Clare Ladies Football League Division 1 Semi-Final Miltown 1-5 Fergus Rovers 0-6 2006 league winners St. Joseph's Miltown took a step closer to retaining their league title after a hard fought victory over Fergus Rovers at Cooraclare on Saturday evening 28th April. The game started at a frantic pace, Fergus Rovers were on the score board first through a Nollaig Griffin free. Miltown responded with points from Eimear Johnston (2) and Niamh Coyne before a Aine Kelly free and a long range point from Catherine O'Loughlin leveled the scores at 3 points a piece after twelve minutes. Aine Kelly put rovers ahead with an excellent point on 15 minutes. The games crucial score came two minutes later when the miltown back line cut out a rovers attack, miltown broke forward and a flowing move was finished to the Fergus Rovers net by wing forward Eimear Johnston to leave the score 1-3 to 0-4 in miltown's favour. Credit to rovers they responded from this set back in great fashion to level the scores at half-time (1-3 to 0-6) through points from Cliona Cleary and Catherine O'Loughlin. Indeed rovers could have gone ahead but Aine Kelly's penalty kick was saved by miltown goal keeper Aisling McCaw. The second half was dominated by both sets of backlines and neither team was able to gain control of midfield, as a result scores were going to be at a premium. The first score of the half didn't arrive until the 22nd minute when Fiona Lafferty scored to put miltown ahead. Diane Kelly put miltown two points up with time almost up. Fergus Rovers could not break through for a match winning goal and Miltown hung on to set up a final with county champions Cooraclare. While both teams will be happy with their defensive displays each will know that they will have to improve on the attacking front if they are to make an impact on the championship later in the year. Miltown: Aisling McCaw, Siobhan Lafferty, Lorainne Griffin, Karen Egan, Veronica Hehir, Deirdre Killeen, Marie Killeen, Diane Kelly, Sandra Malone, Niamh Coyne, Aoife Healy, Eimear Johnston, Denise Sexton, Michelle McCaw, Fiona Lafferty Subs: Marie Lenihan for Veronica Hehir, Edel Hynes for Eimear Johnston, Suzanne Murphy for Denise Sexton Fergus Rovers: Laura Hanrahan, Rita Donnelly, Paula Donnelly, Claire Hester, Teresa Meaney, Cliodhna Talty, Mairead Hayes, Lorainne Kelly, Edel Carmody, Clodagh Mc Neilis, Cliona Cleary, Catherine O'Loughlin, Laura Meaney, Nollaig Griffin, Aine Kelly Sub: Orla Griffin for Paula Donnelly Referee: Michael Bohannon (Shannon Gaels) Tweet

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