Galway ladies suffered a heartbreaking defeat on the opening day of the Bord Gáis Energy National Ladies Football League when Clare struck a winning goal with the last kick of tense encounter.
The two sides appeared to be heading for a draw on a cold and windswept Sunday afternoon in Killanin until last year’s All Ireland junior champions grabbed the winner with the last rally.
On the day both Tina Hughes and Joanna Connolly brought off some brilliant saves, while Rebecca McPhilbin and Emer Flaherty (captain ) worked hard in the back line. Good performances were also produced by Lisa Coohil, Patricia Gleeson, Sinead Burke, and Una Carroll.
Galway, with a number of players currently out with injuries, introduced a number of new faces in the starting line-out, and both Tina Hughes and Joanna Connolly brought off some superb saves. Rebecca McPhilbin and Emer Flaherty (captain ) worked hard in the back line, while Lisa Coohil, Patricia Gleeson, Sinead Burke, and Una Carroll were also prominent.
They got off to a good start with a goal from Sinead Burke who netted after a good pass from Carroll, but Clare fought back to level terms. Galway hit three more points before half time from the boots of Lisa Cahill, Sinead Burke, and Helen McHugh, but by the break it was even again, Galway 1 - 3 to Clare’s 0 - 6.
Galway continued tp press home withsub Marian Murray getting on the scoresheet, while Una Carroll grabbed two - one from a free after been fouled and the second after good passing from Eimear Flaherty. However Clare rallied and continued to fight back to even the game.
As Galway missed chances which unfortunately were to cost them, Clare grabbed the points when Louise Henchy netted a goal in the dying seconds.
