Category: Sport

Clonlara 2-25 – Smith O’Brien’s 0-14 at Cusack Park, Ennis

TO say that this game was over inside ten seconds might seem harsh, but such was the case as the life literally drained away from this missmatch from the second that John Conlon rattled the net in the opening move of the game.

Smith O’Briens didn’t touch the ball until Jonathon Hayes retrieved it from the net – there were ten seconds gone, after he hit straight from the throw in, with Cormac O’Donovan picking out Cathal O’Connell to put Conlon in on goal.

He wasn’t going to miss from seven yards – he didn’t and with that what turned out to be an embarrassing rout unfolded as a Smith O’Briens side that now looks out of its depth at senior level bombed to a 17-point defeat.

This was like a cruise on the Shannon for Clonlara as they booked their place in the quarter-final for the fourth successive year in a 60 minutes that amounted to a less than rigorous training spin.

There was nearly more intensity in the warm up than the actual game, such was the chasm in class between the sides as Clonlara wreaked utter destruction on Smith O’Briens defence in the first half when building up a 1-17 to 0-7 lead.

Everyone of Clonlara’s forwards scored from play, with Conlon’s goal quickly followed by points from Colm Galvin (2) and Tomás O’Donovan as they raced into 1-3 to no score lead after eight minutes.

From there it wasn’t about winning for Smith O’Briens; it wasn’t even about being competitive; it was all about keeping the scoreline down. They got off the mark with a Mark O’Halloran point in the 12th minute and while Liam Walsh, Kevin Walsh and John Cusack (2) and Micheál Ryan to contribute to the scoreboard, but could do nothing to prevent Clonlara doing as they pleased.

They lead 1-9 to 0-3 after 20 minutes as they racked up scores through Nicky O’Connell (2), Donal Madden (2), Cathal O’Connell and Tomás O’Donovan. And when Tommy Lynch got on the board in the 25th minute, all six forwards had scored as they eased further and further ahead.

In the end their 13-point half-time lead was extended by only four in the second half, but this was more to do with Clonlara’s decision to go through the motions rather than go for the jugular than anything else.

Smith O’Briens did marginally improve and two early points from Micheál Ryan and others from John Cusack and Mark O’Halloran briefly raised some cheer as they reduced the gap to ten points after 38 minutes, but order was soon restored when points by John Conlon (2), Nicky O’Connell and a Tomás O’Donovan goal in the 45th minute left them 2-21 to 0-11 clear entering the last 15 minutes.

The sooner it ended the better from Smith O’Briens’ point of view, but at least they kept plugging away to the end with points from Liam Walsh, Seanie Conway and Mark McInerney.

That’s the only positive Smith O’Briens could take from this game as a now customary relegation battle looms on the horizon, while for a rejuvenated Clonlara its onwards and upwards to the last eight where they’ll fancy their chances against any opposition.

It’s the different worlds that Smith O’Briens and Clonlara inhabit – they have for a few years now.

GOLDEN Vale milk Clare community games had a very successful weekend at the natioanl finals in Athlone I.T. They had great success in the boys pitch & putt from Doora/Barefield winning gold as did Doora/Barefield sisters Roisin & Ciara Cahill in Judo. Winning gold also was Eoin Rouine of Ennistymon/Lahinch/Liscannor and Rory McEvoy Doora/Barefield in swimming events. The 3 silver medals were won in the judo.

Clare had 98 competitors at the finals & brought home a total of 78 medals which is a great achievement for any county. 9 Gold, 3 silver, 15 bronze & 51 of the lovely 4th place medals. All 5 judo competitors brought home medals.

The standard in swimming was extremely high but most of Clare children qualified for semi finals.

In cycling all 4 competitors took to the track in very wet conditions with 3 of them qualifying for finals. Standard was extremely high with last years gold medalist Lauren McConway getting a well deserved bronze and Cathal Browne also of Quin/Clooney who fought hard for the 4th place.

On Saturday evening the variety group team from Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry took to the stage and put on a brilliant display of music, song, dance & comedy and won them- selved 4th place.Following their long tradition of representing the county.

Doora/Barefield did extremely well in the medals.

In the gymnastics u-14 boys Peter Stack of Clarecastle/Ballyea has represented Clare in the national finals for seven years and this was his 1st medal.

Results
Gold – Eoin Rouine – Ennistymon/Lahinch/ Liscannor in u-10 freestyle Rory McEvoy-Doora/Barefield u-14 backstroke Roisin Cahill – Doora/Barefield – judo up to 25kgs Ciara Cahill – Doora/Barefield – judo up to 50kgs Boys pitch & putt Doora/Barefield – Colum Devine, Niall Keane, Cathal Clune, Danny Mungovan, Sean Myatt Silver –Tara Walsh – Ennis St Johns – judo up to 30kgs Nicki hardiman – Doora/Barefiel – judo up to 25kgs IkemUgwuery – Ennis St Johns – judo up to 45kgs Bronze – Lauren McConway – Quin/Clooney – cycling u-14 Hugh McMahon – Doora/Barefield – u-14 freestyle Dianne Carmody – Doora/Barefield – gymnastics u-10 Eleanor O’Loughlin – Ennistymon/ Lahinch/Liscannor Gymnastics u-12 Hugo Kinahan – Cratloe – gymnastics u-10 Peter Stack – Clareccastle/Ballyea – gymnastics u-14 Girls pitch & putt – Ennis St Johns – Hannah Bredin,Aisling Maher, Rachel Coote, Emma Neylon, Elana Bradley Boys swimming squad u-16 – Doora/Barefield – Rory McEvoy, Lorcan Casey, Patrick Cooney, Hugh McMahon 4th place medals –Cathal Browne – Quin/Clooney – cycling u-12 Dara Gleeson – Ennis St Johns – u-14 butterfly Laura Culliney – Doora/Barefield –gymnastics u-16 Girls u-13 swimming squad – Ennistymon/Lahinch/ Liscannor – Aoibhin O’Sullivan , Eva Guinane, Isabel Coleman, Lea Gosseau, Kate Gilna Girls u-16 swimming squad – Doora/Barefield – Sarah O’Reilly, Orlaith O’Neill, Hannah O’Brien, Eimear McGrath, JaneTaylor Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry variety u-16 – James Connor, Jennifer Gaule, Claire Corbett, Caroline Hogan, Shane Hayes, Eimear McDermott, Kim Stephen, Jenny Flynn, Dervla Murray, Jessica Wilmot, Leanne Gaule, Sarah Collins, Slaine Carey Ennis St Johns u-12 boys soccer – Jack Connolly, Frank Roche, IkemUgwuery, Jesse Onejekwe, Darren O’Brien, Kevin O’Connor, Josh Costin, Conor McDaid, PhilipoTalty, RobbieWoods, Ronan Lanagan, Fionn Nolan, Rory Brennan, Sam Ogundare, Stephen Kennedy Girls volleyball u-16 – Doora/Barefield – Kate Norton, Cliodhna Fanning, Gabrielle De Silva, Jessica O’Connor, Caoimhe Feerick, Meghan Fitzgerald, Claire Purcell, Niamh Courtney, Sarah Jane O’Connell, Jenny Hansbury

WHEN the final whistle blew Padraig Hickey was billeted in his left corner forward position – it was one of the few times – nay the only time – he was stationary, because for the previous hour he’d been a ball of energy.

He was everywhere, but most of all he was the man of the match by the near marathon it is in miles from Cusack Park to his home patch in Glenomora Park in Broadford. All to do with his tour de force of 1-4 over the hour that contributed more than anything else to Clare’s remarkable victory.

“1-4,” he says, “but it should have been 1-6 because I missed a few chances at the end. I’m delighted, not for myself, but for the team to be in an All-Ireland final. It’s brilliant.

“We were really on the back foot when it started out, but for the goal the ball kind of broke out to me. As a forward it’s nice to get a break like that and we got a bit of heart from that.

“In the forward line, we were in their to do a job. Get the ball over the bar and in the net. It’s as simple as that. The boys outside trust us to do that. We did it today.

“Galway could have been more ahead at half-time, but we kept it to three points. It was very important to get that goal, but keeping the scoreboard ticking over with points was just as important, because we were in the game from then and in touch with them.

“When we went in at half-time we talked about what happened – that we had conceded those two goals, yet were still only those three points down.

“We all knew those first ten minutes of the second half were going to be very important. Luckily we tacked on a few scores and we really rolled on in the final 20 minutes,” adds, before pausing to draw some breath.

And no player rolled better than Hickey, his 44th minute point when running onto a pass from Niall Gil ligan was sublime; the point a minute later showed his determination, while the all-important goal inside four minutes was the perfect riposte and strike that threw a badly needed life buoy to Clare’s All-Ireland final ambitions.

“Once we got back level and once we got the lead we knew that we’d beat them,” he says. “It was then that the Cork and Limerick games really stood to us. Galway had no championship game, but we’d be through two tough games.

“In the Cork game with 15 minutes to go, we really kicked on to win the game. We didn’t really kick on in the Limerick game, but we knew we had to do it against Galway. It took a huge effort, but everybody just set their mind to it.” Couldn’t compete with Kevin Keehan and was in all sorts of trouble early on. But brilliant in the second half in the corner.

WHITHER the big ball game in Kilkishen and the Mills was most definitely the cry when they were taken for 14 points by a rampant Kilmurry Ibrickane on June 5 last in Ballynacally.

But, it must have been a case of it being the darkest hour before the dawn, because since then they’ve won league honours and now, on the back of this 14-point win they’re back in contention for the Talty Cup.

For Kilfenora, who were crowned junior champions last year, it was a chastening experience, so much so that after back-to-back defeats and the prospect of facing group leaders Kilmurry Ibrickane in the final game, they are now haunted by the real threat of relegation and a quick return to the junior ranks.

They were simply outclassed here by an O’Callaghan’s Mills side that showed eight changes in personnel from that ill-fated maiden voyage against Kilmurry over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

The writing was on the wall as early as the 15th minute, by which time the Mills had raced into a 1-3 to no score lead. Early points by Fergus Donovan, Eoin Pewter and Bryan Donnellan settled the east Clare side before Donnellan rattled the Kilfenora net at the midway point of the half.

The centre-forward, who was the game’s most influential performer coolly dispatched a penalty passed Liam Keane – a penalty Donnellan himself won when being bundled over just outside the small square.

From there futher points by Donnellan (2), full-forward Noel Nash helped the Mills into an unassailable 1-7 to 0-1 interval lead.

Kilfenora, who were a pale shadow of the team that beat Éire Óg in last year’s junior A final, needed goals, but all they could muster were five points over the hour as the Mills tacked on a further nine points in the second half as they complete superiority continued unchecked.

Killian and Aidan Malone showed well at times in the Kilfenora full-forward line, registering point each for their efforts, while Jason Connolle and sub James Brody also found the range, as the Mills followed up their recent Division 5 league final win over Kilrush Shamrocks with their best performance of the year.

The final game against Kildysart is now a winner take all affair. The met a few years ago in a junior champions final, with victory going to the east Clare side.

O’Callaghan’s Mills
Enda McNamara, Gary Neville (Capt), Niall Donovan, Gerry Cooney, John Lyons, Declan Donovan, Patrick Donnellan, Conor ‘Rocky’ Cooney (0-1), Conor Cooney, Fergus Donovan (0-2), Bryan Donnellan (1-5), James Murphy (0-1), Eoin Pewter (0-2), Noel Nash (0-2), James Hook (0-1).

Subs
Padraig Hickey for Pewter, Billy Donovan for Nash, Sean O’Connor for Gerry Cooney, Flann McMahon for Declan Donovan, Eoin Kelly (0-1) for Conor ‘Rocky’ Cooney.

Kilfenora
LiamKeane, Shane Longe, Diarmuid Nagle, MJ Malone, Paudie Ireland, Cathal Nagle, Paul Reddan, Pat Connole, Jonathon O’Gorman (0-1), Jason Connole (0-1), James Keane, Kevin Theasby,Austin Kelly,Aidan Malone (0-1), Cillian Malone (0-1). Subs LiamO’Brien for Reddan, Daniel Egan for Killian Malone, James Brody (0-1) for Theasby.

Man of the Match
Bryan Donnellan (O’Callaghan’s Mills) Referee JimHickey (Cratloe)

Clare 2-18 – Galway 2-9 at Cusack Park, Ennis

FOR a few minutes, it seemed as if all of those in the attendance of 3,554 were transported back nearly 79 years to the day that Clare and Galway last clashed in an All-Ireland semi-final in the mid west.

1932 on the Ennis Road, when Galway punched holes as wide as the nearby Shannon in the Clare defence that supporters were cowering for the exit gates before half-time as the armageddon of annihilation loomed.

For one and a half minutes, after Brian Murphy and Kevin Keehan had slammed home goals, armageddon and annihilation looked at hand, but from there this game gradually turned on its head. Completely. Utterly. Remarkably.

First Clare became competitive; then they stayed so, clinging to Steve Mahon’s men on hurling wits alone; then they reeled in the Tribesmen; then they turned the screw by reeling off the last 11 scores of the game to complete a remarkable comeback that brought the famous afternoon in ’32 back into the radar. IT was Tull Considine’s goals in ’32; it was the collective effort this time as Clare summoned something special to catapult themselves into the All-Ireland final with nine points to spare.

Improbable? Outlandish? The stuff of fairytales?

Yes, it was all of those things, and probably more, when you consider how much at sea Clare were in those opening 90 seconds when Galway bagged two goals, with Clare’s full-back line trio of Conor Earley, Patrick Kelly and Alan Brigdale having a torrid time of it.

It was a nightmare, but somehow Clare kept afloat, thanks in the main to Padraig Hickey’s goal inside four minutes and from there they stayed competitive in the first half, even if Galway threatened to cut loose on more than one occasion.

The game could have been up if Kevin Keehan’s ninth minute penalty found the net, while the Tribe’s five first half wides also helped Clare’s cause as they gradually got to the pitch of the game that was set during that blistering start.

Midfielders Shane Golden and Ronan Keane were key – they ran at Galway; they tacked on points from play, while Niall Gilligan’s accuracy from placed balls were also key, as was a hardworking half-back line that gradually stemmed some of the tide towards the scoreboard goal.

Golden’s second after 20 minutes had the gap down to 2-4 to 1-4 – an admirable recovery from Clare in the face of a tempest when Galway seemed capable of scoring anytime they launched an attack.

Kevin Keehan and Brian Murphy were their trump cards, hitting 2-6 between them in the first half, with 2-3 coming from play, but crucially from Clare’s viewpoint the gap was never more than four after Padraig Hickey’s crucial goal.

On four occasions in the first half Galway edged four clear, but each time a dogged Clare pegged back a point to stay within striking distance of only 2-7 to 1-7 adrift at the break.

Then Galway edged four clear again after 37 minutes thanks to a Joe O’Leary 65 and a Kevin Keehan free after Niall Gilligan had reduced the margin to two points in the opening minutes.

Remarkably, however, Galway didn’t raise another flag. Mark Earley, who had been relocated to fullback thundered into the game, as did Patrick Kelly in the corner, while outside them the inspiration really started to flow once Padraig Hickey bagged two brilliant points from play by the three-quarter stage.

The second brought the sides level and from there this contest had an air of inevitability about it. Niall Gilli gan was the conductor out the field, while those around him grew in stature with every passing minute.

The nett result was 1-10 without reply in the closing 23 minutes. It looked like being a rout for Galway at the start – it ended up being one for Clare.

Amazing stuff.

Clare
AndrewFahy (Whitegate), Mark Earley (Tubber), Patrick Kelly (Clarecastle),Alan Brigdale (Crusheen), Kevin Moynihan (Éire Óg), Michael Hawes (Cratloe), John Fennessy (Sixmilebridge), Ronan Keane (Éire Óg) (0-1), Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge) (0-2), Martin Duggan (Clooney/ Quin) (0-1),Tony Carmody (Sixmilebridge) (0-2), Kevin Dilleen (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), Declan O’Rourke (WolfeTones), Niall Gilligan (Sixmilebridge) (0-8, 4f, one pen, one 65), Padraig Hickey (Broadford) (1-4).

Subs
Joe O’Connor (Parteen) (1-0) for O’Rourke [38 Mins].

Galway
Kevin O’Grady (Beagh),Alan Leech (Kinvara), Damian McClearn (Loughrea), Pat Holland (Ardrahan), Joe O’Leary (Ardrahan) (0-1, one 65), David Hayes (Kiltormer), Brian Mahoney (Loughrea), Kevin Brady (Castlegar), Niall Callanan (Craughwell), Fergal Healy (Craughwell), Keith Kilkenny (Kiltormer) (0-1), Enda Concannon (Castlegar), Conor Kavanagh (Kinvara), Kevin Keehan (Beagh) (1-5 4f), Brian Murphy (Turloughmore) (1-2).

Subs
Joe Cooney (Sarsfields) for Concannon [21 Min], Barry Hanley (Carnmore) for Kavanagh [27 Mins], Kenneth Burke (St Thomas’] for Callanan [32 Mins], Martin Corcoran (Meelick-Eyrecourt) for Hanley [49 Mins], Rory Gantley (Beagh) for Kilkenny [56 Mins]

Referee
TomCarroll (Offaly)

Doonbeg 3-7 – Ennistymon 1-9 at Pairc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty

WITH an immaculate, carpet-like pitch and a full stand in Pairc Naomh Mhuire on Saturday evening, the stage was set for this top of the table decider between the respective Magpies of north and west Clare.

After all, Doonbeg are defending champions and Cusack Cup finalists while Ennistymon are Garry Cup and Under 21A holders that suggested it would be just as close as the first game of the double header.

As often as is the case however, it is the most anticipated championship matches that fail to ingite and so it proved on this occasion also as Doonbeg kicked two first half goals to quell the early Ennistymon rebellion and always looked like winning the game without ever making it comfortable for themselves on the scoreboard.

Ennistymon appeared to have expended most of their energy in the pre-match ‘introduction’ on their way to the field as aside from an early Sean McConigley goal, they displayed scarcely any of the determined, fighting qualities that saw them snatch victory from the clutches of last year’s finalists Liscannor last time out.

Instead, Doonbeg brushed off the early 1-1 to 0-1 deficit and hit back by playing to their strengths, with midfielders Enda Doyle and Colm Dillon working tirelessly to feed the quality of David Tubridy and Shane Ryan up front.

Tubridy as ever was the focal point of the attack, scoring points from both feet as well as setting up Frank O’Dea for their opening goal in the tenth minute. Ten minutes later, they regained full control when a Shane Ryan free was floated towards the square and Colm Dillon rose unmarked to punch to the net and give the Magpies a 2-4 to 1-3 lead.

It was a lead that they would never relenquish, despite making much harder work of it than was entirely necessary. Another Tubridy free had them 2-5 to 1-4 clear by the break while they would only score thrice more in the game, thanks in the main to seven second half wides.

Unfortunately for Ennistymon, they just couldn’t muster up enough grit to take advantage as the management made several alterations and substitutes but to little avail. They did get to within a goal of the lead- ers by the 47th minute after points from Joe Dowling and Brian Conway but it always seemed as if Doonbeg could pull away if needed and sure enough, it came to pass in the 56th minute when David Tubridy cleverly punched a Colm Dillon break into the net to give them some breathing space once more.

Ennistymon hit back with late points from Willie Murphy and Brian Conway but again Doonbeg upped the ante before the finish with Paul Dillon’s goalbound shot saved before Tubridy put the rebound over the bar to maintain Doonbeg’s perfect start.

Doonbeg
Nigel Dillon (7), RichieVaughan (7), Padraig Gallagher (7), Conor Whelan (7), Brian Dillon (7), Paraic Aherne (8), Shane O’Brien (7), ColmDillon (8) (1-1), Enda Doyle (9), Shane Ryan (7), Shane Killeen (6), Frank O’Dea (7) (1-0), Paul Dillon (7), Kevin Nugent (6), DavidTubridy (8) (1-5 2f)

Subs
EamonTubridy (6) for Nugent (14 mins, inj), Conor Downes for E.Tubridy (55 mins)

Ennistymon
David McInerney (7), Michael Hohey (6), Laurence Healy (8), Michael Anthony Devitt (7),Willie Murphy (7) (0-1), Micheál

O’Loughlin (8), OisinVaughan (7), Ronan Linnane (6), Sean O’Driscoll (7) (0-1 ’45), Robert McDonagh (7) (0-1), Kevin Scales (6), Joe Dowling (7) (0-2 1f), Joey Rouine (7), Brian Conway (7) (04 3f 1 lineball), Sean McConigley (7) (1-0)

Subs
Cathal Malone (7) for Linnane (38 mins), Michael McDonagh (6) for Scales (38 mins), Brian McDonagh (6) for R. McDonagh (49 mins), Michael Houlihan for Rouine (55 mins)

Man of the Match
Enda Doyle (Doonbeg) Referee Rory Hickey (Éire Óg)

AFTER the ball game and Niall Romer is gathering up hurleys – as you do, but on this occasion he’d have been forgiven for neglecting this chore in favour of celebrating with those around him.

But no, why be caught up in the fervour of a remarkable victory, when he knew it was going to happen and had taken it as a given – before a ball was pucked, even after a couple of balls were pucked and Galway had two goals up on the board.

“We had great faith in them,” says Romer, “and straight up, I’ll tell you that I had this field booked for training next Wednesday night.

“Ask the groundsman Martin Flanagan. He’ll tell you that – that we had the placed booked because we were very confident of winning this game. We knew we would win this game and that’s the confidence we had in these players to deliver.

“We played against Galway in a challenge match back in June and they scored seven goals against us. That’s why two goals, even coming so early wasn’t going to beat us,” he adds.

With that he drifts away to pick up some more hurleys and a few training cones, before revealing the real secret to Clare’s remarkable comeback from the double whammy of those opening goals from Brian Murphy and Kevin Keehan.

“It’s the character of the lads,” he says. “They have awful character. They’re tough men. They just wouldn’t give up and people don’t realise how good they are.

“Galway could have been further ahead at half-time, but I’m a big believer of giving lads a second chance. We could have made changes, but we didn’t.

“I asked them at half-time, and so did Kevin – we asked them to give it everything and leave it out on the field and walk off htat field with heads held high.

“Those players did that. They did themselves proud. They did Clare hurling proud and they did the county proud in the way they came back to win that game.

“Look at some the performances out there. Padraig Hickey was unbelievable – he didn’t even have to look at the posts. He just had the ability to pop them over. It was great to see Joe O’Connor come on and get a great goal. Niall Gilligan’s leadership. Everyone was brilliant,” says Romer.

It brings him into a familiar parish. Kilkenny in an All-Ireland, as it was when Romer captained the Clare juniors back in 1993 when they scored a famous win in Croke Park.

“It’s onwards and upwards,” he says. “It’s great to be in an All-Ireland. Kilkenny are raging hot favourites, but we’re going up to win. End of story.

“We have that confidence in this team. Kevin Kennedy has a way of working with guys and getting the best out of them. Tommy O’Donoghue is very underrated, so we’re confident. We’re looking forward to it. We can’t wait for it, wherever it’s on.

“As I say, Kilkenny are favourites because they always are, but we don’t mind about that. We’ve come this far and we want to finish it off.” ALL- IRELAND INTERMEDIATE HURLING SEMI- FINAL

Liscannor 1-9 Lissycasey 1-8 at Pairc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty

LAST year’s finalists Liscannor returned to their game-edging best after a late surge got their championship campaign back on track on Saturday. Agonisingly overturned by the minimum in the opening round against Ennistymon, this time it was Liscannor’s turn to come back from a two point deficit in the final quarter to snatch a dramatic victory.

It was a cruel twist on Lissycasey who for the second successive game, failed to hold onto a match winning position and in the end, it was predominantly their inexperience that cost them dearly. Inexperience is something that cannot be labelled at Liscannor however as 16 out of the 17 players used on Saturday had featured in last year’s county final and they used that match winning knowhow and patience to eventually get them over the line.

Their strong finish was matched by an equally impressive opening when surging into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by tenth minute thanks to Alan Clohessy, a superb Michael Foley point and one apiece from the towering full-forward duo of Johnny Considine and Alan Flaherty who posed a major aerial threat everytime the ball was lofted in their direction. Lissycasey meanwhile used placed balls to settle them into the tie through Enda Finnucane and Niall Kelly and by the interval, they had gained parity at 0-5 to 0-5.

Again Liscannor took control on the restart and should have troubled goaleeper Joe Hayes with a flowing move involving Niall Considine and Alan Flaherty that was teed up for the onrushing Gerard Considine to strike just over the crossbar after only 30 seconds. Two poor wides along with a Clohessy smothered shot ensured that Liscannor would not profit further on their period of dominance and they were to be punished to the maximum at the other end in the 36th minute with a bizarre goal against the run of play.

It stemmed from a hopeful Michael Melican effort from 45 metres that swirled in the wind and eluded the despairing Noel Kilmartin in a moment that almost seemed like slow motion. It was to be the kickstart that Lissycasey so badly craved and they capitalised on that fortune to open up a four point lead by the 40th minute following points from Paul Nagle and Niall Kelly.

Liscannor didn’t panic however and utilising their aerial advantage in the full-forward line, they grabbed a lifeline only five minutes later when a Dara Blake high delivery was caught and offloaded by Johnny Considine to Alan Clohessy who did well to hold off the attention of several defenders before getting a successful shot away to the left corner.

With that, Liscannor’s match winning character came to the fore and while they were perhaps fortunate to maintain their full side after Brian Considine threaded a thin line to avoid a second yellow, pressure didn’t seem to bother them when it came to taking their chances from frees when it mattered most.

1-8 to 1-6 down with six minutes remaining, a Clohessy free was matched by one from Kieran Considine in the 57th minute to equalise. And there was almost a sense of inevitability in a tumultuous, ill-tempered finish when Niall Considine was fouled 35 metres from goal and Clohessy stepped up to get Liscannor off the mark in the championship.

Liscannor
Noel Kilmartin (6), Dara Blake (7), David McDonagh (7), Michael Foley (8) (0-1), Shane Canavan (7), Ronan Slattery (7), Denis Murphy (7), Brian Considine (8), Niall Considine

(7), Joe Considine (6),Alan Clohessy (8) (1-4 3f), Gerard Considine (7) (0-1), Kieran Considine (7) (0-1f),Alan Flaherty (8) (0-1), Johnny Considine (7) (0-1)

Subs
Robert Lucas (7) for Joe Considine (HT), Paul Guerin for Johnny Considine (60 mins)

Lissycasey
Joe Hayes (7), Martin O’Connor (7), Gerry Moran (7),Alan Nagle (7), Cathal Hill (7), Michael Melican (8) (0-1), Cyril Sheehan (6), Enda Finnucane (7) (0-2f), Danny Clohessy (7), Paul Nagle (7) (0-2), Francis Hayes (8), Matt O’Shea (7), Derek McMahon (7), Niall Kelly (8) (0-4 3f), Fergal Talty (6)

Subs
OisinTalty (6) for F.Talty (36 mins), Martin Moran for Sheehan (36 mins), Dermot Nagle for Clohessy (54 mins)

Man of the Match
Alan Clohessy (Liscannor) Referee Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-10 – Kildysart 0-7 at Cooraclare

KILMURRY Ibrickane’s train is beginning to build up a head of steam – not just at senior level with the O’Gorman and Cusack Cups already on the sideboard back in Peter O’Dwyer’s homestead in Mullagh.

The intermediate train is purring along nicely too – like their senior brethren they’re in the knockout stages, for them it’s a semi-final thanks to this hard-earned win over Kildysart on early Sunday afternoon.

Kildysart looked like they were on their way to victory early in the second half when they forged 0-7 to 0-3 clear, but from there Kilmurry finally found their feet, began to use the wind to maximum advantage and eventually reeled off seven points in succession to get home by three.

It was tough on Kildysart who were beaten semi-finalists last year, when they went down in a replay to eventual champions St Breckan’s. They went into this game on the back of a four-point win over Kilfenora in the first round, with a semi-final spot with a game to spare at stake in this one.

It looked to be Kildysart’s for the taking as they led 0-6 to 0-3 at halftime. With Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly displaying his usual accuracy from frees – he landed two in the half, as well as chipping in with one from play, they grabbed the initiative in the second quarter of the half.

The sides were locked at 0-3 apiece after 18 minutes, Odran O’Dwyer (2) and Senan McCarthy were on the mark for the men for Ibrickane, but from there Kildysart dug deep to open up a double scores lead at halftime.

Christy Clancy, Keith Murphy and Kieran Ayres contributed points from play in the half as they were full value for that three points advantage, while a point early in the second half from Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly stretched that lead out to four.

However, Kilmurry gradually came to life, with the introduction of veteran John Talty into fray playing a crucial part in giving them a stanglehold of the midfield exchanges, dominance that ultimately paved the way for the scores to give them to two precious points.

Odran O’Dwyer and Colm Donnellan were on the mark with points as the comeback cranked to life – they held Kildysart scoreless for the final 25 minutes.

The lead score came from Mark Moloney after 53 minutes, while Thomas O’Connor and Odran O’Dwyer also chipped in with points as they eased to their three-point comeback success.

Kilmurry Ibrickane
DavidTalty, Eamon Dunne, John Sexton, John McNamara, Mark Moloney (0-1), Gary Donnellan, Pat Sexton,Vinny Talty,Thomas O’Connor (0-1),Adrian Murrihy, Thomas Greene, ColmDonnellan (0-1),Aidan Moloney Jnr, Odran O’Dwyer (0-6, 2f), Senan McCarthy (0-1). Sub JohnTalty for McCarthy.

Kildysart
John Murray, John Guinane, Shane McNeilus, Kieran Ayres (0-1), Brian Ayres, Keith O’Connor, Michael Eustace, Brian O’Sullivan, Neil O’Connor, John Clancy, Christy Clancy (0-1), Niall Guinane, Ger Kelly (0-4, 3f), Keith Murray (0-1), Kevin Kelly. Subs Eoin Cleary for Niall Guinane, Damian Murtagh for Kevin Kelly.

Man of the Match
Odran O’Dwyer (Kilmurry Ibrickane) Referee Pat Cosgrove (Corofin)

St Senan’s Kilkee 3-6 – St Breckan’s 0-12 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

WHEN Barry Kelly blew the final whistle in his home patch of Miltown Malbay last Sunday evening, many of the St Breckans players fell to their knees with a sudden weight of disappointment and regret.

As the week will progress this will definitely be viewed as missed opportunity by both players and management alike and who knows how costly this case of a one that got away could be in this year’s senior football championship for the North Clare men. To have merely been behind two points at the interval after playing against a gale of a breeze in the first half and then to have actually regained the lead midway through the second half and to still come out on the wrong side of this 3-6 to 0-12 result will really have hurt the Lisdoon faithful.

On the other hand St Senans Kilkee were far from feeling the blues as their drive, hunger and most important of all, their experience drove them over the winning line to really open up group two after this second round of matches.

This victory arrived in many ways not only because of Breckan’s gradual decrease in control of proceedings but crucially Kilkee’s clinical nature in front of goal. The Blues found the net on three occasions while Breckans never saw that magical moment of the green flag waving in the blustery conditions of Miltown.

The first of the hat-trick of killer blows was in fact the opening score of this encounter. Despite Breckans adopting a defensive formation from the thrown in with Denis O’Driscoll acting almost as a sweeper, their tactics were to no avail when Gearoid Lynch crept in behind the far too hesitant and unresponsive Lisdoon full-back line.

Michael O’Shea’s expertly judged over the top pass landed safely in the hands of the on rushing wing forward who remained calm and confident to blast the football low into the bottom left corner of the net. Last year’s intermediate champions now needed to awaken from their early match snooze and to realise a senior encounter was going to have to be contested and fought for.

The eventual response came from the boot of accurate free taker Pat Nagle five minutes later. His first sailed between the posts from the ground while his next attempt from his hands from practically the same spot in front of the goals reduced the deficit to one.

A Conor Cormican kick levelled the game after quarter of an hour after good work from midfielder John McDonagh who would find a score of his own later on in the match.

The comeback however was short lived when killer blow number two materialised in the form of a Kilkee penalty. Again the lively Lynch was involved as another perfectly planned run this time only prevented and stopped by a Michael Reddan foul. O’Shea did the honours and left it at 2-1 to 0-3 to push Breckans back to square one.

Another response was needed and duly it came minutes before the break. O’Shea and the powerful Christopher Williamson had added scores to the Kilkee tally but the half would finish with a flurry of scores from the eventual losers. Cormican and Nagle found their range again while the excellent Stephen Tierney burst forward from defence to pitch in with two other fine points from play to leave it at 2-3 to 0-7 at half time.

The second half erupted into action with a trio of placed kicks from key marksman Nagle. His reliability in front of goal nudged Breckans into the lead for the first time. The momentum appeared to have followed the outfit who had now the wind at their backs. Strike three though would prove this advantage to be full of hot air as the treble of three pointers was completed with Kilkee’s first score of the second half also being a goal as in the first.

A scramble and goal mouth scrum somehow so the ball land in David Russell’s hands before he popped off a hand pass to Lynch who again found himself in the right place at the right time.

The football was hammered high into the net as was the final nail in the Breckans coffin. Of course the towel was never going to be thrown in with Nagle and Tierney the bravest of the losing warriors finding the last two punts of the game but unfortunately it was too little too late as Kilkee found the win they so desperately desired.

St Senan’s Kilkee
Kevin Harte (7), Darren Clarke (7), Darragh Kelly (7) Darren Owens (6),Thomas Galvin (7), David Russell (7),Alan Russell (7), Micheal Keane (7), Christopher Williamson (7) (0-2), Gearoid Lynch (8) (2-0), Kevin Larkin (7) (0-1), Brian Clancy (7), Barry Harte (7), Michael O’Shea (8) (1-2, 1-0pen), Diarmuid Keane (6)

Subs
Senan Larkin (6) (0-1) for D. Keane, Keith Downes (6) for M. Keane, Robert Fitzpatrick (6) for Galvin

St Breckan’s
Craig Flanagan (7), Daniel Carey (6), Conor Howley (7), Michael Redden (6), Raphael Considine (7), Greg O’Leary (7), StephenTierney (8) (0-3), John McDonough (7) (0-1), Michael Keating (6), Donal Howley (7), Sean Cormican (7), Dennis O’Driscoll (7), Conor Cormican (7) (0-1), Pat Nagle (8) (0-7f), Eric Murrihy (6)

Subs
Mark O’Donnell (6) for Murrihy

Man of the Match
Gearóid Lynch (St Senan’s Kilkee) Referee Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)