Tinahely in flying form
Rachel Byrne nets hat-trick after nine minutes
BRENDAN LAWRENCE
TINAHELY CLARA 10-20 1-8
TINAHELY proved far too strong for a battling Clara side last week when they faced off in Laragh for the opening game of the Division 1 football league.
An early hat-trick from full-forward Rachel Byrne sent the reigning county champions on their way, the Knockananna woman would finish with 5-4 after a stunning evening’s work from the edge of the square.
Byrne’s efforts were well followed by Sarah Byrne from half-forward who bagged 2-3 and caused Clara all sorts of problems all over the field.
The half-time tally of 6-10 to 0-2 is a fair reflection of proceedings as Tinahely were just on another level throughout the 60 minutes with Jackie Kinch, Sarah Hogan, Aine Byrne, Jessie Byrne and Aoife Gorman all combining to thwart any Clara attacks and launch forays of their own.
Full credit to Clara, they never once bowed their heads and battled to the last, with substitute Heather Cullen bagging 1-2 as dusk fell heavily over the picturesque Laragh GAA grounds.
Something of a facile victory for Tinahely. They’ll face stiffer tasks as the year progresses, but they’re already showing serious intent and potential. It’s hard to see them being stopped.
Tinahely: Shona Byrne; Kate Hatton, Sarah Hogan, Emily Hadden; Niamh Kenny, Aine Byrne, Aimee Maher; Jessie Byrne, Aoife Gorman; Sinead Byrne, Jackie Kinch, Sarah Byrne; Ciara Byrne, Rachel Byrne, Laura Hogan. Subs: Aishling Winterbottom, Dervla Byrne, Rebecca Kelly, Siofra Byrne.
Clara: Aoife Byrne; Heather Kenna, Samantha McCoy0, Carrie Gahan; Trish Byrne, Sarah Miley, Ava Carter; Kerri Ann Murphy, Laura Clarke; Nathale Farrell, Kate Kennedy, Lorna Driver; Lauren Carter, Katie Miley, Ciara Duffy. Subs: Subs: Emer Doyle, Naoise Baker, Heather Cullen, Anna Cullen, Tiffany Byrne, Emer Doyle.
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