Month: June 2011

Clooney/Quin 0-17 – Tulla 0-11 at Clooney

GOOGLE ‘HARMLESS’ and you will more than likely find a link to this game high on the reference list. More a fixture fulfilling challenge game rather than competitive action as both sides were understrength following the previous weekend’s championship fare.

The expected bite between the neighbouring clubs was predominantly non-existent as both sides went through the motions in an hour long formulaic struggle.

Clooney/Quin will undoubtedly emerge from this game in brighter spirits however as they controlled the game from the end of the opening quarter and srengthened their competition for places as John Earls hit five points from play; Adrian Fleming grabbed three; Brian Shally also contributed handsomely from both placed balls and play, including a standout volleyed point while the returning Seamus Conroy got some valuable game time.

Tulla meanwhile had none of the passion of their championship victory over the Mapgies that has one of Jim McInerney’s feet in the quarterfinals and while their defensive unit remained unchanged from the weekend, only three players remained from their front eight and it was to prove decisive. Without Eanna Torpey (emigrated), Danny O’Halloran (suspended), Conor O’Halloran, Brian Lynch, David McInerney and Andrew Quinn, Tulla were noticeably limp up front as measured by only six points from play that equates to one every ten minutes.

Instead, an even start that saw the sides level on four occasions by the 13th minute subsided into a one-sided second quarter in which the home side outscored their opponents by 08 to 0-1 in a 15 minute spell. Earls, Shally and Fleming were to the fore as was Cillian Duggan who swept up practically everything that crossed the halfway line as they led by 0-12 to 0-05 at the break.

The second period descended further into forgettable territory after Aidan Lynch’s early penalty was saved by replacement goalkeeper Patrick Cunningham. Instead, the Earls, Shally, Fleming triumvirate opened up a 0-17 to 0-08 advantage by the 57th minute and while Tulla finished with three Ray Stewart frees, it was Clooney/Quin who easily maintained their position in the semi-final qualification spot.

Clooney/ Quin
Damien O’Halloran, Shane McNamara, Conor Harrison,Tony McMahon, Mike McNamara, Cillian Duggan, Enda Harrison, Martin Duggan (0-2), Seamus Conroy, John Earls (0-5),Adrian Fleming (0-3), Daire Hannon, Mike Daffy (0-1), Cathal Egan, Brian Shally (0-6 4f)

Subs
Patrick Cunninghamfor O’Halloran (HT), Brian McInerney for Conroy (41 mins), Donnacha Murphy for Hannon (46 mins), Rory McNamara for Egan (52 mins), Niall McMahon for M. Duggan (58 mins)

Tulla
Philip Brennan, Eugene Cooney, Sean Torpey, John Brennan, Cian McInerney, Paul Lynch, Mark Quinn,Tomás McMahon, Cathal Dinan (0-1), John Fahy, Michael Murphy (0-1), Daragh Corry (01), Ray Stewart (0-5 3f, 1’65), Cathal Bolton,Aidan Lynch (0-3 1f)

Sub
Karl Quinn for McInerney (25 mins, inj)

Man of the Match
Cillian Duggan (Clooney/ Quin) Referee Seanie McMahon (Newmarket-on-Fergus)

Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-22 – Whitegate 2-08 at Newmarket-on-Fergus

NEWMARKET moved back to the summit of Division 1 after a comfortable victory over relegation strugglers Whitegate on Monday afternoon. Both were understrength and without county seniors but it was the home side who were sharper and more clinical throughout, building up a seven point lead by the break before finishing the job on the turnover.

Tommy Griffin was the first half’s standout forward with three points on their way to a 0-11 to 0-04 half-time advantage, with Padraig Kilmartin and Enda Barrett also instrumental in keeping the east Clare side out at the other end.

Whitegate did manage to grab two goals through Ian Fahy and Stephen Malone in the second period while Newmarket were reduced to 14 following the dismissal of substitute Martin Murphy at the turn of the final quarter. However it still failed to trouble the home side who had a brace of goals of their own through Martin O’Hanlon and Anthony Kilmartin to ease up to victory and maintain their impressive unbeaten record of seven unbeaten competitive games.

Newmarket- on- Fergus
Kieran Devitt, Padraig Kilmartin, Stephen Kelly, Sean O’Connor,Alan Barrett, Enda Barrett, Noel Frawley, Martin O’Hanlon, Paraic Collins, Enda Kelly, David Barrett, JimMcInerney, Eoin Hayes,Anthony Kilmartin,Tommy Griffin

Subs
Darren Duggan for Griffin, Martin Murphy

for E. Kelly, Brian Clancy for Frawley, Bernard Gaffney for A. Kilmartin

Whitegate
AndrewFahey, Cathal Mulvihill, John Bugler, John Minogue, Jason Malone, Patrick Minogue,Trevor Kelly, Ian Fahy,Tomás McNamara, Michael O’Brien, Ray Cahill, Shane O’Rourke, GeorgieWaterstone, Stephen Malone, John O’Brien

Subs
Christy Jones for J. Minogue, Eoin Quirke for Kelly, John Minogue for Cahill

Man of the Match
Padraig Kilmartin (Newmarket- on- Fergus) Referee Damian Fox (WolfeTones)

Sixmilebridge 0-14 – Inagh/Kilnamona 1-07 at Inagh

REIGNING CLARE Cup champions Sixmilebridge bounced back from last Wednesday’s loss to Crusheen with a four-point victory over Inagh/ Kilnamona on Monday afternoon.

In a closely contested first half, the ‘Bridge were ahead 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval. Early points from Jamie Shanahan and Niall Gilligan saw them two clear after five minutes before Tomás Kelly got Inagh/Kilnamona off the mark two minutes later with a fine effort.

Former Clare senior Gilligan fired over a good score in the tenth minute before two Ger Arthur placed balls levelled matters after the first quarter. The home side were dealt a blow by this stage with full-back Brian Glynn forced to retire due to injury.

Sixmilebridge hit a purple patch sending over the games next three scores courtesy of Tommy Morey and Niall Gilligan (2) to extend their lead to three after 25 minutes as Robert Conlon entered the action for the injured Barry O’Connor.

Entering the final five minutes of the half, Ger Arthur and David O’Connor traded scores before two more Arthur efforts in first half added time narrowed the gap to one at the break.

On the resumption, Sixmilebridge did exactly what they did in the first half, by sending over the first two scores. These scores arrived thanks to David O’Connor and a long range John Fennessy free as they stretched the lead to three.

In a second half that was marred by persistent rain, it took the home team until the end of the first quarter to register a score with Arthur again the marksman. Indeed, up to this point both sides were guilty of failing to covert a few scoreable chances.

The games next score fell to Niall Gilligan who fired over a free in the 45th minute before moments later the hard working Tommy Morey increased the ‘Bridge lead to four.

Just as it appeared that the visitors were going to kick on from here and collect the two points, the combination were given a lifeline when they goaled to put just the minimum between the sides. This goal came about after Cathal Lafferty fielded a long clearance from David Hegarty on the fourteen-yard line and had only one thing on his mind as he turned and headed straight for goal before kicking the sliotar to the net.

With only a solitary point separating the sides the next score was going to be crucial in deciding this tie and unfortunately for the home team it fell to the ‘Bridge as Danny Morey fired over in the 57th minute. Sixmilebridge motored on from here with Gilligan and Morey closing out the games scoring as Inagh-Kilnamona tried in vain for another goal in injury time.

Sixmilebridge
Derek Fahy;Tagdh Keogh,Aidan Quilligan, Paul Fitzpatrick; Barry O’Connor, John Fennessy (0-1f), Paidí Fitzpatrick; Pa Sheehan, Anthony Liddane; Brian Culbert,Tommy Morey (0-2), David O’Connor (0-2); Jamie Shanahan (0-1), Niall Gilligan (0-6 3f), Danny Morey (0-2)

Subs
Robert Conlon for B. O’Connor (22 mins, inj), Kevin Lynch for Culbert (HT), SamO’Sullivan for Sheehan (46 mins)

Inagh/ Kilnamona
Patrick Kelly; Milo Keane, Brian Glynn, Dermot Lynch; Ronan O’Looney, Gary Lafferty, David Hegarty; ColmPilkington,Tomás Kelly (0-1); Damien Lafferty, Cathal Lafferty (1-0), Dermot Gannon; Ger Arthur (0-6; 3fs, 1‘65), Conor Tierney, Cathal Griffin

Subs
Brian Foudy for Glynn (14 mins, inj), StephenToomey for Griffin (44 mins), Shane Griffin for Pilkington (52 mins)

Man of the Match
Niall Gilligan (Sixmilebridge) Referee Ambrose Heagney (Corofin)

Crusheen/Tubber 6-9 – Tulla 5-2 at Cusack Park, Ennis

AN ELEVEN goal thriller that was swung Crusheen/Tubber’s way by a power packed display of hurling laced with accuracy and skill in Clare headquarters. The winners who were the better side overall delivered the crucial scores early in the game and with a solid defensive display held out despite a spirited late rally from the Tulla boys.

Crusheen/Tubber who won the Under 12D in 2009, demonstrated the steady progress made by leading from start to finish to capture their latest crown. First half goal from Breffni Horner (2), John Fawl and Colin Waters saw the north Clare amalgamation lead by an impressive 4-6 to 0-0 at the break with Tulla unable to pass the dominant Crusheen half back line and midfield led ably by Ronan Monahan.

Tulla, who would have been hopeful of a resurgence aided by the wind for the second half, saw their progress halted further by three delightful moments of skill by Ross Hayes as he bagged 1-2 minutes into the new half. He rounded off the end of the third quarter with his second goal as Crusheen went 26 points clear.

The loudest cheer of the year was reserved for Tulla’s Aaron O’Halloran when he found the net for their very first score after 50 minutes. To their credit they dominated the last ten minutes adding 4-2 without reply through Sean McNamara (2-0), Aaron O Halloran (0-2), Owen Shanahan (1-0) and Matthew Culloo (1-0) but admirable as the recovery proved to be, the title’s destination was already decided. Best for the winners were Gavin O’Brien, Brian McDonagh, Ronan Monahan,Stephen O’Halloran, Colin Waters, Ross Hayes and John Fawl. Tulla had solid displays from Conor Dinan, Brian Fahy, Sean McNamara, Aaron O’Halloran, Matthew Culloo, Darragh Murphy and Thor Ligtvoet.

Crusheen/ Tubber
ColmMcNamara, Emmet Quinn, Gavin O’Brien,

Brian McDonagh, Ronan Monahan, Stephen O’Halloran, John Fawl (1-1), Cillian Mullins, Mark Kearney, ColinWaters (1-3), JamesTaaffe (0-1), Ross Hayes (2-2), Breffni Horner (2-1)

Subs
Joe Copley (0-1) for Hayes, Conor O Loughlin for OHalloran, CalumTurner for Kearney, Chris McDonagh for Horner,Aidan McNamara, Cormac Lee

Tulla
Conor Dinan,Thor Ligtvoet, Kevin Conlon, Daniel Lauders, Brian Fahy, Darragh Murphy, Shane Hunt, Owen Shanahan (1-0), Michael Vaughan, Matthew Culloo (1-0), James Harrison, Sean McNamara (2-0),AdamHehir

Subs
Aaron OHalloran (1-2) for Harrison, Patrick OMahony for Hehir,Austin McInerney for Vaughan

Referee
Gus Callaghan (Feakle)

Wolfe Tones 6-9 – Clarecastle 1-4 at Cusack Park, Ennis

WOLFE TONES maintained their clean sweep of the under 14 grade by capturing their third successive title in emphatic style on Friday. Having already achieved a Féile double in both hurling and football, the Shannon side created further history by beating Clarecastle for the second successive hurling decider of the year.

The strong favourites led from start to finish, but while the 3-5 to 1-3 half-time scoreline failed to reflect a relatively even opening half, there was little doubt about the destination of the title on the turnover as Wolfe Tones ruthlessly put their rivals to the sword to preserve their firm grip on the grade.

A strong start and finish to the first half put Wolfe Tones on the road to victory and while their opening goal was indeed contentious due to a square ball, they might have opened the scoring after only 25 seconds when Brian O’Connor caught a Brian Conway delivery but struck wide from close range. Clarecastle failed to heed that warning, however, and after eye-catching points from midfield duo Dean Devanney and Darragh McMahon and five Clarecastle wides in the same period, the Féile champions finally raised their first green flag when Jack Cunningham passed across the square for Conway to finish.

Clarecastle opened their account in the 12th minute when a good passing move involving Darren Crowe and Jack Murphy eventually ended with Conor Ryan in front of goal but his rasping shot just cleared the crossbar. That score gave the Magpies confidence but just as they were beginning to find their feet, they were hit by a second Wolfe Tones goal in the 19th minute when an Aron Shanagher pull inside saw Jack Cunningham just beat goalkeeper Jake Kearney to the ball to flick to the net.

The Magpies replied immediately with a Darren Crowe point, and the wing-forward was again involved in Clarecastle’s goal in the 22nd minute when supplying the waiting Conor Ryan to make no mistake this time around and cut the deficit to five.

However, Wolfe Tones were given the perfect boost entering the interval when a Cian Pettigrew delivery broke to Jack Cunningham to find the top corner of the net and give his side a 3-5 to 1-3 advantage.

The second half was a somewhat scrappy affair with several stoppages but the deciding score came only six minutes into the half when Jack Cunningham again found the net, this time from a rebound after a Jake Kearney save to wipe out Darren Crowe’s opening point of the half.

It gave Wolfe Tones further belief while the Magpies heads lowered, with the Tones spinal core taking control and seeing out the game. Kevin Justice at centre back and the midfield pairing of Darragh McMahon and Dean Devanney ruled the middle while for the Magpies Paul Dolan, Hayden Starr, Kevin Mulcaire and Ronan Garvey repelled further damage on the scoreboard as did goalkeeper Keanrey who made another impressive double save in the 50th minute.

However, the Magpies were powerless to halt chief marksmen Jack Cunningham and Aron Shannagher who between added a further 2-3 to cement Wolfe Tones standing as the undisputed kingpins of the Under 14 grade for 2011.

Wolfe Tones
Cian Collopy, Ross O’Connor, Daniel Clair, Michael Hayes, Robbie Meaney, Kevin Justice (Capt.), Sean Costelloe, Darragh McMahon (0-1), Dean Devanney (0-2), Evan O’Gorman, Aron Shanagher (1-1), Cian Pettigrew(0-2), Brian Conway (1-0), Jack Cunningham(3-3 2f), Brian O’Connor (1-0)

Subs
Conor Ferins for Conway, Shane Nihill for O’Connor, Eoghan Gough for O’Gorman

Clarecastle
Jake Kearney, Kevin Hartigan, Darragh Crimmins, Fiachra Cooney, Josh Kelly, Paul Dolan, Hayden Starr, Darren Crowe (0-2),Adam Cassidy, Ruairi Crimmins, Conor Ryan (1-1), Jack Murphy (0-1), Stephen Barry

Subs
Jack Hayes for Kelly (Inj), Jordan Barnes for Ryan, Mark McAuliffe for Barry, Dean O’Hara for Murphy

Player of the Game
Dean Devanney (Wolfe Tones) Referee Neil O’Brien (O’Callaghan’s Mills)

Ballyea 1-11 – Inagh/Kilnamona 1-05 at Cusack Park, Ennis

A PHYSICALLY stronger Ballyea side had too much for opponents Inagh/Kilnamona on their way to the Under 14B crown on Tuesday evening. Dominance around the centre through Ronan Barry and Pearse Lillis were among the key ingredients of the victory that saw Ballyea build up an impressive 1-7 to 0-1 half-time advantage.

With the aid of the conditions, three points from play from Lillis along with a goal from corner-forward Cathal Breen settled Ballyea into their stride and the damage could have much greater were it not for the intervention of the Inagh/Kilnamona backs who defended admirably, led by Jason McCarthy who was also their main attacking threat through frees.

Inagh/Kilnamona, came out with all guns blazing for the second period in a bid to get themselves back in the contest, but while McCarthy was accurate through placed balls, they were continually frustrated by a stubborn Ballyea rearguard. Inagh/ Kilnamona did eventually breach Ballyea’s last line in the 50th minute when substitute Aiden McCarthy goaled but a disallowed goal for a square ball only minutes later saw their hopes of a full recovery dashed as Ballyea held on for victory.

Ballyea
Oisin Hennessy, Roy Griffin, Robert Neylon, Ryan Jennings, Dean Minogue, Cillian Brennan, Mark Crowe, Ronan Barry (0-4), Pearse Lillis (0-3), Conor Lynch, Gary Stephens (0-1),

Malachy Lynch (Capt.) (0-1), Cathal Breen (1-0), Rory McMahon, Mark Gavin (0-2)

Subs
Sean Meaney, Peter Casey

Inagh/ Kilnamona
Joseph Marrinan, Cian McInerney,Austin Kerin, David Mescell, Eoin Leyden, Jason McCarthy (Capt.) (0-5), Caimin Clancy, KeithWhite, Dylan McGeer, Eoin Fitzgerald, Stephen Foudy, Eamonn Foudy, Ian Kerin, Darren Culinan, MatthewDavenport

Subs
Michael McCreanor, Cian Shannon,Aiden McCarthy (1-0)

Referee
Damian Fox (WolfeTones)

“THERE’LL BE something there for everyone,” says PRO Seamus O’Sullivan of the bumper day’s activity planned for Gurteen this Saturday as St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield officially open their new facilities.

GAA General Secretary, Paraic Duffy will be present for the occasion as will former RTÉ match commentator of 62 years Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, while Clare County Board and Munster Council officials will also attend.

“These facilities are among the best in the country,” says PRO Seamus O’Sullivan. “Our development is built on the exceptional contributions to those, who over the year promoted and fostered Gaelic games in the parish.

“These facilities are a permanent memorial and thank you to the Gaels of Kilraghtais, Templemaley and Doora who founded St Joseph’s. These facilities are also a commitment to the future of the children of the parish for years to come. Roslevan served us well, but I am confident that Gurteen will be even better.

“Over the past decade much has been achieved. It would not have been possible without the support of the community and without the time, effort and dedication of so many club members.

“Their reward will be in knowing that they have provided a facility which will serve the community of Doora-Barefield for this generation and for many generations to come,” O’Sullivan adds.

“These facilities are a lasting trib- ute to all those who promoted and played our games from as far back as 1887. We honour the people who had the vision to found St Joseph’s and purchase Roslevan. It was that vision and that asset that has secured the developments here in Gurteen,” says club chairman Tom Duggan.

“Our new home his this generation’s commitment to our youth and to the future generations and will bring honour and distinction to the maroon and white of St Joseph’s.

“The name of St Joseph’s DooraBarefield is recognised across the GAA world for its achievement which were crowned with the winning of the All-Ireland hurling title on St Patrick’s Day in 1999. I am confident that our structures and facilities will soon deliver more silverware,” the club chairman adds.

WHILE MUCH has changed in Clare over the last 50 years there is much too that remains the same – the waves still crash headlong onto the north Clare coast, the fresh sea air still has the power to both revive and restore and the fish still bite best from the rocks off Blackhead in Fanore.

Later this week hundreds of current and past members of the Lisdoonvarna/Fanore Sea Angling will descend on O’Donohue’s Pub in Fanore to celebrate the 50 anniversary of one of Clare oldest angling clubs. Old trophies, pictures and newspapers articles will all be on show for the event, which takes place this Sunday, June 12, while an open-day for young and new members will also take place.

The club was founded in 1961 when a group of local Fanore men travelled to Lahinch to take part in an angling competition. The men soon realised that they had walked past some of the best fishing spots in the country to get to Lahinch and decided to set up their own angling clubs to fish the north Clare coast.

“There would have been some mackerel fishing and some rock fishing going on in the area at the time but there was no organised angling and certainly no competition taking place. Surprisingly there wasn’t really much fishing going on locally,” says James Linnane of the Lisdoonvarna/Fanore Sea Angling Club.

“Some individuals would fish for bass along the beach and there was Jack Shine from Liscannor who could catch sharks from the shores so there was interest in fishing locally – just no club to bring it all together.”

Indeed, the late Jack Shine, who was the creamery manager in Moy for many year, is generally credited as being the first man to introduce the fishing rod into the north Clare area. Jack is still the only man in Ireland who has successfully caught porbeagle sharks from the shoreline.

The club was founded in Lisdoonvarna in 1961 with Ennistymon man Don Curtin as it’s first president with Pete Commane from Liscannor as Chairman, Padriac Kett from Fanore as vice-chairman, Jimmy Carrucan from Fanore as treasurer and John Cullinan from Lisdoonvarna as secretary.

The open day will run from 2pm to 6pm in Fanore and will give a chance for older members to remember the past while allowing younger people to get their first taste of angling.

“We will have an exhibition of all the trophies and cups donated to the club going down the years as well as a list of everyone who won a com- petition with the club over the years. We also have some great photos of the club and Fanore from back in the 1960 – which will show what life was life for the people when the club was founded,” continued James.

“We will also be trying to encourage more people, especially juveniles, into the club so we will be having a number of angler there who will host a juvenile day on the beach while we will supply reels and roads for them. North Clare is one of the best finishing grounds in Europe at the moment so we might as well use them as well as protect them.”

For more information on the club contact James at 087 2215159.

SHANNON SWIMMER Chris Bryan is currently leading the rankings of the 2011 European Open Water Swimming Cup, following a fantastic performance in the second leg of the competition which took place in Turkey last week.

Bryan, who represented Ireland at the 2010 European Championships, won the 5km event in Antayla in a time of 58 minutes 41.04 seconds, just ahead of Israeli Yuval Safra (58.42.80).

The first leg of the European Cup took place in Eilat (Israel) on May 7, where Bryan finished 33rd of 53 competitors in the longer 10k event, with an overall time of 1 hour 53 minutes 1.25 seconds.

These results leave Bryan at the top of the European table with 21 points – ahead of Russian Vladimir Dyatchin (20 points) and Safra (18 points). The Cup runs until the end of July, with five legs in total.

Bryan is now on course for selection to the World Swimming & Open Water Championships which take place in Shanghai, China this July, where he would become the first open water swimmer to represent Ireland at this level.

Bryan currently trains full-time at the University of Limerick High Performance Centre under Head Coach Ronald Claes and alongside European Silver Medalist Grainne Murphy, who is also preparing for the World Championships next month in China.