Clare landed the Lidl National Football League Division 3 title holding off a late Roscommon surge writes Daire Walsh.
Clare winning out 1-6 to 1-4 in Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr as Ailish Considine grabbed 1-2.
Unbeaten on their way to this decider; including a group stage draw away to Clare. Roscommon ultimately fell short in their quest for a second Division 3 final success in just three years.
After goalkeeper Helena Cummins turned away a couple of early goal chances, Roscommon edged in front with a fifth minute pointed Laura Fleming free.
Clare played into a stiff breeze in the first-half; they opened their account in spectacular style on the first-quarter mark.
Known in recent years for their prowess in soccer and Australian Rules football respectively, marauding wing-back Laurie Ryan released Ailish Considine for a smooth low finish beyond the reach of Cummins.
Roscommon revival
This was an early set-back for Roscommon. However, Ollie Lennon’s charges had restored parity by the 20th minute with a brace of points from the dependable Fleming.
Although midfielder Aisling Reidy moved Clare back into the driving seat with a point, a fourth successful free from Fleming left the teams on level terms at half-time. Clare 1-1 0-4 Roscommon 0-4.
It proved to be a cagey start to the second-half. Supplementing a 0-2 salvo from the increasingly-influential Ailish Considine (1free).
Substitute Ciara McCarthy and Reidy also split the uprights to move Clare four clear on 43 minutes.
McCarthy followed up her earlier effort with a sublime pointed free off the outside of her right boot inside the final-quarter.
An Aisling Hanly goal with just over a minute remaining suddenly brought Roscommon back to life. However, time ran out for them in their bid for a dramatic comeback triumph.
Champions! 🏆
Clare captain Caoimhe Harvey lifts the cup following today’s Lidl National League Division 3 Final victory over Roscommon at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr#serioussupport #getbehindthefight pic.twitter.com/IIVKJLh4NI
— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) April 6, 2024
Clare: A Lenihan; A Keane, S Ni Chonaill, G Harvey; L Ryan, J Doohan, R Considine (Mullen 56); S Considine, A Reidy; L Griffin (C McCarthy 39), C Harvey, A Sexton (O Devitt 46); T Collins, F Marrinan, A Considine.
Scorers: A Considine 1-2 (0-1f), C McCarthy 0-2 (1f), A Reidy 0-2.
Roscommon: H Cummins; A McGrath, E Irwin, J McDermott (E Thompson 42); R Fitzmaurice, S Wynne, C Cregg; L O’Rourke, K Nolan (A Gavin 57); L Fleming, L Shanagher (A O’Connor 51), A Hanly; A MacAuliffe (N Feeney 40), A Shanagher, A Feeley (S Farrell 13).
Scorers: A Hanly 1-0, L Fleming 0-4 (4f).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).
