Category: Sport

DERMOT Coughlan has bowed out as manager of Clondegad, but as he goes the Kilmurry Ibrickane stalwart who was a member of Clare’s Munster final winning squad of 1992 has said that the county intermediate champions he guided over the past four years can be a real force at senior level in the coming years.

Speaking to The Clare People on Monday, after Clondegad’s agonising one-point defeat to Miltown-Castlemaine in the Munster intermediate semi-final, Coughlan has paid tribute to his charges after their heroic display against the Kerry champions.

“We’ve had four years and had a great time,” said Coughlan in stepping down. “We’ve had two promotions and got up to the Cusack Cup final, we’ve played in two county finals and won the intermediate championship and played in Munster.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the mentors I had with me. Kevin Tighe, Helen Murphy and Dermot Gavin – they have been brilliant over the last four years. The team needs a fresh voice now, someone else to take it on and build on it because there is great potential there,” he added.

As he spoke, Coughlan reflected on what might have been after his side saw their chance of taking the first step towards emulating Kilmihil, Cratloe and St Breckan’s, who have reached Munster finals in the last three years scuppered for a controversial late goal.

“We were unlucky. We played all the football and we can’t ask any more of the team. They were tremendous. Going into the game we knew we had to go up two or three notches – our county final performance wasn’t going to be good enough, but we had tremendous belief in our- selves,” he said.

“We started with 13 lads who were under 23 years of age and the pace they played the game at was unreal. They took the game to Miltown-Castlemaine. There was no blanket defence, no dropping back a man. We just tore into them and they gave it everything.

“The goals killed us. The first goal was from a kick he put across the square – it was going over the bar or going wide, but held up in the breeze at the last second and dipped under crossbar. If he tried it again a hundred times he wouldn’t do it. It was a freak goal.

“We moved on from that, but there was a nine-point turnover with the goal they got, the penalty we missed and then the goal we had disallowed. Things go for you are you don’t.

“The goal we got was debatable. Some say Shane Brennan was in the square, others say he was out. Gary Brennan kicked a sideline right into the square, Shane ran in and fisted it to the net. It’s easy for me to say it was a good goal, but when you’re 60 or 70 yards away, you can’t call it, but from our side it looked good.

“Kieran Browne soloed out with a ball. He was literally bundled to the ground and the ref was blowing for things like that all day. When he was bundled to the ground the ball spilled and the ball was kicked into the corner forward, who had that bit of space. The backs came around him again but his shot just trickled into the corner of the net. It was purely against the run of play. They’re the things that win tight matches,” added Coughlan.

THE stuff of dreams for followers of the small ball in Inagh. The men folk threatened to make the big breakthrough in 2011, being edged out by Sixmilebridge in county quarter-final and then going down to Newmarketon-Fergus in the Clare Cup decider.

But it’s the women folk who have gone all the way – winning county and Munster honours before their smash and grab raid at the death of this All-Ireland semi-final. It looked bleak when they were four points down near the end, but they never lost heart, according to club secretary and panellist Noreen Shannon.

“We never thought it was gone,” she revealed afterwards. “There was always that belief in the team and we got the goals to win it. When the first one went in we got it down to a point and we would have taken a point after that to bring the game to extra time, but when the second goal went in it was straight from heaven. Fiona Lafferty drove in both balls for the goals. After the first goal she won the puck-out and just lobbed it into the square and there was a bit a scummage in the square and Sharon Rynne finished it. It’s a once in a lifetime thing to be in an All-Ireland final,” she added.

And, Shannon revealed that this journey which will be completed on Sunday week has its genesis in a couple of defeats, to Corofin last year and then to Truagh this term. “Winning the county final was our aim at the start of the year,” she revealed, “but we lost the league final to Truagh and that was really the start for us. After that we said we were going to try and mimic what Corofin had done last year – but go one step further and actually win the All-Ireland. We have that chance now because we’re in the final.

“Corofin were the driving force for us, definitely. They beat us in the first round of the championship by around 20 points last year – then once we won a few matches this year we had in the back of our minds that we might go where they went last year. Here we are.

“It’s either Myshal of Carlow or Tara’s of London in the final. We don’t mind who we play. They seem to be the surprise in the pot this year. Cushendall were expected to come through but Tara knocked them out in the last game. They must be strong, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

CARRIGTWOHILL were applauded off the field after it was all over – it was always going to be so, given that the small east Cork club had dipped its toes in Munster championship action for the very first time.

You see, it had been a long time coming for a parish that prides and glories in the fact that it was home to hurleys over 800 years ago when at the time of Norman Invasion the men folk of Carrigtwohill ‘carried a stick bent at one end’.

So, win, lose, or draw, this was something of a celebration for them – hence the rousing applause they received from their faithful followers at, despite it being well and truly pummeled by a rampant Crusheen side.

A Crusheen side with a Munster title on their mind – and why not, admitted Carrigtwohill manager when praising the performance of the Clare champions and in particular their set of backs, whose reputation had preceded them to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“We knew we were going to face the toughest defence all year,” he admitted afterwards. “We certainly did. No matter what we put in there it was just coming out as quickly as it was going in.

“We had a couple of goal chances and they just wouldn’t go in. Fair play to Crusheen. They played a real tight, defensive game and fought really hard from start to finish and we just couldn’t break them down.

“We had wave after wave of attack in the first half but just weren’t able to finish it off. In fairness that was down to Crusheen’s pressure and their belief in themselves. It wasn’t down to our forwards. It was down to their strength back there. I thought we could have scored a goal or two in the first half but we didn’t when we needed to build up a bit of a lead when playing with the wind,” he added.

Given the strength of the wind, a 08 to 0-6 lead was hardly enough?

“It was still there for us at half-time. I said to the boys at half-time – the first ten minutes of the second half is going to be the winning of the game. But to be honest Crusheen came out with the same plan and they had they had a great first ten minutes. They scored three or four points on the trot and we just didn’t reply and were chasing the game after that.

“All championship games come in phases of 15 and 20 minutes. We had our phase just before half-time and we had pushed on well, but didn’t get the goal that we really needed.

“Then in the first ten minutes of the second half Crusheen really pushed on – that was their phase and the three or four points they got put our lads under severe pressure and there was no way back. They are a very good side and I think they have a great chance of winning the Munster title.”

CLARE Camogie Supporters Club is organising a fundraising Night at the Dogs in Limerick Greyhound Track.

This takes place on Saturday November 26th with first race at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the night are € 20. This covers entry to the track, race card on the night, entry to Buster draw where first prize is € 500 and there are also five lucky dips of € 100 to be won.

This € 20 also covers annual membership to the supporters club. This is a vital event for the supporters club that has been a huge asset to the development of camogie over the last number of years.

They cover the welfare of players and player development covering costs of physiotherapy for the teams and extra gym or development needs that county teams may have.

Support for this is greatly appreciated with tickets available in all clubs, who are allowed to keep a portion of ticket sales over the sale of 15 tickets as the supporters club try to support not only county development but also the clubs in the county, or from county officers or supporter club officers Stephen Powell 0851288573, Geraldine McLoughlin 0863753116, Rachel Whelan 0872174598.

THE AGM of Ennis St. John’s Community Games was held last week at the Ennis Museum before a quite a good crowd including some newcomers. Before the meeting commenced the Chairman proposed a minutes silence in memory of those who had Community Games connections and unfortunately had passed away during the previous year.

The meeting opened with an address from the President Mr John 0’Sullivan, who incidently with his wife Cecilia, founded Ennis Community Games. He welcomed everyone present and said that this was a very special year for Ennis Community Games who were celebrating 40 years, and he hoped it would still be in existence for another forty.

The Chairman, Joe Lynch, said in the course of his report that he was delighted to have been involved at the end of another very successful year and congratulated everyone for their continued help, support and commitment. Secretary Geraldine Sharkey presented a very comprehensive report stating that it was a most successful year.

We had achieved many successes at local provincial and national levels and this year had received 15 All Star awards. During her report she suggested that there could be people in the area who might like to help out at various events but didn’t have time to become committee members and that it was an avenue thaat we should explore.

Treasurer Mary Moloney presented a pretty healthy financial report but added that due to the financial state of the economy that it was much harder to raise funds and that we should be keeping a close eye on expenditure.

At the end of the meeting presentations were made to John and Cecila O’Sullivan in recognition of 40 years involvement with Community Games and to Geraldine Sharkey honouring her successful achievement in conquering Mount Kilimanjaro.

Election of officers resulted as follows:- President, John 0’Sullivan, VPresidents, Cecilia 0’Sullivan, Tony Sharkey and Brendan Doyle, Chairman, Joe Lynch, V. Chairman, Roger Fox; Secretary, Geraldine Sharkey; Asst. Secretary, Ann Arthur O’Brien; Treasurer, Mary Moloney; Asst. Treasurer, Flan Brennan, PRO. Tony Sharkey, Committee Members, Marie Roche, Rebecca Brown, Tara Cooney, Hilda O’Connor, Frances Buzcek, Willie Donnellan, Michael O’Brien, Pat Roche, Sean Kenneally and Tony Mounsey.

St Sena ns RFC 23 Ga lba lly RFC 11 ST SENAN’S made their intentions clear from the kick-off when Ian Fitzgerald gathered the ball and ran at the opposition before moving the ball across the line for Declan Collins to kick a ball over the approaching Clanwilliam players, for Barry Murphy to chase down.

Clanwilliam conceded a penalty from this attack Senans chose not to kick for the posts, as a strong cross wind would have made it very difficult; they kicked for touch to take their chances in a line-out.

Senans won line-out forcing Clanwilliam to concede another penalty and once again Senans chose the line-out option, this time Clanwilliam managed to clear their lines and push Senans back to half way.

Senans regained control and forced Clanwilliam to concede a number of defensive scrums; a strong Senans pack had the upper hand in the scrums and pushed the visitors back over their own try line for Daragh McCoy to get the final touch on the ball for Senans first try under the posts.

Declan Collins made no mistake with the conversion and opened up a 7-0 lead for the home side.

This lead was soon reduced as Clanwilliam pushed into Senans, half winning and scoring from a long range penalty, to reduce deficit to 73. Gaining confidence from this passage of play Clanwilliam put Senans under pressure again and forced them to concede another penalty which they converted moving to within one point of the home side at 7-6.

Following this latest score both sides played some very aggressive rugby in the middle of the field but could not produce any clear cut opportunities. Senans broke this deadlock and pushed forward deep into Clanwilliam territory winning penalties on 26 and 30 minutes, Declan Collins kicked both of these to extend Senans lead to 13-6.

Senans continued to pressurise the visitors and finished the half with another penalty conversion to go into half time 16-6 leaders.

The second half started with both packs battling for territorial advantage to provide a platform for their backs to launch a threat on each others try line.

Clanwilliam came closest after 12 minutes when they were encamped on Senans try line for an extended period but the Senans defence held tough denying them a score clearing their lines to relieve the pressure.

The second half deadlock was broken on 26 minutes when once again a strong Senans pack drove the Clanwilliam scrum back over their try line for Ian Fitzgerald to score Senans 2nd try which Declan Collins converted to give the home side a 23-6 advantage.

Both sides battled away in mid-field but found it difficult to create any clear cut scoring opportunities until the 35th minute when Clanwilliam found space out wide to run in their first try, the conversion kick missed the target and left the visitors trailing 23-11.

This was to be the last score of the game and Senans ran our deserving winners of this tough game.

Next week Senans take on Richmond RFC at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 20 in Richmond Park

St Senans Team
Pa Ryan, Fergal Lawlor,Tony O’Brien,Aaron Skerritt, Aidan O’Callaghan, Jamie Keogh, Ian Fitzgerald, Mike O’Connell, Darragh McCoy, Noel Hoban, Barry Murphy, Neil McDonagh, Dylan Sonneman, Fernando Gallant, Declan Collins.

Replacements
DavidWebb, Eamonn Martin, Eamonn O’Donoghue, Michael Cusack, Jake Egan.

Kilmaley 3-13 – Feakle/Killanena 1-07 at Clarecastle

KILMALEY were crowned Minor B hurling champions for 2011 after an emphatic twelve point victory over Feakle/Killanena. Clarecastle was the venue on Sunday last for their impressive performance with their second half onslaught particularly pleasing for the Kilmaley faithful.

Considering the final score of 3-13 to 1-7 the closeness and competitiveness of the first half is rather surprising. Kilmaley raced out of the blocks with the first score of the encounter after twenty seconds. Darragh Gregan made no mistake after securing possession from a wonderfully judged pass by midfielder Conor Cleary. This would be the first of many contributions by the Miltown Malbay maestro who is equally as talented with a football for his native club. The East-Clare Combo quickly replied through a Todd Kelsey score within the opening minute to ensure that all spectators now expected an incredible clash to materialize. This pattern of each team matching each other score by score continued for twenty minutes with both sides’ respective free takers Kilmaley’s Paul Kennedy and Feakle/Killanena’s Oisin Donnellan opening their accounts. A quick-fire treble soon launched Kilmaley into the lead and the first meaningful margin between the teams was formed. Again though the amalgamation found an immediate positive response. Colin McNamara burst through the Kilmaley rear-guard far too easily before blasting his shot low into the corner of the goal to level the match with only a few minutes of the half remaining. This was a killer blow for the mid-Clare outfit but amazingly they would still have the last laugh before the half-time whistle. A minute into injury time Kennedy punished an equally generous Feakle/Killanena defence with his team’s first goal of the afternoon. His burst of pace was not halted and before the eventual reaction came from the helpless full-back line the green flag was being waved in the air. Feakle/ Killanena found the last score of the half through a long-range free from Eoin Tuohy to leave it at 1-7 to 1-5 but there is no questioning who now held the momentum at the interval.

The second half resembled a very different battle. A county final war zone became almost a training ground challenge game for Kilmaley. Their gulf in class could no longer be prevented as they steamrolled their shocked competitors after the restart. Five minutes in and this tie was over as a contest. Three points in a row was bad enough but the concession of a second goal meant the faith of this title was well and truly sealed. Michael O’Malley used all of his attacking instincts to skilfully flick the sliotar past the onrushing goalkeeper to ensure the parish of Kilmaley would be celebrating long into the night. Before the jubilations could really kick off however the remainder of this final had to be played out. With three-quarters of match done and dusted another net buster was on the cards. Kennedy signed off a man of the match performance with a second goal after being set up by a terrific side-line cut by captain fantastic Eoin Enright.

The points kept coming as fast as the minutes of the game surpassed with Tomas “Tombo” Lynch grabbing the last with normal time just concluding. Kilmaley overall dominated in all sectors with Aidan McGuane also deserving a mention for his hard-working performance in the middle of the park. For Feakle/Killanena the disappointment of losing a county final no matter what the level or grade is always hard to stomach and this will be no different. The harsh reality is though with a mere two points both from frees in the second half they never had a chance.

Kilmaley
Eoin Meehan, Shane Lynch, Kevin Conlon, Shane O’Malley, Cian Moloney, Eoin Enright (0-3, 2f), Darragh McMahon, Conor Cleary,Aidan McGuane,Tomas Lynch (0-1), Cillian McNamara, Darragh Gregan (0-2), Barry Lynch, Paul Kennedy (2-5, 2f), Michael O’Malley (1-1)

Subs
Michael Keane for O’Malley, Michael O’Loughlin for Lynch, Peter Lawlor for Gregan, Padraig O’Connor for Lynch, Brian Coote for O’Malley

Feakle/ Killanena
Eibhear Quilligan, Evan McMahon, James Noonan, Eoin McMahon, Paul McArthur, EoinTuohy (0-2f), Martin Glynn, Padraig Brady (0-1), Shane McGrath, Colin McNamara (10),Todd Kelsey (0-1), Con Smyth, Gavin Fox, Oisin Donnellan (0-3f), Justin Nelson

Subs
Andrew Flaherty for Fox, Eric Conway for Donnellan, Paddy McNamara for Nelson

Man of the match
Paul Kennedy (Kilmaley) Referee Johnny Healy

Crusheen/Tubber 2-11 – Corofin 1-09 at Clarecastle

A BLISTERING start was the key to victory for the Crusheen/Tubber amalgamation in this derby final played on Saturday afternnon.

They led by 2-4 to 0-1 after the first 15 minutes, with goals from Kevin Fawl and Evan O’Donoghue putting them on their way to victory, while the point-taking of Lorcan O’Grady was also key in this start.

Corofin were shell-shocked but a goal from Gearóid Kelly and points from Declan Stack ensured that the game was back in the melting pot at half-time as they trailed by 2-5 to 1- 4.

The second half was evenly contested as Corofin’s comeback continued as they reduced the margin to the minimum, but crucially Crusheen/Tubber never lost their lead and kicked on at the end to claim the honours with five points to spare.

Best for Crusheen/Tubber on the day were full-back Youen Horner, centre-back Paddy O’Connor, mid fielder Rory Halpin, centre-forward Evan O’Donoghue and corner-forward Lorcan O’Grady.

Gearóid Kelly and Declan Stack were prominent for Corofin at midfield while Liam Corbett also im- pressed in attack.

Crusheen/ Tubber
Dylan Naughton, Mark Perrill,Youen Horner, Anthony Rodgers, Barry Monaghan, Paddy O’Connor, Francis McCormack, Kevin Fawl, Rory Halpin, SeanWeir, Evan O’Donoghue,Aidan Forde, ColinVaughan, Neil O’Loughlin, Lorcan O’Grady.

Corofin

THE cash-strapped Clare County Board is going to have to come up with “substantial funds” to finish its centre of training excellence in Caherlohan near Tulla, last Tuesday’s meeting of Clare GAA was told.

And, if the board can’t muster the finances to pay for the facility that has already has nearly € 4m pumped into it, it will remain closed and won’t open – that was the stark message delivered by county board secretary Pat Fitzgerald as he challenged club delegates to decide where “the priority is” when it comes to spending of Clare GAA infrastructure.

“It is important that clubs would be aware, that there is an onus on the board to ensure that Tulla (Caherlohan) is properly dealt with,” said Fitzgerald.

The debate rose after it was revealed by Fitzgerald and county board chairman, Michael O’Neill, that substantial also needs to be spent on Cusack Park. However, Fitzgerald hinted that Caherlohan and not Clare GAA headquarters should become the main priority.

“There is going to have to be a substantial sum of money that his board is going to have to invest if we are going to open Tulla. That is going to have to be one of the priorities.

More serious than Cusack Park, I think, is that we have a facility in Tulla.

“We have invested € 1.8m that Croke Park has given, in fairness to them. Only because of the money we got we would be in dire straits today. But it is going to cost substantial more money if we are going to be able to open that. I think that is a decision the board is going to have to make – where they priority is.

“We can leave it closed and develop some place else. At the end of the day the county committee is the overall governing body – it is important, it is incumbent on us as the managers of county board to put those issues in front of you. It is important that you know about them. I can assure you that they are not trivial,” he added.

It sparked some stormy exchanges between county board chairman Michael O’Neill and Doonbeg del egate over how much it was going to cost to finish the Caherlohan facility.

“We’re stuck outside in Tulla and we haven’t the money to finish it. Where is the money going to come to finish Tulla,” said Neenan. It looks like that it’s not just the coaching structures that have suffered from bad planning, but with Cusack Park too,” added the outspoken Doonbeg delegate.

“We’re moving forward,” interjected Michael O’Neill.

“You keep saying you’re moving forward, but it’s bad planning Mr Chairman,” responded Neenan.

“It’s not bad planning. As far as I remember it was a decision made here by the county committee, to buy the land out in Tulla and development it,” said O’Neill.

“You said that Mr Chairman, where is the money going to come from to finish Tulla,” said Neenan.

“I did no such thing say,” hit back O’Neill. “Withdraw that comment.”

“I won’t withdraw that comment.”

“The question (about where the money is going to come from to finish Tulla) was answered. Michael (Neenan), you are telling lies.”

“I am not telling lies,” said Neenan.

“Tell us the figure that you have to finish Tulla then,” added Neenan.

“It has been said three times. How many times do you want to hear it.”

“Be transparent and tell us,” said Neenan.

“There is nobody up here not being straight about anything. If you want to call off the meeting, we will get it called off,” said O’Neill.

“Well, we’re going nowhere with the meeting. I’m just asking the question, how much is going to cost to finish Tulla,” asked Neenan.

“Anybody here think the county board is misleading anybody about anything,” asked O’Neill.

“No,” went a chorus from the floor.

No figure was given, before chairman Michael O’Neill closed the debate on the subject. .

THERE were heated words at last Tuesday night’s November monthly meeting of the Clare GAA when the top table was questioned by Doonbeg delegate Michael Neenan as to why a number of coaching programmes put before the board over the past decade were not implemented.

The stormy exchanges were sparked during a lengthy debate that arose out of the findings of the Clare ‘Club Forum’ that was organised by Bord na nOg Peil and took place in the West County Hotel on October 25.

“I’m afraid all this has been done before and unless we are going to implement it and help the club going forward with coaching structures, these recommendations won’t mean one iota whatsoever,” said the Doonbeg delegate in opening the debate.

“There have been plans put before the county board and they were never acted on. There was a fantastic play put by Noel O’Driscoll, coaching officer. Michael O’Doherty put a fantastic plan and had structures with schools and clubs and it wasn’t implemented, wasn’t worked on, wasn’t carried forward.

“I’m amazed how we are going back again to this. Why haven’t the previous plans been acted on, Mr Chairman. Is it a lack of funding? There is no word of funding here. A lot of people I spoke to said that this won’t make any difference whatsoever. Where did previous plans breakdown. Was it lack of leadership. Was it lack of money,” he added.

These comments provoked a series of verbal exchanges between Mr Neenan and board chairman Michael O’Neill.

“It is time to move bloody well forward,” said O’Neill. “Forget about reports that were done in the past. We have one now – let’s move on it and let’s work it and let’s do the best we can on it.

“We will certainly endeavour to make it work, but it is up to the people in the clubs and ourselves to get it going. I can’t guarantee that is going to work, but I will strive to make it work,” he added.

“But the previous plans were way past where we are tonight with this plan,” responded Neenan. “What happened to those plans?” he added.

“I wasn’t chairman at the time,” responded O’Neill, “but I will endeavour to ensure that that plan is implemented as much as possible. That’s all I have to say on it.”

“Can I ask the question of Pat (Fitzgerald) then,” said Neenan. “You were there when Michael O’Doherty put forward his plan – he had structures for clubs and schools and he had bodies out there, but it fell down. Could you put a bit of light on it? Why did it fall down?”

“From what I know of it, that was a coaching and games plan,” responded Fitzgerald. “He put the structures together and they were there for a long time. In fairness people like Seamus Clancy and those got involved but there was nobody take up the cudgels afterwards.

“Sean O’Halloran is beside you and he’ll tell you Bord na nÓg Iomáint find it impossible to get people involved. It’s not about money, it’s not about structures. The structures are there. Michael O’Doherty’s plan was a great plan and he got the people and they got tired after a number of years. That’s what happened as I see it. It’s just a question of physical resources.

“After couple of years things do fall down, but there are certainly good structures in place now that weren’t there ten years ago. But we have to look at that to see if it’s good enough to bring players where we want them to be in hurling and football at senior, minor and under 21 level.

“It is time to go forward,” said Tom Downes. “We have a plan. Eamon (Keane) and his committee have put a lot of time into it and have got it out to the clubs. Different areas are broken down, who is responsible for everything. We are all responsible in the football to carry this through. There is a terrible responsibility on the clubs. That was pointed out at the end of the meeting the last day by Gordon Kelly.

“This is an excellent plan and there are four or five areas where responsibility falls into. The clubs. The county board. Bord na nÓg. Let’s go forward now,” added the Munster Council delegate.