamh Daly, while Zelma Power was their stand-out player.
Bríd Walsh had a fine game between the posts for Meelick, while Emma Scanlon, Claire Dolan, Rachel Ryan, Katie Moore, Dionne O’Sullivan and Christine Gibbons all played their part.
After the game, Clarecastle captain Claire O’Loughlin was presented with the shield by County Board chairman Johnny Hayes.
Clarecastle: Sinéad Reidy; Claire O’Loughlin (captain), Gráinne Lynch, Liz Murphy; Maria Lyons, Jane Scanlon, Niamh Keogh; Zelma Power (1-1), Marie Lynch; Rochelle Broderick, Charlene Reynolds (0-1), Ruth O’Gorman (0-1); Elaine Lyons (1-2), Sharon Quinn (0-3), Niamh Daly (1-1).
Subs: Catherine Curran for N Keogh, Sinéad Frawley for L Murphy, Alison Shortt for T O’Gorman, Catriona Reynolds for N Daly and Aisling Frawley for R Broderick.
Meelick: Bríd Walsh; Mairéad Gavin, Sarah Daly, Mairéad Broggy; Sharon Neville (joint captain), Emma Scanlon, Christine Howard; Claire Dolan (0-1), Zara Hehir; Rachel Ryan, Katie Moore (joint captain) (0-2), Dianne O’Sullivan 0-1; Christine Gibbons (0-1), Susie Harnett (1-0), Stacey Hehir.
Sub: Jean O’Reilly for M Gavin.
Referee: Alan Hehir (Wolfe Tones).