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Avenue United 2 Rockmount (Cork) 0 the Fairgreen

THE LIONS Club Cup is a 32 county national competition for under 15 players. Avenue United are the Clare representatives and current holders having captured the trophy for Clare for the first time last season.

The competition is promoted by the Lions Club of Ireland to foster friendship, through football, for young people throughout Ireland North and South.

On Saturday last Avenue met Rockmount of Cork in the Fairgreen in the last eight having beaten Charleville United 3-0 away in the last 16.

Rockmount the former school boy club of Roy Keane, travelled to Ennis with high expectations and boasting a central midfield pairing, both of whom are Irish schoolboy internationals.

The game for the first 15 minutes was an even affair with a fierce battle taking place at mid field with Avenues Ross McCarthy and Cian Crimmins getting the upper hand on their more illustrious rivals. Avenue struck first blood on 15 minutes with a well worked move from mid field finished off clinically by Ross McCarthy. Avenue pressed hard looking for a second but were hit on the break five minutes from half time to make it one all.

The second half saw a fired up Avenue team begin to take control of the mid field battles and the whole team lifted their game. Their pressure was awarded when Sultan Kasali finished on his second attempt following a great save from the Rockmount keeper. Avenue wrapped up the match five minutes from time with a great individual effort from Eimhin Courtney. A great team performance by Avenue was rewarded and they go on now to meet a top of the Galway League table Salthill Devon team for a place in the May 21st final.

This game was a great show piece for schoolboy soccer in Clare and was played in a spirit of fairness and respect as promoted by the Lions club. Following the game both teams retired to the old ground for a meal and get together hosted by the Lions Club in Clare.

Avenue
Bryan Colleran, Evan McNamara, Lee O’Callaghan, James Woods, Barry Guilfoyle, Sultan Kasali, Ross McCarthy, Cian Crimmins, Rory Brennan, Eimhin Courtney and Bryan Guilfoyle.

Subs:
SeanTwoomey for Bryan Guilfoyle, Michael Moloney for Rory Brennan, Patrick Chesser for Barry Guilfoyle and Niall Keane for Evan McNamara

Unused subs:
David Egan, Conor McInerney and Ciaran O’Halloran

Managers:
SeanieWhyte and Robert McCarthy

Crusheen 1-17 Wolfe Tones 2-13 at Shannon

IT WAS the sort of performance befitting county champions. The innate ability to dig out a result while not firing on all cylinders and while it was cruel on a luckless Wolfe Tones who were determined to bounce back from their sizeable defeat to Sixmilebridge last time out, a late rally ensured that Crusheen maintained their perfect start to the competitive season.

Four points down with only ten minutes remaining, the visitors had to use all of their experience to claw out the victory with Gerry O’Grady grabbing the decisive goal to inspire further scores from Paddy and Joe Meaney.

All this after Wolfe Tones had led for the majority, with a Garret McPhillips goal spurring them to a 19 to 0-8 half-time advantage. A second goal from Paul Walsh appeared to have the Shannon side on the road to their first victory of the campaign and with just over ten minutes left, they led by 2-11 to 0-13.

O’Grady’s goal sparked the Crusheen recovery however, Paddy Meaney followed up with the equalising score and gathering momentum, Joe Meaney put Crusheen ahead with only minutes remaining. Daithi O’Connell attempted to stop the rot with a levelling point but by now, Crusheen had the bit between their teeth and two frees from Joe Meaney set up the win, with a late Barry Loughnane point merely a consolation as the 2009 finalists remain on course for a semi-final spot.

Crusheen
Donal Tuohy, John Brigdale, Cronan

Dillon,Alan Brigdale, Ciaran O’Doherty, Cian Dillon, Cathal Dillon,Tony Meaney (0-2), Pat Vaughan (0-7), Jamie Fitzgibbon (0-1), Joe Meaney (0-4), Gerry O’Grady (1-0), Fergus Kennedy, Shaun Dillon, Gearoid O’Donnell (0-1)

Subs
Paddy Meaney for Kennedy,AlanTuohy for Dillon (inj), Conor O’Donnell for A. Brigdale

Wolfe Tones
Paul Hogan, John Coen, Joe Mc Gauley, Niall Murphy, Shane Chambers, Bobby McPhillips (0-2f), Barry Loughnane (0-1), Stephen McInerney, Daithi O’Connell (0-2), Brendan Hughes, Declan O’Rourke (0-2), Kevin McCafferty, Alan Hehir (0-1), Garret Mc Phillips (1-5), Paul Walsh (1-0)

Subs
Richie Lillis for McCafferty, Daniel Gallery for Walsh

Referee
JimHickey (Cratloe)

Burren United 3 – Shannon Olympic A 2 at Shannon

BURREN UTD took three vital points off league leaders Shannon Olympic on Wednesday evening as the First Division title race comes to a close finish.

The Burren started the game all guns blazing, their first chance came after only eight minutes with Olympics ‘keeper Gary McGettrick at full stretch to save a superb volley from the Burren’s Marine Ghita. Burren piled the pressure on for the next twenty minutes which resulted in a penalty being conceded by Olympic.

Martin Mc Donagh stepped up and took the spot kick which was excellently saved by McGettrick. After this lucky escape Olympic seemed more lively with a couple of chances from Ian Hogan and Karl Scott. The Burren soaked up the pressure and dealt a major blow to Olympic with a goal in the 37th minute from Ghita giving the Burren a well deserved lead at the break.

The first thirty minutes of the second half saw the Burren putting more pressure on Olympics defense. Burren were rewarded for all their hard work in the 77th minute when Enda Coughlan headed home giving the away side a two goal advantage. The fatal blow was dealt by the Burren in the 79th minute when Martin Mc Donagh atoned for his penalty miss by scoring Burren’s third goal.

With the game looking dead and buried Olympic came out of their shell with substitute Alan Casey making some probing runs down the left side. Olympic played without fear for the next ten minutes with Mick O’Connell and Karl Scott scoring, bringing the game back to 3-2.

Olympic pushed for an equaliser in the final five minutes but the Burren defense stood tall and they held out for a well deserved 3-2 win, earning three huge points in the race for promotion to the Premier Division.

Shannon Olympic
Gary McGettrick, Mick O’Connell, James Fitzgerald, Karl Fogarty, Ian Hogan, Jimmy Houlihan, Donncadh Kelly, Ray Quigley,Wayne Regan, Karl Scott, Jay Regan.

Subs
Alan Casey, Greg Keane, Michael Byrnes, David Kearns.

Burren Utd
Craig Flanagan, Enda Coughlan, Mickey Keating, John Mc Donagh, Ian Mc Inerney, EvanTalty, Patrick Darcy, Marine Ghita, Danny Burke, Martin Mc Donagh, Mark Mc Carthy.

Subs
John Mc Cormack, Martin Garrihy, Eric Murrihy, LiamKeane.

Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-13 Kilrush Shamrocks 0-8 at Michael Tubridy Park, Kilrush

KILMURRY Ibrickane are sitting pretty at the summit of affairs in the Cusack Cup after a Bank Holiday Monday victory that’s every bit as convincing as the double scores result reads.

They brushed aside the disappointing Shams challenge, largely on the back of hugely impressive starts to both halves when they blitzed the home side with a flurry of scores, while holding conceding very little at the back.

They led 1-4 to no score inside the first 22 minutes, a fast start that all but decided the destination of the two points and secured Kilmurry their third win from four starts and maintained their unbeaten start to the 2011 league season.

Ian McInerney showed the way with two early frees before Kilmurry put themselves in pole position thanks to a well-worked goal that was finished to the net by Enda Coughlan in the 15th minute.

Still, there was no respite for the Shams and no let up by a rampant Kilmurry side as man of the match Shane Hickey made his first impression on the scoreboard with a point in the 19th minute before young gun Thomas Lernihan added another three minutes later.

It was until Kilrush started to make changes that their fortunes lifted somewhat, with substitute Darragh Bolton getting his side off the mark five minutes before half time with a point from play, one that was followed up by a Stephen Sweeney effort a minute later.

However, Ian McInerney finished the half as he started it with another pointed free to give his side a 1-5 to 0-2 interval lead – a six-point advantage that was a portent of things to come as the 2008 champions really turned the screw in the opening stages of the second half.

A six-point deficit wasn’t insurmountable for the Shams, but a 12point deficit most certainly was. That’s the margin that separates the sides approaching the last ten minutes of play as Kilmurry reeled off six points in-a-row to move 1-11 to 0-2 clear.

It was hugely impressive stuff – Enda Coughlan (2), Thomas Lernihan, Evan Talty and Peter O’Dwyer all grabbed points from play, while Ian McInerney brought his tally for the hour to 0-4 as the Shams were pummelled into submission.

However, they plugged away in the final stages to give the scoreboard a more respectable look to it, once Peadar McMahon opened their account for the half with a pointed free in the 48th minute.

Jim Young pegged another back in the 50th minute before Enda Coughlan landed his third point from play a minute latter. All that was left was for Peadar McMahon to finish the game with a mini-flourish of four points in seven minutes, while Shane Hickey rounded off his impressive display with a second point from right-halfback.

Kilmurry Ibrickane
Peter O’Dwyer, JohnWillie Sexton, Darren Hickey, Declan Callinan, Shane Hickey (0-2), Paul O’Connor,Thomas Lernihan (0-2), Seamus Murrihy, Peter O’Dwyer (0-1), Ian McInerney (0-4f), Mark McCarthy, Seamus Lynch, Johnnie Daly, Enda Coughlan (1-3), Michael O’Dwyer.

Subs

Evan Talty (0-1) for Lynch, Niall Hickey for Michael O’Dwyer.

Kilrush Shamrocks
Tony Burke, Seamus Bolton, Cathal Lyons, Niall Gilbride, Gearóid O’Brien, Niall Clancy, Matthew Moloney, Paul Heaslip, JimYoung (0-1), Paddy Clancy, Peadar McMahon (0-5, 4f), John Hayes, Rory O’Connor, Donal O’Sullivan, Stephen Sweeney (0-1).

Subs
Darragh Bolton (0-1) for Bolton, Con O’Brien for O’Brien, Pat Joe McGrath for O’Connor.

Man of the Match
Shane Hickey (Kilmurry Ibrickane) Referee Michael Rock (Ennistymon)

Tulla 1-15 Sixmilebridge 0-10 at Tulla

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Clooney/Quin 1-18 Whitegate 2-07 at Whitegate

SURPRISINGLY straightforward for Clooney/Quin who expected a battle but came away from fortress Whitegate with all two points intact with little fuss. That said, it could also be seen as a pyrrhic victory of sorts as the two points came at a cost of five injuries to Cillian Duggan, Conor Harrison, Derek Ryan, Mike Daffy and Joe O’Loughlin and only weeks away from the championship, it is worrying for Clooney/Quin.

On the scoreboard, they had little problems though, opening up an early five point lead, with Mike NcNamara grabbing three of those. When Whitegate did finally open their account, Clooney/Quin simply upped the ante once more with another four point burst and repeated the dose once more after Whitegate’s second point in the 19th minute to hold a 014 to 0-02 interval advantage.

Whitegate were better after the break but still made hard work of splitting the posts. Substitute Ruairi McNamara cancelled out Whitegate’s hard earned points with a goal in the 56th minute but there were consolation goals from Ian Fahy and an Andrew Fahey penalty to cushion the blow of Whitegate’s defeat as Clooney/Quin secured their first win of the competition.

Clooney/ Quin
Damien O’Halloran, Joe O’Loughlin, Conor Harrison, Shane McNamara, Derek Ryan, Cillian Duggan, Enda Harrison, Sean Conheady, Padraig Ward, Ronan Gallagher, Mike McNamara, Cathal Egan, Martin Duggan, Fergal Lynch, Mike Daffy

Subs
Tony McMahon for O’Loughlin (inj), John Earls for C. Duggan (inj), Brian McInerney for Ryan (inj), SeanWard for Daffy (inj), Ruairi McNamara for C. Harrison (inj)

Whitegate
AndrewFahey, Cathal Mulvihill, John Bugler, John Minogue, Jason Malone, Brendan Bugler, Christy Jones, Shane O’Rourke, George Waterstone, Stephen Malone, Ian Fahy, Michael O’Brien, Niall Hayes,Terence Fahy, Eric Minogue

Subs
Tomas McNamara for Hayes, Eoin Quirke for O’Rourke,Trevor Kelly for T. Fahy, Gary McClearn

Referee
Johnny Healy (Smith O’Briens)

THE CLARE Ladies Football Minors had a very busy week playing two Munster Championship games with mixed results. On Wednesday, they met Cork in the magnificent Mallow Sports Complex and though short several key players in Laurie Ryan, Aoife Clohessy and Sinead Sexton, they held Cork to within a couple of points after twenty five minutes. The defence had their hands full, leaking 2-6 to Cork in the first quarter against Clare’s solitary goal by Niamh O’Dea. During a great spell from the Saffron and Blues, Edel McMahon, Aoife Martin, Ellie O’Gorman and Shauna Harvey closed ranks as Cork found themselves under massive pressure and conceded two quick penalties against Niamh O’Dea and Aoife O’Gorman who ran at them incessantly. Both were converted by O’Dea bringing the teams within two points but Cork responded with two three pointers of their own in the closing seven minutes. A converted free on Clare’s Eleanor Carey was negated by another point for the Reds. After the restart, Clare were eclipsed completely by a dominant home side whose tally of 3-9 smothered Clare’s and O’Dea’s three points. Clare just didn’t have the firepower on the field or on the side line to match the Reds . Final score 3-5 to 7-17.

When the Manager James Lafferty surprisingly resigned the following day, citing unfair criticism, he was followed by two of his three selectors, leaving JJ O’Dea two days to assemble the panel for the Tipperary game on the Saturday and once again the never say die character of the Clare panel shone through. When they turned out to meet Tipperary in Doora-Barefield GAA Grounds two days later, a resolved Clare panel launched attack after attack to dominate the game completely.

Clare’s Niamh Pender and Niamh O’Dea had put up two points before Tipp responded with one of their own. As Aoife O’Gorman went for a certain goal, an illegal foot block by Tipp custodian Imelda O’Donovan resulted in a well-taken penalty by Sinead Sexton.

Sexton was called upon minutes later to repeat the feat when Eleanor Carey was brought down but not before Tipperary had goaled at the end of a well executed movement that started from the kickout.

This would be the only hiccup from an otherwise impenetrable half-back line of Ellie O’Gorman, Shauna Harvey and the outstanding Roisin Howley. Midfielders Eleanor Carey and Kayleigh McCormick worked hard to keep the ball in the Tipp half. Clare 3-4 to Tipp 1-2 at half time.

A staunch full back line that included Kayleigh McCormick (switched with Aoife Martin who went into midfield), Edel McMahon and Aoife Clohessy rebuffed several Tipperary attacks but were caught out when the visitors started the half with two good points. Captain O’Dea pointed first for Clare and Ashling Torpey who came on for the injured McCormick, followed suit minutes later. The Banner were hunting in packs at this stage which was noticable by the deep forward position that Aoife Martin was in when she got the touch just ahead of goalie O’Donovan to push 4-6 to 1-4 ahead.

The impressive Aoife O’Gorman goaled again and O’Dea pointed from a free to finish the game Clare 5-7 to Tipp 1-4.

Clare
Ciara O’Malley (Fergus Rovers),Aoife Martin (Banner Ladies), Edel McMahon (Kilmihil), Aoife Clohessy (Fergus Rovers), Eleanor O’Gorman (Kilmihil), Shauna Harvey (West Clare Gaels), Roisin Howley (Burren Gaels), Kayleigh McCormick (Burren Gaels), Eleanor Carey (Banner Ladies), Niamh Pender (Miltown), Karen O’Brien (Doorabarefield ), Niamh O’Dea (Banner Ladies), Megan Byrne (Burren Gaels), Sinead Sexton (Miltown),Aoife O’Gorman (Cooraclare) Subs AislingTorpey (Liscannor ),Tara Sheehan (Eire Og), Ciara Burke (Miltown) Panel members Laurie Ryan, NiamhWalsh, Orlaith Lynch, (Banner Ladies), Roisin Looney (Cooraclare),Alana O’Brien, Shaunagh O’Brien (Eire Og), Eimear O’Shea (Fergus Rovers), Roisin Rouine,Threase Shannon (Liscannor), Shauna Crowley (Miltown), Grainne Harvey (West Clare Gaels). Manager JJ O’Dea.

Sixmilebridge 4-14 – Cratloe 1-10 at Cusack Park, Ennis

A RECORD breaking 13th Under 21A title for Sixmilebridge who banished the ghosts of recent finals to take the honours in the O’Garneyside derby. Having contested the last five minor and Under 21A deciders but only winning one, the pressure was on Sixmilebridge to deliver and they did so in emphatic fashion with an unanswered 2-5 final eight minute flourish to flesh out the winning margin.

In truth, the 13 point difference didn’t reflect the significant role that Cratloe played in the narrative of this often scrappy but tense neighbouring encounter, however there is no doubting that Sixmilebridge deserved their latest silverware on the balance of play.

As expected, the key aspect of this game came down to balance. Sixmilebridge had far more strength in depth and those greater variety of options proved decisive against a Cratloe side that constantly relied on the individual brilliance of all too few.

That said, the near-telepathic understanding between Cathal McInerney and Conor McGrath up front kept Cratloe within touching distance until the finale but it was always going to be a huge ask to expect that pair along with Liam Markham, Conor Ryan and Podge Collins to carry the side over the line.

Instead, Sixmilebridge had their homework done on their opponents strengths, altered their side accordingly and utilised their own assets to bounce back to the winner podium. Paidi Fitzpatrick executed a match-winning manmarking role on McGrath; Brian Carey curbed Ryan at midfield while Shane Golden expertly pulled the strings alongside him and up front Seadna Morey and later Jamie Shanahan put the finish- ing touches to the victory.

After a 15 minute delay due to an uneven queue to turnstile ratio, the eager sides got the game off to a blistering pace with Conor McGrath feeding Podge Collins for the opening scoring inside 30 seconds, with an almost immediate reply from Brian Carey. That pace was maintained for the next few minutes but the accuracy dipped dramatically with Sixmilebridge in particular firing from ambitious ranges.

Cratloe took advantage, with a brace of Cathal McInerney points putting them 0-3 to 0-2 in front by the end of the opening quarter until Sixmilebridge pounced for the opening goal in the 18th minute. A Cratloe puck-out was gathered by Pa Sheehan to play a low ball to Declan Morey who made a trademark turn and solo towards goal before firing on the volley to the net.

Sam O’Sullivan followed up with a point but while the ‘Bridge were on top, they failed to hammer home that advantage further and it allowed Cratloe a window of opportunity that Conor McGrath inevitably took just before the break with two points to trail by just two at 1-4 to 0-5.

That fightback was completed by a Cathal McInerney goal only three minutes after the restart when Sixmilebridge failed to clear their lines and McGrath fed the unmarked McInerney to billow the net. Gaining momentum, Joe O’Connor traded points with Seadna Morey before McIner- ney and McGrath again combined for the former to point once more and extend their lead to two at 1-7 to 1-5 by the 36th minute.

Sixmilebridge had to dig deep and they upped their display considerably through Fitzpatrick, Seadna Morey, Golden at midfield and Jamie Shanahan who opened his account in the best possible manner in the 41st minute with a goal from close range after dispossessing goalkeeper Collins. County minors Shanahan (2) and Morey added another three points without reply to open up a five point lead while goalkeeper Stephen Fleming made a full length dive to stop a McInerney shot in the 44th minute.

Still, Cratloe were not done yet and after a Liam Markham ’65, they reduced the deficit to only two points once more by the 49th minute with a superb Conor McGrath point after shrugging off three defenders and another from Conor Ryan.

Cratloe’s hopes of a full recovery was dashed however only minutes later when a Shane Golden burst down the left wing ended with a shot from 40 metres that eluded goalkeeper David Collins and dropped into the net.

From that point, Cratloe’s heads dropped and a buoyant Sixmilebridge took full advantage with Jamie Shanahan coming into his own in that final period, scoring an impressive 1-4 to ease up to victory.

The good times were back for Sixmilebridge and going on the potential shown on this occasion, they should be there for a long while to come.

Sixmilebridge
Stephen Fleming (7), Gerry Quilligan (7), Paidi Fitzpatrick (8), Eanna Burns (7), Barry O’Connor (7), John Fennessy (7),Trevor Purcell (7), Brian Carey (7) (0-1), Shane Golden (8) (1-0), Seadna Morey (8) (0-4), SamO’Sullivan (7) (0-1), Pa Sheehan (7) (0-1), Ronan Mullane (6) (0-1), Declan Morey (7) (1-0), Jamie Shanahan (8) (2-6 4f, 0-1 Pen)

Subs
Noel Purcell (6) for Burns (46 mins), Cathal O’Connor (7) for Mullane (46 mins)

Cratloe
David Collins (6), Joe Conroy (7), Sean Hynan (7), Jack McCourt (7),Wesley Deloughery (6), Liam Markham(7) (0-1 1’65), Enda Boyce (7), Conor Ryan (7) (0-1), Podge Collins (7) (0-1), Patrick Carey (6), Cathal McInerney (8) (1-3), Dean Deloughery (6),Tomás Ryan (6), Joseph O’Connor (7) (0-1), Conor McGrath (7) (0-3 1f)

Sub
David McInerney for D. Deloughery (58 mins)

Man of the Match
Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)

Referee
Rory Hickey (Éire Óg)

St Joseph’s Miltown 0-9 – St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 2-2 at Hennyssy Memorial Park, Miltown

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Inagh/Kilnamona 0-15 Clarecastle 0-12 at Inagh

A SUPERIOR finish was enough to earn the home side all the points in a game that seemed destined for a draw for long periods. With both sides needing to bounce back after defeats last time out, it was always going to be a battle to the finish and so it proved as the sides were level on eight occasions over the hour before Inagh/Kilnamona broke away to snatch victory.

Indeed, it was the home side’s strong finish in both halves that earned them a much needed win. Tyrone Kearse and Jonathan Clancy were instrumental in Clarecastle holding a 0-6 to 0-4 advantage by the 23rd minute but they would go in trailing by the break after a brace of Niall Arthur points and a monster free from goalkeeper Patrick Kelly.

The second half continued in the same vein with Aaron Considine gaining parity immediately after the break before Kearse and Kelly would cancel each other out with a brace of frees apiece.

The Magpies lost centre-back Patrick Kelly to injury but still had enough opportunities to pull clear but only Aaron Considine would add to their tally before the home side’s strong finish. Again it was the supply from the half-back line that catapulted Inagh/Kilnamona to victory. Two Arthur placed balls and two from play from Tomas Kelly and Conor Tierney in response to two Kearse pointed frees steered the home side to their second win of the campaign while the Magpies were resigned to successive defeats for the first time in 12 months.

Clarecastle
Donnagh Murphy, Seanie Moloney, Conor Plunkett, Mark McNamara, Kevin Clohessy, Patrick Kelly (0-1f), Stephen O’Halloran, Fearghus Ryan, Eric Flynn, Derek Quinn, Kieran O’Dwyer, Jonathon Clancy (0-2),Aaron Considine (0-2), Darragh Moloney,Tyrone Kearse (0-7 6f, 1’65)

Subs
Ollie Plunkett for McNamara (HT), Garrett Barry for Kelly (40 mins), Fergal Griffin for Moloney (57 mins)

Inagh/ Killnamona
Patrick Kelly (0-3f), Milo Keane, Brian Glynn, Dermot Lynch, Damien Lafferty, Eamon Glynn, Ronan O’Looney, Colm Pilkington,Tomás Kelly (0-1), Niall Arthur (0-8 4f, 1’65) Cathal Lafferty (0-1), Dermot Gannon, StephenToomey, Gerry Arthur (0-1), Conor Tierney (0-1)

Subs
David Hegarty for Pilkington (40 mins), Eoin Vaughan for C. Lafferty (45 mins), Shane Griffin for Gannon (45 mins), Sean McConigley for Toomey (53 mins) Gary Lafferty for Keane

Referee
Ger Lyons (Ruan)