Narrow victory for champions over Liscannor

West Clare Gaels 2-5   Liscannor 0-10

West Clare Gaels and Liscannor served up a fine game of football at Quilty on Saturday in round two of the senior championship.
Liscannor will be disappointed not to have come away with at least a point, which they fully deserved. Missed scoring chances, a good save from Megan McGrath, a handy goal at the other end and astute defending by the champions’ defenders were some of the highlights of the match.
The sides were level three times during the opening half. Niamh Larndner and Brid Troy had kicked a point each for the reigning champions while Aisling Torpey from a free and Marie Considine did likewise for last year’s senior B champions. The impressive Aine Burke, who kicked four points over the hour, put Liscannor ahead from a free but their lead was short lived. Twenty minutes into the game, Leanne Lynch’s shot from distance stole inside Emma Slattery’s upright for West Clare Gaels’ first goal. Two points from play from full forward Burke saw the sides level again. Liscannor should have pushed a few points ahead but kicked a few bad wides. However the North Clare side continued to dominate the remainder of the half and midfielder Emer Hillery’s attempt at goal was palmed over for a point by Megan McGrath. Substitute Becky O’Farrell, who impressed, kicked the equaliser for West Clare Gaels and so at half time the scoreboard read West Clare Gaels 1-3, Liscannor 0-6.
With the second half less than two minutes under way, Liscannor midfielder Carmel Considine put her side in to the lead with a fine point. A goal from Brid Toy proved crucial as not only did it put the champions two ahead they also maintained the lead right to the end. Leanne Lynch added a point for the West Clare outfit before Carmel Considine and Olivia Lucas replied for Liscannor to bring them to within a point with still over 10 minutes remaining. Liscannor full-back and captain Yvonne Flaherty was then sin binned for a foul on Brid Troy. Troy and her opposite number Aine Burke exchanged pointed frees. The remaining seven minutes in addition to injury time were scoreless and even though Brid Troy was sin binned in the last minute of normal time her side hung on for a narrow win.
The stand-out players for the champions on Saturday were defenders Marie Foran, Kathleen Foley, Deirdre Troy and Rita Boland. Up front Leanne Lynch, Denise Geaney and Becky O’Farrell impressed. It was a fine performance by Liscannor who had excellent displays from Carmel Considine, Emer Hillery, Olivia Lucas, Aine Burke, Aisling Torpey and Marie Considine.

West Clare Gaels: Megan McGrath, Marie Foran, Kathleen Foley, Grainne Harvey, Ailish Brew, Deirdre Troy, Rita Boland, Shauna Harvey, Michelle Downes (capt.), Leanne Lynch 1-1, Denise Geaney, Lauren McMahon, Niamh Lardner, Brid Troy 1-2 (0-1f), Lisa Harte.
Subs: Becky O’Farrell 0-1 for Lauren McMahon, Suzi O’Gorman for Niamh Lardner.

Liscannor: Emma Slattery, Róisín Considine, Yvonne Flaherty (captain), Róisín Rouine, Cliona Falvey, Sinead Considine, Fiona Considine, Carmel Considine 0-2, Emer Hillery 0-1, Marion Considine, Olivia Lucas 0-1, Marie Considine 0-1, Aine Burke 0-4 (0-2f), Cliona Considine, Aisling Torpey 0-1(f).
Subs: Therese Shannon for Cliona Falvey (45), Mairead Healy for Marion Considine (52)

Referee: Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane).