Month: November 2011

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

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.

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.

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 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.”

Inagh 2-07 – Four Roads 2-05 at Clarecastle

INAGH snatched a famous victory over devastated Four Roads in a spell-binding finish to the All-Ireland junior camogie club championship semi-final in pristine conditions at Clarecastle on Saturday afternoon.

The Clare side were four points down entering the 59th minute, but hit their opponents with a remarkable two-goal burst to snatch a place in the final. Four Roads had a 2-5 to 0-7 advantage when Inagh were awarded a 65. Fiona Lafferty had the distance to convert, having already done so twice in building up a personal tally of five points.

Inagh needed more than a point though, and so Lafferty landed the sliotar in around the square. An almighty scramble ensued before Sinead O’Loughlin doubled on the ball in the air to find the net and invigorate the Banner women.

They won possession immediately from the puckout, and Lafferty found Sharon Rynne unmarked around 30m from the posts. The half-forward bore down on goal before sending the net shaking to put her side in front by two points.

Four Roads must have been shellshocked but to their credit, they threw everything into finding a goal of their own in the two and a half minutes of additional time played. They found the Inagh defence in no mood to yield however, and in the end, it was the Clare side who prevailed.

This result was all the more amazing for the fact that the Roscommon champions had a nine-point advantage after just 20 minutes, and with the scoreline reading 2-3 to 0-0 in their favour, seemed certain to advance to an All-Ireland final.

They began with three points from play before goals from Gertie Dowd and Sinead O’Brien put them in a commanding position.

Like the Inagh brace that denied them victory, these two goals arrived inside a minute, with O’Brien’s major coming straight from the puckout after Dowd’s score.

Dowd and Orla Gately gave Four Roads a midfield dominance throughout, while half-back Donna Kelly also ensured that there was plenty of ball going the forwards’ way.

Crucially though, the Inagh mentors made a switch after Four Roads’ second goal that was to have a telling impact, with centre-forward Fiona Lafferty swopping roles with centreback Christina Glynn to help shore up the defence.

Glynn also had an impact at the other end, and got her side off the mark with a point. Lafferty followed up with two points (one from a 65) and it was 2-3 to 0-3 at the interval.

The margin was soon down to four but a point from Lizzie GlennonTully stemmed the tide. Even though Inagh got one back, it hardly looked enough with time running out, but the goal heroics of O’Loughlin and Rynne saved the day.

Ennis Town Rock 3 – Hermitage A 0 at Lees Road, Ennis

ENNIS Town Rock advanced smoothly to the third round of Munster Junior Cup on Sunday with a convincing victory over local rivals Hermitage.

A goal-less first half gave way to a clinical display of finishing from Ennis Town Rock who will now meet Burren United in the next round.

A brace of goals from centre forward Niall McNevin ultimately proved decisive for the home side who took the lead on the hour mark through Marty McLoughlin’s close range effort.

Hermitage applied some late pressure but could find no way past goalkeeper Stephen Loftus. There was little to separate the sides in a typi- cally frantic opening to this all Ennis affair. But with Adrian Walsh and Eoin Glynn doing well in midfield and Richie Neylon supplying a string of accurate crosses, Town gradually gained the upper hand.

The best of the chances fell to McLoughlin who was denied by some dogged Tage defending. The same player was denied midway through the half when Tage centre back John Maher executed a perfectly timed tackle on the Town striker.

At the other end Paul Dullaghan was unlucky not to find the net when he rose to meet Sean McGhee’s free kick shortly before half time.

Town stepped up the pressure after the break and were rewarded with a goal in the 60th minute. McNevin directed a header into the path of Ney- lon who drilled a low centre across the six-yard box. Having edged just ahead of his marker McLoughlin turned the ball in at the near post. It was then the turn of McLoughlin’s strike partner Niall McNevin to steal the show.

The striker doubled his side’s advantage in spectacular fashion with a powerfully struck free kick before smashing a left footed effort against the cross bar.

McNevin then made it game, set and match for Town when he finished from close range to make it 3-0.

The introduction of Liam Meaney gave Tage some added thrust on the flanks but the visitors were having no luck finding a way past Loftus. The Town goalkeeper produced fine saves to deny Richard O’Grady while Paul Dullaghan was again unlucky not to grab a consolation effort at the death.

Ennis Town Rock
Stephen Loftus, Ethan Considine, JasonWhite, Shane Daniels, Ronan Judge, Richie Neylon,Adrian Walsh, Eoin Glynn, Daryl Eade, Niall McNevin, Marty McLoughlin

Subs
Emmanuel Obadey for McLoughlin, Gary Walsh for Glynn, Francis Daniels for A Walsh

Hermitage A
Joe Burke, Greg Howard, Eoghan Ryan, John Maher, Neil Mills, Robert Dunn, Gerry Dullaghan, Sean McGhee, Eoin Kane, Paul Dullaghan, Richie Fitzgerald

Subs
LiamMeaney, Richard O’Grady, Caomhan ÓBraonain

Referee
Julian Stanford

Lifford AFC 3 – Avenue United 2 at Lees Road, Ennis

NOTHING like a local derby to whet soccer appetites in the county capital – especially when there’s some silverare up for grabs.

So it was that bluebloods Avenue United and 50 years young Lifford produced a cracking Sunday afternoon contest for the first piece of premier silverware on offer in the 2011/12 season.

Honours went to Lifford, as for once they emerged from the shadow of the illustrious neighbours that were formed as a breakaway club way back in 1983 thanks to this edging this five-goal thriller.

And Lifford can say they did it the hard way, coming from a goal down and being generally outplayed by Avenue side the first half to forging 3-1 on 75 minutes and then withstanding everything Avenue could throw at them in a frantic finish.

It looked to be Avenue’s to win in that first half once they grabbed the initiative after 15 minutes when David McCarthy beat Lifford’s off-side trap and raced through unimpeded on Lifford’s goal before nonchalantly dispatching the leather past Jean de Silva.

By this stage a clear pattern had emerged – Avenue were playing the ball to feet, constructively trying to tease out openings, while Lifford adopted the route one and up and under approach to goal.

Which ever cap fits, because it worked Donal Magee’s charges on 25 minutes when a long ball was met by the ultra-competitive Lunga Balman in the air, with his close range header beating a hitherto virtually redudant John Healy in Avenue’s goal.

It was like an injection to Lifford because from there they grew in confidence, while Avenue lost their most influential player in David McCarthy to injury nine minutes before halftime.

McCarthy wasn’t the only person struck down – referee Tommy Guilfoyle had hamstring problems and was replaced at half-time by Dave McCarthy.

Lifford struck for a second two minutes after half-time when Lunga Balman turned provider – his cross from out near corner flag on right finding Darren O’Neill who nodded low to Healy’s left for a the lead goal.

It got better on 75 minutes when Ruairi Norrby benefitted from great work in the build up by Scott Hen nessy to beat Healy with a low drive – a goal that Lifford were full value for as they turned the screw on a strangley ragged Avenue.

All Avenue could do for the closing 25 minutes was circle the wagons – they did that but their only reward was an 89th minute goal from Mattie Nugent when his free kick from the left wing flew all the way to the net past de Silva.

It teed up a hectic finale but Lifford had done enough to mark their Golden Anniversary with some silverware.

It’s been a long time coming. Thirty five years since they won the last of their three Clare Cup titles.

Lifford
Jean De Silva, Joe Lynch (Paul Cantillon), Hamed Kuku, Mickey Joe O’Sullivan, Dylan Blake, Ruairi Norrby (Julius Lake),TJ Ajisomo (Pa Mannion), Pat Darcy, Lunga Balman, Darren O’Neill, Scott Hennessy.

Avenue United
John Healy, Dylan Casey, David Russell, Mattie Nugent, Simon Cuddy, Gary Flynn (ColmMullen) Con Collins, David Herlihy, Sean Corry, David McCarthy (Barry Nugent), Mikey Mahony.

Referee
Tommy Guilfoyle