Clare’s joint junior camogie manager says they focused only on their opening game after taking victory in Division Three.
Two weeks after their seniors fell to the Shannonsiders, it was a small measure of revenge for the Banner as they beat Limerick 2-10 to 0-13 in Meelick.
The result will make them favourites for a semi-final place as Kildare and Roscommon inflicted heavy defeats on Tyrone and Wicklow.
Ann Marie McGann feels it was an important result.
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Littlewoods Irl League Div 3
Clare 2-10 Limerick 0-13
by Brid McNamara
Two first half goals ensured that Clare were on the right side of the scoreline at the final whistle in Meelick on Sunday afternoon, seeing them take the win in their opening game of the Littlewoods Ireland Div 3 League.
Clare opened the scoring through a point from Aisling Cahill, after Ciara Halpin fed the ball forward and Louise McDonnell gathered and sent a short pass to Cahill who popped the ball over for the opening score.
Rebecca Noonan responded in kind at the other end and Limerick dominated proceedings for the next eight minutes, with Noonan adding a brace of points to the visitors tally.
Clare rallied after Limericks brief attack, and drove forward, Kate O’Gorman winning possession and setting up Sinead Power who pointed from play.
A short puckout was well intercepted by Louise Browne who fed to the supporting Kate O’Gorman whose shot levelled the sides. Noonan put the visitors back in front when she converted from placed ball.
Limerick were awarded a penalty for an infringement in the square, only for Noonans shot to be blocked by Rebecca Cahill.
Both sides had missed opportunities with their next attacks before Noonan, Limerick’s chief scorer on the day, added to the visitors score sheet to have them two points ahead with nineteen minute son the clock.
However, Clare dominated till the half time whistle and added 2-5 to their scoreline.
A Kate O’Gorman shot from out on the wing was dropped neatly into the square where Aisling Cahill gathered, under pressure from the Limercick backline, Cahill turned and fed to McDonnell who struck for Clares first goal.
McDonnell followed up with a brace of points. Regan Conway pointed between a brace of points from Kate O’Gorman. Clare purple patch ended with Aisling Cahill firing to the back of the net, following a run from midfield by her Kilmaley clubmate Sinead O’Keeffe.
Limerick pulled back a brace through Noonan and Marie Danaher to see the sides go in with Clare ahead on double scores Clare 2-8 Limerick 0-7.
Whilst Clare had the benefit of the wind in the opening half, it was Limerick who had this advantage in the second half and the Clare backs were firm against the raiding Limerick forwards.
Niamh O’Gorman opened the scoring in the second half, pointing on the run. Limerick responded with a brace of points from Noonan.
Clare with the elements against them struggled for scores and again Limerick struck for a brace of points through Noonan and Geri Mai O’Kelly to narrow the deficuit to four points.
A Clare attack saw Limerick goalie Leah O’Carroll tip the ball out over the end line with Kate O’Gorman converting the ’45.
Another brace of points from the Shannonsiders in the closing minutes narrowed the gap further but with the cushion of those two first half goals, Clare ran out winners with three points to spare, Clare 2-10 Limerick 0-13.
Next up for Clare is a trip to Wicklow on Sunday 24th February.
Clare: Edel McNamara Kilkishen; Rebecca crowe Ruan, Rebecca Cahill Kilmaley, Jane Fitzgerald Inagh Kilnamona; Niamh Mulqueen Broadford, Kia Mellet Sixmilebridge, Orlaith Cotter Inagh Kilnamona; Sinead Power Inagh Kilnamona 0-1, Ciara Halpin Clooney Quin; Louise Browne Corofin, Kate O’Gorman Kilkishen 0-4, Sinead O’Keeffe Kilmaley; Niamh O’Gorman Kilkishen 0-1, Aisling Cahill Kilmaley 1-1, Louise McDonnell Ruan 1-2
Subs: Regan Conway Feakle 0-1 for Browne, Kate Dillon St Josephs for Fitzgerald, Kate McCarthy Clooney Quin for N O’Gorman, Corina McMahon Corofin for Dillon(inj)
Limerick: Leah O’Carroll Patrickswell; Kate Ambrose Newcastle West, Aine Tnagney Croagh/Kilfinny, Emma Barry Patrickswell; Sarah Shanahan Kileedy, Leanne Browne Newcastle West, Katie Herbert Ahane; Ann Kennedy Ahane, Orla Cunningham Killeedy; Rebecca Noonan Granagh Ballingarry 0-8, Grace Lee Newcastle West 0-2, Marie Danaher Ballyagran 0-1; Brenda O’Keeffe Granagh Ballingarry, Geri Mai O’Kelly Newcastle West 0-2, Katie Heelan Murroe Boher.
Referee: Cathal McAllister Cork
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FIXTURES
Sun 24th Feb
Littlewoods Irl League Div 1
Clare v Dublin
Littlewoods Irl League Div 3
Wicklow v Clare
Munster U16A Championship
Limerick v Clare
Munster U16B Championship
Clare v Tipperary