Clare 0-15 Dublin 1-5
Dublin came up short in their first Daily Mirror National League Division 1 game against a determined Clare side at O’Garvey Park, Sixmilebridge on Sunday. Crisp sunny weather and a good dry sod enabled both sets of players display their skills and talents. Clare proved to be the stronger and more determined team on the day and ran out deserved winners 0-15 to 1-5.
Dublin started slowly. Clare dominated the first 10 minutes going into a 4 point lead with early points from Maire McGrath, Claire McMahon (2), Naomi Carroll. Staunch defending especially from captain, Graine Quinn, prevented Clare adding to this total. Dublin did threaten during the opening stages. Sarah Ryan blasted into the side netting from close range. Aoife Bulger replaced the injured Marie Moynihan after 15 minutes. Dublin settled into the game and had a fifteen minute period of dominance. A surging move the length of the field ended with Aine Fanning scoring a great goal from a clever Aisling Carolan pass. Alison Maguire sent over a forty yard free and another point from play to leave Dublin with a one point lead after twenty minutes 1-2 to 0-4. Clare however went on to score 4 more points before the break. An Aine Fanning point from play on the stroke of half time left the score Clare 0-8 Dublin 1 -3.
Clare started the second half with renewed determination and had added three points before Dublin recorded their first score of the half on 14 minutes – a pointed free from Alison Maguire. Dublin were to add only one more score, a sweetly struck point out on the left wing from Fiona Hayes who had moved from goals into the forwards when young Kate White made her senior debut taking her place between the posts mid-way through the second half. Clare added four unanswered points to run out deserved winners 0-15 to 1-5. But Dublin had their chances. They missed good scoring opportunities from play and were also off target with scorable frees in the second period of play. Final score Clare 0-15 Dublin 1-5.
The Dublin players can take much from this their first game of the season. They played well, displaying skill and enthusiasm. They are fully committed and dedicated and will respond well to the promptings, guidance and encouragement of their management team.
1.Fiona Hayes (Ballinteer St Johns). 2 Lizzy McSweeney (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh) 3.Grainne Quinn (Naomh Brid) 4 Elaine O'Meara (Na Fianna) 5 Danielle Smith (St. Vincents). 6 Louise O'Hara (Erins Isle) 7. Catriona Power (Naomh Mearnog) 8. Mari Moynihan (Lucan Sarsfields) 9. Laura Twomey (Naomh Mearnog) 10. Alison Maguire (St. Vincents) 11. Aoife Kelly (Raheny) 12. Ali Twomey (Lucan Sarsfields) 13. Aisling Carolan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh) 14. Sarah Ryan (Naomh Mearnog) 15. Aine Fanning (St. Vincents)
16. Helen Cosgrave (St. Judes) 17. Kate White (Lucan Sarsfields) 18. Emma Whyte (Good Counsel) 19. Claire Rigney (Lucan Sarsfields) 20. Aoife Bugler (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh) 21. Eimear McCarthy (St. Vincents) 22. Hannah McInerney (Na Fianna) 23. Arlene Cushen Na Fianna
Scorers:
Áine Fanning 1-1, Alison Maguire 0-3 (2 frees), Marie Moynihan and Fiona Hayes 0-1 each.
Substitutions:
Aoife Bolger for Mari Moynihan injury 14 mins, Emma White for Lizzy McSweeney Claire Rigney for Elaine O’Meara, Kate White for Aine Fanning, , Eimear McCarthy for Danielle Smith
Referee: Mike O’Kelly