Munster intermediate title for Gaels

West Clare Gaels 3-13 Roscarbery 2-5

It’s proving to be a truly memorable season for the West Clare Ladies Football Club. A few weeks ago they won the Clare senior title for the first time, beating favourites Banner Ladies in the final.
Last Sunday, they were crowned Munster intermediate champions when they recorded a convincing win over Roscarbery from Cork and this, for the second time in a matter of weeks, resulted in bonfires blazing across the West Clare peninsula.
This win has put them into the All-Ireland quarter-final against Parnells from London and, on October 31, they will become the first club in ladies football to travel to Ruislip for a championship tie.
Representing Clare in the club championship is not new to the West Clare side. Three years ago they won the Munster junior title and went on to contest the All-Ireland final where they had to give best to Cabinteely from Dublin.
Huge displays from minor players Shauna Harvey and Katie Geoghegan and great goalkeeping from Megan McGrath were just some of the highlights of this latest success.
The Clare representatives laid the foundations for this victory in the opening half. Inspired, by the player of the match, full-back, Sinead Kelly, they quickly took a grip on proceedings and had first half goals from the outstanding Katie Geoghegan, who finished as their top scorer with 2-4 to her name and Niamh Lardner. Majella Griffin and Maria Kelly who excelled at midfield, each contributed three points in a first half which saw the Clare champions open an eight-point lead by the midpoint of the game.
While the winners dominated the exchanges, it wasn’t all one-way traffic and they had to rely on the outstanding Sinéad Kelly at full-back to break up a number of Roscarbery attacks, while team goalie Megan McGrath was called on to make a couple of important saves.
West Clare Gaels set out their intentions when Michelle Downes broke the throw-in allowing Maria Kelly to pass to Bríd Troy and on to Majella Griffin for the first point of the game. Maria Kelly won the next kickout and great passing play from Niamh Lardner and Leanne Lynch allowed Katie Geoghegan to score her first point
They went on to add a point from Maria Kelly and a goal for Niamh Lardner to see the Gaels 1-3 to 0-1 in front. Following a free by Maria Kelly the ball was won by Katie Geoghegan who scored her team’s second goal.
Geoghegan and Maria Kelly added points before the Cork side was awarded a penalty which county player Laura McMahon converted and she quickly added a point.
Two Majella Griffin frees and a point from play from Rosscarbery’s Aoife Coakley left the half time score at 2-8 to 1-3. Just before half time, the Cork side’s midfielder and captain Maire O Brien was sin-binned. 
West Clare Gaels started the second half just as they had the first and extended their lead with a Maria Kelly point. These were followed with a brace from frees by Majella Griffin and Katie Geoghegan.
Roscarberry fought back with a goal and two points to narrow West Clare Gaels’ lead to eight points but there was no denying the Clare champions superiority and the introduction of Ciara Harvey, Lauren and Lisa McMahon saw them hit back for a Katie Geoghegan goal.

West Clare Gaels: Megan McGrath; Kathleen Foley, Sinéad Kelly, Rita Boland; Fiona Troy, Deirdre Troy, Shauna Harvey; Michelle Downes (captain) Maria Kelly; Leanne Lynch, Denise Geaney, Majella Griffin; Niamh Lardner, Bríd Troy, Katie Geoghegan.
Subs: Ciara Harvey for Rita Boland; Lauren McMahon for B Troy; Lisa McMahon for L Lynch.
Scorers: Katie Geoghegan (2-4); Majella Griffin (0-5); Maria Kelly (0-4); Niamh Lardner (1-0).
Referee: Keith Delahunty (Tipperary).