Category: Sport

Lifford 2 – Newmarket Celtic 1 at Cassidy Park, Drumcliffe

NEWMARKET Celtic are flying high at the top of the Premier Division and closing in on their first title in three years, but their Clare Cup drought will extend to a dozen years at least.

All because they were dumped out of this year’s competition by Lifford, who have go all the way back to 1976 for their last success in the blue riband of the game in Clare.

They reached the last eight for the first time since 2009 thanks staving off Newmarket in the second half, with Jean Silva in goal and central defenders Mickey Joe O’Sullivan and Hamed Kuku in inspiring form as they doggedly held on to the 2-1 lead they’d carved out by half-time.

The home side got a dream start when Lunga Balman latched onto a through ball from midfield, used his strength to fend off a couple of Newmarket defenders before planting the ball past Kieran McGlynn in goal.

Newmarket were back on terms after 30 minutes when Davy Wall’s pile-driver took a deflection off Eoin Hayes and flew to the Lifford net past Jean Silva, but Lifford wee back in front five minutes later when Gary McNaboe raced into the area and was fouled for a penalty that Ryan Boyle dispatched to the net.

Those three first half goals may have rounded off the scoring, bu there was no shortage of goalmouth action in the second half as Newmarket laid siege on the Lifford goal.

The Ennis side were content to soak up the pressure and try and hit Newmarket on the break, a ploy which nearly paid dividends in the 63rd minute when Conor Donnellan was foiled by a great save from Kieran McGlynn.

Donnellan also had a penalty claim turned down, as did TJ Ajisomo, but the other penalty area was the scene for much more activity as Newmarket threw everything into getting the equaliser.

Substitute Kieran Devitt, a cup winner with Rineanna Rovers two years ago, had a great chance to get his side on terms on 84 minutes but was foiled by Jean Silva.

However, Newmarket were conviced they’d got back on terms five minutes from time when Mike O’Malley’s header looked goalbound only for Jean Silva to claw it back into play. Newmarket protested that the ball had crossed the line but Dave McCarthy waved play on and with it Newmarket’s cup race was run.

Lifford
Jean Silva, Joe Lynch (Conor Donnellan), Hamed Kuku (Kieran Connelly), Mickey Joe Sullivan, Dylan Blake, Ryan Boyle,TJ Ajisomo, Gary McNaboe (Gary Browne), Ruairi Norrby, Roberto Pinto, Lunga Balman (Kieran Neenan).

Newmarket Celtic
Kieran McGlynn, Mark O’Malley (Davy O’Grady), Mark Donnellan, Eoin O’Brien, Paudie Hayes (Mike O’Malley), Mike Devitt (Kieran Devitt), Eoin Hayes (Gary Collins) (Neil Ryan), Darren Cullinan, Seamie Lawolor, Davy Wall, Mikey Crosby.

Man of the Match
Mickey Joe O’Sullivan (Lifford)

Referee
David McCarthy

THE CLARE Minors Ladies Footballers continued to hone their match skills when they hosted current AllIreland Minor Champions Galway at Quilty GAA Grounds last Sunday.

Another fast paced work-out for the Banner girls over three twenty minute games, Clare were faster off the mark than they were against Dublin last week showing an increase in appetite that is vital for their first round of the Munster A Championship against Kerry on April 9.

The overall result for the day was the fairest possible outcome but Clare were decidedly sharper than the Tribeswomen in their first selection.

This position was reversed in the second challenge and Clare took the win in the third game but results are secondary in this type of event as both sides are continually changed and tested over the course of the day.

The Clare Minors will take on Limerick at Parteen GAA Grounds next Sunday at 11am in a similar event.

A bus will leave Miltown Bank Corner at 8.15am and depart from the West County Hotel, Ennis at 9am sharp.

Sixmilebridge 0-17 – Clonlara 2-5 at Dr Daly Park, Tulla

YOU get the sense with Sixmilebridge that where this championship is concerned, 2011 is about unfinished business.

That mood was very much in evidence in Tulla on St Patrick’s Day when the defeated finalists from 2010 were comfortable winners over a Clonlara side that were always chasing a losing cause once they found themselves trailing by seven points at half-time having played with the wind.

Yes, the ‘Bridge hit this championship running, strutting to a six-point victory that flattered Clonlara somewhat as both their goals came in the flurry of action in the final five minutes that also saw Eoin Meehan and Cathal O’Connell see red for the vanquished, while John Fennessy suffered the same fate for the winners.

The 2009 champions never really looked back after responding to the opening point from Cathal O’Connell in the fifth minute by reeling off five of their own to lead by 0-5 to 0-1 after 15 minutes. Ronan Mullane did the early damage with two points before a hat-trick from man-of-thematch Jamie Shanahan.

The marker was down and the ‘Bridge more than living up to their early billing for the rest of the game. A four-point lead was stretched to seven by the interval, with Shanahan notching two more frees, while points from play came via Sam O’Sullivan, Shane Golden and Shanahan brought their tally to 0-11.

Clonlara were fighting a losing battle, with only Cathal O’Connell’s frees (2) and an effort from play by Colm Galvin keeping them anyway competitive. The 2008 champions did rouse themselves early in the second half, moving Darach Honan from midfield to full-forward and opening the scoring thanks to Thomas Begley.

However, it was as good as it got for over 25 minutes as the ‘Bridge soon assumed total control and reeled off another flurry of five unanswered points by the 50th minute to move 11 clear. Impressive wing-back John Fennessy got them going with a huge point from play three minutes into the half, before points by Shanahan and Seadna Morey stretched the lead to nine by the 40th minute.

Clonlara needed goals, but after Darach Honan’s 20-metre free was stopped by Stephen Fleming in the 45th minute they had to wait until very late in the game for consolation scores, with Honan blasting a semipenalty to the net in the 56th minute and then teeing up Cathal O’Connell for a goal a minute later.

Then came the argy bargy that saw three players seeing red, with Fennessy rather unluckily being picked out as one of the culprits.

O’Callaghan’s Mills 3-11 – Clarecastle 4-07 at Cratloe

IN THE END, only an injury-time Adrian Donovan ’65 with almost the last puck of the game separated the sides but in truth, even if Clarecastle had secured a draw, it would have been a major escape having played second fiddle for much of the game and only grabbing a late lifeline after some fortunate goals.

All this was in contrast to a near perfect start that saw the Magpies storm 1-3 to 0-0 clear early on with Conor O’Gorman grabbing the goal and Aaron Considine converting all three points. Unfortunately, far from settling the side, the Magpies failed to build on that lead and would only score one more point in the half through Patrick Casey as the Mills finally found their feet.

By half-time, three Adrian Donovan placed balls and further points from from Eoin’s, McInerney and McGrath slashed the deficit to only two at 1-4 to 0-5.

The Mills maintained that pattern after the break and took the lead for the first time in the 35th minute when Eoin McGrath pulled to the net from close range followed by another brace of points to take a 1-7 to 1-4 advantage.

Clarecastle’s attempted fightback through a pair of Aaron Considine frees was interrupted by a second Mills goal, this time with Ian Donnellan pulling through a crowded goalmouth.

By the 50th minute, the Mills had pushed 2-9 to 1-6 ahead but far from seeing out the game, a dramatic yet bizarre finale lay in store.

Goalkeeper Henry Skehan did well to keep out a Stephen O’Halloran shot only for the clearance to go straight to John Reidy who managed to find the net from 40 metres as Skehan lost his footing.

Crucially the Mills responded immediately to the set-back, with James McMahon pulling to the net followed by an Eoin McInerney point but even then a seven point lead wasn’t enough. An Aaron Considine free and a goal from a deflected David Green shot saw the Magpies recover to within a goal and in the 61st minute, a Conor O’Gorman ’65 again came off the stick of a defender to nestle in the corner of the net and tie up the game.

However, the Mills showed their character once more and were handed a highly controversial penalty as Eamon O’Connor seemed to legitimately hook Ian Donnellan on his way towards goal only for referee Damien Fox to signal a penalty. With only seconds remaining, Adrian Donovan unconventionally chose to go for goal instead of securing the win with a point and was almost punished when his effort was stopped for a ’65. However, this time he kept his cool to convert the placed ball and send his side into a quarter-final meeting with Whitegate.

O’Callaghan’s Mills
Henry Skehan, Sean O’Gorman, Gerry Cooney, Michael McGrath,Aidan Fawl,Adrian Donovan (0-4 2f, 2’65 s), Darren Cooney, Kevin O’Callaghan, Eoin McInerney (0-2), Eoin McGrath (1-1), Ian Donnellan (1-0),Aidan O’Gorman (0-1), ColmMcHugh (0-1), James McMahon (1-0), Jamie Lynch (0-2f)

Clarecastle
Jamie Coughlan, Gearoid Ryan, Eamon O’Connor,Austin Guckian, Cormac Donnellan, Stephen O’Halloran, Fearghus Ryan, Patrick Casey (0-1), John Reidy (1-0), Mark Foley, David Green (1-0), Conor O’Gorman (2-0), Seanie Dilger,Aaron Considine (0-6 3f), Michael Casey

Subs
Gary Porter for P. Casey (40 mins),Tom Kelleher for Guckian (47 mins), James McAllister for Foley

Man of the Match
Adrian Donovan (O’Callaghan’s Mills) Referee Damien Fox (WolfeTones)

Cratloe 1-13 – Éire Óg 1-6 at Newmarket-on-Fergus

THE CURRENT U21 champions Eire Og won’t be retaining their crown in 2011 as they were beaten by a very strong Cratloe side who proved to much for the townies on St. Patrick’s day as they went out on a score line of 1-13 to 1-6.

Éire Óg held their own in a first half that were neck and neck to the interval with only a point separating the sides at half time. However, Cratloe should have built a much stronger lead if it wasn’t for some wayward shooting and great defending by Eire Og full-back Ciaran Russell.

The second half then saw the townies begin to get the better of Cratloe as they came at them from all angles. A goal then from Eire Og’s David O’Halloran looked as if it would ignite the belief that his side needed to go on and win but in fact it was just the opposite.

Eire Og failed to register a score again until the closing minutes and Cratloe went on to hit 1-8 without reply as Conor McGrath began to find his form. Some loose marking in the middle of the park gave Cratloe plenty of opportunities to feed the dangerous forwards who began to pick off scores.

Both teams were reduced to 14 men when a bust up between Eire Og’s Thomas Downes and Cratloe’s Pa Carey saw them receive second yellows as there looked to be little chance of an Eire Og comeback. Then an off the ball incident resulted in another red for Eire Og as Niall McMahon got his marching orders and it looked to be all over.

Fiachra Connellan then got the last point of the day but it was too little too late for his side as they were beaten by a dominant Cratloe team that is dripping with inter-county talent. They now face the winners of Newmarket-on-Fergus and Kilmaley.

Cratloe
Dean DeLoughrey, Joe Conroy, Sean

Hynan, Enda Boyce, Conor Ryan, LiamMarkham (0-2); Jack McCourt,Wes DeLoughrey, Podge Collins (0-3); Pa Carey, Cathal McInerney (0-2); David Collins, Joe O’Connor, Conor McGrath (15);Thomas Ryan (0-1).

Subs
David McInerney for Boyce, Boyce for David Collins, Robert Foskin for Boyce.

Éire Óg
: Kevin Brennan, Kevin Hally, Ciaran Russell, Niall Malone, Jack Walsh, Kevin Moynihan, Cathal Whelan,Thomas Downes, Conor Stack, Fiachra Connellan (0-1); Niall McMahon, Graham Glynn (0-1); Shane O’Donnell, David O’Halloran (1-4, 2f); Niall O’Connor.

Subs
Aaron Fitzgerald for Stack, Caoimhin Fitzgerald for O’Connor.

Tubber 1-13 – Tulla/Bodyke 2-08 at Gurteen

IT WAS A dramatic finish, but in the end Tubber throughly deserved to advance to the quarter-finals on Sunday. Despite an immense leadership display by county senior Patrick O’Connor who scored 11 points over the hour, Tubber generally had the better balance and the two point winning margin certainly didn’t reflect Tubber’s dominance for the bulk of the game.

The north Clare side led from start to finish, held a six point half-time advantage that even swelled to eight mid-way through the half yet still could have been caught in a nervous final quarter as the amalgamation finally gelled.

However, while Tulla/Bodyke outscored their opponents by 1-3 to 0-1 in the run-in and also had a multitude of further goal chances including a penalty that flew over the crossbar, several close-in frees and goalmouth scrambles, they found goalkeeper Ronan Taaffe in stubborn form as time eventually ran out.

That late charge would make one wonder how competitive this game could have been had Tulla/Bodkye shown as much urgency from the outset but instead it was Tubber who opened up an 0-8 to 0-3 advantage by the 29th minute, with O’Connor scoring all but one of that total while the fielding of Cathal Murray and work-rate of Nigel O’Donoghue were also highlights.

Aside from Trevor Vaughan placed balls and some good defensive work by Daragh Corry, Tulla/Bodkye hopes of gaining a foothold in this game stemmed from infrequent goal chances, the first of which Taaffe superbly saved from John Fitzgerald while they did finally break the deadlock on the half hour mark when Tomás McMahon picked up a break to drive a low shot to the net.

Had they been able to go into the break only two points down, Tulla/ Bodyke would have been wholly satisfied but crucially Tubber cancelled that score out when Neil O’Loughlin earned a penalty for Ronan Taaffe to convert to the net in the 34th minute to lead by 1-9 to 1-3 at half-time.

Three Patrick O’Connor placed balls extended that advantage to eight by the turn of the final quarter but they would only score once more as Tulla/Bodyke finally fought back. Four Trevor Vaughan frees cut the deficit to five but a plethora of missed chances in front of goals meant that they were repeatedly frustrated.

Tula/Bodyke did eventually bypass goalkeeper Taaffe in the 62nd minute when substitute Cathal Bolton acrobatically flicked a rebound to the net but it was too little too late as it was Tubber who march on to meet Ballyea this Saturday.

Tubber
RonanTaaffe (1-0 Pen), Paddy O’Connor, Paul Fogarty, Philip O’Connor, Sean Brosnan, Fergal O’Grady, Sean Naughton, Nigel O’Donoghue, Kevin Fawl, Darragh O’Connor, Conor Clancy (0-2), Cathal Murray, Evan O’Donoghue, Patrick O’Connor (0-11 7f, 1’65), Neil O’Loughlin

Subs
Francis McCormack for P. O’Connor (37 mins),Adrian Nilan for Fawl (43 mins)

Tulla/ Bodyke
Alan Leamy, Gavin Moroney, Eoin Halpin, Manus Maguire, Daragh Corry, Sean McGrath, Donnacha McNamara, David McInerney (0-1), Oisin Molloy,Trevor Vaughan (0-7 5f, 1 Pen, 1’65), ColmHalpin,Tomás McMahon (1-0), John Fitzgerald, Danny Maguire

Subs
Cathal Bolton (1-0) for Molloy (43 mins), Cormac Lynch for C Halpin (50 mins)

Man of the Match
Patrick O’Connor (Tubber) Referee Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)

Inagh/Kilnamona 2-10 – Broadford/O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-14 at Dr Daly Memorial Park,

TWO GOALS in three minutes midway through the second half was enough to turn this tie on its head and send Inagh/Kilnamona into the last four. Up to that point, the east Clare amalgamation of Broadford and O’Callaghan’s Mills appeared to be the side most likely to advance and play Sixmilebridge in the semifinals. However, the brace of goals from Brian Foudy and Martin Barry altered the narrative of this game decisively and while Broadford/’Mills had ample opportunities to get something out of the game, Inagh/Kilnamona and full-back Brian Glynn in particular ensured that the leaders held on.

In hindsight however, Broadford/ Mills will reflect on the fact that they only scored two points from play over the 60 minutes. Indeed, it was James McMahon’s solo and point in the 20th minute that handed Broadford/’Mills the lead for the first time in the game at 0-5 to 0-4 after a freetaking duel between Paurig Taylor, Cathal Chaplin and Niall Arthur.

That score was the third in an unanswered haul of six straight points as the east Clare combo finally found their feet to pull four points clear at 0-8 to 0-4 and they might have even added a goal had Aidan O’Gorman managed to field a James McMahon handpass on his way towards goal in the 27th minute.

Crucially however, Inagh/Kilnamona came off the ropes to finish the half strongly with Sean McConigley to the fore by setting up one for Martin Barry while scoring another himself to cut the deficit to only two by the break.

Broadford/O’Callaghan’s Mills maintained their advantage on the resumption with Chaplin and Taylor frees sandwiching another from Arthur at 0-10 to 0-07. Their comfort zone was dented though in the 38th minute when Inagh/Kilnamona launched a counter-attack to score the first goal of the game and tie the game up. Ciaran Devitt raced down the right wing and played a crossfield pass that broke off two players before falling into the path of the overlapping Brian Foudy to pull to the net from close range.

In the next passage of play, Inagh/ Kilnamona almost got in for a second goal but Niall Arthur’s rasping shot was somehow saved by goalkeeper Cian O’Brien at his near post for a ’65 that Arthur duly converted. With the hardworking Vaughan brothers, Eoin and Haulie doing the spadework around the centre, worse was to follow for Broadford/’Mills two minutes later when a Martin Barry free from his own half was misjudged by Chaplin and creeped into the corner of the net to hand Inagh/Kilnamona a 2-08 to 0-10 lead.

To their credit however, Broadford/ ’Mills displayed great character to recover immediately with Chaplin and Taylor (2) converting frees, with only a superb point from Niall Arthur on the left wing in reply.

Mark Moloney’s 52nd minute point cut the deficit to only the minimum but try as they might, that was as good as it would get. A Niall Arthur free restored Inagh/Kilnamona’s two point advantage and with Brian Glynn having a near-perfect game at full-back, a series of threatening Broadford/’Mills attacks were all thwarted. The best opportunity fell for Niall Moloney who caught a Cathal Chaplin cross just outside the square but surrounded by defenders, he chose to handpass towards goal and Mark Moloney failed to connect with a overhead pull as the ball drifted wide.

A further brace of frees also went the same way as Inagh/Kilnamona clung on to set up a repeat of the minor final of three years ago in the last four against Sixmilebridge.

TEENAGERS Kayleigh McCormack and Sally Carrig (left) were Clare’s golden girls at the National Youth and Lady’s Boxing Championships in Dublin at the weekend.

Both boxers took home gold medals for Clare who had five competitors battling for glory at the National Stadium.

Coach Colum Flynn hailed the performances of Clare’s boxers, describing their appearances in the finals as a “great achievement”.

After defeating Lauren Smith from the South Meath club in the semi-final, McCormack (16) had too much for Ulster Champion Rosemary Doherty in the final of the 57 kg lady’s division.

The Kilfenora boxer overpowered her opponent from the Carndonagh club, racking up an impressive 3-0 points victory.

“She won the title last year and she is one of the best boxers around”, said Flynn.

Carrig (15), representing Ennis Boxing Club, was similarly impres- sive when she defeated Mayo’s Ciara Loftus 14-3 in the final of the 63 kg lady’s division.

Both girls were level at 3-3 after the first round. But Carrig showed her class to wrap up a convincing victory.

There was disappointment for Kayleigh’s cousin, Caoilinn Mc Cormack. Caoilinn, making her first appearance in the national championships, was beaten in the final by Helen Carty from Kilkenny.

“She’s definitely one for the future. She’s very sharp, a good boxer. She has very few flaws”, said Flynn.

After impressing in her 16-3 semifinal win over Katie Hyland, reigning champion Antoinette Keane (16) was defeated 6-1 by Louth’s Shani Just in the 63 kg final.

There was disappointment too for 16-year-old Lee Sherlock who lost to John Stokes from the Mulhuddart club in the 54 kg youths final.

Flynn said, “He had a good second round, he rallied a bit but Stokes came on very strong after that. He’ll (Sherlock) will definitely win a title in the next couple of years”.

Newmarket Celtic 5 – 1 Hermitage at McDonough Park, Newmark-on-Fergus

RUNAWAY Premier Division leaders took a huge step towards winning a first Premier League title in three years when they blitzed Hermitage in this top of the table clash that was played on Sunday morning.

Liam Murphy’s side did in style, bouncing back from being rocked by ‘Tage goal inside the first minute from Adrian Walsh to get home with something to spare to put 14 points between them and the Ennis side in the Premier League standings as both side only have four games left to play.

A keen tie was expected here, given the high-scoring nature of the first league meeting between the sides back on September when they played out a hugely entertaining 3-3 draw at the Fairgreen, but this return leg turned out to be damp squib as a rampant Celtic side showed no mercy in turning the screw.

Michael Crosby was Celtic’s star turn on the day, helping himself to a hat-trick as they ended the ‘Tage’s hopes of making a dream title-winning return to the top flight of Clare soccer. Celtic recovered from their early set-back to equalise inside five mintues thanks to Mark Donnellan, who rose highest at the back post to head home Seamus Considine’s cross from the right wing.

Crosby then put made his first impression when toe-poking the ball into the corner of the net after 15 minutes after the ball fell nicely for him just inside the area. And when Seamus Lawlor got in on the scoring act in the 30th minutes, Newmarket were on the high road to their 11th win of the campaign.

The second half proved to be very comfortable for the home side, with a brace from Crosby bolstering Newmarket’s impressive goal difference to plus 22 as they brought their tally of league goals to an imposing 44 for the season to date.

The first came after 60 minutes when Crosby ran on to a through ball from Davy Wall before slotting the ball past Joe Burke in the ‘Tage goal, while his hat-trick was up ten minutes later when a similar type goal.

Newmarket Celtic
MartyWhelan, Mark O’Malley, Mark Donnellan, Eoin O’Brien, Darren Cullinan, Mike O’Malley (Eoin Hayes), Mike Devitt, Seamus Considine (Pa Coughlan), Seamus Lawlor, Michael Crosby, Davy Wall (Gary Collins).

Man of the Match
Michael Crosby (Newmarket Celtic) Referee Dave McCarthy

Avenue United 2 – 1 Tulla United at Lees Road, Ennis

AVENUE UNITED keep their hopes of winning the Premier alive as they secured three points on Sunday narrowly beating Tulla by two goals to one.

The first chance of the game fell to Tulla but Niall Whelan was unable to put his side in front. Avenue then began to get on top and held possession well. Mikey Mahoney then set up Barry Nugent for the first goal 25 minutes in and cries of offside from the Tulla contingency fell on deaf ears as Avenue took the lead.

The game then became nip and tuck from here as Tulla went in search of an equaliser but it was Avenue that struck again with a David McCarthy free kick that found the net putting them two up. Tulla did not give up hope and only minutes later they were back in it when Gearoid O’Doherty hit a great free kick past John Healy in the Avenue goal.

The sides went in at the break with Avenue 2-1 up but with a resilient Tulla side there looked to be a great second half battle in store. Unfortunately, Tulla were reduced to 10 men as Trevor Corbett received a second yellow card and this put a major dent in Tulla’s chances.

Avenue pressed on from here as Tulla began to struggle. They then had the chance to increase their lead to three when the referee awarded Avenue a penalty for a Denis Murphy foul in the area. Tulla were given a glimmer of hope though as Gary Flynn stepped up and put the ball over the bar to keep the the game tight to the finish.

The result of the game still hung in the balance in the closing stages as Avenue began to sit back on their lead and Tulla tried to pile on the pressure. Alan Brigdale then had a chance to gain a share of the spoils and level matters very late on but he was unsuccessful with his effort and Avenue held out to claim the victory.

Avenue are currently 22 points behind leaders Newmarket F.C but they have seven games in hand and will hope to utilise all these games to close the gap at the top of the table bringing the closing stages of the season to an interesting finale.

Avenue Utd
John Healy, Simon Cuddihy, David Herlihy, Con Collins, Mattie Nugent, Pa Wilson, David McCarthy, Gary Flynn, David Smyth, Barry Nugent, Mikey Mahoney.

Subs
Eamon O’Reilly, Colin Smyth.

Tulla Utd
Shane Collins,Tommy McKeon, Gearoid O’Doherty, Denis Murphy, Pat Vaughan, Mike McDermott,Trevor Corbett, Niall Whelan, Shane Mason, Keith Lenihan,Alan Brigdale.

Subs
Brian Hehir, Kevin Deloughrey,TomBurns.