Category: Sport

St Breckan’s 3-11 – Éire Óg 1-10 at Páirc Finne, Corofin

THE biggest score of the opening weekend of the championship; the biggest winning margin; the biggest shock.

All combined to make this a glorious return to the ranks of senior football for the men from Lisdoonvarna and Doolin as they dished out a thoroughly deserved seven-point beating to an Éire Óg team that’s already fighting for survival in the 2011 championship.

Where to start for Breckan’s.

The all action display of the likes of Stephen Tierney who started running when the ball was thrown in and didn’t stop until the end in a performance highlighted by his brilliant 55th minute goal that finally the game and put his side seven points clear.

Sean Cormican’s two-goal blast in the first half that put Breckan’s on the road to victory – the industry of everyone wearing maroon, whether snaffling up 90 per cent of the breaks around midfield, Dinny O’Driscoll pulling the strings, Greg O’Leary coming out of retirement.

All this and much more conspired to bring Breckan’s alive against an Éire Óg team that was flat-footed and consequently overrun for the 60 minutes and lucky to be within seven points at the end.

The writing was on the wall for the Townies are early as the 11th minute when a quick free-kick from Pat Nagle on the 21-yard line was finished to the net by Sean Cormican before anyone in red knew what was happening.

It put St Breckan’s 1-4 to 0-3 clear against the breeze, bookending a bright start that saw them hit early points through Denis O’Driscoll (2), Donal Howley and Pat Nagle to replies from Stephen Hickey (2) and Eoin Glynn.

Éire Og did bounce back from the goal with points by Hickey and Nicky Hogan by the 19th minute, but a sweeping move in the 21st minute, started by the impressive Raphael Considine, carried on by fellow wing-back Stephen Tierney and then blasted to the net by Sean Cormican from 12 yards showed up the gulf between the sides – Breckan’s had energy, support play and killer instinct, the Townies didn’t. That said, another rally that yield- ed 1-2 in the closing minutes of the half – Hickey pointing on either side of Nicky Hogan’s scrambled goal brought the sides level at the break. It was a very false reflection, how- ever, something that was hammered home by a rampant St Breckan’s side in between hitting seven second half wides. Éire Óg were restricted to just three points from frees in the half – Breckan’s hit 1-7 to cruise to victory. They were on their way thanks to points by the Cormican brothers and Pat Nagle as they moved three clear and they never looked back. They toyed with the Townies at times before points by Nagle (2), Shane O’Connor from distance in response to token points from two Shane Daniels frees and finally Stephen Tierney’s brilliant goal settled the issue. Not even the sending off of captain Conor Howley near the end could spoil St Breckans’ party. A second Nicky Hogan goal was disallowed in the 60th minute for a square ball, but even if it had been allowed, it wouldn’t have made any difference.

O’Curry’s 3-09 – Ballyvaughan 1-03 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

A CLASH OF the last two relegated sides from senior level but it appears that O’Curry’s are in the best position to regain that status in the coming year after an impressive treble scores victory on Sunday. 2-6 to 0-1 ahead at the break and a whopping 16 points clear by the three quarter mark, the gap in quality at times appeared as contrasting as their northsouth divide on the county map and it meant that O’Curry’s could ease up to victory and empty the bench in the process.

From the line-ups alone, it was clear that Ballyvaughan came off worst in the emigration losses and so it proved as O’Curry’s kicked 2-4 without reply in the opening quarter, with Eoin Troy in particular revelling in his role at full-forward. Indeed, he was involved in all but one of those scores, scoring 1-1 himself while also crucially teeing up Damien Clohessy for the opening goal in the sixth minute.

O’Curry’s slicker passing was eyecatching, emitomised by Troy’s 13th minute goal that was moved through Sean Haugh, Ger Quinlan and Michael Carmody before ending up with Eoin Troy who roofed his effort from close range on their way to an eleven point interval lead.

Any hopes of a Ballyvaughan recovery were irrefutably put to bed as early as the third minute of the new half when Eoin Troy’s pinpoint pass over the top to Sean Haugh saw him hauled to the ground by Kieran Casey and Eoin Troy place the resultant penalty to the right corner of the net. Indeed, O’Curry’s should have raised a fourth green flag soon afterwards but Damien Clohessy somehow conspired to miss from point blank range.

That miss hardly registered in such a one-sided contest as Derek and Eoin Troy added to Ballyvaughan’s woes to open up a 16 point gap by the 42nd minute. As O’Curry’s emptied the bench though, Ballyvaughan availed of the opportunity to restore some pride with Jack Queally grabbing a goal in the 47th minute when suppied by the north Clare side’s best performer James Hynes inbetween points from John McCormack and Hynes. They could have cut the deficit further when Hynes and Queally again combined late on but goalkeeper PJ Greene was equal to the substitute’s efforts while a second yellow for Ray Casey rounded off a thoroughly forgettable afternoon for Ballyvaughan while possibly the start of a memorable one for O’Curry’s.

O’Curry’s
PJ Greene (7), Paul Roche (7), Michael O’Shea (8), Gearoid Lynch (7), BrianTroy (7) (0-1), Ollie Quinlan (7),TomDownes (8), DerekTroy (7) (0-1), Ger Quinlan (8), Damien Carmody (8) (0-2), Sean Haugh (8) (0-1), Michael Foran (7), Michael Carmody (7) (0-1), EoinTroy (9) (2-3 1-0 Pen), Damien Clohessy (7) (1-0)

Subs
DeclanWalsh (6) for Foran (38 mins, inj), Jack Scanlon (6) for M. Carmody (41 mins), Eoin Murray (6) for D. Clohessy (46 mins), Ryan McMahon (6) for Downes (49 mins), GeraldTroy for E.Troy (58 mins)

Ballyvaughan
Damien McNamara (6), Marc Walsh (7), Sean McNamara (5), Mark O’Loughlin (7), CianWalsh (6), Kieran Casey (6), John Linnane (6), Ray Casey (6), John McCormack (6) (0-1), PhelimCoyne (5), Kevin Carrucan (5), Cillian Mahon (6),Adrian Niland (7) (0-1f), Donnacha Mahon (6), James Hynes (7) (0-1)

Subs
Jack Queally (7) (1-0) for Coyne (HT), Paul Darcy (6) for Carrucan (HT),Thomas Francis (6) for D. Mahon (41 mins), John Mooney Hynes for C. Walsh (53 mins)

Man of the Match
Eoin Troy (O’Curry’s) Referee Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)

SHANNON SWIMMER Chris Bryan is currently leading the rankings of the 2011 European Open Water Swimming Cup, following a fantastic performance in the second leg of the competition which took place in Turkey last week.

Bryan, who represented Ireland at the 2010 European Championships, won the 5km event in Antayla in a time of 58 minutes 41.04 seconds, just ahead of Israeli Yuval Safra (58.42.80).

The first leg of the European Cup took place in Eilat (Israel) on May 7, where Bryan finished 33rd of 53 competitors in the longer 10k event, with an overall time of 1 hour 53 minutes 1.25 seconds.

These results leave Bryan at the top of the European table with 21 points – ahead of Russian Vladimir Dyatchin (20 points) and Safra (18 points). The Cup runs until the end of July, with five legs in total.

Bryan is now on course for selection to the World Swimming & Open Water Championships which take place in Shanghai, China this July, where he would become the first open water swimmer to represent Ireland at this level.

Bryan currently trains full-time at the University of Limerick High Performance Centre under Head Coach Ronald Claes and alongside European Silver Medalist Grainne Murphy, who is also preparing for the World Championships next month in China.

Clondegad 1-13 – Corofin 0-07 at Cusack Park, Ennis

CLONDEGAD ran out comfortable winners over Corofin to get their championship campaign off to an ideal start in Cusack Park on Saturday.

The early stages indicated this was going to a tight contest but once Clondegad asserted control of midfield about midway through the first half there only ever looked one likely winner.

It might have been different had Michael Concannon’s penalty flown under instead of over the bar 30 seconds into the second half. By then Clondegad led by three points. A combination of Padraig McMahon’s accuracy, Gary and Shane Brennan’s energy and Kieran Browne’s smart distribution from centre back, ensured that lead had been extended to 10 points by the 46th minute.

Corofin were game and worked hard but the early promise of their performance in the first quarter was gradually and effectively snuffed out by their opponent’s greater overall quality.

The 2006 Munster intermediate finalists certainly had the bit between their teeth in the opening stages with John Keane’s monster free nudging them 0-2 0-1 ahead in the 9th minute.

Both sides were guilty of sloppy finishing and poor decision making in the final third before Gary Brennan stormed through to tie the game at 0-3 0-3.

This was the cue for Clondegad to stamp their authority on the match. McMahon, who had earlier seen a low drive skid across the face of goal, rounded off a well-worked point before Clondegad moved into a commanding lead.

Gary Brennan fed Patrick Coffey in acres of room at the heart of the Corofin defence. The corner forward took full advantage, roofing a shot to the net to put Clondegad 1-4 0-3 ahead in the 24th minute.

That’s how it remained until seconds after the restart when Corofin were handed a potential lifeline. Jason Tierney was hauled to the turf as he attempted to shoot just yards from the Clondegad goal. Up stepped Concannon but his penalty flew over the bar.

Having survived an early scare, Clondegad proceeded to stitch together some piercing attacking moves that typically involved wing forward Kenneth Kelly.

An unbroken 11-minute sequence of points from McMahon (2), James Murphy, Gary Brennan Eoghan Donnellan, Shane Brennan and Flan King put Clondegad 1-11 0-4 ahead by the 46th minute. Corofin grabbed late points from Darren Malone, Fergal Neylon and Diarmuid Daly but Clondegad were, by then, out of sight.

Clondegad
Declan O’Loughlin (7), Connor Gavin (7), Paddy O’Connell (7), Brian Murphy (7), James Murphy (7) (0-1), Kieran Browne (8), Francis Neylon (7), Gary Brennan (8) (0-2), Shane Brennan (8) (0-1), Kenneth Kelly (7), Padraig McMahon (8) (0-6)(1f)(45’), Kevin Donnelly, (7) Patrick Coffey (7) (1-0), Francis O’Reilly (7) (0-1), Eoghan Donnellan (7) (0-1)

Subs
Flan King (0-1) for Donnelly,

Corofin
Kieran Carkill (7), Stephen Quinn (6), Eamon Malone (6), Kieran O’Leary (6), Diarmuid Daly (6) (0-1), Brendan Keane (7), Daragh Shannon (6), Luke O’Loughlin (6), John Keane (7) (0-1)(1f), Michael Concannon (6) (0-2) (1f), Fergal Neylon (6) (0-1), Stephen Heagney (6), Jason Tierney (6), Damien Ryan (6), Darren Malone (6) (0-2)(1f)

Subs
MatthewShannon

Man of the Match
Shane Brennan (Clondegad) Referee Michael Rock (Ennistymon)

WHILE MUCH has changed in Clare over the last 50 years there is much too that remains the same – the waves still crash headlong onto the north Clare coast, the fresh sea air still has the power to both revive and restore and the fish still bite best from the rocks off Blackhead in Fanore.

Later this week hundreds of current and past members of the Lisdoonvarna/Fanore Sea Angling will descend on O’Donohue’s Pub in Fanore to celebrate the 50 anniversary of one of Clare oldest angling clubs. Old trophies, pictures and newspapers articles will all be on show for the event, which takes place this Sunday, June 12, while an open-day for young and new members will also take place.

The club was founded in 1961 when a group of local Fanore men travelled to Lahinch to take part in an angling competition. The men soon realised that they had walked past some of the best fishing spots in the country to get to Lahinch and decided to set up their own angling clubs to fish the north Clare coast.

“There would have been some mackerel fishing and some rock fishing going on in the area at the time but there was no organised angling and certainly no competition taking place. Surprisingly there wasn’t really much fishing going on locally,” says James Linnane of the Lisdoonvarna/Fanore Sea Angling Club.

“Some individuals would fish for bass along the beach and there was Jack Shine from Liscannor who could catch sharks from the shores so there was interest in fishing locally – just no club to bring it all together.”

Indeed, the late Jack Shine, who was the creamery manager in Moy for many year, is generally credited as being the first man to introduce the fishing rod into the north Clare area. Jack is still the only man in Ireland who has successfully caught porbeagle sharks from the shoreline.

The club was founded in Lisdoonvarna in 1961 with Ennistymon man Don Curtin as it’s first president with Pete Commane from Liscannor as Chairman, Padriac Kett from Fanore as vice-chairman, Jimmy Carrucan from Fanore as treasurer and John Cullinan from Lisdoonvarna as secretary.

The open day will run from 2pm to 6pm in Fanore and will give a chance for older members to remember the past while allowing younger people to get their first taste of angling.

“We will have an exhibition of all the trophies and cups donated to the club going down the years as well as a list of everyone who won a com- petition with the club over the years. We also have some great photos of the club and Fanore from back in the 1960 – which will show what life was life for the people when the club was founded,” continued James.

“We will also be trying to encourage more people, especially juveniles, into the club so we will be having a number of angler there who will host a juvenile day on the beach while we will supply reels and roads for them. North Clare is one of the best finishing grounds in Europe at the moment so we might as well use them as well as protect them.”

For more information on the club contact James at 087 2215159.

Wolfe Tones 2-8 – Kilrush Shamrocks 0-9 at Lissycasey

‘CRISIS? What Crisis?’ It seems rumours of Wolfe Tones demise were all too premature as this dramatic yet spirited first round encounter proved on Saturday. Decimated by emigration, injuries and retirements including first team regulars such as Brian O’Connell, Johnny Bridges, Frank Lohan, Kevin Cahill, Stephen Monaghan, Jamie Roughan, David Reidy and Mickey O’Connell, Wolfe Tones were expected to roll over for Kilrush who appeared to be the ones most likely to challenge Kilmurry Ibrickane at the top of the group.

However, with the Shannon side primed for battle and determined to prevail, it was Kilrush who looked like the team who were crippled by those issues and despite having a host of goal chances that could have swung the game decisively, they never seemed to want it as much as Wolfe Tones.

Essentially, Kilrush looked like a side that just expected to turn and collect the points, a complacency fuelled by the continuous coverage of the Shannon club’s woes throughout the year so far. However, they hadn’t bargained for an inspired Wolfe tones side who packed up the defence, hit on the counter-attack and were timely aided by a Daniel Gallery goal in each half that boosted their self-belief.

At times, only full-forward Darren Ryan remained in Kilrush’s half as Wolfe Tones smothered the life out of their opponents and continually frustrated them. In saying that, the Shams did have four glorious goal opportunities and had they taken any, the game might have played out differently.

Ruaidhri O’Connor had a stinging effort excellently stopped by goalkeeper Jason Casey midway through the first half and only three minutes later full-back Sean Brennan was equally limber to keep out a Jim Young shot. While in the second period, the same pair were repelled by a miserly Shannon last line.

A more efficient Wolfe Tones mag- nified those misses however starting with a back-to-front move in the seventh minute that ended with the overlapping Daniel Gallery rattling the net to give his side a 1-1 to 0-2 lead.

That advantage became three when centre-back Brendan Hughes pointed only two minutes later and while a shellshocked Kilrush did finally settle, those two missed goal chances halted their progress somewhat, only cutting the deficit through points fro Stephen Sweeney and Jim Young by the 29th minute.

Wolfe Tones regained control before the break with the effective Gary Leahy and hardworking Chris Dunning both getting in on the scoring action on their way to a 1-4 to 0-5 lead. It didn’t get much better for Kilrush on the turnover despite having a larger chunk of possession. Three early wides and another blocked Young effort were only brightened by an O’Connor point to slash the deficit to the minimum.

Wolfe Tones soon cancelled it out however when Darren Ryan fisted over the bar in the 40th minute and with the game delicately balanced, the turning point came with the dismissal of Kilrush centre-back Niall Clancy in the 45th minute, followed almost immediately by Wolfe Tones second goal.

Clancy failed to heed a warning when he was fortunate to stay on the field in the 42nd minute after an off the ball altercation with Alan Hehir and by needlessly getting involved in a second incident three minutes later, he was duly sent off for a second yellow.

Wolfe Tones didn’t waste any time in hammering home their one man advantage when Gallery raced through and played a one-two with Alan Downes before finding the net and give his side a five point cushion. A Leahy free made it six soon afterwards while a luckless Kilrush saw a Ruaidhri O’Connor flick come back off the post, having beaten goalkeeper Casey.

Kilrush did rally with late points from Young (2) and substitute Eoin Tarrant but by then, the momentum had shifted firmly in Wolfe Tones direction and despite being reduced to 13 men with the late dismissals of Patsy Keyes and Gary Leahy, captain Hughes and man-of-the-match Gallery wrapped up the points with late strikes to complete the first surprise of the championship.

“THERE’LL BE something there for everyone,” says PRO Seamus O’Sullivan of the bumper day’s activity planned for Gurteen this Saturday as St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield officially open their new facilities.

GAA General Secretary, Paraic Duffy will be present for the occasion as will former RTÉ match commentator of 62 years Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, while Clare County Board and Munster Council officials will also attend.

“These facilities are among the best in the country,” says PRO Seamus O’Sullivan. “Our development is built on the exceptional contributions to those, who over the year promoted and fostered Gaelic games in the parish.

“These facilities are a permanent memorial and thank you to the Gaels of Kilraghtais, Templemaley and Doora who founded St Joseph’s. These facilities are also a commitment to the future of the children of the parish for years to come. Roslevan served us well, but I am confident that Gurteen will be even better.

“Over the past decade much has been achieved. It would not have been possible without the support of the community and without the time, effort and dedication of so many club members.

“Their reward will be in knowing that they have provided a facility which will serve the community of Doora-Barefield for this generation and for many generations to come,” O’Sullivan adds.

“These facilities are a lasting trib- ute to all those who promoted and played our games from as far back as 1887. We honour the people who had the vision to found St Joseph’s and purchase Roslevan. It was that vision and that asset that has secured the developments here in Gurteen,” says club chairman Tom Duggan.

“Our new home his this generation’s commitment to our youth and to the future generations and will bring honour and distinction to the maroon and white of St Joseph’s.

“The name of St Joseph’s DooraBarefield is recognised across the GAA world for its achievement which were crowned with the winning of the All-Ireland hurling title on St Patrick’s Day in 1999. I am confident that our structures and facilities will soon deliver more silverware,” the club chairman adds.

Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-9 – Kilmihil 0-9 at Cooraclare

KILMURRY Ibrickane got up and running in the 2011 championship, but to say it was a spluttering start is generous – very generous even, as they were severely tested by a Kilmihil team that had scant regard for the former Munster champions’ lofty reputations.

This was evident throughout. Kilmihil forced the pace when playing with the first half breeze, then gritted their teeth and never-said-die in the second half, even after being hit by a 1-3 blast in a five-minute spell, losing Timmy Ryan to a red card and playing the final 20 minutes with only 14 players.

It was that kind of game, more a war of attrition than an open game of football as both slugged it out from start to finish – the difference in the end being the steady hand of experience that Kilmurry showed in the second half.

Ian McInerney slotted the frees, Enda Coughlan really came on strong with three points from play, while Peter O’Dwyer played a captain’s part in the centre of the field as Kilmurry slowly ground out their victory while playing way below themselves as a unit.

Indeed, it was Kilmihil that looked much more of a team in the first half, principally because they had a gameplan built around the industrious Mark O’Connell conducting things at the back and the ploy of playing long and direct ball into David Ryan on the edge of the square.

It worked – O’Connell was the link between defence and attack; Ryan gave Darren Hickey a very tough afternoon, especially in the first half as Kilmihil forged clear by 0-6 to 0-2 by half-time.

It was Ryan who opened the scoring with a point in the fifth minute before Enda Coughlan replied in the tenth minute, but it wasn’t until the 29th minute that Kilmurry again raised a flag when Stephen Moloney shook off his team’s lethargy with a fine point from play.

In between it was all Kilmihil, save Peter O’Dwyer fighting what at the time looked like a very lone battle in the middle of the field. Points by David Reidy and Shane Mangan by the 15th minute and then three Declan Downes points copper-fastened Kilmihil’s first half supremacy. Another Declan Downes free two minutes into the second half stretched Kilmihil’s advantage before the Kilmurry comeback was finally kickstarted by an Ian McInerney free. Then Enda Coughlan helped turned the match decisively in Kilmurry’s favour, pointing in the 37th and 38th minutes, while in between his fisted effort at a goal crashed off the crossbar and into the path of Noel Downes who coolly dispatched to the net. Declan Downes did level matters in the 40th minute with another free, but when Timmy Ryan was sent off it was destined to be Kilmurry’s day as two Ian McInerney frees and points from play by Peter O’Dwyer and Enda Coughlan edged them 1-9 to 08 clear before Paul Reidy grabbed a consolation point in the 64th minute. Kilmihil could have got more though – they screamed foot-block and penalty in the 50th minute when Noel Downes was denied a goal. However, Kilmurry were also denied a goal in the first half when the other Noel Downes’ effort was clearly over the line.

Ballyea 1-11 – Inagh/Kilnamona 1-05 at Cusack Park, Ennis

A PHYSICALLY stronger Ballyea side had too much for opponents Inagh/Kilnamona on their way to the Under 14B crown on Tuesday evening. Dominance around the centre through Ronan Barry and Pearse Lillis were among the key ingredients of the victory that saw Ballyea build up an impressive 1-7 to 0-1 half-time advantage.

With the aid of the conditions, three points from play from Lillis along with a goal from corner-forward Cathal Breen settled Ballyea into their stride and the damage could have much greater were it not for the intervention of the Inagh/Kilnamona backs who defended admirably, led by Jason McCarthy who was also their main attacking threat through frees.

Inagh/Kilnamona, came out with all guns blazing for the second period in a bid to get themselves back in the contest, but while McCarthy was accurate through placed balls, they were continually frustrated by a stubborn Ballyea rearguard. Inagh/ Kilnamona did eventually breach Ballyea’s last line in the 50th minute when substitute Aiden McCarthy goaled but a disallowed goal for a square ball only minutes later saw their hopes of a full recovery dashed as Ballyea held on for victory.

Ballyea
Oisin Hennessy, Roy Griffin, Robert Neylon, Ryan Jennings, Dean Minogue, Cillian Brennan, Mark Crowe, Ronan Barry (0-4), Pearse Lillis (0-3), Conor Lynch, Gary Stephens (0-1),

Malachy Lynch (Capt.) (0-1), Cathal Breen (1-0), Rory McMahon, Mark Gavin (0-2)

Subs
Sean Meaney, Peter Casey

Inagh/ Kilnamona
Joseph Marrinan, Cian McInerney,Austin Kerin, David Mescell, Eoin Leyden, Jason McCarthy (Capt.) (0-5), Caimin Clancy, KeithWhite, Dylan McGeer, Eoin Fitzgerald, Stephen Foudy, Eamonn Foudy, Ian Kerin, Darren Culinan, MatthewDavenport

Subs
Michael McCreanor, Cian Shannon,Aiden McCarthy (1-0)

Referee
Damian Fox (WolfeTones)

Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-11 – O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-03 at Ballynacally

THE LAST time these sides met in the champonship in August 2009, the Mills won out by two points on their way to the semi-finals and within a point of reaching a county final. Kilmurry Ibrickane meanwhile nosedived in the opposite direction that year and only saved themselves from relegation in a play-off with Michael Cusacks.

Two years on and the football landscape for both sides has altered considerably as Kilmurry Ibrickane, backed by the senior experience of Odran O’Dwyer, Vinnie Talty, Brendan Moloney and Gary Donnellan and the guile of Seamus Lynch, are a much more formidable opposition as demonstrated by their dis- mantling of the Mills on Sunday.

The same passion or interest cannot be attributed to the east Clare side who were without up to eight first team starters, including county senior hurlers Patrick Donnellan and Conor Cooney, the latter of which only made a second half cameo.

Bizarre that the Mills should pass up arguably their best chance of silverware this year but that mattered little to Kilmurry Ibrickane who could only beat what was put in front of them and after a getting-to-knowyou first half, they really opened up on the turnover.

An unanswered 2-7 put paid to any doubts of where the first points were heading, with chief marksmen Odran O’Dwyer and Seamus Lynch deservedly cutting through the heart of the Mills defence for the goals.

It was a much more tentative start however with Kilmurry Ibickane shading the first half efforts at 0-4 to 0-2, with Odran O’Dwyer settling into the new grade with two points. Meanwhile, the Mills had goal chances for Billy Donovan, whose fisted flick was saved by the head of goalkeeper Darren Sexton, and a James Hook punch at the back post that was also twarted by the county minor netminder.

The Mills had relative success in drawing their half-forward line back to crowd out the middle but those tactics quickly went out the window as Kilmurry Ibrickane found their range on the restart.

With Seamus Lynch expertly pulling the strings and picking off four of the first five points, they opened up a 0-9 to 0-2 advantage before the Mills were decisively killed off by Odran O’Dwyer’s 46th minute goal. It was a superb back-to-front move, involving John Sexton, Vinnie Talty and Senan McCarthy whose crossfield pass picked out O’Dwyer to turn his man and head for goal.

The Mills woes worsened when Seamus Lynch weaved through the last line to score a 53rd minute goal, a fitting end to a superb individual display that puts the ‘Bricks in the driving seat in the group and the Mills sinking in the opposite direction.

Kilmurry Ibrickane
Darren Sexton (7), AndrewDarcy (7), John Sexton (7), Eamon Dunne

(7), Gary Donnellan (8), Brendan Moloney (8), Patrick Sexton (7),Thomas O’Connor (7) (0-1), VinnyTalty (7),Thomas Lernihan (7) (0-1), Seamus Lynch (9) (1-6 4f), Brian Callinan (7) (0-1), Senan McCarthy (6), Odran O’Dwyer (8) (1-2), Colm Donnellan (6)

Subs
Thomas Greene (6) for McCarthy (48 mins), Mark Moloney for Callinan (51 mins), John McNamara for O’Dwyer (51 mins), Diarmuid Donnellan for G. Donnellan (54 mins, inj)

O’Callaghan’s Mills
Enda McNamara (6), Gary Neville (7), Niall Donovan (6), Gerry Cooney (6), Jonathan Lyons (6), John Cooney (7), Sean O’Gorman (6), Conor Cooney (8), Bryan Donnellan (7) (0-2 1f), Fergus Donovan (7), Paul Lynch (7) (0-1f), Mickey Madden (7), James Hook (6), Billy Donovan (6), Paul Murphy (6)

Subs
Conor Cooney (7) for Murphy (35 mins), Flannan McMahon (6) for N. Donovan (37 mins), Declan Donovan for Hook (50 mins), Martin McMahon for B. Donovan (51 mins)

Man of the Match
Seamus Lynch (Kilmurry Ibrickane) Referee John Hannon (Michael Cusack’s)