Kilmaley and Newmarket in senior final

The Clare senior camogie final on the weekend of October 8-9 will be a repeat of the 2008 decider with Kilmaley and Newmarket in opposition.
Newmarket qualified on Saturday when they proved too strong for Clooney Quin while, 24 hours later, Kilmaley secured their place in the final when they accounted for Sixmilebridge. Kilmaley’s win means that they are now one game away from winning their third title in a row.

 

Kilmaley 2-11 Sixmilebridge 2-5

Clarecastle was the venue for what proved to be a thrilling encounter on Sunday evening. Sixmilebridge, fielding a large number of their minor team, got off to a blistering start and had 2-1 on the scoreboard after five minutes. The goals came from Orla Fitzgerald and Chloe Morey.
Kilmaley came more into the game after this, helped by the fact that they had the more experienced side. Aida Griffey opened their account and Clare McMahon followed with two points before Shonagh Enright struck for 1-2 to level the game at the half way point, 2-2 for the ‘Bridge to 1-5 for the title holders.
After the break, Kilmaley continued to take a grip on proceedings and they edged in front with scores from Ailish Considine (1-1), Clare McMahon (0-3), Ashling D’Arcy and Shona Enright.
Sixmilebridge, to their credit, refused to give in and they made the title holders battle right to the finish.
The ’Bridge went into this game without Bridget O’Halloran, Shonagh Chaplin and Sinead Tuohy due to injury and the loss of these players was certainly a blow to their hopes.

Kilmaley: Edel Griffey, Lorna Higgins, Denise Lynch, Lisa Kennedy, Ashling O’Halloran, Eimear Considine, Helen McMahon, Siobhan Maher, Aida Griffey, Clare McMahon, Emma O’Driscoll, Ailish Considine, Katie Cahill, Ashling D’Arcy, Shonagh Enright.
Subs: Eimear O’Connor for Aida Griffey, Sarah Reidy for Helen Mc Mahon.

Sixmilebridge: Niamh McInerney; Orla Chaplin, Maire McGrath, Katie Connors; Ciara Whelan, Chloe Morey, Sinead Hyland; Aoibhean O’Shea, Niamh Corry; Rachel O’Halloran, Sinead Crowe, Mairead Hyland; Orla Fitzgerald, Naomi Carroll, Aine McNamara.
Subs: Ann Sweeney for Chaplin; Orla Quinlan for A McNamara; Sinead Tuohy for O Fitzgerald.

 

Newmarket 2-9 Clooney-Quin 1-5

Newmarket are back in the final for the first time since 2008 thanks to this victory over Clooney-Quin at Clareabbey last Saturday
This was also a close affair and this is confirmed by the fact that just two points separated the teams with ten minutes remaining.
Helped by a Nikki Kaiser goal, Newmarket went to the break with a four-point lead, 1-5 to 0-4, Clooney had been dealt a huge blow after just ten minutes when they lost full forward Mary Clune to injury. One of the team’s leading lights, her absence weakened their challenge for a place in the final.
Ten minutes from time, Newmarket led by two points, 1-7 to 1-5, the Clooney goal coming from Jessica O’Neill.
Newmarket finished strongly and a goal from Erica Minogue sealed victory and a final date with their great rivals of recent times, Kilmaley.
Carol O’Leary, Aoife Griffin, Roisin McMahon, Erica Minogue and Áine O’Brien were impressive for the winners on the day.
In the final two yeas ago, Kilmaley were victorious and when the sides met in the semi-final last year, Kilmaley again came out on top. Another cracking tie is expected when they face up to each other in the final.

Newmarket: Carol Twomey; Aoife Griffin, Carol O’Leary, Jane O’Leary; Amy McInerney, Roisin McMahon, Erica Minogue; Joanne Walsh, Ruth Kaiser (capt), Carol Kaiser, Sharon McMahon, Aine O’Brien; Nikki Kaiser, Iris Kaiser, Jenny Kelly.

Clooney-Quin: Sheila Daffy; Edwina McCarthy, Amy Colleran, Triona Gallagher; Christine Colleran, Kelly McClean, Imelda Colleran; Ciara Ryan, Aisling Hannon (capt) Ashling Corbett, Deirdre Murphy, Siobhan Lee; Karen O’Riordan, Mary Clune, Jessica O’Neill.
Subs: Saibh Corbett for M Clune; Marie Begley for O’Riordan; Marie Hogan for Corbett.