Classy Clara advance to last four in Leinster

IN their first season in the championship, Offaly champions Clara continue to make astounding progress as they made it through to the semi-final of the Leinster Championship after a well deserved seven point win on Sunday over Laois champions Graiguecullen.

Clara 3-9

Graiguecullen 3-2

In front of a tremendous crowd in Clara, the home side were the better team and could have won by more had they taken all the chances that came their way. In total the Offaly side hit 13 wides which is something for the management team of Chris Dwyer and Alan Cronin to work on ahead of next Saturday’s home semi-final.

Outside of that however they would have to be very happy with the performance of their charges who dominated both territory and possession.

Graiguecullen’s Kylie Murphy scored all of her side’s 3-2 and she looked very dangerous every time she got the ball. However as the game progressed, Clara’s midfield and half-back line cut off the supply of ball forcing Murphy further out the field and nullifying her attacking threat.

Every Clara player can be proud of their performance on the day as they battled for every scrap of possession and ran themselves to a stand still. Michelle Handy, Treasa McManus, Triona McDonald, Ann Marie Owens and Maria Kelly all played key roles but the pick of a very good Clara side was wing-back Janelle Gowran.

See this week’s Offaly Express for full report