The Clare People Archive

Liscannor 0-10 – St Joseph’s Miltown 1-05 at Ennistymon

THERE ARE definitely a few clubs around Clare, St. Joseph’s Miltown Malbay being the latest, that would just love to see some of Liscannor’s old guard retire and hang up their boots. This batch of warriors never give up and always come up with the goods when least expected. Their latest achievement is has secure senior status for the small north Clare club for 2012 and in the process leave Miltown with a mammoth task of doing the same with one game left in 2011 to save their season and possibly the future of their club. This youthful Miltown side were fancied for greater things in this championship and championships to come with recent underage progress such as their U21A performances this year but now this has all been placed under huge scrutiny which will be further tested by Kilmihil in a few weeks time.

Liscannor the old dog with apparent football immortality found their first score of the game through Niall Considine who cancelled out an earlier one by Joe Curtin who unfortunately was forced out of the game through injury shortly after. Liscannor soon found a hat-trick of points in as many minutes with Alan Clohessy finding his first two of five for the afternoon while Kieran Considine also notched his name on the scoresheet with a marvellous effort.

Miltown however were in the mood for something unexpected against the wind and a fantastic goal against the run of play was the perfect tonic. Graham Kelly stormed off in a terrific run through the heart of the Liscannor rearguard before setting up Eoin Curtin for a perfectly taken goal. Liscannor’s opening 20 minutes of hard work and effectiveness had now been swiped clear. Surely this would spur on the West Clare men? Ultimately it was their opponents that increased to a higher gear of performance. Four points in a row restored clarity and their lead before the half-time whistle to leave it at 0-8 to 1-1.

The second half was always going to be a hard fought battle with everything to play for. Miltown were far from out of it with the wind now at their backs.

They started positively by creating a number of scoreable chances but all ended as wasted misses as their frustration gradually increased. In truth the scores dried up for both sides after the restart with the card count instead being the only statistic that was being added to.

A haul of nine yellow cards and a few rugby like scrums inspired by Ireland’s earlier heroics displayed how much the guarantee of survival meant to these two clubs.

Miltown may have won the second half in terms of points 0-4 to 0-2 but Liscannor’s first half tally was enough to seal the win as they battled back the final Miltown goalmouth onslaught.

Liscannor
Noel Kilmartin (7), Shane Canavan (8), David McDonagh (7), Michael Foley (8), Dennis Murphy (7) (0-1), Dara Blake (7), Robert Lucas (7), Brian Considine (7), Ronan Slattery (7),Alan McDonagh (7) (0-1), Niall Considine (7) (0-1), Gerry Considine (7), Kieran Considine (7) (0-1), Alan Flaherty (7) (0-1),Alan Clohessy (8) (0-5, 2f)

Miltown
Niall Quinn (7), Michael Talty (7), Gordon Kelly (7), Gearoid Curtin (7), Seanie Malone (6), Enda Malone (7), Conor McKenna (7), Sean Meade (7), Kevin Keevy (7), Micheal Malone (7), Gary Egan (6), Joe Curtin (5) (0-1), Dessie Mollohan (7) (0-3f), Eoin Curtin (7) (1-1, 1f), GrahamKelly (7)

Subs
Enda O’Gorman (7) for J. Curtin, John Meade (6) for Egan, Kevin Burke (6) for S. Malone

Man of the match
Alan Clohessy (Liscannor) Referee John Brew(Kilmurry Ibrickane)

Éire Óg 2-06 – Kilmihil 0-10 at Labasheeda

2006 CHAMPIONS Éire Óg preserved their senior football status for 2012 with a hard fought two point win over Kilmihil on Saturday evening. Played in blustery condi- tions, Éíre Óg played with the elements in the opening half and duly dominated for large periods only for poor finishing including seven wides to see them only a point ahead after ten minutes. However, this game would be ul- timately decided by two defensive mistakes by the Kilmihil defence in the 11th and 13th minutes. Firstly a lineball for the west Clare side on their own 13 metre line was intercepted by corner-forward Eoin Glynn to convert to the net. Then just two minutes later, a free kick from the full-back line was again intercepted by Glynn and after a one-two with Sean O’Meara, he cooly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. The goals made up for the amount of poor wides as both sides exchanged a flurry of late points to leave the Townies seven clear by the break at 2-4 to 0-3 but would it be enough? Kilmihil resumed full of determination and straight from the whistle, they went on the attack but must have caught Éire Óg’s poor finishing bug as they kicked six wides early in the half. Gradually their forwards began to find their range and as they ate into their opponent’s lead, it became clear that this game was going to go right down to the wire. Kilmihil came in droves and with every passing score, they began to believe as they laid siege to the Éire Óg goal. But the goal that they craved never came, with a Martin O’Leary shot that was parried by goalkeeper Eoin Slattery their best chance and they will now play St Joseph’s Miltown in a final chance at consolidating their senior status.

Éire Óg
Eoin Slattery, Michael O’Regan, Donie Lyne, Saran Butler, Conor Healy,Alan Malone, Dean Ryan, Shane Daniels (0-3f), Brian Frawley, Sean O’Meara (0-1), David Russell, David Monaghan, (0-1f), Eoin Glynn (2-0), Sean Crotty (0-1), Brian McMahon

Subs
Darren O’Neill for Frawley, Darren O’Meara for Monaghan, David Ryan for S. O’Meara

Kilmihil

Miltown 6-04 – Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-07 at Corofin

MILTOWN’S large strides forward this season were finally rewarded with some silverware on Saturday as they captured the Senior B title against an ever-improving Newmarket side.

Despite the inclement weather, the foundations of victory were laid in the first half when they made full use of a strong breeze to score six goals, just as they did against West Clare Gaels in the A semi-final a few weeks back. A hat-trick from full-forward Karen Galvin as well as goals from 15 year old corner-forward Laura Rynne, player-of-the-match Fiona Lafferty and captain Michelle McCaw saw Miltown take a nine point interval lead while Newmarket kept themselves in the game through goals from Gemma McInerney and Laura McMahon and the free-taking of Jenny Kelly.

Similar to their round robin game when Miltown led by eight at halftime, a big Newmarket onslaught was expected for the second half but Miltown started the better with points from Michelle McCaw and Sinead Sexton. Soon after, Newmar- ket kicked into gear but the pressure they applied didn’t have the desired effect as combination of wayward shooting and some good Miltown defending kept them at arm’s length entering the final ten minutes. However 16 year old dual star Niki Kaiser had other ideas as she goaled to close the gap to six and also hit the crossbar moments later as the Newmarket pressure intensified but it wasn’t enough to knock a triumphant Miltown off their perch.

Newmarket were served best by Roisin McMahon, Ruth Kaiser who tried gallantly to limit Fiona Laf- ferty’s influence proceedings while up front, Niki Kaiser was a thorn in Miltown’s side all afternoon. For the winners, Katie Curtin had an excellent second half display in defence alongside sharpshooters Karen Galvin and Michelle McCaw, while player of the game Fiona Lafferty was immense throughout the 60 minutes.

It’s onwards and upwards for Miltown now as they prepare for the Munster Senior B Plate semi-final against the winners of the Cork and Tipperary champions on Saturday, October 8.

Miltown
SiobhanTalty, Shauna Crowley, Siobhan Lafferty, Laoise O’Malley,Tara Rynne, Sandra Malone, Katie Curtin, Fiona Lafferty (1-0), Bernie McGuire, Jean Talty, Sinead Sexton (0-2f), Niamh Coyne, Laura Rynne (1-1), Karen Galvin (3-0), Michelle McCaw (Captain) (1-1)

Newmarket- on- Fergus
Aine Lawlor, Jane O’Leary, Iris Kaiser, Carol Kaiser, Aoife Griffin, Roisin McMahon,Aimee McInerney, Ruth Kaiser, Jenny Kelly (0-4f), Gemma McInerney (1-1), Carol O’Leary (0-1), Laura McMahon (1-0), Niki Kaiser (1-0), Chloe Morey (0-1),Aine O’Brien

Referee
Sean Ryan (Kilrush) Fergus R over s 2-8 Wolf e Tones 3-2 AN EXCELLENT second half performance where they over turned a half time deficit of nine points to win by three, was enough to see Fergus Rovers crowned Division 3 Shield champions against Wolfe Tones at Cusack Park on Tuesday evening. Wolfe Tones dominated the opening half and led 3-1 to 1-1 at half time but the Ballynacally/Lissycasey outfit did not give up, adding 2-7 in the second half which was enough to clinch the title. After the game County Chairman Johnny Hayes, who is also the president of Fergus Rovers, presented the cup to Fergus Rovers captain Sarah Mullins.

Fergus Rovers
Michelle Collins, Lauren Hill, Katie Fitzgerald, Bernadette Kelly, Cathy Casey, Hannah Downes, Brid Garry, Sarah Mullins (Capt.),Alannah Hanrahan, Eimear Stephens,Aine Slattery, Ciara Sheehan, Emma Hill,Tara O’Malley, Emma Meaney, Rachael Griffin,Yvonne Collins, Grace O’Sullivan, Ashling Hehir,Andrea Sheehan

Wolfe Tones
Emma Ryan,AoifeVaughan, Ciara Byrnes, Kate Hoban, Ciara McTaggart, Mellisa O’Connor, Rhiannon McCoy, Sophie Bridges, Emma Austin, Keylann Donnlan, Hazel Meaney, Lyndsay Hayes, Emily Hayes,Aoife Searson, Emma Mulcahy, Caitlin Casey,Ashling Gough, SaoirseVaughan, Kate Johnston, Shazney Mounsey

Referee
Aoife Murphy (Doora/Barefield)

Banner Ladies 4-19 – Burren Gaels 0-06 at Corofin

THE BANNER Ladies grip on Clare ladies football strengthened even further on Saturday when capturing their fourth successive Under 18A crown. Titles in all grades from Under 14 to senior this year is made all the more impressive when considering that many players on show here were instrumental in more than one of those championships wins. Eva O’Dea, Grainne Nolan, Niamh O’Brien, Aoife Keane and Emma Neylon have taken laurels at Under 14, Féile, Under 16, Minor and Senior while Eve Copley, Orlaith Martin and Emma Kavanagh did likewise except for Senior grade.

With such championship winning knowhow surging through their side, they were red hot favourites for another historic honour and while Burren Gaels made the Banner fight for every inch in the first half, a dipping ball on the 13th minute from the Banner’s Rebecca Culligan found the net from which the Northerners never recovered and the Banner went on to claim their fourth successive Minor A title.

Difficult weather conditions dampened the flow of the game from the outset but fighting a headwind, the Banner had registered five points from four of the six forwards, Eva O’Dea’s opener, Sister Niamh’s two points from frees, Orlaith Lynch and Karen Roche all picked off points before the Gaels Niamh Considine put one up on the board. The indomitable Niamh O’Dea tacked on another two points, one from a free and as the Burren Gaels found their flow, they put some nice passages of play together down the left wing inspired by captain Fiona Loughman at centre-back, Joanne Howley at wing-back, Niamh Considine at centre-forward, midfielder Roisin Howley, and forwards Katie Connole and Niamh Carrucan, they all registered consecutive scores except for one interjection by Banner poacher Orlaith Lynch. At twenty five min- utes gone, The Banner still hadn’t really pulled away from the Gaels, protecting a two point cushion and it was all to play for. Captain Aoife Martin and Rebecca Culligan played impeccably at midfield to snuff out any further incursions into Banner territory and after Niamh O’Dea had pointed again, Rebecca Culligan’s 30 metre shot scraped the underside of the cross-bar, surprising custodian Kanisha Flanagan and bringing a ray of sunshine to the Banner side just as Damien Fox sent the teams in for their half time rest in the middle of a terrible squall.

The Banner Ladies defence had weathered some heavy pressure in the first half and the half back line in particular Niamh Walsh, Aoibheann Malone and Sinead O’Keeffe did very well with a lot of ball coming in on the breeze. Another sign of dominance in the first half came in the confidence from senior championship winning captain Laurie Ryan when the lines parted as she steamrolled a path from one 20 metre line to the other on a number of occasions.

The game restarted with the wind behind the Banner and they maximised the advantage to the limit. O’Dea opened her second half tally with a pointed free but time and again her distribution to corner-forwards Orlaith Lynch and Karen Roche caused havoc for Amy O’Brien, Niamh Tierney and Amy Cassidy in the Burren Gaels full back line. In a frantic third quarter, Lynch would point and rocket in two goals and then Roche would goal and point three time from play. With no real response, O’Dea controlled the proceedings in the Burren Gaels half and added a further three points to her tally. The Banner’s Aoibheann Malone had her hands full with Roisin Howley but was never more than an arms length away and rarely leaked a ball into full backline Niamh Cahill, Helen Hehir and Laurie Ryan. Malone was to cap a great performance with the last point of the game.

Several of the Banner lineout had two and three previous Minor A titles in the bag and the experience of this proved too much for any team in division one. Ryan, O’Dea, Hehir, N. Cahill, Walsh, O’Shea, Martin and K. Cahill will all move on after three years service at this grade and are already established senior players. They, including Culligan, now get ready for their participation in the Munster Clubs first round meeting with Cappawhite of Tipperary on October 1. They leave Culligan, Roche, Lynch, E O’Dea, Malone, Nolan, Keane, to form the core of a great minor panel into next year and with Emma Neylon, Elaine Casey (injured), Eve Copley, Niamh O’Brien, Shauna O’Connor, Orlaith Martin and Emma Kavanagh all subbing for the game, they bring their experience in 2012.

Banner
Orla Hennessy, Laurie Ryan, Niamh Cahill, Helen Hehir, Sinead O’Keeffe, Katie Cahill, NiamhWalsh,Aoife Martin (Capt), Rebecca Culligan, Eva O’Dea, Niamh O’Dea, Grainne Nolan, Karen Roche,Aoife Keane, Orlaith Lynch, Suzie O’Shea, Shauna O’Connor, Niamh O’Brien, Eve Copley,Aoibheann Malone, Emma Neylon, Orlaith Martin, Emma Kavanagh, Meghan Fitzgerald.

Management
JJ O’Dea, Louise Henchy,Alan Copley.

Burren Gaels
Kanisha Flanagan,Amy O’Brien, NiamhTierney,Amy Cassidy, Caolinn McCormack, Fiona Loughman (Capt), Joanne Howley, Kayleigh McCormack, Roisin Howley, Megan Byrne, Niamh Considine, Katie Connole, Niamh Carrucan,Amy Moloney, Lisa O’Brien. Roisin Kelly, Leanne Lafferty, Shannon McCormack, Sarah O’Gorman, Ella Barrett.

Management
Anthony Geraghty, David Flanagan, Patsy Carrucan, Deirdre Jordan, Mark Mulqueeny.

Referee
Damien Fox (WolfeTones)

Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-14 – Clarecastle 1-09 at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

IT’S FIVE years since Newmarket and Clarecastle met in an adult championship final and it seems that the Blues still have the indian sign over their great rivals as they finished strongly to claim their first silverware of the year.

It didn’t appear to be going Newmarket’s way either as the Magpies held a two point advantage heading into the last ten minutes. However, four successive Donagh Keogh points, three from frees, along with a late Gary Collins goal turned the tie on its head and ensured the trophy went Newmarket’s way.

For long periods of the game, it seemed as if this game was heading towards a replay as the sides were level on six occasions before Newmarket’s clinical finish. But in the end, Newmarket proved they had the greater strength-in-depth as they emptied the bench to good effect in the final quarter while Clarecastle, without key players such as Barry Guinnane, Patrick and Michael Casey and Patrick Galbraith, simply ran out of steam.

All so different early on when three Pakie Healy frees along with a point from Brendan Murphy had Clarecastle 0-4 to 0-2 clear by the tenth minute. Newmarket finally found their range however and despite nine first half wides, the Blues hit back with five unanswered points of their own to take control, with Peter Roache claiming his second of the half, Keogh converting two frees while impressive displays from Oisin Pender and Alan McInerney were also capped off with points by the 19th minute.

Indeed, they also had two glorious goal chances in that period as well but Roache pulled wide from close range while Pender’s effort soon afterwards was repelled by veteran goalkeeper Tommy Hegarty.

The Magpies brought on another former senior championship winner Mark Scanlon to boost their flagging challenge and it had the desired effect as Mika Malone and Pakie Healy added points before a 27th minute goal reclaimed the lead. Pakie Healy was intrumental in the build up as he took on Newmarket’s last line but when he failed to get his shot away, in stepped his cousin Jeff to pull to the net.

Credit Newmarket though as they fully reovered before the break with Shane McDermott and Keogh reply- ing with points to gain parity at 1-6 to 0-9. The second period began in a similar busy pace as Keogh and Pakie Healy swapped scores by the 33rd minute. There were also goal chances for either side that could have significantly atlered the narrative of the game. A Donagh Keogh free from the ’65 was excellently caught by Rory Murphy but struck his shot wide and in the next passage of play, Jeff Healy had a shot excellently turned away by goalkeeper Brian Tierney.

Clarecastle did finally nudge ahead when Alan Considine and Pakie Healy pointed by the turn of the final quarter to give their side a two point advantage. However, with Newmarket freshening things up, they got a crucial second wind that would see Keogh convert four unanswered points while Gary Collins cemented victory when finishing to the net in the 57th minute.

Newmarket- on- Fergus
BrianTierney, John O’Looney, Paudie O’Looney, Anthony O’Donoghue, Ruairi McInerney,Alan Leamy, Ronan McCarthy,Alan McInerney (0-1), Shane McDermott (0-1), Donagh Keogh (0-8 7f), Peter Roache (0-2), Cathal Fleming, Cathal Kilmartin, Rory Murphy, Oisin Pender (0-2)

Subs
Darren Hayes for J. O’Looney (46 mins), Shane Collins for Fleming (46 mins), Gary Collins (1-0) for Kilmartin (49 mins)

Clarecastle
Tommy Hegarty, Gary Casey, Patrick Hayes, Michael John Reynolds, EoinVaughan, David Geraghty, Emmet Considine,Alan Considine (0-1), Barry Lynch, Sean Dilger, Brendan Murphy (0-1), Pakie Healy (0-6 4f), Bernard Scanlon, Jeff Healy (1-0), Mika Malone (0-1)

Sub
Mark Scanlon for E. Considine (21 mins)

Man of the Match
Alan McInerney (Newmarket- on- Fergus) Referee Jack Chaplin (Cratloe)

Sixmilebridge 5-5 – Éire Óg 0-09 at Cusack Park, Ennis

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S ‘Drive for Five’ was completed on Saturday with another flurry of goals proving decisive at Clare headquarters. After Brian Corry’s four goal haul saw off a much fancied Clarecastle side in the semi-final last weekend, the ‘Bridge’s keener eye for goal again came to the fore in the first half to kill off their opponents, with joint captain Conor Deasy claiming two while Corry and Eoin Flynn also raised green flags.

Playing with a strong breeze in the opening half, Sixmilebridge took full advantage. A 20 metre pointed free from Deasy in the opening minute set the tone while two more in quick succession from tight angles on either side of the pitch by Deasy and Corry had them three clear by the fifth minute. Now gathering momentum, Deasy scored his first goal in the 12th minute while only seconds later, a Stephen Mulready shot rebounded off the post for Eoin Flynn to first time to the net.

A shellshocked Éire Óg finally settled with a Conor O’Halloran opening point in the 17th minute while Nathan Murray cut the deficit further four minutes later when accurately converting a 40 metre free.

However, just as it seemed that Éire Óg would rally to the interval, disaster struck for the Townies in the 25th minute when a Conor Deasy ‘65 was allowed to travel to the net while Brian Corry poured further misery on their opponents when hitting a fourth major to give his side a 4-4 to 0-3 half-time cushion.

With time to regroup, Éire Óg reemerged a more determined side on the restart and with the wind now at their backs, they made inroads in the large deficit through points from Nathan Murray (3), substitute Shane O’Connell and their best performer on the day, Dara Walsh.

However, they still needed a brace of goals to make a full recovery but found Sixmilebridge goalkeeper Jason Loughnane in stubborn form. He made crucial saves in the 43rd as well as the final minute to frustrate the Townies. Sixmilebridge had no such misfortune in front of goal and duly completed their five-in-a-row when substitute Tony McNamara was fouled while bearing down on goal and Conor Deasy completed his hat-trick of goals from the resulting penalty.

Afterwards, County Bord na nÓg Iomaint PRO and Sixmilebridge clubman Tom Sheehan was given the honour of presenting the Fr. McNamara Cup to joint captains Conor Deasy and Alex Morey.

Sixmilebridge
Jason Loughnane, Mark Quinn, Barry Fitzpatrick, Cathaoir Agnew, Stephen Mulready,Alex Morey (Joint-Captain), Shane McInerney, Brian Corry (12), GavinWhyte, Eoin Flynn (1-0), Eoin McMahon, Kevin Fennessy, Cathal Lynch, Conor Deasy (JointCaptain) (3-3), Robbie Corry

Subs
Tony McNamara for Lynch,Tomás Sheehan for R. Corry

Éire Óg
Sean Smyth, Jack Keating, Kieran Malone, Cian Ó Ceallaigh, Dara Walsh (0-1), Dylan Casey, Conor O’Halloran (0-1), Lee Quirke, Michael Moloney, John Allen, NicholasTwumasi, James Wylde, Liam Lynch, Nathan Murray (Captain) (0-6), Paddy O’Malley

Sub
Shane O’Connell (0-1) for Wylde

Referee
Ger Lyons (Ruan)

Avenue United 5 – Mountshannon Celtic 1 at Lees Road, Ennis

AVENUE United got their league campaign of to a flyer with a convincing victory over newly promoted Mountshannon Celtic on Sunday.

Centre forward Mikey Mahony was the main man for the Clare Cup champions, bagging a second half hat trick to take the game beyond Celtic. After a strong start, Avenue led 20 at half time. The home side added another goal before Mountshannon struck back from the penalty spot. That goal prompted the visitor’s best spell of the game. Mountshannon twice hit the post while Avenue goalkeeper John Healy was forced into a great save. However Avenue’s greater firepower ultimately proved decisive. David McCarthy gave his side the lead after 15 minutes but despite creating a number of opportunities, Avenue had to wait until the closing stages of the half to double their advantage. They did so when a David Smyth cross was well turned home by Sean Corry. After failing to find the net in the first half, Mahony got of the mark shortly after the re-start. The striker shook off the attentions of the Mountshannon defence to bury a shot to the top corner. The visitors were handed a lifeline when Keith Finnerty was taken down inside the box and Martin McNamara tucked away the penalty. Celtic applied some pressure but Avenue swiftly re-asserted their authority. Mahony bagged his second to make it 4-1 before completing his hat-trick late on.

Avenue United
John Healy, MatthewNugent, Con Collins, David Russell, Dylan Casey, David Smyth, Pa Wilson, Gary Flynn, David McCarthy, Sean Corry, Mikey Mahony

Subs

MEATH’s, Tim McNulty (Subaru WRC) and his Sligo co-driver, Paul Kiely clinched the Dunlop National Rally Championship with a fine victory in the Ennis based Auburn Lodge Clare Rally.

It was their sixth victory in as many Dunlop outings, on this occasion, they finished 53 seconds in front on the Subaru of Niall Maguire/Barry Goodman (Subaru WRC) with Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru WRC) a distant third.

Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Mitsubishi) won the Group N category and the top Modified crew was that of Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort).

The Dunlop “Drive of the Day” award was won by Mike Quinn/ Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort).

Meanwhile, in the Dunlop Junior Rally Championship, Monaghan’s, Johnno and Padraig Doogan (Ford Escort) finished second and took top points to move into the lead of the series with just one round remaining, remarkably, all three of their championship rivals failed to finish.

On the opening stage near Ruan village, McNulty took a 12 second lead over Niall Maguire, who had no intercom for the last four kilometres as a connection became undone. Kerry’s, Mike Quinn (Escort) with local Clare co-driver, Grainne McEnery slotted into third – five seconds further behind. Kevin Barrett, McNul- ty’s Dunlop Championship rival, was fourth in a top six that also featured the Escort of Wesley Patterson and local hero, Anthony O’Halloran, reunited with his Opel Manta after a lapse of some four years.

On S.S. 2, McNulty moved 27 seconds ahead of Maguire, who was just a second ahead of Barrett. Maguire punched in the best time on the third test.

McNulty arrived at the Gort Road Industrial Estate service halt with a 24 seconds advantage over Maguire. The Dunlop Championship leader was quite relaxed. I’m taking it steady, it is very slippery and greasy out there. We are making some minor suspension adjustments and switching to a cut slick tyre as opposed to the intermediate tyres we had for this first loop.”

Maguire was also quite composed while Barrett, who was 12 seconds behind Maguire, admitted he lost some 15 seconds with an overshoot on the third stage.

One of the drives of the rally was that of Monaghan’s, Josh Moffett, the 19 year old held fourth overall and led the Group N category; he was 14 seconds ahead of his 21 year old brother, Sam, who was seventh in general classification. Sandwiched between them were the Escort duo of Mike Quinn and Wesley Patterson, the latter lost time on the opening test when he caught the spray from Shane Maguire’s Subaru. On the third stage, he also overshot one of the junctions. Meanwhile, Quinn, who occupied fifth overall remarked that the newly fitted Proflex suspension was of great benefit.

Sam Moffett (Mitsubishi) in seventh also had new suspension but was taking time to get accustomed to the handling of the car. Limerick’s, Ed O’Callaghan (Escort), despite an off road excursion after a series of jumps, was eighth; O’Halloran was ninth and Washington James in a Darrian completed the top ten.

A straying horse caused problems on the fourth stage with McNulty being the worse affected by the equine species. He lost time and the lead with Maguire, who also encountered the horse, moving into a seven second lead while Barrett was a further 28 seconds behind. Mike Quinn displaced Josh Moffett in the race for fourth.

McNulty regained top spot with a fine performance on S.S. 5 to move eight seconds ahead of Maguire with Barrett slipping 43 seconds behind Maguire.

At the final service halt, McNulty, who was fastest on S.S. 6, led Maguire by 25 seconds, the latter remarked that he had no brakes for the closing section of the sixth stage. A broken seal was replaced at service although the replacement seal was not the exact fit.

Barrett in third, was a further 35 seconds behind but needed to finish second to keep his Dunlop Championship hopes alive. Following the demise of Josh Moffett, who slid his Mitsubishi off the road following a series of jumps, Wesley Patterson (Escort) moved into fourth. Adjustments to the suspension system transformed Sam Moffett’s Mitsubishi, he occupied fifth and also led Group N. Mike Quinn’s Escort broke the fan belt, having lost the oil coolant, he was hoping that no damage was caused to the engine. Frank Kelly (Escort) set some very strong times to move into seventh overall. The top ten was completed by O’Halloran, Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and Shane Maguire (Subaru). Washington James retired his Darrian after an off road excursion.

McNulty was quickest on all three stages of the final loop and won by a margin of 53 seconds, it was his sixth win in six Dunlop outings and was enough to clinch the Vard Memorial Trophy. At the finish, he remarked, “I couldn’t have asked for better, the horse was the only moment of concern. We have worked hard at this championship, people also worked hard in the background, we have a great team. Aside from your rivals, you have to cope with the weather, indeed, there are so many things that can go against you, nobody knows that better than myself. I’m delighted.

Maguire took second and Barrett, requiring a second place finish to keep his Dunlop hopes alive, had to be content with third.

The Clare Motor Club “Noel Mc- Cullagh Award” for the fastest clare crew on the day went to Anthony O’Halloran and Charlie McEnery driving their Opel Manta. They also finished third in Class 14.

Club members George Whelan / Noel McMahon won the “Dermot Molloy Award” in their 1.6 Honda Civic. While Ruan’s Martin Casey / Sean Hegarty won the Junior Section in their Honda Civic. Ennis Navigator Grainne McEnery along with Kerry driver Mike Quinn finished second in Class 14 and won the “Dunlop drive of the day” award in their Ford Escort 1.T. McNulty/P. Kiely (SubaruWRC) 1h. 11m. 38s. 2. N. Maguire/B. Goodman (SubaruWRC) 1h. 12m. 31s. 3. K. Barrett/S. Mullally (SubaruWRC) 1h. 14m. 05s.. 4.W. Patterson/M. McGarrity (Ford Escort) 1h. 14m. 27s. 5. M. Quinn/G. McEnery (Ford Escort) 1h. 14m. 47s. 6. S. Moffett/J. O’Reilly (Mitsubishi) 1h. 14m. 58s. 7. F. Kelly/L. Brennan (Escort) 1h. 15m. 15s. 8.A. O’Halloran (Opel Manta) 1h. 16m. 00s. 9. D. Gallagher/R. Moore (Toyota starlet) 1h. 16m. 03s. 10. S. Maguire/C. Foley (Subaru) 1h. 16m. 49s. Dunlop National Rally Championship (Provisional Positions after Round 8): 1.T. McNulty 120pts (Dunlop Champion); 2. S. Moffett 96pts; 3. K. Barrett 92pts; 4. R. Barrable 72pts; 5. N. Maguire 67pts.

IT WAS a case of mixed fortunes for Clare on Weekend 1 of All-Ireland 60×30 adult All-Ireland finals as the Banner County claimed two out of three finals contested, while Clare players will again feature in three deciders this Saturday. In Ballina last Sunday, Pat Donellan was made to work before claiming the Golden Masters B Singles title. Playing Eamon Purcell of Kilkenny, the Kilkishen man got off to a great start and took the first game 21-9. Purcell had the better of the second game to win 21-13 to set up a deciding third game which went all the way to the wire, Donellan showing the greater nerve to come out on top by the tightest margin, 21-20. Also in Ballina, the evergreen John Kirby had a very straight-forward win over Kildare’s Dermot Howard, winning the Ruby Masters Singles decider 21-4, 210. In Roscommon on the same day, Edel O’Grady and Ashling Fitzgerald took on Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy and Niamh Egan in the Ladies Junior Doubles final. Dominating the early stages, the Tuamgraney pair won the first game 21-10 and, holding a healthy lead in the second, looked set for victory. The Westmeath girls, McCarthy in particular, staged a dramatic comeback to win 21-19 and continued their momentum and were on top for most of the third game, winning 21-10.

The All-Ireland Juvenile 60×30 finals were also held last Saturday week where there was disappointment in Cashel for Banner County players in the Boys Under 14 Singles and Girls Under 15 Doubles deciders. Fergal Coughlan (Clooney) was defeated by Wicklow’s Daniel Curry in the third game (9-15, 15-14, 715) while Natasha Coughlan and Michelle Nihill went down against Ashling Maher and Denise Love of Kilkenny (9-15, 13-15).

Roscommon will be the venue this Saturday for three more All-Ireland finals involving Clare players. With a start time of 3.00, Aisling Fitzgerald gets a chance at revenge for her doubles defeat when she plays Aoife McCarthy (Westmeath) in the Ladies Junior Singles decider.

In Golden Masters B Doubles, Pat Donellan will be hoping for a second All-Ireland when he teams up with Stephen McInerney to play Cavan’s Dermot Dolan and Andy Clarke while Ruby Masters Singles champion John Kirby plays the Doubles final with Jimmy Walsh against Pat Ryan and Michael O’Brien of Dublin.

Finally Wexford pair Colin Keeling and Barry Goff caused a slight shock in Williamstown on Saturday when winning the All-Ireland Senior Doubles final on a 21-12, 21-17 scoreline. Cork’s Colm Jordan won the Intermediate Singles final against Gary McConnell of Meath while the Minor Doubles title also went to Wexford, with Dean Corrigan and Cory Murphy victorious over Roscommon.