Report by Aisling Clery
Last year’s runners-up Clare began their 2024 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate campaign with victory against Monaghan in Clones on Sunday.
The Banner County, on their trip to Clones to play the Ulster runners-up in a Group 2 fixture were 6-6 to 1-13 winners. Fidelma Marrinan hit four of the Clare goals, two in either half, while Ailish Considine and Sinéad Considine also found the net. Monaghan narrowed the gap to three midway through the second half, Eabha Sherry hitting 1-1, but Clare pushed on and sealed the win.
Elsewhere in the Intermediate Championship on Sunday, Leinster champions Wexford hit two second half goals to secure a narrow victory over Roscommon. Roscommon led 1-5 to 0-6 at the break, courtesy of an Aisling Hanly goal, but Tara Doyle and Catríona Murray both converted in the second period which secured victory.
In Max McGrath Memorial Park, Down got the better of home side Cavan. Niamh King hit 1-5 for the Ulster Champions, who led by six at the break, and maintained that lead into the second half, winning 1-13 to 0-9. Sinéad Levingstone did hit three points for the Breffni County but the result was not in doubt.
In Ballinamore, Leitrim and Tyrone battled in a scintillating contest which had nine goals in all. Tyrone led 3-4 to 1-6 at the break but the Connacht champions battled back in the second half and did enough to secure a single point win: 4-12 to 5-8.
Meanwhile, in the Junior Championship, there were victories in Group A for Derry and Carlow, while Louth and Limerick claimed Group B wins.
Results:
TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
Group 1 – Down 1-13 Cavan 0-9
Group 2 – Clare 6-6 Monaghan 1-13
Group 3 – Wexford 2-11 Roscommon 1-11
Group 4 – Leitrim 4-12 Tyrone 5-8
TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship
Group A
Derry 1-15 London 1-6
Carlow 4-6 Sligo 0-10
Group B
Louth 5-9 Kilkenny 1-1
Limerick 1-12 Longford 0-8