Category: Sport

Kilkenny League 3 – Clare League 2 at Deridum Park, Kilkenny

IT was a real case of what might have been for Clare on Sunday afternoon when they just came up short in this national semi-final. With it the hopes of bridging a 40-year gap to when Clare last contested the final in this grade were dashed.

Mike Moloney’s side were undone after an heroic performance that saw them come back from the concession of two goals inside the first 18 minutes to draw level by half-time only to be undone by Kilkenny hero Ross King who settled the tie with his third goal in the 75th minute.

The winner came at a time when Clare had the better of the exchanges after rocking the hosts with a stunning comeback in the first half thanks to goal from Darragh Corry and Ruairi Norrby.

Kilkenny had started this game with a bang, netting as early as the sixth minute when a long ball into the Clare area wasn’t dealt with by the defence, which allowed Ross King head the ball home.

From there things got worse for Clare, albeit they had an early goal chance when Niall Whelan played a long ball over the top into the path of the pacey Ruairi Norrby, only for the Lifford man to be flagged off-side when through on goal.

Then on 18 minutes Sean Maguire tumbled over in the area and was awarded a penalty that Ross King slammed past Ciaran MacMathúna in the Clare goal. It looked bleak for Clare, very bleak, but from there they summoned a brilliant recovery to tee up a second half when everything was to play for.

The early lifeline came on 26 minutes when Jack Walsh’s in-swinging corner from the right was brilliantly met by Darragh Corry who directed the ball home past the hapless Greg Cummins.

Suddenly Clare were transformed, gaining a real grip on things in the middle of the park with Niall Whelan, Darragh Corry and Alan Roche to the fore, while Ruairi Norrby looked dangerous down the left flank.

Indeed, it was Norrby who put the game back in the melting pot when facing up to a free just outside the penalty area in the 40th minute after Darragh Corry was fouled, thumping his shot through the wall into the bottom corner of the net for the equaliser.

Clare were transformed; Kilkenny were on the back-foot, but the goal that would have completed a remarkable recovery never came.

Alan Roche had a half chance early in the second half when he ran onto a ball on the edge of the square but his effort flashed over the bar.

Thereafter things tightened considerably, with both defences on top, while the midfield exchanges became something of a war of attrition, with little room to manoeuvre, until the game’s two most impressive performers conjured up the goal that broke Clare hearts.

Sean Maguire had been a thorn in Clare’s side all day in the middle of the park threaded a ball through to Ross King on the right side, from there the schoolboy international used his strength to shrug off a challenge before driving to the net.

Clare were still not without hope, but by this stage the energy they’d expended in getting back into the game after their horror start began to wane on what was a soft pitch.

They did win two free-kicks on the edge of the area, but unlike the first half when Kilkenny’s wall was penetrated by Ruairi Norrby’s blistering shot, it held firm on both occasions and Clare’s chance was lost.

Clare
Ciaran MacMathúna (EnnisTown), Jack Walsh (Avenue United), Paraic O’Malley (Tulla United), Colin Smyth (Avenue Unitd), Darren Murphy (Bridge United), Niall Whelan (Tulla United), Darragh Corry (Tulla United),Alan Rochie (Avenue United), Darragh Sexton (Avenue Unitd), Eoin Fitzgerald (Avenue United), Ruairi Norrby (Lifford).

Subs
Mark Roche (Avenue United) for Norrby, Dara Fitzgerald (Bridge United) for Alan Roche,TomMcKeown (Tulla United) for Murphy.

Kilkenny
Greg Cummins, BarryWhelan,Andy Hickey, Rob Skehan, SamJohnston, Lee Delaney, ChrisValentine, Declan McQuillan, Sean Maguire, Ross King, Conor Gorey.

Man of the Match
Ross King (Kilkenny League)

LOSING is always hard to take, while the cruellest cut of all in cup football is failing at the semi-final.

Failure wasn’t the word though as Clare had a brilliant year that brought them to the cusp of a first Inter-League Youths decider in 40 years.

No wonder then that pride was the over-riding emotion of manager Mike Moloney after Clare’s agonising defeat.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from the lads in terms of what they put into it – the six and half months they put in,” he told The Clare People .

“Obviously you don’t want to go down there and fall 1-0 down after four minutes and 2-0 after 18 minutes.

“We had to expend so much energy chasing the game and got ourselves back in it with goals from Darragh Corry and Ruairi Norrby, but you can’t just keep up that pace for 90 minutes. We ran out of a bit of steam in the second half.

“Where we were getting a bit of joy was around set pieces. We needed a couple of better deliveries in the second half into the box from the free kicks that we won. We never seemed to get those deliveries in to get that third goal.

“I reckon if we got that third goal you wouldn’t have known what would happen. They were rattled when we got it back to 2-2, so it would have been nice to get the third to see how they would react to going behind,” added Moloney.

And, the Clare manager has said the preparation undertaken by his team since last September is the benchmark for the future as Clare bid to compete at the highest level in national competition.

“I believe the talent is there every year but you have to give them the platform,” Moloney said.

“They have to get good preparation, they have to be taken care of, the same as they would be if they were hurling or Gaelic football team at minor level. You have to spend a bit of money to do that, but if you do the rewards are there.

“We had a group of players who were able to play at a very high standard against a really good side. With a break or two here or there we would be in a national final now,” he added. Pr ego Menswea r Cup Thir d Round Br idge Celt ic A V Br idge Unit ed B @ Br idget own, Sunday 11a m TWO SIDES probably more concerned with league relegation issues than advancing in the cup as Bridge Celtic are hovering dangerously near the basement of the Premier Division while Bridge Utd’s second string are in a more perilous predicament at the rear of the First. In saying that, sometime the cup can be a welcome freedom from the toils of the league and so a home win might be able to boost confidence ahead of a tricky league run-in. Ver dict : Br idge Celt ic A Pr ego Menswea r Cla r e Cup Qua r t er -Fina ls Cor ofin Ha r ps V Bur r en Unit ed @ Cor ofin, Sunday 3. 30pm A MUCH anticipated north Clare derby due to the familiarity of the sides in the First Division battle for promotion. Corofin have had the better of their previous meetings this season by winning 5-3 at home while the corresponding fixture in Lisdoonvarna was a 2-2 draw. Burren Utd have several games in hand in the league to make up if they are to leapfrog Corofin so that alone might preoccupy their priorities and allow Corofin to snatch victory. Ver idct : Cor ofin Ha r ps Avenue Unit ed A V Ma nus Celt ic B @ Lee’s Road, Sunday 2. 30pm THE REWARD for Third Division giantkillers Manus Celtic B for beating a Hermitage side 33 places above them is to play defending Premier Division and cup champions Avenue Utd who are only 32 places above the Clarecastle side. If the formula worked once, it could conceivably work again but the odds are certainly stacked against Manus Celtic as Avenue appear to be hitting form at just the right time to possibly hone in on another double. Ver dict : Avenue Ut d

Connolly Celtic 0 – Shannon Olympic 3 at Connolly

SHANNON Olympic A secured all three points with a three nil win away to Connolly Celtic in their first midweek game of the season last Wednesday evening.

Olympic were forced to start the game with 10 men as some of their players were unfortunately delayed arriving to the match. As Olympic were trying to overcome this handicap, Connolly started the game the better with chances from Brendan Dillon and Bernard Field in the opening ten minutes.

Olympic finally got all eleven men together, fifteen minutes into the game, and quickly settled into the task. The opening goal of the game then came from Mick O’Connell in the 20th minute when he headed home a Jay Regan corner to put Olympic into the lead.

A challenge on Karl Scott led to an Olympic penalty in the 42nd minute which he went on to convert himself to put the away side 2-0 up and just before half time Olympic punished Connolly again with a free kick at the edge of the box. Jimmy Houlihan curled the ball into the far top corner scoring an impressive goal widening Olympics lead to 3-0.

Connolly had several chances in the second half from Alan Markham and Bernard Field however they couldn’t get passed Olympic keeper Gary McGettrick who was on top form on the day.

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

Subs
Wayne Regan, Richie Hanly, Eamonn O’Neill, Dave Kearns, Michael Byrnes.

Connolly Celtic
Dermot O’Brien, Brian Costello, KillianTorpey, Kieran Quinn, Keith O’Looney,Alan Markhan, Sean Mc Carthy, Bernard Field, Brendan Dillion, Pat Hogan, Donal Keane.

Subs
Danny Casey, Sean Courtney, Sean Cregan.

Mountshannon Celtic 3 – Shannon Olympic 2 at Mountshannon

MOUNTSHANNON kept their first division title hopes alive as they beat league leaders Shannon Olympic by three goals to two at home on Sunday morning.

Played in bright conditions, but on a wet pitch after an earlier downpour, Olympic failed to get a grip on the home side who pressed from the start. Mountshannon took the lead in the 16th minute when a long ball from the defence wasn’t dealt with and Cílin McNamara finish neatly into the Olympic goal.

Olympic, playing against a stiff breeze and up the hill, were unable to create many chances in the first half and seemed happy to get to the break trailing by the minimum as Mountshannon kept the pressure on.

The away side started the second half much better and they found themselves level in the 49th minute when John Moloney handled the ball on the line and Karl Scott dispatched the resulting penalty.

Mountshannon regained the lead in the 56th minute when confusion in the Olympic defence caused the ball to ricochet off several players before landing to Kevin Dooley who drove the ball into the roof of the net.

As Olympic went in search of an equaliser, Mountshannon capitalised catching the away side on the break when Paul Dooley broke down the left hand side and crossed for the unmarked Cílin McNamara to score his second with a great header.

Olympic did manage to get a goal back in the 74th minute from Ray Quigley but Mountshannon managed to hold on until the final whistle and recorded an important win which tightened up the top of the table.

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

Subs
Gareth McPhilips, Richie Hanly.

Mountshannon Celtic
ColmKavanagh, John Moloney, John O’Brien, Martin McNamara, Padraig Brody, Kevin Dooley, Paul Dooley, George Waterstone, Cílin McNamara, Raymond Cahill, AndrewMcNamara.

Subs
John Bugler,Thomas Gleeson, Eoin Keane, Christopher Jones, Jason Horan.

Rock Rovers 2 – Avenue United 3 at Lees Road

AVENUE United’s pursuit of league leaders Newmarket Celtic gathered further pace last Thursday night as they edged past Rock Rovers in a highly entertaining encounter.

Despite taking a 2-0 lead Avenue looked to have blown their chance to chalk up another vital victory when Rovers stormed back to draw level in a pulsating second half.

Yet no sooner had Rock clawed their way back into contention Avenue summoned the all important match winner.

David Smyth’s deep corner located an unmarked Con Collins who headed home from close range.

Despite laying siege to the Avenue goal in the ever gathering gloom of Lees Road, Rock could not equalise for a third time.

Avenue were undoubtedly faster out of blocks on Thursday night, catching out their opponents with a succession of quickly taken free kicks.

Avenue, with Pa Wilson pulling the strings from deep, also retained possession better than Rock. Left back Dylan Casey showed the quality that propelled him to captain an Ireland under 15 selection last year with a stream of quality deliveries into the Rock area.

Avenue always looked more likely to take the lead and did so at the midpoint of the first half through David McCarthy’s brilliantly taken free kick.

Rock improved as the half wore on and were unlucky not to equlaise shortly before half time. Stephen Hickey turned Avenue’s defence inside out before dragging a left foot shot wide.

Hickey had another chance at the start of the second half, heading wide from Dean Gardiner’s accurate cross. Rock had just managed to gain the upper hand when Avenue struck for the second goal. Mikey Mahony’s run and shot unhinged Rock’s defence and McCarthy was on hand to slot home his second of the game. Rock were back in contention when Daryl Eade converted from the penalty sport after Hickey was tripped in the area. The influential Eoin Glynn then combined with Hickey to release substitute Niall McNevin who produced a calm finish to tie the game at 2-2. There was one more twist to come courtesy of Collins’ header. If Rock are in the mood for revenge they don’t have to wait long for an opportunity. The sides meet again tomorrow night in Lees Road, kick-off 6.30pm.

Rock Rovers
Stephen Loftus, Michael Dinan, JasonWhite, Shane Daniels, Ronan Judge, Dean Gardiner,Ashley Glynn, David Ryan, Daryl Eade, Eoin Glynn, Stephen Hickey

Subs
Francis Daniels for A Glynn, Niall McNevin for Ryan, Marty McLoughlin for Eade

Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Mattie Nugent, David Russell, Dylan Casey, David Smyth, David McCarthy, Pa Wilson, Con Collins, David Herlihy, Mikey Mahony

Subs
Barry Nugent for Wilson, Colin Smyth for Casey

Referee
John Murray

IT WAS another very busy morning for Ennis RFC Under 11’s on Sunday. After the intense activities of Willow Park in Dublin the previous weekend, Ennis welcomed visiting teams from around County Clare and Limerick.

East Clare, West Clare Warriors, UL Bohemians and Garryowen provided the opposition on a sun soaked Showgrounds on Sunday morning. This made for very open running rugby and immense commitments from all sides.

Seven teams battled it out in 12 games throughout the morning. The hosts provided three very competitive teams with one from each of the visitors.

This meant Ennis were involved in nine of the fixtures (one against each other) and in the process having only one defeat. This again is a testimony to the very talented and enthusiastic squad Ennis have at their disposal which was reflected in the fact that against some of the top teams from Limerick, they have three teams that compete on a regular basis.

This group of players continue to improve and are very committed. Ennis teams for Under 11 Blitz as follows Eldon Nolan, Luke Griffey, Eoin Clancy, Liam Wall, Conall Bolger, ShaneVaughan, HarryTalty, JP Neville, PhilipTalty, Gerard Kavanagh, Zak cDonagh, EvanToomey, Dylan Myhill, Joe Spellesey, Shane Brennan Barry Neylon, Mike Reid, Elias Kunz, Paul Tuohy, Ross OFlaherty, Eoin Martin, Cathal Lennon, Gavin Flynn, CaimanWhelan, Morgan Garry, Ben Ryan, Sean Dolan, Ulick OSullivan, Neil Anderrson David Kelly, Eanna ODonoghue,Turlough Barrett, Frank Roach, Ronan Lannigan, Lorchan Clancy, Aidan Ryan, James Nugent, Stephen Dolan, Ben ODonnell, Kevin Reynolds, Oisin Mangan,TomO Brien, Luke Moriarty

THE CLARE Camogie Board have been given some leeway on appointing a new management team ahead of their Munster senior championship campaign, following the withdrawl of semi-final opponents Waterford at the weekend. They will now play either Tipperary or Cork in the Munster senior final in six weeks time rather than the two week semifinal period first envisioned.

A meeting of the executive of Clare Camogie on Wednesday night expressed their disappointment with the resignation of three of the senior management team the previous weekend. This was a regular meeting of the executive, with the issue sur- rounding the senior county team top of the list.

“This year the executive have funded and supported pre-season training in gym and the funding of floodlit playing pitches from January to March for the training of teams. This was a much needed support to the team and management. Training was going well and a panel of close on 40 girls completed pre-season training and until mid-March the panel was 35 strong. Issues around Ashbourne Cup and work, dual players and club commitments and then exams were present; this did lead to small numbers travelling to Wexford which was disappointing to all involved, players management and the Board. However, it was felt that this could be worked through as these issues have always been present at this time of the year. Thus the board have accepted the resignations despite not yet having received formal written notice,” concluded the statement released by the county board following the meeting.

A committee of three people have been appointed to rebuild the management team, including current selector Tom Hogan who remains on with the senior panel. Tom will continue to lead the team, which currently has 28 committed players on the panel, until this has been resolved and preparations will continue for the Munster final on May 14 and the commencement of the All-Ireland series three weeks later.

ST FLANNAN’S fell at the last hurdle on Wednesday in Croagh as they lost the Frewen Cup Football Final to Tralee on the narrowest of margins in a game that could have went either way.

For the second time this year, Tralee have been the cause of St Flannan’s heartbreak as they ended their Corn Uí Mhuirí hopes earlier this year and last week they became the reason the Frewen Cup is not coming home to the Ennis college.

St Flannan’s opened the scoring through Éire Óg’s Ciarán Mac Mathuna but they were up against it when Tralee pounced for a goal in the ninth minute and followed it up with a point. However, they maintained composure and regained the lead hitting four points without reply. Three coming from the on-form forward Martin O’Leary who looked to be causing major problems.

Tralee then hit two fine points only to find themselves go behind once again right before the half when O’Leary tore through the defence and laid it off to David Conroy who found the back of the Tralee net. St Flannan’s now led 1-5 to 1-3 at the interval after the aid of a strong breeze.

O’Leary again punished the Kerry side as he converted another free from the restart but then some halftime positional switches from Tralee began to pay off.

They started to control matters in key positions around the field and as a result Tralee kicked six of the game’s next seven points.

By the 51st minute, Tralee were in control with a 1-9 to 1-7 lead but St Flannan’s never gave up and battled admirably to the finish.

They responded with a point from Barry Lynch before Mac Mathuna saw his effort rebound off the post but O’Leary then tied things up with a resulting free.

Unfortunately, Tralee surged downfield and scored from their next two attacks.

Captain Sean Corry then had the last score of the game but this wasn’t enough for St Flannan’s as Tralee held onto the one point advantage to claim their second title in four years.

St Flannan’s
Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey); Conor Dolan (Éire Óg);Aiden Mc Guane (Kilmaley); Ronan Raferty (Michael Cusacks); StephenWard (Clarecastle); Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg); Conor Clancy (Clarecastle) (0-1); Sean Corry (Éire Óg) (0-1); Ciaran Mac Mathuna (Éire Óg) (0-1); David Conroy (Doora-Barefield) (1-0); Barry Lynch (Lissycasey) (0-1); Dara Kerin (Doora-Barefield) (0-1); Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil) (0-4); Eimhin Courtney (Éire Óg);Tadgh Lynch (Clondegad) (0-1). St Kier a n’s 2-10 Ár d Scoil Rís 1-11 @ Semple St adium, Thur les

CLARE’S status as the leading county in the country for underage handball was showcased over the weekend when five All-Ireland titles were won between action that took place in Offaly and Roscommon.

First up in Crinkle on Saturday were the O’Callaghan’s Mills pairing of Jacob Loughnane and Ciaran Cooney. They came up against the Sheridan brothers form Meath and although they won the first game on a 15-5 scoreline they were edged out for the title.

Next up were Natasha Coughlan and Michelle Nihill of the Clooney Club in the Under 15 doubles crown. The Banner girls won the first game by 15-6 and although they were second best in the next game they recovery to take the title in impressive fashion.

The Coughlan family was well represented in the finals as next up on the card was the Under 14 doubles final where Fergal Coughlan and Jamie Keane took on a very formidable Wexford pairing.

This battle went to a tie-breaker after the first two game were shared before the Clare pairing clare took control with Coughlan exhibiting great control and composure and Keane solid in attack took the decider with a comprehensive 15-6 scoreline.

Last on the card was the boys Under 14 singles between Brian Fahy of Tulla and Daniel Curry of Wicklow. The last time these two met Curry just got the better of young Fahy, so he was out to make amends.

The first game went Fahy’s way only for Curry to bounce back and claim the second but the Tulla young- ster had the final say with a 15-6 win in the tie-break game.

The second part of the weekend took Clare competitors to St Colman’s Handball Club in Roscommon on Sunday where Clare’s contingent continued on their winning ways.

Tulla’s Colin Corbett and Niall Bolton took on a very strong Tyrone pair in the under 16 doubles – they lost the first game but showed their resolve to bounce back and claim the title thanks to winning the final game by 11-5.

Clare’s memorable weekend was then completed by Colin Crehan in the Under 16 singles when he faced down Monaghan’s Darren Doherty, who was a recent winner of the US National Under 15 title.

However, Crehan was up to the challenge, displaying great court intellect, great passing shots and court control in overwhelming his highly rated opponent on a 21-14, 21-11 scoreline.

The Banner County secured a total of 6 of the 15 All Ireland Juvenile Championship titles played to date with significant triumphs in the blue ribband Boys Under 14 and Under 16 Singles and Doubles competitions. With representation in one last final still to be played, the future is unquestionably very bright for the Munster county on this evidence.

The spread of titles from the 15 All Ireland Juvenile Championship Finals played to date is: Clare (5), Galway (2), Kerry (2), Armagh (2), Roscommon (1), Meath (1), Tipperary (1) and Limerick (1). Results Saturday @Crinkle

BU15D: Evan Sheridan, Dylan Sheridan (Meath) dft Jacob Loughnane, Ciaran Cooney (Clare) 5-15, 15-9, 15-4 GU15D: Natasha Coughlan/Michelle Nihill (Clare) dft Aisling Maher/Denise Love (Kilkenny) 15-6, 11-15, 15-6 BU14D: Fergal Coughlan/Jamie Keane (Clare) dft Seamus Sinnott/Ben O’Shea (Wexford) 15-3, 9-15, 15-6 BU14S: Brian Fahy (Clare) dft Daniel Curry (Wicklow) 15-12, 12-15, 15-6 GU17D: Hannah OBrien/Aine McInerny [Clare] v Lauren Barco/Mary Buggy (Kilkenny) to be refixed Sunday @Coman’s, Roscommon GU16S: Ciana Ni Churraoin (Galway) dft Maeve McElduff (Tyrone) 21-7, 21-4 BU16D: Niall Bolton, Colin Corbett [Clare] dft Patrick McCrory, Pol Clarke (Tyrone) 13-21, 21-13, 11-5 BU16S: Colin Crehan [Clare] dft Darren Doherty (Monaghan) 21-15, 21-12 BU15S: Daniel Hayes (Tipperary) dft Eugene McGeough (Monaghan) 11-15, 15-9, 15-10 GU17S: Cornelia Prendiville [Kerry] dft Niamh Farrell (Monaghan) 21-9, 21-1 GU15S:Anna Prendiville [Kerry] dft Amy McGrane (Kildare) 15-14, 15-9

Clooney-Quin 3-07 – Crusheen 0-12 at Éire Óg

CLOONEY-QUIN progress to the quarter-final of the under 21 B championship after turning around a half time deficit of three points in a great second half display to clinch it by a point in this first round replay.

Crusheen started well but it was Clooney-Quin who struck first as Peter Duggan got the first score of his impressive tally from a ‘65 in the opening minutes. From here it became the battle of placed balls as Crusheen’s Darragh O’Doherty then converted two 65’s of his own.

Conor O’Donnell seemed to be the only man standing out in open play hitting four points in the first half as Crusheen took control.

Two free’s from centre forward Jamie Fitzgibbon added on the pressure which forced Duggan to go for goal from a 21 yard free that rattled the back of the net. However, a poor first half display from Clooney-Quin meant they trailed 0-9 to 1-3 at the break.

Crusheen still remained in control at the start of the second half but they were unable to build on their lead which gave Clooney-Quin hope.

Then with a quarter of an hour left it quickly became the Peter Duggan show after he found his form and went on to hit 2-3 giving his side the lead.

Crusheen were now on the back foot and only managed to reply with three points. However, after the nine points they scored in the first half this meant the game was still close to the finish.

They trailed by two points in closing stages as they went in search of a goal but it never came. A point is all they could manage but this wouldn’t suffice as Clooney-Quinn were victorious on a one point margin and will now face Corofin in the next round of the under 21 championship.

Clooney- Quin
Keith Hogan, Bryan McInerney, Brian Clune, Ronan McMahon, Niall McMahon, Ruaidhri McNamara, David Kennedy, Dáire Hannon (0-1); David Barry, Ryan O’Neill, Joeseph Clune (0-1); Conor Cunningham, Peter Duggan (3-5, 2f, 2‘65); Gary Hogan, Jason Ryan.

Subs
Shane Smyth for DBarry, John Reynolds for J Clune.

Crusheen
Brian Dillon, Ruairi Halpin, Conor Hayes, Jason Daffy, Jason Greene, Conor O’Loughlin, Darragh O’Doherty (0-2, 2’65);Youen Horner, Padraic O’Malley, SeanWeir, Jamie Fitzgibbon (0-4, 2f); Edward Forgarty, Ethan O’Donnell (0-1); Conor O’Donnell (0-5);Anthony Rogers.