The Clare Ladies Gaelic Football Division 2 League got underway today in a bright and sunny Newmarket-on-Fergus. Eire Og were the visitors and got off to a flying start when Orla Devitt scored the opening goal two minutes in. Newmarket-on-Fergus replied with a number of quick points to leave the scores level after 10 mins. Eire Og then took the lead with a point from Aoife Sheehan . Newmarket took control of the game from then on. Newmarket on Fergus scored 2-5 without replay in the second quarter. The two goals came in quick succession just before half time from their very sharp forward line and this left the score 2-8 to 1-1 at half time. 

The second half began with another early goal from Orla Devitt but the comeback was short lived. Newmarket again took control and scored some wonderful points during the course of the 2nd half. The 3rd goal came mid way through the 2nd Half and they ran out convincing winners on a score line of 3-19 to 2-2. A mention must also be given to the brilliant goal keeping of Aoife O’Neill in the Eire Og goal who brought off some fantastic saves during the course of the 2nd half.

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Round 1

Shannon Gaels 2-5     2-6 Coolmeen

In Division 2 of the League, Shannon Gaels Ladies travelled to their neighbours Coolmeen on Sunday afternoon in this opening encounter.  Shannon Gaels opened the scoring with a point as a result from a Tara Kelly free on the 45 yard line taken by Sarah Bohannon.  Coolmeen’s Emma McMahon and Emer O’ Connor were next to form an attack when they aided in releasing the upcoming Sinead Reidy to open the scoring with a point. The Gaels responded with a point from Mairead Grogan soon after thanks to some great midfield support from Sarah Bohannon and Leanne Tubridy. Coolmeen further attacked with fluid passing play, culminating in points for Sinead Reidy, Aisling Reidy and Emma McMahon.  In the dying minutes of the first half Leanne Tubridy in quick succession scored 1-1. Even though Shannon Gaels pegged them back Coolmeen never trailed in the first half which ended on a score of Shannon Gaels 1-3 to Coolmeen’s 1-5 when Michael Fitz blew for the ball.  

During the second half, Shannon Gaels re-composed themselves due to the industrialist work of duo Sarah Bohannon and Tara Kelly and battled on to the end but could not break down a solid Coolmeen defence. Pressure from Coolmeen’s Emma McMahon, Emer O’Connor, Sinead Reidy and Fiona McMahon saw them perform numerous attacks into the oppositions defence, resulting in1-1. A united Gaels defence which included Sarah Kelly, Tara Kelly, Mary Ruth Neylon, Ronya Baumann and Michelle Madigan soaked up all that was thrown at them. During the final quarter of the match the Gaels advance was always dangerous and while they spent a lot of time in Coolmeen’s danger zone; they could have been more productive on the scoreboard. Not much between these teams on the day but Coolmeen held out for the opening match win.

Emer Nugent Shannon Gaels PRO

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Coolmeen and Eire Og met last weekend in the third round of the Ladies Football League Division 2,hosted by the Ennis side. Coolmeen were coming to the fixture with two wins from two games (Shannon Gaels & Fergus Rovers) while Eire Og were looking for their first win of the league.

Coolmeen started their attack from the outset and with Emma McMahon heading goal-ward from the throw-in, she was fouled and converted the resulting free herself. McMahon then set up Clodagh Murphy for her point and Niamh O’Connell pointed Coolmeen’s third point on the fifteen minute mark. Dynamo McMahon then goaled a penalty awarded by referee Michael Bohannon coming up to the break and she received the ball from Murphy to take Coolmeen’s final score of the half to make it 1-4 compared to Eire Og’s single point taken by Sarah Cullinan. Eire Og’s Cullinan had worked hard in the first half with cohorts Aoife Sheehan, Sophie Hanna, Aoife O’Neill, Ciara Kennedy and Lauren O’Mahoney but were thwarted by a resolute Coolmeen defence anchored by Emer O’Connor, Aisling Reidy and Caroline Casey.

On the resumption, Clodagh Murphy netted within two minutes 2-4 to 0-1 and this was followed by a stalemate that saw some fast action but no scores for ten minutes until Murphy returned with a point this time 2-5 to 0-1 for Eire Og. Aoife O’Neill then took a stylish point for the Ennis side with twenty minutes remaining but a very strong Coolmeen replied with another Emma McMahon goal at the end of the third quarter. When Coolmeen goalie came out-field for the remainder of the game, she pointed instantly to bring the score to 3-6 to 0-2 in favour of the Shannon-siders. Eire Og’s Sarah Cullinan who lead the charge all day, pointed for Eire Og with five minutes to go. However, the last few minutes saw a very confident Coolmeen attack set up Sarah McCann for a point and  McMahon for a brace of points in the closing minutes to finish the game 3-9 to 0-3 winners.

An under-strength Eire Og worked hard all day to provide a fast paced and competitive challenge to a Coolmeen side who are determined to carry on their ascent into the higher ranks of Clare ladies football. Coolmeen were League division three and Junior A champions in 2015 and next meet likely League Division Two Finalists Newmarket on Fergus who also have a clean record in the division two with big wins over Eire Og, Shannon Gaels and Miltown Malbay. 

Ref: Michael Bohannon

Coolmeen: Gillian Finucane(0-1), Eimear O'Connor, Laura Vaughan, Aisling Reidy, Lisa Farrell, Eimear Greene, Caroline Casey, Sophie Devaney, Sinead Reidy, Sarah McCann(0-1), Brianne Murphy, Valerie Conneely, Emma McMahon(2-04) Clodagh Murphy(1-02), Niamh O'Connell(0-01) Subs: Chloe Normoyle, Sinead McCann, Orlaith O'Connor, Ailish Kenny.

Eire Og: Orla Devitt, Sinead Mulcahy, Rae Wall, Eva Coote, Aoife Sheehan, Sophie Hanna, Aoife Corey, Orla McMahon, Chloe Eustace, Aoife O'Neill(0:01), Maria Redmond, Ciara Kennedy, Sarah Cullinan(0:02), Loren O'Mahony, Niamh Baker, Fiona Neylon,

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Kilmihil Monday 21st @ 8pm

Ref Michael Talty

The Intermediate encounter between Shannon Gaels and Fergus Rovers took place in Kilmihil on Monday evening last in the Division 2 of the League. Ciara O’ Malley got off to a great start with a point for Fergus Rovers. Louise Griffin followed with two points in quick succession from frees. Carmel Coughlan set up Serena Carmody for a point for the Gaels followed by the final score of the first half for the Gaels provided by Sarah Bohannon. In the final quarter the Blues kept the Gaels scoreless while Lauren Griffin placed the ball in the back of the Gaels net followed by a point from Lorraine Kelly to bring the HT score 1-4 to 0-2. Under lights the Gaels settled quickly opening the scoring with a goal from Serena Carmody. Louise Griffin responded with a point for the Blues. Two goals from full forward Leanne Tubridy in a matter of minutes levelled the game. Mary Ruth Neylon, Michelle Madigan, Laura O’ Connell, Lorraine McNamara and Sarah Kelly kept the Blues at bay on numerous occasions. A penalty was awarded to Fergus Rovers which resulted in a goal for Ciara O’ Malley. Ciara O’ Malley, Lauren Griffin, Louise Griffin and Catriona Murphy provided a united performance for Fergus Rovers. Tara Kelly’s and Ronya Baumann impeccable distributions released Sarah Bohannon to take a point for the Gaels. In the dying moments of this tit for tat encounter Louise Griffin pointed for the Blues resulting in a draw when Michael Talty blew the final whistle. 
Shannon Gaels 
Carmel Bohannon, Laura O’ Connell, Mary Ruth Neylon, Lorraine McNamara, Sarah Kelly, Michelle Madigan, Aoife Howard, Tara Kelly, Sarah Bohannon, Mairead Grogan, Ronya Baumann, Willow Squire, Carla Behan, Serena Carmody, Leanne Tubridy, Subs: Hazel Baumann, Carmel Coughlan, Sophie O’ Connor, Bianca Tully, Lorraine Carmody and Louise Keogh.
Fergus Rovers
Gillian Griffin, Ava O’ Malley, Catriona Murphy, Meabh McCarty, Rachel Hill, Lorraine Kelly, Laura Hanrahan, Abbie Connellan, Claire Hestor, Sarah Mullins, Ciara O’ Malley, Lauren Griffin, Louise Griffin, Grainne McCarthy and Aine McSweeney.