Littlewoods Ireland Div 3 League Semi Final

The Ragg Thurles

Dublin 1-12 Clare 0-6

Dubin accounted for Clares end in the Littlewoods Ireland Division 3 Camogie league at the penultimate stage when they defeated the Banner outfit 1-12 to 0-6. The two sides had met in the Group stages with the Dubs coming out on top in that encounter also.

Laoise Quin opened the scoring for the Dubs when she converted a free in the fourth minute. From the puckout the Dublin outfit were immediately on the attack again, a timely interception by Ruth Kaiser denied Emer Keenan. With their next attack, Dublin struck for goal, this time Edel McNamara in the Clare goals denied Keenan and cleared from danger. Both of Dublins next efforts were wide of the mark, and when Clare won a free Niki Kaiser split the posts. Three points on the bounce from Caragh Dawson, Keenan and Quinn extended the Dubs lead. Clares Megan O’Brien exerted her influence over the next ten minutes, as did Jane Fitzgerald, forcing the Dubs back out the field.Roisin Baker finally broke through in the 22nd minute for a white flag and this was swiftly followed by a point from Quinn. Clare moved play to the other end having won the puckout and Helen Hehr set up Louise McDonnell for Clares second point. However the Dubs added a brace before the half time whistle to go in at the break with a six point advantage, Dublin 0-8 Clare 0-2.

Aoife Nihill replaced Corina McMahon after the break, with the Wolfe Tones woman taking up position in the back line and the pacy Sarah Redmond moving to the middle of the field. Siobhan Lane opened the second half scoring however again Dublin responded with a brace of points. The move of Redmond to midfield proved fruitful as the Eire Og woman struck for Clares next score. Niki Kaiser added for Clare mid way through the half to reduce the deficit to five points. Dawon responded with a point for Dublin just ahead of the only goal of the game. Dublin substitute Aoife Bugler received an inch perfect pass from Roisin Baker and struck for goal, McNamara came off her line and blocked well but Bugler pounced on the rebound and struck to the back of the Clare net to effectively put this tie out of the reach of the Bnner girls. The sides traded points in the closing minutes, Bugler and Sarah Loughnane for Clare to see the Dubs run out winners and book their Div 3 Final spot against Roscommon on a final score of Dublin 1-12 Clare 0-6.

Clare: Edel McNamara, Kilkishen; Sarah Redmond Eire Og 0-1, Megan O’Brien St Josephs, Jane Fitzgerald Inagh Kilnamona; Aisling McMahon St Josephs Capt, Ruth Kaiser Newmarket on Fergus, Louise Browne Corofin; Niamh Mulqueen Broadford, Corina McMahon Corofin:

Niki Kaiser Newmarket on Fergus 0-2, Helen Hehir Inagh Kilnamona, Keelin Lyons Sixmilebridge; Louise McDonnell Corofin 0-1, Siobhan Lane Corofin 0-1, Lizzy Danaher Wolfe Tones

Subs: Aoife Nihill Wolfe Tones for McMahon, Sinead KellyWolfe Tones for Danaher, Sarah Loughnane Sixmilebridge 0-1 for Hehir, Jennifer Keane Wolfe Tones for McDonnell

Dublin: Aishling Spillane Skerries Harops; Ciara Buchannan St Finans, Laura Walsh Naomh Mearnog, Emma O’Flynn Lucan Sarsfields; Eimear O’Riordan St Judes, Deirdre Johnstone Naomh Mearnog, Grainne Free Na Fianna; Emma Barron St Judes, Roisin Drohan Naomh Uinsionn; Sinead Nolan St Judes 0-2, Roisin Baker Na Fianna, Caragh Dawson St Judes 0-3; Laoise Quinn Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh 0-3, Aoife Walsh St Judes 0-1, Emer Keenan Lucan Sarsfields Capt

Subs: Aoife Bulger Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh 1-1 for A Walsh, Nadine Murphy Naomh Uinsionn for Keenan, Niamh Gleeson Na Fianna for L walsh

Referee: Aiden O'Brien, Wexford