Kilmaley and Newmarket to meet in final

KILMALEY and Newmarket will contest the final of the Clare Senior Camogie Championship following their semi-finals wins over Clooney-Quin and Kilkishen.

Kilmaley 1-9
Clooney-Quin 0-6

IN the first of the semi-finals, Kilmaley overcame a dogged Clooney-Quin in the last 10 minutes of a tight encounter in Shannon on Saturday afternoon.
The opening half was a low scoring affair, with Clooney-Quin’s Deirdre Murphy getting the opening score in the 12th minute from a free. Claire McMahon levelled matters when she converted a free on the 15th minute. The sides were level on four occasions as both fought to get the upper hand on the opposition, leaving the half-time score at 0-4 apiece.
More of the same was to follow at the restart, with both defences putting in some great performances. Kilmaley finally managed to break through for a goal in the 50th minute, when Shónagh Enright won possession and went on a run down the wing before playing off a hand pass to Denise Lynch, who sent her shot to the corner of the net. Kilmaley added three more points from Ailish Considine, Emma O’Driscoll and Claire McMahon.
Clooney-Quin were well served by Christine Colleran, Orlaith Duggan and Claire Ryan but they were unable to get through for the goal they needed to keep their hopes of victory alive. Edel Griffey, in the Kilmaley goal, pulled off some great saves to keep her side on top and with a six-point advantage at the final whistle.
Kilmaley: Edel Griffey; Niamh Cahill, Sarah Reidy, Sinéad O’Halloran; Eimear Considine, Katie Cahill, Helen McMahon; Eimear O’Connor, Aida Griffey; Shónagh Enright, Claire McMahon (0-5, 3f), Aishling O’Halloran; Ailish Considine (0-1), Denise Lynch (1-1), Emma O’Driscoll (0-2).
Sub: Ashling Darcy for Aishling O’Halloran.
Clooney-Quin: Sheelagh Daffy; Imelda Colleran, Aisling Hannon, Triona Gallagher; Christine Colleran, Orlaith Duggan, Edwina O’Brien; Amy Colleran, Claire Ryan; Aisling Corbett, Louise Henchy, Kelly McLean; Mary Clune, Deirdre Murphy (0-6, 2f), Jessica O’Neill.
Sub: Siobhán Lee for Jessica O’Neill.
Referee: Michael Troy.

Newmarket-on-Fergus 5-19
Kilkishen 0-2

NEWMARKET will defend their senior championship title, as they easily overcame Kilkishen on Sunday in Shannon camogie field.
Kilkishen struggled as Newmarket demonstrated superior skill all over the field. With forwards, Sharon McMahon, Jenny Kelly and Iris Kaiser in excellent form, the game was effectively over at half-time, as Newmarket went in 2-12 to 0-2 in front.
Kilkishen battled hard throughout the second half but up against a strong Newmarket defence, it was a tough task. Newmarket substitute Erica Minogue, back from injury, contributed a further 2-1 after being introduced. The scoreline does not do justice to Kilkishen who, hampered by injury, fought to the end.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Carol Toomey; Aoife Griffin, Jane O’Leary, Laura McMahon; Aimee McInerney, Róisín McMahon, Carol Kaiser; Ruth Kaiser (0-1), Joanne Walsh; Deirdre Cassidy (1-2), Carol O’Leary, Niki Kaiser (0-10, 6f, 1 45’); Sharon McMahon (0-2), Jenny Kelly (1-0), Iris Kaiser (1-3).
Subs: Áine O’Brien for C O’Leary, Erica Minogue (2-1) for Iris Kaiser, Clodagh Lawlor for Aimee McInerney, Kate O’Neill for Deirdre Cassidy and Aislinn Keogh for Niki Kaiser.
Kilkishen: Claire Baker (capt); Michelle Moroney, Nollaig Baker, Marie Nash; Monica Moroney, Lisa Loughnane, Cushla Hehir; Siobhán Keniry, Kate Lynch; Marie Collins (0-1), Leah O’Keefe, Noelle McNamara; Shauna Fleming (0-1), Caroline Sheedy, Norah Murphy.
Subs: Marie McNamara for Michelle Moroney and Orla Moroney for Siobhán Keniry.
Referee: John Dolan.