Clare make it to the semi finals
SLIGO CLARE 2- 9 3- 14 SLIGO came into this must win game on the back of two losses to Cavan and Laois, nothing less than a win would do to keep the dream of making a semi- final alive. Sligo started the better and got the first score of the game from a Ciara Coleman free after Stephanie O’Reilly was fouled. Clare hit back with a point from Katrina Callaghan Hickey then added a second before Ciara Gorman scored again to level it with a free from 20 yards. Anne Marie Coleman put Sligo on front on 15 minutes with a well taken point from play. Clare full forward hit back with the third point from play and from the kick out Clare worked the ball well to Nolan who finished to the back of the net. Rosin Looney added Clare’s 4th to leave four points between the teams. Sligo worked hard to get back into the game and were rewarded with two points from play from Gorman and O’Reilly to leave a goal between the sides. Sligo levelled the game on 29 minutes when Ciara Gorman finished to the bottom corner of the Clare goal. Clare led by a point at half time. Sligo hit the ground running in the second half and levelled the game after a minute with a well taken point from Laura Ann Laffey. Eilise Codd gave Sligo the lead before Stephanie O’Reilly scored Sligo’s second goal to leave Sligo leading by 4 points after 10 minutes. Again, Clare came back with Nolan pointing from 20 yards before Ciara Gorman pointed to leave four points between the sides. Clare full forward O’Dea found the back of the neck to cut Sligo’s lead to a point before Ailish Constantine levelled it with a great point from 30 yards. Clare could have goaled only for O’Dea’s shot came back off the post. O’Dea did restore Clare’s lead, she had two more points from play to leave it a three- point game. She then doubled Clare’s lead when she found herself one on one with the Sligo keeper and finish to the back of the net. Things could have got worse for Sligo when Clare were awarded a penalty after O’Dea was fouled in the box, Noelle Gormley made a great save. Clare added a point before Stephanie O’Reilly pointed for Sligo to leave the full time score 2 goals and 8 points 3 goals and 14 points. Sligo will be disappointed with not making the semi- final but in all it was a good league campaign. All eyes now turn towards Championship with Leitrim on May 14th.