Lidl NFL Division 3 final – Clare 1-6 Roscommon 1-4
Versatile Clare footballer Laurie Ryan said she was just delighted to get over the line and claim the Lidl NFL Division 3 title because she knew Roscommon would push them all the way.
Roscommon came with a late surge and Ryan, who has enjoyed success with Clare and Athlone Town, said they were relieved to hold on at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr on Saturday.
“I think we knew with the conditions it was never going to be over until it was over and you could see at the end there when they got the goal. We were probably glad that we had the wind at our back to go long with the kick-out,” she said.
“They’re a really good Roscommon side and they’re well set-up. They’re hard to break down, but just so happy to get over the line in the end.
“I’ve just been really lucky in the last two to three years that I’ve been part of very successful teams. You have to enjoy it while you can because you’ve lost enough finals over the years. I’m just really happy to be part of the squads and in fairness, I’m really lucky with the both of them that they’re able to work with me. It allows me to play both, which is the main thing as well.”
The impressive Ailish Considine grabbed 1-2 as Clare held off the late surge as Roscommon, unbeaten on their way to the final — including a group stage draw away to Clare —fell short in their quest for a second Division 3 final success in just three years.
Clare laid the foundation for their success when they turned around level at 1-1 to 0-4 at the break, having played against the wind.
Clare opened up a four points but had to endure a nervous finish after Aisling Hanly got a late goal for Roscommon, but it wasn’t enough.
“We’re disappointed,” said Roscommon manager Ollie Lennon. “Maybe if that goal had come maybe three or four minutes earlier, we might have been able to put a little bit more pressure on in the end. Unfortunately, it came late and Clare ran out deserving winners.”
“The conditions were tough, but it’s the same for both teams and the reality is that Clare were better than us, and that’s the reason that they’re lifting the cup. We’re disappointed, but we don’t have much time to dwell on it or to be too disappointed with it. I think when we look back in a couple of weeks’ time, we’ll have been very happy with the league overall.”
Scorers – Clare: A Considine 1-2 (0-1f), C McCarthy 0-2 (1f), A Reidy 0-2. Roscommon: A Hanly 1-0, L Fleming 0-4 (4f).
CLARE: A Lenihan; A Keane, S Ni Chonaill, G Harvey; L Ryan, J Doohan, R Considine; S Considine, A Reidy; L Griffin, C Harvey, A Sexton; T Collins, F Marrinan, A Considine. Subs: C McCarthy for Griffin (39), O Devitt for Sexton (46), L Griffey for Collins (49), K Mullen for R Considine (56).
ROSCOMMON: H Cummins; A McGrath, E Irwin, J McDermott; R Fitzmaurice, S Wynne, C Cregg; L O’Rourke, K Nolan; L Fleming, L Shanagher, A Hanly; A MacAuliffe, A Shanagher, A Feeley. Subs: S Farrell for Feeley (13), N Feeney for MacAuliffe (40), E Thompson for McDermott (42), A O’Connor for Shanagher (51), A Gavin for Nolan (57).
Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).