The Clare Ladies Footballers are set for an All Ireland Football Semi after strongly dispatching Longford in the LIDL Ladies All Ireland Football Quarter Final in St Brendan’s Park Birr
Evan Talty’s side raced out of the blocks with intent achieving a two point lead in as many minutes.
Clare were unfortunate not be further ahead as Longford had the woodwork to thank for getting in the way of a Laurie Ryan bullet on eight minutes
However The Banner’s first goal of the day did come from the emphatic Chloe Moloney who coolly dispatched a penalty to the roof of the Longford net after a indiscretion in the small rectangle.
Michelle Farrell finally opened Longford’s account in the 13th minute and would add a second from distance before the break.
At half time the score board read Clare 1-05 to Longford’s 0-02 with the Banner having Aisling Reidy . Fidelma Marrinan , Gráinne Nolan, Catríona Callinan and the aforementioned Moloney to thank for their contributions as well as dominant defensive displays.
Clare had no intention of leaving a lighter foot on the accelerator come the second half as the immense Fidelma Marrinan had added three more points to her tally by the 41st minute leaving Clare with a nine point advantage.
Kilmihil ace Catríona Callinan added Clare’s second goal shortly afterwards with a composed finish to the bottom corner of the Longford net, before Roisín Considine put the game beyond all doubt 10 minutes from time.
Clare rang the changes with the impressive Clíodhna Blake adding two points to ensure a selection headache for Evan Talty’s backroom team as it finished in St Brendan’s Park Birr Clare 3-11 to Longford’s 0-04.
Clare will face either Wicklow or Laois in the All Ireland Semi Final Final, where they will be hoping to reach their first All Ireland decider at the Intermediate grade since 2016 when they lost out to Kildare