Kilmaley regain league crown

Kilmaley 2-11 Clooney 2-3

CLAREABBEYwas the venue for the senior league final last Friday evening when Kilmaley regained the title at the expense of Clooney.
Kilmaley came into the final as favourites, having won the championship and being narrowly defeated by Newmarket in the league final last year.
Clooney came through a tough campaign and had to win a play-off against Newmarket to decide who would be this year’s league finalists against Kilmaley.
This was the first time these two teams met competitively in the senior ranks.
Kilmaley were first on the scoreboard when Claire McMahon pointed from a free in the third minute.
McMahon added to this when she pointed from a 45 four minutes later.
Aisling Darcy provided the next two scores from Kilmaley, with points in the ninth and 13th minute.
Clooney got their first score of the game when Deirdre Murphy pointed from a free after being fouled in the 14th minute.
The next three points came to Kilmaley when Claire McMahon pointed from a free after Aisling Darcy was fouled. She also scored from play while Katie Cahill pointed in the 19th minute.
Clooney’s next score came from Orlaith Duggan in the 21st minute but Kilmaley continued to dominate and added a goal from Shonagh Enright and a point from their captain, Emma O’Driscoll.
Clooney replied in the 24th minute when Deirdre Murphy sent a free to the net.
The last two scores of the half came from Kilmaley, when Claire McMahon pointed from a free and Shónagh Enright scored a point to leave eight points between the teams at half-time, 1-10 to 1-2 in Kilmaley’s favour.
Clooney got a great start to the second half when a high delivery from Kelly MacLean hit the back of the Kilmaley.
Claire McMahon was on target again for Kilmaley when she pointed from a free in the 12th minute.
Two minutes later saw Aisling Darcy send the ball to the corner of the net for Kilmaley’s second goal of the game.
The last score of the game came from Clooney’s Deirdre Murphy when she pointed from a free in the 25th minute.
The last few minutes saw Clooney put Kilmaley under intense pressure but Kilmaley stood firm to earn a well-deserved victory on the night. Kilmaley’s experience proved decisive on the day.

Kilmaley: Edel Griffey; Lorna Higgins, Denise Lynch, Lisa Kennedy; Sinéad O’Halloran, Eimear Considine, HelenMcMahon; Siobhán Maher, Aida Griffey; Shónagh Enright (1-1), Emma O’Driscoll (0-1 capt), Aisling O’Halloran; Katie Cahill (0-1), Claire McMahon (0-6, 4f, one 45), Aisling Darcy (1-2).
Subs: Ailish Considine, Emer O’Connor, Edel Maher, Deirdre Kelleher, Kathleen O’Keeffe, Gráinne Barry, Claire Moloney, Sarah Reidy, Marie Hehir, Rebecca McNamara, Niamh Cahill, Orla Keane, Niamh McGuane.

Clooney: Sheelagh Daffy; Imelda Colleran, Amy Colleran, Triona Gallagher; Jessica O’Neill, Aisling Hannon, Christine Colleran; Kelly MacLean (1-0), Orlaith Duggan (0-1); Aisling Corbett, Deirdre Murphy (1-2f), Mary Clune; Gemma Hassett, Saibhe Corbett, Karen Riordan.
Subs: Siobhán Lee, Edwina McCarthy, Marie Halpin, Rebecca Kennedy, Laura Conheady, Claire Ryan, Meghan Kitson, Kate McCarthy, Emma Sheehy, Clodagh Ryan, Siobhán McCarthy.

Referee: John Dolan, Clarecastle.