Month: February 2011

THERE WAS no Jedward in Casement Park on Sunday, not much of a crowd either, with the clash of the Celtic v Rangers game clearly taking from the home support as could be seen from the large parade of Celtic jerseys on view outside the grounds beforehand. But there were several television cameras that not only captured the action but also interviewed the home management at length on their latest hard luck story.

Antrim selector Ollie Baker may be new to the management team but he was inevitably at the centre of attention for this game with his obvious links for both sides and after completing his television duties, he was sufficiently warmed up to field questions regarding both his hats.

First to Antrim.

“Possibly we could have won. With two or three minutes to go, the game was in the melting pot and we had two or three chances but didn’t take them. They are a young team so they need to learn from that and they are fierce disappointed in the dressing room. We just need to learn from that and move on but in saying that, we were seven points down at half-time and came out with a tremendous effort in the second half. They really had to work hard to get back into the game but did that and maybe just came up a little short in the end.

“Maybe Clare had a bit more composure at vital times in the game but for every score that they got in the second half, we responded very well, came back and we were picking our scores from play and making more chances. So we can take an awful lot of positives out of the game as well which is huge as it is only the second game of the league and as I’ve said, they are a very young team.

And having been part of the previous Clare management under Mike McNamara as well as former AllIreland winning team-mates of the current Clare set-up members, Ger O’Loughlin and Liam Doyle, the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield clubman is obviously better positioned than most to offer up his opinion on Clare as well.

“Again I suppose, they were on a hiding to nothing after their performance last week and the criticism that was levelled at them last week but I knew that they’re not that bad. They came up here today and I think the important thing for them was that after 20 minutes, they had 2-5 or 26 up on the board which was huge thing for them and they were able to sit on that lead when we had the wind in the second half. They hurled well and again it’s early season for them as well but it was important that they got their win and it’s just disappointing that it had to come at Antrim’s expense.

“The experience that they had gained in the All-Ireland Under 21’s and also that they are playing below in the Munster championship every year, it’s just amazing how much that is an advantage for a team to hurl at that level of intensity and that in turn brings a level of intensity back into training as well.

“Again they are on the right road and Sparrow is doing a good job with them as well and he is taking the chance to go with the young lads and that’s the future. They will be the future of Clare hurling and that’s the way you have to go.”

29 minutes
Clar e r eceive a let off when Br endan Bugler smot her s a Michael Ar mst rong close r ange effor t and Clar e go down t he field wit h Diar muid Mc point ing out of a scr amble.

Clare 2-7

Antrim 0- 4 33 minutes Clar e complet e an unanswer ed 1-5 haul when Nicky O’Connell point s a monst er fr ee from his own 65 met r e line t o give Clar e a healt hy 11 point advant age.

Clare 2- 9
Antrim 0- 4 34 minutes Ant r im r eceive a lifeline when Car son’s shot is saved by Tuohy and t he r ebound is int er cept ed by Vaughan. St ewar t point s a fr ee soon aft er war ds

Clare 2- 9
Antrim 0- 5 36 minutes Tur ning point of game as Mc Keegan supplies Car son who in t ur n picks out onr ushing McManus. Doesn’t br eak st r ide t o st r ike t o far cor ner.

Clare 2- 9

Antrim 1- 5 30 minutes Clar e’s fift h scor e wit hout r eply and Dar ach Honan’s fir st of t he league when he cont r ols an aer ial ball and put s over fr om 35 met r es in front of t he post s.

Clare 2- 8
Antrim 0- 4

CLARE MANAGER Ger O’Loughlin hit every ball on the sidelines on Sunday, an clear sign of the pressure piled upon his shoulders in particular, after the flooring disappointment of the Limerick performance and the increasing closeness of this tie as well.

However, Clare’s fortune to have survived this tricky test despite letting slip an 11 point lead, playing into the breeze with only 14 men for almost the final 20 minutes and enduring some dodgy decisions from the Ulster officials, was not lost upon the Sparrow who appeared much more relaxed when exiting the dressing room afterwards. Relaxed and relieved but still not wholly satisfied with the display.

“It was one that was badly wanted. If we had come away today without the victory, the shop was closed so I’m delighted now that we got the win but a lot of the time we looked like a second division team again today and we have an awful lot of work to do.

“We have a huge amount of work to do to try and improve but I’m delighted that we got the win and it might just get us shaped up again for the rest of the campaign. They showed great heart I thought but basic elementary mistakes are costing us big time.

“They had a big physical presence I thought there today and notwithstanding they were missing five or six of the guys that played yesterday in the club semi-finals so we’re lucky to get out of it with the points and I am realistic to know that we have a huge mountain to climb but at least it might take a bit of pressure off everybody after last week.

“There were plenty of snipers out there for us so at least we are back on par and we just hope that we can improve on what we saw again today. We showed heart but our touch and everything leaves a lot to be desired.

“Our problem in Clare is that during the week we don’t have somewhere to really train and we are reliant on clubs to get pitches and with the weather the way it has been, our actual training sessions have been confined to Lee’s Road more or less which is showing out in the games we have played really. So hopefully with the stretch in the evenings, we will be able to get a bit more hurling in over the next couple of weeks but we badly need it. I’m not under any illusions that that performance today will do either.”

So after the nadir of the Limerick, how did he pick his troops off the canvas and prepare them for the trip to Belfast?

“Well I think being truthful about it, When we regrouped and we chatted it out on Wednesday night, we knew were a bit better than what we showed against Limerick anyway because we were an embarrassment in Cusack Park last week.

“Also it didn’t reflect on the work we had done because we had prepared very well in the winter programme. We had done an awful lot of gym work and then fitness work in January and we had played eight matches so it was the last thing I was expecting. But I just thought that we threw in the towel too early last week.

“When we didn’t get the early scores, they got scores out of some of the play that we had in our forward line.

“When we didn’t put our chances away, the ball came down and they got the penalty from a mistake and we have watched the video a couple of times and again you couldn’t imagine how poor we were with basic stuff.

“Again it showed out there today. When we were in a comfort zone and we could have moved on and pushed it on, we made life difficult by conceding soft scores.”

However, in the end, the result was all that really mattered and O’Loughlin was happy to have overcame this perilous test and look forward to the rest of the campaign.

“That result might get a bit of confidence back in the team. We had to grind out the win there today and with three or four minutes to go, I might have had a different speech for ye and I’m glad I didn’t have to use it. But look, we’ll take it and we are delighted with the win.”

Clare 1-17 Wicklow 2-10 at Bray Emmets

CLARE EVENTUALLY made it three wins from three after they were made fight to the finish by a young, energetic and determined Wicklow side in this National League tie Saturday in Bray.

Wicklow were first off the mark inside the first minute as the sides traded points in the opening stages. The game was level with three points apiece when Clare then hit a purple patch. Points from Louise Henchy, Niamh Keane and two from Eimear Considine put the visitors five ahead with the home side only managing to reply with two.

End to end action then saw fine saves from both ‘keepers denying the first goal of the game and Clare gained a three point lead as Henchy converted a placed ball. Wicklow managed a goal in stoppage time when centre forward Loretta Gilbert was quickest to react to a high ball as she punched home her side’s first goal right before the break.

The second half was nip and tuck before Wicklow went ahead for the first time. However, Six unanswered points from O’Dea, Grace Lynch, Eimear Considine (0-2) and Henchy (0-2) saw Clare lead 0-15 to 1-7. Then Wicklow’s Lorna Fusciardi was sin binned and despite playing with fourteen they came storming back.

Wicklow hit 1-2 without reply which brought the game level in the last eight minutes. Mulhall, much to delight of the home crowd, then put Wicklow ahead with a point. Niamh O’Dea then produced two points and finally Eimear Considine got the goal which gave Clare some breathing space as they managed to hold out to the end.

Despite registering 18 scores to Wicklow’s 12, Clare had to pull out all the stops to overcome this Junior side and they have their scorers Eimear Considine, Louise Henchy and Niamh O’Dea to thank along with impressive displays from Louise Woods and Emma O’Driscoll in goals. They now have two weeks to prepare as they take on the All-Ireland Junior Champions Limerick at home on March 6.

On the plus side Naomi Carroll, Ailish Considine, Roisin McMahon and Carol O’Leary who were playing with their colleges on Saturday should be available for selection for the Limerick game.

Clare:
Emma O’Driscoll (Banner Ladies), Clare Hester (Fergus Rovers), Eimear O’Connor (Coolmeen), Laurie Ryan (Banner Ladies), Niamh Greene (Coolmeen), LouiseWoods (Banner Ladies), Carmel Considine (Liscannor), Louise Henchy (0-5, 2f) (Banner Ladies), Niamh Keane (0-1) (Banner Ladies), Marie Considine (Liscannor), Niamh O’Dea (0-4) (Banner Ladies), Colette Corry (Shannon Gaels), Niamh Lardner (West Clare Gaels), Eimear Considine (1-6) (Kilmihil) Katie Geoghegan (West Clare Gaels).

Subs:
Grace Lynch (0-1) (Coolmeen) for N. Lardner,Aine Burke (Liscannor) for K. Geoghegan.

Wicklow:
Amy Devereux, Emma Kelly, Caitriona Byrne, Lisa Brady, ClaireWalsh, Sarah Miley, Niamh Kelly, Caitriona McKeon, Jackie Kinch,Amie Byrne (0-2), Loretta Gilbert (1-1), Laurie Ahern, Niamh McGettigan (0-3), Rionach Craul, Lucy Mulhall (1-2).

Subs:
Monica Lynch (0-1) for Mulhall, Niamh Coleman for Craul,Aoife Heffernan for Brady, Lorna Fusciardi for Kelly, Lucy Mulhall for Kinch, Mikaela Shelly (0-1) for Byrne. AT THE 124th Annual General Meeting of Tulla GAA Club, Brian Torpey was elected chairman after Declan Hogan had completed his five year term. In accepting the position, Brian expressed his great sense of pride and thanked the delegates for the honour of electing him chairman. He paid tribute to the outgoing chairman whom, he said, had pre sided over a golden era in the club’s history. At a well attended meeting the majority of officer’s positions were filled with many new faces on the executive. Jim Mc Inerney was returned as Senior hurling manager. As 2012 is the 125th anniversary of the club, the meeting also asked that Karl Quinn and Gerry Lynch establish a group to prepare for this landmark occasion. An updating of the club’s history Claret and Gold (1987) would be part of this celebration. The following officers were elected: President: Charles Murphy, Vice President: Willie Boland. Chairman: Brian Torpey, Vice chairman: Jude O’Mahony, Secretary: Noel Mulconroy, Asst. Sec. Paul Lynch, Treasurer: Eugene Cooney. Asst Treasurer: Declan Hogan. PRO: Karl Quinn. Management Committee: Fr. Martin O’Brien, Raymond Stewart. Irish Officer: Daithí Ó Maoldomhnaigh. Field Committee: Seamus Murphy, Kieran Brennan, Noel Mulconroy, Senior Manager: Jim McInerney. u21 Management: Aidan Lynch, Paul Lynch, Eugene Cooney.

CHAMPIONSHIP time has come round once again for Clare’s Juvenile and Junior boxers and tournaments are much sought after by boxers and coaches alike to flex the muscles and avail of the competitive action.

Wednesday night last saw teams from Our Lady of Lourdes Club in Limerick and from the Tuam club in Galway doing battle against the local fighters in the local Community Centre, and the local boxing enthusiasts were treated to a great night’s boxing with eleven bouts of excellent quality.

A battle of rare quality between Tuam’s double Irish Champion Mike Ward and Ennis native Jim Keenan who now boxes out of the Our Lady of Lourdes was technically the pick of the action , with southpaw Keenan paying scant respect to Ward’s vaunted reputation and serving up a battle royal in the process.

Keenan trailed going into the last round, finding his range with the southpaw left with excellent effect in the third and final round, but at this stage the talented Ward had built an unassailable lead on all three judges cards.

There were good wins for championship contenders Jamie Keane, Keelan Sexton and Brian and John McDonagh and with the sides tied at 5-5 the final contest at Heavyweight suddenly assumed massive importance.

Ennis fighter Mark Fitzgerald pitted against Limerick’s William Mc- Namara for the team trophy had now become the catalyst.

Fitzgerald, a powerful no-nonsense fighter made all the right moves, using his left jab to great effect as he built up a 7-3 lead in the first and while McNamara moved well in the second and third rounds, he could not find the target with his right cross to trouble Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald was dominant as he chalked up an impressive 18-10 winning margin in only his first major fight, having previously boxed in the White Collar extravaganza.

Clare boxers will now look forward to the Munster and Irish Championships over the next three weeks and hopes are high for a major boxing show in Ennis at the end of March featuring all of the Champions from these tournaments..

Results
48 Kg Boys Ml Galbraith (Ennis) Bt JasonWard (Tuam) Seamus Boyle (Ennis) lost to Jack Ward (Tuam) 52 Kg Brian McDonagh (Es) Bt DavidWard (Tuam) Jamie Keane (Ennis) Bt Ricky Mongan (Olympic) 70 Kg Boy 3 Keelan Sexton (Ennis) Bt JonathanWard (Tuam) 48 Kg Boy 4 Patrick Flynn (Ennis) lost to Jonathan Creed (Tuam) 66 KgYouth 1 JimKeenan (OLOL Lk) lost to MikeWard (Tuam) 57 Kg Boy 4 Dara Lomax Ennis) lost to Terry Harris (OLOL Lk) 60 Kg Youth 1 John McDonagh (Es) Bt Geoff Mulqueen (OLOL) 70 Kg Int. Martin Keenan (Ennis) lost to Niall McDermott (OLOL) Heavyweight Mark Fitzgerald (Ennis) Bt WmMcNamara (OLOL)

St Joseph’s Miltown 1-9 Kilrush Shamrocks 1-9 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

A BATTLE of the champions on Sunday as Cusack Cup holders St Joseph’s Miltown hosted Garry Cup champions Kilrush Shamrocks and in the end, both had to be content with a share of the spoils after a late Kilrush goal completed a spirited fightback.

Defending champions Miltown ended last season on a high in the torrential downpour in Kilmihil and there were similarly difficult weather conditions for the start of the new season as both somewhat experimental sides took to the field.

It was the home side who held the whip hand throughout, moving 1-4 to 0-1 clear by the 20th minute, with the goal coming from Seanie Malone at the end of the first quarter.

However, Kilrush finally got to grips with the tie and by half-time had cut the deficit to three at 1-5 to 05, with Ruairi O’Connor and Peadar McMahon to the fore.

A full recovery looked more remote though when Con O’Brien received a second yellow only two minutes af- ter the restart but credit Kilrush for not throwing in the towel and indeed levelling matters at 1-6 to 0-9.

It jolted Miltown into life once more and points from Joe and Eoin Curtin apeared to have finally shaken off their stubborn opponents but Kilrush would have the last say when substitute Jamie Gilligan scrambled in an injury-time goal to level the tie for the final time.

St Joseph’s Miltown
Conor O’Loughlin, Enda

Malone, Kevin Burke, David Cleary, Ian Sexton, Gordon Kelly, Gearoid Curtin, Dara McDonagh, John Meade (0-1), Enda O’Gorman, Gary Egan (0-1), Brian Curtin (0-1), Seanie Malone (1-2), Joe Curtin (0-2), Eoin Curtin (0-2)

Subs
Niall Quinn for O’Loughlin (inj), Sean Meade for McDonagh, DavidTalty for B. Curtin

Kilrush Shamrocks
Tony Burke, Niall Gilbride, Niall Clancy, Cathal Lyons, Con O’Brien, MatthewMoloney, John Hayes, JimYoung, Paddy Clancy, Pajo McGrath, Paul Heaslip (0-1), ColmBond, Ruairi O’Connor (0-5), Peadar McMahon (0-3), Stephen Sweeney

Subs
Darragh Bolton for Bond, Donal O’Sullivan for Heaslip, Jamie Gilligan (1-0) for Sweeney

Referee
TomStackpool (Ennistymon)

St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 0-06 Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-6 at Gurteen

ON the corresponding Sunday, 12 months ago Kilmurry Ibrickane produced one of their greatest ever displays when taking the scalp of Portlaoise to advance to the All-Ireland Club final on St Patrick’s Day.

Gurteen was a long way from that All-Ireland semi-final, with no commanding performance from the green and red machine, but still they had enough to take a share of the spoils against a St Joseph’s team making their maiden voyage in Cusack Cup competition.

For long periods it looked as if ‘The Parish’ were on course for a winning start in the top grade of league football – they led at half-time by 0-4 to 0-1 and were armed with a four-point lead entering the final 15 minutes, but they were eventually reeled in thanks to the accuracy of Ian McInerney from frees.

St Joseph’s played with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half, but shipped the first score to Kilmurry’s county minor from last year, Niall Hickey, who sniped away from his marker to fist over a smart point after only three minutes.

It took a while before St Joseph’s settled into proceedings against a Kilmurry side shy a host of regulars such as Shane Hickey, Declan Callinan, Noel Downes and Michael Hogan. However, Enda Lyons had them level from a free inside ten minutes, while a David O’Brien free after 16 minutes gave them a lead they didn’t surrender until Ian McInerney’s equalising point in the final minute.

Further points from the impressive Lyons by the 27th minute ensured that St Joseph’s were armed with a three-point interval lead and from there it looked as if they would kick onto victory after weathering Kilmurry’s early advances in the second half.

Johnnie Daly landed an early free for Kilmurry, but another Lyons point from play after a mistake in the opposition defence and David O’Brien’s second of the day put them in con- trol. However, from there Kilmurry roused themselves and a pointed free from Johnnie Daly 12 minutes from time kick-started their revival.

Then it was time for the Ian McInerney show. A foul on Enda Coughlan yielded a free for his first point. Then he landed a 45 in the 55th minute before another foul on Coughlan with two minutes remaining gave McInerney the task of restoring parity.

Kilmurry Ibrickane
Peter O’Dwyer, GrahamJohnson, John Sexton, Darren Hickey, Seamus Lynch, Enda Coughlan, Gary Donnellan, Paul O’Connor, Peter O’Dwyer, Stephen Moloney, Michael O’Dwyer, Ian McInerney (0-3, 2f, one 45),Adrian Murrihy, Johnnie Daly (02f), Niall Hickey (0-1).

Subs
Noel Downes for Murrihy, Mark McCarthy

for Michael O’Dwyer, Michael Hogan for Niall Hickey,Thomas Lernihan for Donnellan, Seamus Murrihy for Daly.

St Joseph’s Doora- Barefield
Declan O’Keeffe, Sean Flynn, Kevin Dilleen, Stephen Collins, KeithWhelan, Damian Kennedy, Eanna ÓBraonáin, Mark Hallinan, Mark Rafferty, David O’Brien (0-2, 1f), Cathal O’Sullivan, Paul Dullaghan, Enda Lyons (0-4, 2f), Johnny O’Brien, Cathal Duggan.

Man of the Match
Enda Lyons (St Joseph’s Doora- Barefield) Referee Michael Fitzgerald (Clondegad)

Doonbeg 1-11 Shannon Gaels 0-03 at Shanahan Memorial Park, Doonbeg

THERE may only have been a point in it when these two last met, when clashing in the county championship quarter-final last September in a game that saw the Magpies fly from three down at the break to win by the minimum.

That was then – the now is that the gap has widened considerably as Doonbeg hit 2011 running when scoring a comprehensive 11 point victory over a very poor Gaels outfit on Sunday afternoon.

Doonbeg won as they pleased, restricting the Gaels to one solitary point in the first half, while they were nearly as miserly on the turnover when only coughing up just two points over the course of the 30 minutes.

Doonbeg, who were semi-finalists in 2010, dominated this game in all sectors, with David Tubridy’s first half haul of 1-4 effectively killing the game as a contest. His goal came in the 20th minute, while the impressive Shane O’Brien hit two points from play, with Conor Downes and Shane Ryan also chipping in with first half points. The Gaels’ solitary first half point came from left-half-back Tomás Cleary after 21 minutes, while a point early in the second half from midfielder John Paul O’Neill failed to ignite their challenge. Doonbeg hit back with points from Tubridy (2) and Colm Dillon to score a comprehensive win. The only consolation from the Gaels point of view at the end of this depressing hour was that they started last year’s campaign in similar fashion, going down to newcomers Clondegad before pick- ing up the pieces and going all the way to the final.

They’re a long way from the final after this display though.

Doonbeg
Brian Egan, Joe Blake, Padraig Gallagher, Conor Whelan, Paraic Aherne, Brian Dillon, David Downes, Frank O’Dea, Enda Doyle, DavidTubridy (1-6, 3f) ColmDillon (0-1), Shane O’Brien (0-2), Shane Ryan (0-1), Kevin Nugent (Capt), Conor Downes (0-1).

Subs
Philip Smith for Nugent, Paul Dillon for Ryan, JimBob Griffin for Aherne, Eamon tubiryd for ColmDillon, Eoin Conway for Blake

Shannon Gaels
Keith Ryan, Cathal O’Neill, John Neylon, Michael Lorigan, John Bermingham, Noel Kennedy,Tomás Cleary (0-1), John Paul O’Neill (0-2), Francis Cleary, Michael Coughlan, Michael O’Donoghue, Stephen O’Shea, Brian O’Shea, Nigel Hehir, Bryan Cunningham.

Subs
Johnny Keogh for Lorigan, Fergal Kenny for Coughlan, Fergal O’Neill for Stephen O’Shea,Tomás Madigan for Cunningham.

Man of the Match
David Tubridy (Doonbeg) Referee Pat Cosgrove (Corofin)

Clondegad 1-8 Liscannor 0-7 at Páirc Micheál Ó hEithir, Ballynacally

CLONDEGAD got off to a rocky start in this season opener on their home patch, but gradually found their feet by half-time thanks to the tonic of a lead goal before the break, which enabled them to kick on to a deserved four-point success on the turnover.

In this clash of the two defeated finalists from last year’s intermediate and senior championship finals, it was intermediate standard-bearers Clondegad who got one-up on their senior opponents.

They trailed early on to two Alan Clohessy frees, while further points from Dara Blake and Clohessy after Kenneth Kelly got Clondegad off the mark in the eighth minute left the north Claremen 0-4 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.

However, the growing influence of Garry Brennan around midfield changed the game utterly. On 18 minutes he cut the deficit to apoint with a well taken free Clondegad added another with their next possession when Paudge McMahon opened his account after a well-worked move.

Another Brennan point left the sides level after 20 minutes before Liscannor hit back with two more points from Alan Clohessy frees. Gary Brennan cut the deficit to a point by the 27th minute but Liscannor looked set for the interval lead of of 0-6 to 0-5 until a long ball by Eoin Griffin to Shane Brennan on the edge of the square was punched into his own net by the Liscannor goalkeeper Noel Kilmartin.

On the turnover Clondegad’s midfield dominance saw them take a stranglehold and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

They notched points from Eoghan Donnellan and two well taken points from Podge McMahon along with along range point on the run from Gary Brennan. Liscannor only response was a long range point from Johnny Considine.

Clondegad
Declan O’Loughlin, Flan Enright, Paddy O’Connell, Conor Gavin, Gearóid O’Connell, Kieran Browne, Brian Murphy, Eoin Griffin, Gary Brennan (0-3), Francie Neylon, Paudge McMahon (0-3), James Murphy, Eoghan Donnellan (0-1), Shane Brennan, Kenneth Kelly (0-1)

Subs
Pat Coffey for Brian Murphy, Francis O’Reilly for James Murphy

Liscannor
Noel Kilmartin, Davy McDonagh, Miichael Foley, Shane Canavan, robbie Lucas, Denis Mrphy, Dara Blake (0-1), Niall Considine, Alan Flaherty, Joe Considine,Alan Clohessy (0-4), Gerry Considine, Ronan Slattery, Kieran Considine, David Commane.

Subs
Johnny Considine (0-1) for Commane, Declan Fawl (0-1) for Canavan,Alan McDonagh for Joe Considine.

Man of the Match
Gary Brennan (Clondegad) Referee Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

ON A proud day for Clare handball, Tuamgraney clubman Diarmaid Nash won the Munster Senior Singles Open Championship at Broadford in Limerick on Sunday, the Banner County’s first Senior Singles title since the legendary Pat Kirby completed his six-in-a-row of wins in 1980.

The provincial championship was this year played over one weekend in Cappagh and Broadford courts and the weekend action opened on Friday night when Tuamgraney’s Niall Malone took on Tipperary star Fergal Collins.

After an outstanding three games, Ballinaman Collins came out on top on a 20-21, 21-15, 21-17 score. In the quarter finals on Saturday, Nash made reasonably light work of veteran David Moloney’s (Tipp) challenge, coming out on top 21-11, 21-3 to set up a semi-final that evening with Fergal Collins.

Collins had earlier beaten reigning champion Dominck Lynch from Kerry but could find no way past Nash. In a thrilling match, Collins took the first game 21-17 before Nash’s high level of fitness propelled him to win the next two, 21-10 and 21-9.

In Sunday’s final Nash faced an on-form Seamus O’Carroll (Limerick), who had marched to the final with wins over his doubles partner C. J. Fitzpatrick and Cork’s Brendan Fleming. O’Carroll and Nash have met numerous times over the past number of years with never much to separate them.

On this occasion, the Cappagh clubman raced into an early 10-2 lead before Nash reeled him in and went on to win the first game in convincing style, 21-14. The Tuamgraney player finished the job in the second game after a real battle. With excellent serving and some fantastic killshots, Nash was on top of his game and saw out the match with a tense 21-19 win to take the Munster Senior crown and bridge that 31-year gap since Kirby’s feat. Nash is also through to the Munster Intermediate Singles final (against Brendan Fleming, Cork, on March 9) and will be in strong contention for both the Senior and Intermediate Doubles championships with clubmate Niall Malone (Malone & Nash play Intermediate Doubles semi-final against Tipp in Ballinahinch tonight, 7.30).

Having already secured the AllIreland third level colleges singles championship, one would imagine that 2011, the Tuamgraney club’s centenary year, might yet have more in store for Diarmaid Nash (below).

Elsewhere in Munster action over the weekend, Mike Kelly and Pat Donellan progressed to the Munster Final at Golden Masters A Doubles with a win over Limerick.

The final is fixed for Saturday in Tuamgraney (4.00) against Tipperary while Kilkishen player Donellan first has the small matter of the Munster Singles final when he takes on Limerick’s Donal O’Connor in Nenagh tonight (7.30).

On the same bill, John Cawley (Shannon) plays the Munster Golden Masters B Singles semi-final against Seamus Donovan (Limerick). There was also weekend success for Sarah and Paula Loughnane (Clooney) who won their semi-final to set up an allClare final against Aisling Fitzgerald and Edel O’Grady. Lisa Loughnane was defeated in the Munster Intermediate Singles final while Ciaran Malone went down to Cork’s Killian Carroll in the Minor Singles semifinal.

The Munster Junior Singles final was an all-Tulla match up lastnight when Aidan Lynch took on Cathal Hannon (no result at time of writing). Indeed, the coming week is choc-full of Munster semi-finals and finals involving Banner County players (see fixtures below). Meanwhile the Clare Adult Handball League is reaching it’s climax. The semi-finals of Divisin 3 (Tuamganey v. Shannon, Clarecastle v. Clooney) go ahead this week, while next week’s Division 2 final sees Kilrush take on Tuamgraney (Clooney, Monday 28th at 8pm).

Munster Championship fixtures;
Tuesday 22nd: Intermediate Doubles semi-final, Ballinahinch, 7.30 – Diarmaid Nash & Niall Malone v. Mike Carroll & Ger Coonan (Tipp.) Tuesday 22nd, Galbally, 7.30 – Ladies Junior B Singles semi-final,Aisling Fitzgerald v. Siobhan Lehane (Limk.) Tuesday 22nd, Cashel, 7.30 – Ladies Junior B Singles semi-final, Sarah Louhgnane v. Laura Keevers (W’ford),ANDSilver Masters B Singles Final, John Nihill v. JimO’Brien (Tipp.) Tuesday 22nd, Nenagh, 7.30 – Golden Masters A Singles Final, Pat Donellan v. Donal O’Connor (Limerick) ANDGolden Masters B Singles semifinal, John Cawley v. Seamus Donovan (Limk) Wed. 23rd, Broadford, 7.30 – Minor Doubles Final, Jamie Lynch & Ciaran Malone v. Killian Carroll & Patrick Herlihy (Cork) Friday 25th, Galbally, 7.30 – Minor Singles Final, Jamie Lynch v. Killian Carroll (Cork) Sat. 26th,Tuamgraney, 4.00 – U-21 Doubles semifinal,Trevor Vaughan &Alan Leamy v. Fergal Collins & Darragh Hardy (Tipp.) ANDGolden Masters A Doubles Final, Mike Kelly & Pat Donellan v.Tony Flaherty & Pat Griffin (Tipp.) Sunday 27th,Tulla 1.00 – Ladies Junior B Doubles Final, Sarah Loughnane & Paula Loughnane v.Aisling Fitzgerald & Edel O’Grady Tuesday 1st, Silvermines, 7.30 – Golden Masters B Doubles Final, John Cawley &Teddy O’Hanlon v. Jimmy Fanning & Jack Dillon (Limk.)

Avenue United B 0 – Shannon Olympic A 3 at Lees Road

SHANNON OLYMPIC A extended their lead at the top of the 1st Division with an easy 3-0 victory over Avenue United B at Lees Road on Sunday. Played in wet and miserable conditions, the away side won the game with an excellent 1st half performance that produced three well-worked goals and a host of other chances.

Olympic got off to a flying start when Jimmy Houlihan calmly tapped home in the 3rd minute after some brilliant centre-forward play by Karl Scott. Goal number two came just three minutes later when Scott again created space for himself on the right and crossed for Alan Casey to finish from six yards.

At this stage it looked like a rout was on the cards as Olympic were producing chance after chance, having plenty of good opportunities to extent the lead, however a combination of poor finishing and good saves kept the lead at two.

The inevitable 3rd goal came in the 41st minute when a great ball from Scott picked out Jason Regan in the box who headed strongly past Calligan. On the stroke of halftime, Regan had a chance to double his tally but he shot straight at the ‘keeper from eight yards.

Avenue created the first real chance of the half when Chris Dobens shot straight at McGettrick in the Olympic goal. However, the away side continued to create chances in the second half but they were not able to add to their lead.

The game ended with the teams separated by the three first half goals. It must be noted that Avenue were missing a number of their youth players who had a great victory in the Munster Youths Cup the day before, but it was a very impressive display from the Olympic team who are beginning to look like a side capable of winning the league.

Best for Olympic on the day were; Karl Scott and centre-midfield pairing of Jason Regan and Ray Quigley. Olympic’s next game in the league is at home to Sporting Ennistymon next Sunday at 2.30pm.

Avenue United B
Cillian Culligan,Alan McNamara, Neil McCarthy,AnthonyWhite, Pa Sherlock, Barry Cusack, Jan Peak, Owen O’Loughlin, Chris Dobens, Mickey Byrnes, Ian Hassett

Subs
Gary George, Conor Mullen, LiamDeasy, Emre, Conor O’Brien, Richard O’Grady

Shannon Olympic A
Gary McGettrick, David Collins, Ian Hogan, James Fitzgerald, Karl Fogarty, Ray Quigley, Jason Regan, Eamonn O’Neill, Karl Scott, Jimmy Houlihan,Alan Casey.

Subs
Wayne Regan, Donncadh Kelly, Dave Kearns, Greg Keane, Richie Hanly. T hom ond R FC 27 St Senans R FC 10 THIS WEEK ST SENAN’S travelled to Liam Fitzgerald Park in Limerick to compete against Thomond RFC for the O’Donoghue Cup. The cup is competed for annually in memory of Joe O’Donoghue who was involved with both clubs for many years. Senan’s suffered an early set back when fly half Declan Collins was stretchered off with ligament damage. The weather conditions deter

mined that this would not be an open free flowing game as wind and rain made ball handling very difficult, so it was no surprise that the first 30 minutes saw both sides encamped in the middle of the pitch with very few clear cut scoring opportunities. This changed in Senans favour when on 32 minutes they won a penalty on the left wing, a good kick by Daragh McCoy opened the scoring for the visitors. Senans gained in confidence from this point and on 37 minutes their pack drove over the try line for Duane Horkin to claim the first try of the game. Once again a good con- fident kick by Daragh McCoy added the extra points to give the visitors a 10-0 lead.

With conditions not improving this would have been a good platform for Senans to take into half time, unfortunately a late lapse of concentration allowed Thomond to score a try in the last minute of the half to reduce Senans advantage to 5-10 at half time.

The second half saw the home side score an early try as Senans were slow to react to a long ball, the conversion attempt drifted wide leaving both sides on 10 points.

Thomond eventually got their noses ahead on 10 minutes with a penalty to give them a 13-10 lead. Both sides continued to struggle with the elements and the game became a war of attrition in the middle of the pitch until the home side broke free to score their third try to take a 20-10 lead. Senans had a few opportunities to reduce the deficit but each time the well formed Thomond defence managed to break down any threat.

Thomond finally secured victory on 37 minutes when they broke down yet another attacking move with a long low kick through an advancing Senans, Thomonds winger showed Senans players a clean pair of heels to score their fourth try and finish the game 27-10 victors.

St Senans Team
Jake Egan, Barry Murphy, Ger McNamara, Dylan Sonneman, Ronan O’Callaghan, , Declan Collins, Daragh McCoy, Ian Fitzgerald, Duane Horkin, Gary Crowe,Aidan O’Callaghan,Aaron Skerritt, Dave Lee, DavidWebb, Pa Ryan.

Replacements:,
Timmy Larkin, Rob Hegarty, Conor Moran, Paul O’Halloran, Mark Butler.