Category: Sport

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)

Corofin 2-3 – Ballyvaughan 0-5 at Gleann Ciosog

THIS north Clare encounter was much more than a derby game. It was essentially a battle for survival, both in the race for the semi-finals and of course the unthinkable fate of relegation. In such heightened circumstances, it was about getting over the line regardless of the performance and it was just as well because the game will hardly be remembered as a classic, if even remembered at all.

Corofin did come out on top in the end though thanks to two first half goals from Damien Ryan and Darren Malone that set the tone in this low scoring contest. By half-time, they led by 2-1 to 0-3 and with only two points apiece in the second period, the game rather petered out than crackled like a neighbourly rivalry should. Ballyvaughan simply craved a goal that would get them back into the game but in truth it never looked like coming as Corofin held on to maintain their championship hopes.

They now play O’Curry’s in what is essentially a championship quarterfinal. For Ballyvaughan, the battle for survival continues to a relegation play-off regardless of their fate against Clondegad.

Corofin
Kieran Carkill, Ollie O’Loughlin, Brendan Keane, Brian McGahan, Damien Malone (0-1), Eamon Malone, Diarmuid Daly, John Keane, Luke O’Loughlin, Stephen Heagney, Darragh Shannon, Fergal Neylon, Darren Malone (1-2), Damien Ryan (1-1), JasonTierney

Subs
Manus Malone for McGahan, Paddy Golden for Neylon, Killian Neylon for Heagney

Ballyvaughan
Damien McNamara, Mark O’Loughlin, Sean McNamara, John Linnane, Mark Walsh, Kieran Casey (0-1), PhelimCoyne, John McCormack, James Hynes, Cillian Malone, CianWalsh (0-1), Lorcan Mahon,Adrian Niland (0-2f), Donnacha Mahon, Kevin Carrucan

Subs
Tomás Francis for D. Mahon, Raymond Casey for Carrucan

Man of the Match
Darren Malone (Corofin) Referee TomStackpool (Ennistymon)

Clondegad 3-10 – O’Curry’s 1-7 at Shanahan McNamara Park, Doonbeg

CLONDEGAD are championship favourites, but uneasy rested this onerous mantle for much of the hour in the long village on Sunday afternoon before they finally came good in the final ten minutes against an O’Curry’s side that failed to last the course.

And, for that final push that yielded a second brace of points for the defeated finalists from ‘04, ‘06 and again last year, it was the talismanic powers of their two trump cards Gary Brennan and Paudge McMahan that sealed victory.

From being 1-7 to 1-5 in arrears with just over ten minutes left, Clondegad finally came alive thanks to the influence of their ‘Terrible Twins’.

Brennan was selected at full-forward, but moved out to centre-forward and then midfield in the final quarter, while McMahon was a constant threat in the corner that O’Curry’s couldn’t counter.

It was Brennan’s goal in the 53rd minute that belatedly put Clondegad in the driving seat, while McMahon then applied the killer touch when rounding off the move of the match with another goal that put paid to any prospect of a late, late show from a brave O’Curry’s side.

Certainly the nine point margin between the sides in no way reflected the hour of football, because for much of it O’Curry’s looked the more likely side

Clondegad adapted quicker to the tricky crossfield breeze and points by Gary Brennan and Paudge McMahon had them a couple of points clear by the sixth minute, but gradually as the half wore on the men from the edge of the peninsula warmed to the occasion.

Damian Carmody fisted their opener in the ninth minute, while six minutes later after Paudge McMahon had restored Clondegad’s advantage with a pointed free, Carmody struck again for a goal.

It was freakish in nature as his shot deceived both full-back Paddy O’Connell and keeper Declan O’Loughlin when spinning to the net. It put them 1-1 to 0-3 ahead and they didn’t look back for the rest of the half.

McMahon did level matters with another free in the 16th minute but three-in-a-row from play via Michael Carmody, Ger Lynch and Michael Foran gave O’Curry’s a thoroughly deserved 1-4 to 0-4 interval lead.

O’Curry’s stretched that advantage to four when countyman Foran grabbed another point two minutes after the resumption as the tempo of the game started to pick up appreciably.

However, just when it looked like slipping away from Dermot Coughlan’s charges they struck for a first goal in the 33rd minute. Francie O’Reilly and Paudge McMahon com- bined to put the onrushing Francie Neylon through, with the wing-back driving to the net to bring it back to a one-point game.

Five minutes later Clondegad were level when Pat Coffey volleyed over after Gary Brennan’s fisted effort came back off the upright, but by the 47th minute O’Curry’s had found another wind and points from frees by Ger Quinlan and Eoin Troy had them two clear once more.

It’s not like O’Curry’s to die, but that’s what happened in the closing 11 minutes when they were outscored by 2-5 to no score.

It was a rousing finish kickstarted by a point from centre-back Kieran Browne in the 49th minute. Two minutes later Paudge McMahon levelled matters before Gary Brennan’s goal, after an assist from brother Shane, finally put them on the road to two more championship points.

It was now all Clondegad, with a second Kieran Browne point putting them 2-9 to 1-7 clear with just over five minutes remaining, while the final goal was worthy of winning any contest, starting as it did in the fullback line when Paddy O’Connell gathered possession and moving the full-length of the field before McMahon drove home his second threepointer.

O’Curry’s were a beaten docket, with further salt rubbed into their wounds when Eoin Griffin added a point at the death.

Clondegad
Declan O’Loughlin, Flan Enright, Paddy O’Connell, Cormac Ryan, Brian Murphy, Kieran Browne (0-2), Francie Neylon (1-0), Cormac Murphy, Shane Brennan, Eoin Griffin (0-1), Brian Carrigg, Kenneth Kelly, Paudge McMahon (2-4, 2f) Gary Brennan (1-2, 1f), Francis O’Reilly.

Subs
Pat Coffey (0-1) for Carrig, James Murphy for Kelly, Eoin Donnellan for James Murphy,

O’Curry’s
PJ Greene, Ger Lynch (0-1), Ollie Quinlan, Paul Roche, BrianTroy, Michael O’Shea,TomDownes, Ger Quinlan (0-1f), DerekTroy, Damian Carmody (1-1), Sean Haugh, Michael Foran (0-2), Michael Carmody (0-1), EoinTroy (0-1f), Francis Kelly. Subs DeclanWalsh for Foran, JimDownes for Michael Carmody,

Man of the Match
Paudge McMahon (Clondegad) Referee Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

Cooraclare 2-11 – Éire Óg 0-9 at St Michael ’s Park, Kilmihil

COORACLARE came roaring back into the championship on Saturday night with a comprehensive and thoroughly deserved victory over Eire Óg.

Much like the epic trilogy played by these two teams in last year’s quarter finals, this group two meeting was do or die. Both teams had lost their opening matches but from very early on it was evident that the consequences of defeat had stimulated a far more urgent and passionate performance in Cooraclare than they had done in Eire Óg.

Barely 50 seconds had elapsed when Gearóid Looney punched to the back of net for a Cooraclare goal. A point swiftly followed. Inspired by outstanding performances from captain Mark Tubridy, Rory Donnelly and wing back Declan McMahon; the men in light blue lead never relinquished their lead.

An eight point winning margin in no way flatters Cooraclare. They could have won by more. Two decent goal chances went a begging while Donnelly saw a second half penalty saved. A place in the knock out stages remains a strong possibility or Aidan Moloney’s side.

The same cannot be said for Eire Óg, who, after a second successive championship loss, are almost out of the race for Jack Daly.

There were moments when the Townies threatened to reel in their more energetic opponents. But overall they couldn’t get to grips with the pace of Rory Donnelly or the irrepressible Tubridy, who, though named at centre forward, seemed to be everywhere. Cooraclare were faster to the breaks and there was a far greater assuredness and confidence about their play. Eire Óg’s forwards, with the exception of Eoin Glynn and Sean Crotty, struggled to retain possession and create scoring opportunities.

Cooraclare had no such troubles. Tubridy seized on a long clearance, forced his way past two Eire Óg defenders and crossed for Gearóid Looney to goal after 50 seconds. John Looney, who also put in a commendable shift, pointed a minute later before Eire Óg goalie Eoin Slattery produced a fine stop to deny Tubridy. Tubridy’s persistence was then rewarded with a point before the Townies finally got on the scoreboard through Sean O’Meara’s 15th minute free. Shane Daniels slotted over a free before Michael McMahon converted for Cooraclare to leave the west Clare side leading 1-3 0-2.

Daniels and Glynn rounded off well worked moves with points before another McMahon free and a powerfully struck score from blood sub David Russell left the half time score 1-4 0-5.

With a slight wind at their backs, Cooraclare got of to flying start after the break with points from Tubridy and Donnelly. Then in a crucial fiveminute period, Daniels and O’Meara missed two scoreable frees as Cooraclare extended their lead to six points through scores from Tubridy and John Looney. Sean O’Meara bagged a point in the 44th minute but the hammer blow was on its way.

Tubridy did exceptionally well to catch a ball destined to go wide before squeezing a shot to the net in the 46th minute. Cooraclare led 2-8 0-6 and the outcome was beyond doubt. John Looney and John Considine kicked two more points as efforts from Daniels and Saran Butler kept the townies’ faint chances alive. John Looney kicked the final point as Coorclare get their campaign back on track.

Cooraclare
Declan Keane (7), Fergal Lillis (7), Conor Marinan (7),Thomas Downes (7), David Marinan (7),Thomas Donnellan (7), Declan McMahon (8),AndrewO’Neill (7), Joe Considine (0-1) (7), Gearóid Looney (1-0) (7), MarkTubridy (1-3) (9), Sean McGuire (7), Rory Donnelly (0-1) (8), John Looney (0-4)(1f) (8), Michael McMahon (0-2)(2f) (7)

Subs
Michael Kelly (7) for McGuire, Kieran Hassett (7) for MMcMahon, Sean McGuire for Considine

Eire Óg
Eoin Slattery (7), Dean Ryan (7), Donie Lyne (6), Conor Healy (6), David Ryan (7),Alan Malone (6), Nicky Hogan (6), Darren O’Neill (6), Shane Daniels (7) (0-4)(2f), Saran Butler (6) (0-1), David Monaghan (6), Brian McMahon (6), Sean O’Meara (6) (0-2)(1f), Sean Crotty (7), Eoin Glynn (7) (0-1)

Subs
David Russell (6) (0-1) for Healy, Brian Frawley for O’Neill, Darren O’Meara for Lyne

Man of the Match
Mark Tubridy (Cooraclare) Referee Barry Kelly (Miltown)

Wolfe Tones 1-8 – Kilmihil 0-7 at Lissycasey

BEFORE a ball was struck in this year’s club football year the men from Shannon were being tipped as one of the most likely to struggle – it had all to do with a hemorrhage of playing resources due to emigration.

How wrong we all were, because in the adversity of losing a clutch of quality players to the Americas and the antipodes, they’ve really shown that where there’s football there’s hope, with Lissycasey being the venue for consolidation and progress.

First there was the win there against the Shams, now this that gave them the distinction, along with Kilmurry Ibrickane, of being in the quarter-final stages with a game to spare.

And they deserved it, on the strength of their showing in both halves – the first when a blistering start that yielded a goal inside a minute against the gale gave them a cushion for the rest of the half; the second when they restricted Kilmihil to a pointed free one minute in and they turned around and hit five points without reply to record a comfortable victory.

Kilmihil were game and tried to the end, there cause never being so lost in the second half that a goal wouldn’t have brought them back into things with a bang, but in the end their fate was effectively sealed with nine minutes remaining when Mark O’Connell received his marching orders for swinging a leg at Chris Dunning, leaving John Hannon with no alternative but to give him a second yellow and then red.

It was game over, but in truth Wolfe Tones probably felt that as early as the ninth minute of the game when they had opened up a 1-1 to no score lead. Against the breeze it was huge start – the goal coming when a good move against the breeze was finished to the net by full-forward Darren Ryan.

Kilmihil were rocked and it wasn’t until the 12th minute that they got going with a David Ryan point, by which time Daniel Gallery had made his first mark on the game for the Tones with good point from play.

Kilmihil’s revival was continued by free by Declan Downes after 18 minutes and a well-worked point from play a minute later when Timmy Ryan and Enda O’Halloran teed up David Ryan for his second.

However, it was the Tones’ strong running game against the breeze that really paid dividends thanks to inspirational points from both Patsy Keyes and Chris Dunning in the 22nd and 24th minutes respectively.

They led by 1-3 to 0-4 at that stage and while Kilmihil hit back to level matters at half-time thanks to a Mark O’Connell solo effort from play and another Declan Downes frees, the force was still most definitely with the Shannon men, thanks to the wind that was to come.

And, that’s just how it panned out, because save Declan Downes’ lead point for Kilmihil 50 seconds after the re-start, it was all Wolfe Tones as they gradually ground the west Clare men into submission.

And, it was two players from that golden minor generation of a few years back that showed the way – Chris ‘Chippy’ Dunning levelled matters by the 37th minute before the prodigal son that is Stephen Mona ghan really stepped up.

He’s had more comebacks than Planxty or Moving Hearts, but the class touches are still there as he proved with points in the 41st and 47th minutes to ease the Tones 1-6 to 0-7 clear.

By this stage Kilmihil were struggling to break out of their own half – a struggle that became steeper when Daniel Gallery rifled over a 45 with ten minutes left and then became mission impossible when O’Connell say red.

All that was left was for the Tones to see it out and look ahead to the quarter-final draw – they did that with a Darren Ryan finishing the game as the started it, this time landing a point to make the cushion in the 59th minute to make the cushion more comfortable again.