Category: Sport

WITH FOUR games down for decision in Division 2A on Tuesday evening, the final placings are yet to be sorted but what is certain is that Clonlara and Cratloe will bounce back to the top tier at the first time of asking.

Both teams are tied on 12 points at the summit, albeit that Clonlara have a game against Corofin in hand to see who will top the table and compete in the latter stages of the competition.

That outstanding tie is just as important at the rear of the table as Corofin simply need the points to have any chance of avoiding the drop. Their relegation rivals will play Clonlara on Tuesday while Scariff, the third side embroiled in the struggle at the bottom can secure their Division 2A status with a victory over Corofin this Friday.

It was tighter than a submarine door in Division 2B of the Clare Cup as Kilmaley, Éire Óg and Ruan fought it out for two promotion spots.

First up was the meeting of Sixmilebridge and Ruan on Thursday night in atrocious conditions in O’Garney Park, with the visitors running out 39 to 1-10 victors. 24 hours later the focus of attention switched to Kilmaley in a derby against Éire Óg.

The home side were already promoted due to their far superior score difference while the Townies knew only a win would seal their promotion and condemn Ruan to another season in the division.

That hunger drove the visitors to a 1-13 to 1-04 half-time advantage including a Thomas Downes goal but it was still far from over as the home side inevitably slashed away at the deficit and by the hour mark, only the bare minimum separated the sides much to the anxiety of both sets of supporters as well as the Ruan following who were hoping for a draw or Kilmaley win to see them advance to the next tier. However, while Kilmaley threw everything at them in additional time, Éire Óg, backboned by the solid half-back line of Kevin Moynihan, Fergus Flynn and Tadgh MacNamara held out for the narrowest of victories and of course promotion on scoring difference.

The race to avoid relegation from Division 2B however is still up in the air as three sides fight to avoid the drop alongside Ogonnelloe. Ennistymon take on Bodyke on Tuesday with the winner guaranteed safety while the loser will hope that Killanena don’t get anything from their final game against Parteen in order to survive as well.

In the intermediate league, it was reported last week in this column that the top two teams in the division would qualify for the final but the league has been altered this year to include semi-finals, with Inagh/Kilnamona, Crusheen and Newmarket safely through ahead of their final game on Monday evening while anyone of Éire Óg, Meelick, Clooney/ Quin or Clarecastle could snatch the

DESPITE NOT winning a championship game under his watch, history will in time reflect very favourably on Ger O’Loughlin’s two year reign as Clare senior hurling manager. The Sparrow resigned on Wednesday following his side’s comprehensive championship exit at the hands of neighbours Galway, their fourth straight championship defeat, with inexperience highlighted as the main source of defeat.

From the outset of his managerial appointment in December 2009, O’Loughlin’s commitment to blooding youth and building for the future was admirable. However, while he may have originally planned to gradually introduce the All-Ireland Under 21 winning panel to top flight hurling, his hand was forced somewhat by the retirements of Niall Gillian, Tony Carmody and Tony Griffin and subsequently Gerry O’Grady to injury later in the year. Those four players along with Jonathan Clancy, Diarmuid McMahon, Brian O’Connell, Pat Vaughan, Brendan Bugler, Patrick Donnellan and Alan Markham would have provided an experienced core for O’Loughlin to build his new side upon, with a sprinkling of younger talent complimenting that experience.

It was not to be however and instead, the Sparrow was forced to concentrate on building a completely new look side around the Under 21’s that would be capable of competing for top honours in a projected timeline of 3-4 years. In his first championship game in charge against Waterford, O’Loughlin entered unprecedented territory by handing debuts to nine players and it almost paid dividends while three more were given their first championship outings in 2011.

However, while the Sparrow’s foresight and courage was to be commended, the short term results didn’t reflect kindly on Clare who failed to achieve their primary goal of emerging from Division 2 of the National League. Had they managed to beat Wexford or Limerick in either final, O’Loughlin might have been heartened sufficiently to maintain his long term rebuilding plan but having to face a third year in the basement of Division 2 was too much.

Small margins derailed Clare’s cause to an extent as had they won either league final, it may have been the big breakthrough this young squad so badly needed in terms of confidence and development. In turn, they would have also boosted Clare’s championship campaigns that in both years saw very encouraging signs for the future in their Munster openers against perennial superpowers Waterford and Tipperary, only to sour the subsequent summers with sub- standard displays against Dublin and Galway in the All-Ireland series.

There is no denying that inexperience was the main issue but O’Loughlin simply had no option but to stick to his convictions and put all his faith in his young charges. In 2010, Clare lost to Waterford by 0-22 to 1-15, using 19 players with a combined total of 165 championship games behind them, averaging nine games experience for each player (including a late cameo for Alan Markham who alone made up over a quarter of those appearances at 45 games). All the more admirable when you consider that nine of those 19 were playing in their first senior championship game while also fac- ing a Waterford side with 520 games experience, an average of 26 games each. A game later, a young Dublin side had almost twice Clare’s experience at 270 games or 14 games for each player.

This year, with no Markham or Brian O’Connell (emigrated), O’Loughlin handed out two more debuts to Cratloe duo Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney and took on All-Ireland champions Tipperary head on, with only 124 championship games under their belts as compared to the Premier’s 374, with Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly having almost as much championship experience as the entire 18 man Clare side that day. Finally Galway went back to their roots and had a combined total of 312 championship games experience that proved too much for Clare.

There is still some naivety and greenness to be knocked off them while the squad seemingly learned very little defensively from their Division 2 campaign. When a team is conceding 2-17 to Westmeath, 1-18 to Kerry and 3-16 to Laois, it is almost impossible to expect them to hold out All-Ireland champions Tipperary who devastatingly put seven goals past Waterford in Sunday’s Munster final, or against Galway who also showed their firepower against Cork on Saturday.

There was a hint of Ger O’Loughlin’s impending resignation immediately after the 17 point defeat to Galway just over a week ago when he reflected on his time as manager but also reckoning that the squad weren’t that far away from making the breakthrough.

“When I went in, after a couple of weeks, I knew that we were starting off from a very low base with regard to experienced players and we have had to start from scratch but I think we have made progress even though the results are poor.

“I think we actually have a nucleus built up to go forward but we need that injection again of five or six, 18, 19 and 20 year olds over the next year or two. But Clare will win something I think in the next three years. It might take three years but I think they’ll win something.”

They may yet prove to be very prophetic words indeed in light of Clare’s second successive Munster minor title victory on Sunday. The ingredients are there, the future is indeed bright and it will be noted that The Sparrow sowed the seeds by blooding the 2009 Under 21 panel. It’s now up to the new manager to nurture those crops further in the hope of reaping a blossoming future harvest.

THERE WAS much to savour for what was a truly historic occasion in Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday as two memorable performances lit up Munster hurling’s flagship day. Tipperary undoubted stole the headlines for their seven goal senior demolition of defending champions Waterford while beforehand, Clare carved out their own piece of history by putting Waterford to the sword for the second successive decider.

In fact, Clare’s display was every bit as commanding as Tipperary’s, only that the Premier had a greater and more ruthless eye for goal. The five point winning margin simply didn’t do justice to the quality, hardworking and mature display of Clare who strolled to a 13 point advantage by the turn of the final quarter with Waterford unable to live with them.

That they didn’t complete the rout and pour even more misery on the Deise support was more down to the fact that Clare tired rather than Waterford sparkled. With the engine room of captain Tony Kelly and Colm Galvin in real danger of missing out on playing in their second successive Munster final, the fact that they started and essentially pulled the strings along with Cathal O’Connell and Jamie Shanahan in the centre for Clare once more, were central to Clare’s success. However, as the central pair inevitably tired, so too did Clare’s dominance around the middle and Waterford punished with a late rally of 2-2 that merely grazed a touch of gloss off Clare’s historic victory.

The real measure of the contest is emphasised by the fact that Clare got 21 scores to Waterford’s 12 and that nine point margin would be a better reflection of the game.

At times, Clare were outstanding and it was refreshing to see a Clare team so comfortable and at ease in the heightened surrounds of Pairc Uí Chaoimh. The serial stars like the quartet already mentioned put in another massive hour, particularly Tots O’Connell who was at the centre of everything good for Clare. However, nearly every player stepped up their game another level from the Tipperary game which is a real sign of a quality side. Goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan pulled off two super saves in the final quarter; Jack Browne and Seadna Morey were inspired, particularly in a superb opening 20 minute spell; the wing backs were courageous and attack minded while Peter Duggan, Shane O’Donnell, Oisin Hickey and Aaron Cunningham had plenty of ingenuity and endeavour without putting up huge personal totals on the scoreboard.

Now don’t get me wrong, it isn’t all gushing pats on the back as there is plenty for Donal Moloney, Gerry O’Connor and Co to work on for the All-Ireland semi-final in a month’s time. And in that regard, in the greater scheme of things it’s probably no harm that Clare didn’t ruthlessly take all of their many goalscoring chances and win by a cricket score because at least the goals they missed at one end and conceded at the other will give them something to work on in the coming weeks.

Much of the credit though must go to the management team in all it’s various guises as it was abundantly clear even from the warm-up that this was a supremely well drilled squad that possessed a huge work ethic and understanding.

The opening 20 minutes was champagne stuff as Clare built up a 0-12 to 1-03 at their ease, with Cathal O’Connell’s unerring freetaking along with eycatching points from Peter Duggan, Aaron Cunningham, Jarleth Colleran, Jamie Shanahan, Tony Kelly and Colm Galvin.

They also deserved a goal in the 13th minute when Seadna Morey burst out of defence before offloading to Oisin Hickey who outpaced his marker only to see the resulting shot stopped by goalkeeper Paddy Cooke. Even the concession of a goal two minutes later in a rare Waterford attack, through the hard work of 15 year old Stephen Bennett who set up Adam O’Sullivan for the finish, couldn’t derail Clare who simply brushed off that set-back with another five points in a row on their way to a double scores 0-14 to 1-04 halftime advantage.

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Clare should have been further ahead after good work from Duggan and Galvin that got Hickey on the ball but perhaps he should have passed to the unmarked Shane O’Donnell instead of attempting a shot from an acute angle that was pushed away by the goalkeeper. The Meelick man quickly made up for it only two min- utes later however as Jamie Shanahan sent an inch perfect pass over the top for him to chase, gather and bury to the net to finish the game as a contest. With that, the pace eased off some- what, the game opened up and there were chances at either end for goals. Shane O’Donnell had two bites of the cherry denied while down the other end, Quilligan was forced to make a full-length acrobatic stop to deny

WEEK 7 of the ITRA Tag Rugby League resulted in Division 1 being closer than ever with current leaders Tag Her & Try Her being beaten by a renewed team of Lucas’ Legends. Tag Her & Try Her were never really a threat to the Legends and the game finished 7-2 in favour of Lucas’ Legends, a win they badly needed.

In second place on the Divison 1 League Table was Deep Heat who were looking to gain some extra points to catch Tag Her & Try Her. However Scrum N Coke proved stiff competition. The game was tied 0-0 at half time before Deep Heat had a quick succession of tries giving them a lead of 5-1. Mary O’Connor for Scrum N Coke got a majestic try to bring her team within one point and a last minute try saw the teams level at the final whistle with 5 points a piece.

Elsewhere, MurtysMen had too much for The Try Hards and their fast paced game saw them getting 12 tries to The Try Hards 3. The game finished up 12 points to 9 in MurtysMen favour, giving them their first win of this division.

In Division 2 Ennis Randomers finally got their first win of the season defeating DBOCS. The Randomers looked like winners from the off and certainly grew in confidence as the match progressed and the scores increased. The game ended with Ennis Randomers on 14 and DBOCS on 3.

First place, The Shades took on second place, On Wing With Prayer in what was being pipped as the Division 2 decider. On Wing With Prayer fought hard and fast and took the game 18 points to the Shades 9. Meanwhile Munstergroup and TTM Tryers faced off with both teams wanting to build on their wins from last week. TTM were the better team and won the match by a convincing 13 points to 4.

The competition now goes into the final week of the league with all teams eager to give one last push before finals night.

Week 7 Results
Division 1 TheTry Hards 9 – 12 MurtysMen Tag Her &Try Her 2- 7 Lucas’ Legends Deep Heat 5 – 5 ScrumN Coke

Division 2
Munstergroup 4 – 13 TTMTryers Ennis Randomers 14 – 3 DBOCS The Shades 9 – 18 OnWing With Prayer

AN Ennis man who is bringing the stars of world soccer to Ireland at the end of the month says he is proud that Clare is hosting the FAI’s Festival of Football.

Damien O’Brien, who is originally from McNamara Park in the Turnpike area of Ennis, will return home later this week to promote the Dublin Super Cup.

O’Brien’s Iconic company, in association with Endemol Sport has signed a 10 year deal partnership with the FAI to bring world class soccer teams to the Aviva Stadium.

The inaugural event takes place in Dublin on July 30-31 when the stars of Inter Milan, Celtic, an Eirtricity League X1 and Manchester City, clash in a pre-season tournament.

A student from Kilmaley National School will lead out one of the teams on the first day of games. O’Brien explains, “My parents are back living in Inch. Kilmaley national school were doing a fundraiser so we gave a prize that one of the kids could be a mascot for one of the teams. The tournament will be screened to something like 150 territories around the world, everywhere under the sun”.

The tournament represents O’Brien’s latest venture in the world of high level sports promotion. Five years ago he devised the format for Football’s Next Star – a reality TV show that offers young footballers the chance to earn a professional contract with clubs such as Inter Milan and Chelsea. In 2009, Tulla United teenager Sunny Jay qualified for the final 40 of the competition.

O’Brien says the competition has helped young Irish footballers secure professional contracts with clubs in England. He adds, “We’ve had three Irish boys finish in the top four. We’re coming to Ireland next year with it. It’s gone global. We have shows in the US, China, Africa. The kid who won the competition in the first year is now captain of the Chelsea reserves…Its for kids that maybe have slipped though the net”.

Through Iconic, the 38 year old is also involved in sponsoring the FAI’s Emerging Talent Programme.

A former pupil of Ennis National School, O’Brien played schoolboys soccer with Turnpike Rovers. He moved to London after studying at St Flannan’s College and became involved in sports promotion through an association with Chelsea FC. He says he is looking forward to coming to Clare for the Festival of Soccer.

WITH THE ITRA Ennis Tag Summer League passing the half way mark, all matches were fought closer than ever before with the difference between the teams being marginal.

In Division 1, Deep Heat were out for revenge against Lucas’ Legends, who beat them in the last round. Despite Deep Heat being short on players, their female contingent took on the challenge with relish and came out victorious with a win of 18 points to 5, with each female try being worth 4 points.

Tag Her & Try Her were run ragged on the pitch by a speedy MurtysMen and despite MurtysMen leading for a large portion of the match, the experience of Tag Her & Try Her paid off with them taking the match 17 points to 13.

In the highly anticipated meeting of The Try Hards and Scrum N Coke, which saw twins Peter and Mark Johnston as respective captains, The Try Hards looked like they had the game but then in the last 4 minutes Scrum N Coke came back from 14 – 8 down to score two female tries which leveled the scoreline. The game finished with both teams tied on 14 points a-piece.

In Division 2 The Shades had their third straight win of the league defeating DBOCS 17 points to 10. The Shades showed, once again, the importance of getting female tries.

TTM Tryers had their first win of the season in a close encounter with Ennis Randomers, who were also gunning for their first win. TTM Tryers had the passion for the win and came out on top 14 points to 8.

Munstergroup defeated On Wing With Prayer by a very small margin of 21 points to 19 in a game that was fought to the very end. With this setback for On Wing With Prayer, the Division 2 league is now wide open for the taking.

Week 6 Results
Division 1 Deep Heat 18 – 5 Lucas’ Legends Tag Her &Try Her 17 – 13 MurtysMen TheTry Hards 14 – 14 ScrumNCoke

Division 2
The Shades 17 – 10 DBOCS Ennis Randomers 8 – 14 TTMTryers Munstergroup 21 – 19 OnWing With Prayer

A YOUNG Clarecastle fisherman is celebrating today after helping Ireland to the silver medal in the Home Nations Angling Competition in Derry over the weekend.

Joseph Birney did his county and the Lisdoonvarna/Fanore Sea Angling Club proud by helping the Irish team to a very credible finish – loosing out to the eventual winners Wales by the last few fish caught of the last day of the competition.

This was the first time that Joseph has represented his country after a very successful year which saw him represent his club and province with distinction in a number of competitions.

“It has been a great year for me. To get on the Irish team you first have to be named as a master angler for your club, then you have to take on other anglers to get onto the Munster team and once you are there you have to fish off against 20 of Ireland best young angler, five from each provence, to make the national team,” he said.

“This competition only happens once a year and I was very happy to finish second and bring back the silver medal in my first time fishing for Ireland. It’s a great great feeling to be fishing for your county.

“I had a great time anglish this year and I will definitely be back trying to get onto the Munster and Ireland team again next year.”

Meanwhile, Lahinch angler john Keane was the top angler at this weekends Jim Blackwell memorial Competition in Blackhead. John took the overall competition with 132 points and also netted the biggest fish by catching a 11.2 kg conger eel.

Second place in the competition went to Seamus Hayes from Clarecastle with 82 points while Willie Hartley from Galway came third. The best juvenile award was won by Stephen Birney from Clarecastle.

THE great work being done at grassroots level in Clare will be highlighted when former Irish internationals and senior Football Association of Ireland (FAI) officials visit the county next week.

20 clubs from across Clare are on the itinerary for the visit which will see the spotlight fixed on the huge popularity of schoolboy/girls soccer in the banner. Football fun days will take place in Kilrush (July 12, 2pm to 5pm), Scariff (July 13, 2pm to 5pm), Lahinch (July 14, 2pm to 5pm) while summer schools will take place at Lees Road Ennis (July 11, 10am to 3pm), Newmarket (July 11, 10am to 3pm) and Shannon Hibs (July 11, 10am-3pm). Also on July 11, Corofin Harps will host a soccer blitz while Moher Celtic will host a 5-a-side competition in Liscannor. The official opening of community facilities at Lisdoonvarna will also take place next Monday (4.30pm) while Sporting Ennistymon will host a football blitz at 7pm.

On Tuesday, July 12, Lees road will be the venue for a Special Olympics football blitz organised by the FAI in conjunction with the Clare Sports Partnership.

Tuesday will also be a landmark day for Lifford AFC with the celebration of the club’s 50th anniversary. The occasion will be marked by a 5-aside football tournament (11.30am) and the planting of a commemorative tree at Lifford’s home ground, Cassidy Park.

Later that day, the FAI festival of soccer comes to east Clare. Sixmile- bridge will be the venue for an under age blitz and skills competition (5.45pm) while the official opening of Tulla United’s astro turf pitch at the Cragg will take place 7.15pm.

FAI summer soccer schools continued throughout the county on Wednesday with aspiring coaches urged to take part in the kick start one coaching education course at Lees Road, starting at 10am.

There will be events at Bunratty’s Woulfe Park (11.50am) and Kilmaley Fern Celtic’s home ground in Tiermaclane at 12.45pm.

The emergence and success of clubs in west Clare will be recognised later that evening with visits to Gallery Park, Kilrush (4pm), West Clare United and Kildysart Celtic at Kilkee astro turf (4.45pm) and St Pats in Kilmihil at 6.20pm.

Clare’s biggest club, Avenue United, will host an underage blitz at Lees Road on Thursday (11am). All kids, coaches and committee members affiliated to Ennis Town are asked to be at Ennis Rugby Club by 1pm for the club’s soccer camp

Shannon Olympic will host a soccer sisters event from 2pm to 5pm. FAI dignatories expected to attend include FAI CEO John Delaney, former players Ray and John Aldridge and FAI President John McCaul.

Connolly Celtic Soccer Club will be the first club in Clare to receive an official visit from the FAI guests, with Chief Executive Officer John Delaney, FAI officials, development officers and coaching staff, as well as football personalities Ray Houghton and John Aldridge amongst the dignitaries on board the FAI tour bus. Connolly Celtic’s FAI club visit is scheduled for Monday, July 11, 10am to 11am at Kilmaley Sports & Leisure Complex.

On that Monday morning, over 130 members of the clubs schoolgirl and schoolboy club, aged 6 to 16, will be participating in a mini soccer blitz event, from 9am to 12pm.

All the clubs trainers, coaches, junior players and parents are invited to attend and assist with providing supervision, coaching, refreshments and support. Lots of fun and excitement is anticipated with photo and autograph opportunities for all.

During the visit, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled by CEO John Delaney to celebrate the FAI visit. A member of the FAI delegation will also draw prize-winners from tickets sold by club members in the weeks preceding the FAI AGM.

TWO legends of Irish soccer will lead the FAI invasion of Clare next week.

Ray Houghton and John Aldridge will be among the guests of honour for the FAI Festival of Football and Agm, which kicks off in Clare on July 11. FAI Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney, who has strong Clare connections, FAI President Paddy McCaul, Ireland Under 21 manager Noel King and Ireland women’s senior manager, Sue Ronan will also be touring the banner county as part of the week long celebration of the beautiful game.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trappattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli are expected to visit the Cliffs of Moher during the festival, while coaching clinics and tournaments will take place across the county while € 100,000 in grants will be available to clubs in Clare.

Clare FAI Delegate and former league chairman, Jim Madden has described the occasion as “the biggest sports event to take place in the county this year.”

Events including soccer schools, coaching clinics and football fun days will take place at over 20 venues throughout the county.

The event runs from July 11-16 with 300 delegates expected to attend the FAI Agm at the West County Hotel beginning on Friday July 15. The festival culminates on Thursday July 14 with a Civic Reception hosted by Ennis Town Council at Glór.

FAI boss Delaney has said that the aim of the event is to ensure a closer connection between the FAI and grass roots football. Speaking at the festival’s launch in May, Michael Guilfoyle of the Clare Schoolboys Soccer League (CSSL), paid tribute to the work of former Munster Council and Clare League Chairman, Michael Leahy, whom he said had done a lot of the “ground work” for the Clare bid.

The festival will round off in Tulla on Saturday, July 16, with an FAI workshop on player development (10am). Later that day the association’s acclaimed emerging talent programme will be in Tulla (3pm).

Cratloe 0-8 – Clondegad 1-3 at Gurteen

CRATLOE MADE heavy work of seeing off a stubborn Clondegad side but yet in what was a truly bizarre game, the south east Clare side might have been out of sight by the final whistle. Such was the reality of this unique quarter-final tie that saw Cratloe produced 31 scoring chances, including six clear goal opportunities, strike the woodwork seven times and only score eight points. Still Clondegad will legitimately feel that they could have snatched victory, led by County Under 21 captain Podge McMahon who almost snatched a dramatic late goal that would have earned at least a draw.

Clondegad will also point to the fact that they were without the services of county minor hurlers Tony Kelly and Gearoid O’Connell for this knock-out tie, as outside of Eoghan Donnellan, McMahon had to take on the majority of the attacking repsonsibilities himself.

Cratloe, on the other hand, were boosted by the addition of their county senior hurlers, Conor McGrath, Cathal McInerney and Liam Markham, and unquestionably Cratloe were the team on the ascendency for the majority of this tie, without ever making the game safe for themselves.

It took 11 minutes for the game’s opening score through Dean Deloughery and it should have opened the door for a flurry of scores. However, Joseph O’Connor hit the crossbar with a close range effort, Cathal McInerney kicked five wides including another goal chance before Conor McGrath scored only their second point in the 23rd minute to cancel out Podge McMahon’s superb equaliser.

By now, Cratloe were playing a two man full-forward line of McGrath and McInerney but through some stern defending, Clondegad only conceded two points for the remainder of the half, both from the foot of McInerney to hold a 0-4 to 0-1 interval lead.

The second half saw the introduction of Pa Sheehan for Cratloe but his luck in front of the posts fared no better as twice his goalbound shots were denied by goalkeeper Declan O’Loughlin. In fact, while Cratloe kicked four wides and another six efforts into the arms of O’Loughlin, Clondegad realised that the game was there for the taking if they could get their act together up front.

So when Podge McMahon kicked a 50 metre point in the 38th minute and followed up Cathal McInerney’s reply with a 43rd minute goal after a flowing move involving Eoghan Donnellan and Liam Meaney, suddenly the sides were level.

Cratloe needed leadership and they got it through Padraic Collins who took Liam Markham’s crossfield pass and bobbed and weaved himself into a scoring position. He followed up by starting the move for Joseph O’Connor’s 48th minute point while seven minutes later Cathal McInerney restored their three point advantage.

There was still a doubt about the result up until the final whistle as Podge McMahon created a great scoring chance but blasted his shot just over the crossbar and Cratloe breathed a huge sigh of relief as they stumbled into a semi-final meeting with last year’s finalists Lissycasey.

Cratloe
Jamie Joyce, Gerry Cooney, Sean Hynan, Wesley Deloughery, Patrick Carey, LiamMarkham, Enda Boyce, Conor Ryan, Shane Golden, Kane O’Shea, Padraic Collins (0-1), Dean Deloughery (0-1), Cathal McInerney (0-4 2f), Joseph O’Connor (0-1), Conor McGrath (0-1)

Subs
Pa Sheehan for DDeloughery (HT), Dean Deloughery for O’Shea (51 mins)

Clondegad
Declan O’Loughlin, Conor Gavin, Brian Murphy, Cormac Ryan, Joe Neylon, Declan Keane, Paul Flanagan, James Murphy, David Sheehan, Stephen Enright, Padraig McMahon (1-3), Shane Harkin, Padraig Glynn, Eoghan Donnellan, LiamMeaney

Subs
Eoin Glynn for P Glynn (16 mins), Kieran McCarthy for Sheehan (33 mins, inj)

Man of the Match
Padraic Collins (Cratloe) Referee Michael Rock (Ennistymon)