Month: November 2011

THIS WEEKEND is very busy for Clare Ladies Football Development Squads at all levels.

The Under 15 development squad, under the watchful eye of coordinator Joe Downes and mentors Sharon Malone, Edel Carmody-Malone, Annmarie Callinan and Roisin Garry, will compete in their Under 15 Munster blitz in Tipperary this Saturday, where all counties will be represented. In preparation for the event, they will play their second warm-up game with Munster assigned twin-county Limerick, having won their first outing played at Éire Óg last week. Players will be contacted by text with details.

The Under 13 development squad are preparing for its own Under 13 Munster blitz on November 19. They started their preparations recently with a short and spirited blitz against a selection of the Banner Ladies Under 14’s and continue with another blitz against their twin-county Kerry Ladies this Saturday at Killimer GAA pitches, weather permitting. Kerry will be fielding three teams and there will be plenty of opportunity for top tier football experience against the Kingdom. Coordinator Alan Copley with Johnny Hayes, Eimear Considine and Aine Kelly will have taken the Under 13’s through a twelve week program by the time the interprovincial finals arrive. The trials for the 2012 Under 14 panel will commence on November 26 when the Marian Keane Under 13 Tournament will be played over four weekends.

Also on this weekend, Under 11 Coordinator Gordon Drummy with mentors Pat Keane, Tara Kelly and Liz Kelly will field their Clare hopefuls in the PJ O’Halloran Under 11 Intercounty Football Tournament being held in Kilrush. Teams from Limerick, Kerry and Tipperary will travel to the west Clare venue for what has become one of the best attended underage events on the ladies football calendar in Munster. Best of luck to all the Clare ladies footballers this weekend.

Éire Óg 5-12 – St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-10 at Corofin

SUCCESS BREEDS success they say and after winning the Minor Division 3 title the previous weekend adding to the Under 16 crown garnered earlier in the year, Éire Óg brought that momentum into Saturday’s Junior B championship final to deservedly take the honours.

A lightning start also helped with two quickfire shots to the net, one each from Shauna Keane and Orla Devitt, had them six points clear within two minutes of the throw-in. Playing with the aid of a strong breeze, the Ennis girls made no mistake and capitalised on this advantage, notching up a further 1-5 with another goal from Shauna Keane and points from Orla Devitt, Shaunagh O’Brien, Shauna Keane and Tara Sheehan before St. Joseph’s Rebecca Devine found the net with a well taken strike in the 20th minute. The kick-out ended up in the arms of Éire Óg’s Orla McMahon whose excellent lay-off to Shauna Keane ended up splitting the posts. Rebecca Devine, lethal when in possession, pointed for the Parish, but Éire Óg finished the half strongly with points from Shauna Keane and Shaunagh O’Brien to leave them 3-9 to 1-1 ahead by the interval.

The Parish girls came out all guns blazing in the second half, with a great Rebecca Devine point getting them off the mark in the opening minute but totally against the run of play, Shaunagh O’Brien found the net for Éire Óg. In spite of this blow, St. Joseph’s kept the heads up and continued to dominate the opening quarter with a further point from Rebecca Devine. Devine’s shot on goal seemed destined for the net, but an outstanding save from Aoife O’Neill sent the ball over the bar. Sarah O’Keeffe and Orla Devitt traded points, before St. Joseph’s notched up three points in a row with shots from Mary Sweeney, Rebecca Devine and Niamh Willis. Again, the hardworking Orla Devitt, who gave an outstanding performance at mid- field, put a shot over the bar while Shaunagh O’Brien followed up with a well taken goal. The next five minutes belonged to the Parish, notching up 1-02. Time ran out, however, for St. Joseph’s with the last score of the match, a pointed free from Orla Devitt, giving the Townies a 5-12 to 2-10 win.

Éire Óg
Aoife O’Neill, Sophie Hanna, Sinead Darcy, Orla Chaplin, RaeWall,Aida Griffey, Edel Griffey, Louise Kirwan (Capt.), Orla Devitt (1-6 3f), JoanneWalsh,Alana O’Brien, Orla McMahon, Tara Sheehan (0-1), Shauna Keane (2-3), Shaunagh O’Brien (2-2)

Subs
Edel Griffin for Griffey, Sarah Cullinan for Kirwan, Rebecca Crowe for Sheehan, Katie Malone for Keane, Deirbhile Ryan for Wall

Doora/ Barefield
Niamh O’Loughlin (Capt.), Sarah Nugent, Michelle McMahon, Catriona Davenport, Eimear Casey, Kelly-Anne Hassett, Karen O’Brien,Amanda Hassett, Molly Brannock, Sorcha McCormack, Rebecca Devine, NiamhWillis, Aoife Murphy, Sarah O’Keeffe, Mary Sweeney

Subs
Ciara Willis for Molly Brannock(inj) Anne Marie McGann for Sorcha McCormack

Referee
Michael Fitzgerald (Clondegad)

St Flannan’s College 4-08 – Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon 0-06 at St Flannan’s College, Ennis

ST FLANNAN’S College of Ennis hosted Scoil Mhuire of Ennistymon in the Senior B decider on Tuesday and after last year’s thrilling final, the Ennis side also exacted full revenge to take the title away from the four-in-a-row hopefuls. Both sides had some impressive names on the programme, girls who have competed for club and county at Under 16 and Minor.

St. Flannan’s were well up for this meeting and started extremely spritely, Shaunagh O’Brien taking a great point on the volley in the first few minutes and Orla Devitt pointed at speed soon after. Aoibheann Malone claimed the Townies third point on 15 minutes. Some good play between Emer Hillery and Ashling Torpey failed to yield anything at the other end as Ashling Corbett put in some great blocking tackles and captain Sinead O’Keeffe snuffed out a lot on the Flannan’s half-back line. A very predatory Flannan’s forward section then went into overdrive and produced four goals in the remaining ten minutes of the first half with Niki Kaiser involved in three of them. First Shauna O’Brien rattled the upright and then she netted from the perfect pass from Kaiser who collected the rebound. Kaiser herself was next to grab a goal after a very strong solo and then she set up Orla Devitt for the third. Aoife Shannon almost palmed over a rocket from Niamh Markham but it just caught the crossbar and the three time champs were stunned by Flannan’s fourth goal in ten minutes. A strong Ennistymon rally fizzled out as several scorable chances went abegging. Aoibheann Malone then banged over the second of her five points from play just before referee Linda Russell called for half-time at 4-4 to 0-0.

Malone restarted with another point and Kaiser brought it up to 4-6 for the Ennis school before the seasider’s Emer Hillery/Aisling Torpey combo got going. Torpey converted two points, a sign of increased activity around the Flannan’s parallelogram and Hillery took a great point from play to reduce the deficit further at 4-6 to 0-3. A strong Flannan’s attack which included Devitt, Eleanor Carey, Kaiser, Shaunagh O’Brien, Anneka O’Brien and Malone poured massive pressure on the visitors and Malone poached two more points, interspersed by an Eva O’Dea point for Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon. Ashling Torpey took another lovely point but it would be ten minutes before Scoil Mhuire would be beyond the St Flannan’s ‘45 such was the work rate of Sophie Hanna, Aoife Keane, Captain Sinead O’Keeffe, Sinead Quinn and Aisling Corbett. Scoil Mhuire’s forwards, Eva O’Dea, Captain Kayleigh Murrihy, Katie Considine were putting in some great work and it was Shannon Murrihy who scored the last point of the game for the three in a row winners, Scoile Mhuire. This was a big win for St. Flannan’s and a side with eight current minor football champions from all divisions on the panel, plus camogie champs, should do very well in the next Munster round, to be announced.

Avenue United 4 – Burren United 3 (AET) at Lees Road, Ennis

THERE was plenty of entertainment on offer as Avenue United edged past Burren United in a seven-goal thriller at Lees Road on Sunday.

With the sides tied at 3-3 and a penalty shoot out looming, David Smyth produced a fine finish in the dying stages of extra time to win the tie for Avenue.

A rollercoaster game saw Burren take an early 2-1 lead before Avenue drew level before half time. An upset looked on the cards when Chris Maoczek poked home from close range to give Burren the lead midway through the second half. However there was still plenty of fight and football left in Avenue.

David McCarthy completed his hat trick to make it 3-3 with 20 minutes to play. The goal foreshadowed a period of Avenue dominance but the home side were unable to breach Burren’s resilient rearguard action.

But as the game stretched into extra time, Burren appeared to tire as Avenue through the pace and guile of Sean Corry and David Smyth, creating some good chances.

The game began with a flurry of activity with McCarthy giving Avenue an early lead. Burren equalised through Marine Ghiat and then took the lead through Maoczek. Avenue continued to probe for openings with Gary Flynn and Alan Roche exerting their authority in midfield. It looked like Burren might make it to half time in front but Avenue had other ideas. Flynn’s volleyed cross found McCarthy at the back post and he headed home to make it 2-2 despite protests of offside from the Burren defenders.

The visitors enjoyed a bright open- ing to the second half with Pat Nagle and Martin McDonagh taking the game to Avenue’s back four. Burren’s efforts were rewarded when they took lead in the 65th minute. Nagle did well to turn and shoot inside the Avenue area. His initial effort was blocked but the striker managed to force the ball to Maoczek for an easy tap in. Momentum ebbed back to Avenue and the Ennis side duly equalised. A sweeping move from right to left saw Smyth rescue the ball from the end line and tee up McCarthy at the edge of the area. A glorious culmination to fine approach play was provided by McCarthy’s powerful volley. Again Burren felt hard done by, claiming that the ball had crossed the line prior to Smyth’s cross. It was of no concern to Avenue who finally secured the match winner late in extra time. Cuddy’s long ball was headed goalwards by Russell and Smyth raced between two Burren defenders to execute a fine finish.

Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Shane Browne, Mattie Nugent, David Russell, David Smyth, Gary Flynn, Alan Roche, David Herihy, David McCarthy, Mikey Mahony

Subs
Sean Corry for Browne, Darren O’Meara for Mahony

Burren United
Craig Flannagan, LiamKeane, Eric Murrihy, Michael Reddan, Michael Keating,Alex Garcia, Marine Ghiat, Pat Connole, Martin McDonagh, Pat Nagle, Chris Maoczek

Subs
James Droney, James Keating

Referee
Pa Gleeson

Corofin Harps 1 – Manus Celtic A 0 at Corofin

THE INCLEMENT weather has ensured a slow start to the season and this game was indicative of that malaise as these sides slugged it out for the points. There was no shortage of endeavour and commitment but due to a lack of quality in the final third for the majority, it seemed as if it was destined to end on a scoreless deadlock until Damien Ryan popped up with a late piece of magic to send his side to the top of the table.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game as a long throw from Brendan Keane was added to by brother John into the path of Ryan who deftly backheeled the ball just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Pakie Healy.

It was cruel on Celtic who had fought the good fight up to that point but in truth, the tide had already turned in Corofin’s favour as the second period progressed, with the physical presence of John Keane as a makeshift centre-forward a constant thorn in Manus’ side.

The first half saw numerous half chances for either side but none that would have troubled the sides’ respective goalkeepers to any great extent. Mikey Geraghty and John Molloy got into good positions for Manus but failed to create a meaningful shot on Fergal Neylon’s goal. While up the other end, Corofin had a few long range sights of goal that drifted over the bar but did have the best chance of the half when Ryan gathered possession at the edge of the box, dummied one defender before his deflected shot fell into the waiting arms of Healy in the 38th minute.

Manus hit back immediately on the restart and had a glorious chance after only 30 seconds when Jamie Fahy dispossessed around halfway and bore down on goal. However, he hesitated at the vital time and saw his shot sail wide of the far post.

From that point on however, Corofin targetted John Keane up front and it began to pay dividends.

In the 54th minute, a Damien Ryan cross from the left was headed down by the big centre-forward into the path of the onrushing Luke O’Loughlin whose stinging shot was tipped onto the sidenetting by Healy. Five minutes later, Ryan and Keane combined once more, this time from the opposite side but Keane headed wide.

Manus emptied the bench in search of a winner and were successful on the counter-attack with John Molloy having their best opportunity eight minutes from time but his shot was kept out by Neylon.

That save proved crucial in the wake of Corofin’s winning goal only two minutes later when Ryan finished with aplomb but there was still plenty of goalmouth action to come before they would secure their second win of the campaign.

Manus’ inspirational centre-half Kevin Clohessy pushed up to midfield and had a shot on target from the edge of the box as did Mikey Geraghty and substitute Jonathan Griffey while John Keane had a volley moments after the goal but none would change the scoreline that puts Corofin top and leaves Manus rooted to the bottom. However, there is still a long, long way to go.

Corofin Harps
Fergal Neylon, Brendan Keane, Stephen Quinn, Michael Concannon, Brendan Neylon, Ian Hassett, John Keane, Darragh Shannon, Luke O’Loughlin, Damien Ryan, Dean Hathfield (Garry Molloy, 54 mins)

Manus Celtic A
Pakie Healy, Ian Considine, Patrick Galbraith,Tola Crowe, Kevin Clohessy, Jamie Fahy (Jonathan Griffey, 75 mins, inj),Aaron Greene (Martin Molloy, 69 mins), Stephen Geraghty, Mikey Geraghty, John Molloy, Mikey McDonagh (James McAllister, 69 mins)

Man of the Match
John Keane (Corofin) Referee Terry Kennedy

West County Hotel Clare
& District Soccer League Fixtures Saturday 05/ 11/ 11 Inter League Youths Cup County Grounds: Clare V Roscommon Referee: D.McCarthy 2.00 Assistant Referees: M.Monaghan,T.Guilfoyle

Sunday 06/ 11/ 11
F.A.I. Junior Cup Clare/Kerr y/ Desmond Area Third Round Mounthawk Pk: Classic V Avenue United Kerry Officials 2.00 Dingle: Dingle Bay Rovers V Bunratty Cratloe FC Kerry Officials 2.00 Fairgreen: Manus Celtic V Broadford J.Stanford 2.00 Lees Road: EnnisTown Rock V Newcastlewest P.Gleeson 2.00 McDonagh Pk: Newmarket Celtic V Ballingarry M.O`Brien 2.00 Note: In event of a draw10 mins e/wextra time and penalties if necessary. Munst er Junior Cup 2nd Round Kilmaley School: Connolly Celtic V Shannon Olympic A M.Talty 11.00 Note: In event of a draw10 mins e/wextra time and penalties if necessary. Husquarna Maloney Garden Machiner y Premier Division League Fairgreen: Hermitage A V Burren United P.Gleeson 11.00 Scariff: Mountshannon Celtic V Lifford A T.Guilfoyle 11.00 Lets Bet Spor ts Bookmakers First Division League Seanchoill Parteen: Bridge Celtic V Bridge United A D.McCarthy 11.00 Lees Road: Turnpike Rovers V Corofin Harps M.Maxwell 11.00 Kilrush: Kilrush Rangers V Rhine Rovers D.Brosnan 11.00

Bridge Celtic 0 – Connolly Celtic 0 (AET Bridge Celtic won 3-2 after penalties) at The County Grounds, Doora

THE COLD War of Celtic’s east v west eventually went Bridge’s way after a two hour endurance battle that was only finally decided in sudden death penalties. In a goalless test of attrition that could have realistically gone either way, nothing could separate the sides until Dean Sinnott gave the east Clare side a memorable victory with the winning penalty.

It was cruel on Connolly, it always is when the lottery of penalties are involved. But in terms of clearcut chances created, Bridge arguably deserved their latest silverware that will banish the nightmare of last year’s relegation from the Premier Division and sit nicely alongside their Premier Division league title of 2007.

After Connolly had shaded the opening half’s exchanges with the aid of the breeze, it was Bridge who would manufacture four glorious second period opportunities in a 20 minute period midway through the half. Paul McEvoy came closest in the 57th minute when his diving header from a superb curling Diarmuid Aherne cross produced an equally impressive full length stop from goalkeeper Niall Quinn.

The next three were almost identical as teasing crossfield passes from the left wing were not headed on target at the back stick, twice from Willie Neary while captain Trevor Howard also came close with his 75th minute header that just drifted past the right post.

Had Connolly gone on to win the cup, the Killaloe/Bridgetown side would certainly have pointed to those misses as the main source of regret but due to their own stubborn rearguard, manned expertly by William Slattery and Luke Turner in particular, they weren’t about to leak any needless goals at the other end either.

They demonstrated that in the opening half when Connolly sent off a few warning shots to test their resolve. In the fourth minute, a Ken Kennedy free from his own half drifted beyond their forward division but skidded dangerously off the turf and goalkeeper Paul O’Connell had to be alert.

Five minutes later, they targetted effective centre-forward Mickey Byrnes, this time from the right through Andrew Clancy and when Byrnes headed down, Alan Markham was first to react but under pressure, sent his volley just wide of the right post.

Bridge’s best opportunity of the opening half came by way of an op- portunist run from Alan Conway who raced onto a ball over the top from Dean Sinnott before dribbling in from the endline and sending a shot via goalkeeper Quinn across the goalline before it was eventually cleared.They built on that chance in the second half when backed by the conditions but a failure to take their chances meant that the match was destined for extra-time.

The first ten minute period was an anxious deadlock of few chances but on the turnover, both sides had one final chance to snatch the silverware. In the 103th minute, Connol- ly’s lively striker Pat Hogan spotted goalkeeper Paul O’Connell off his line but couldn’t keep his lob below the bar. And after substitute Kieran Dillon was redcarded three minutes later, Connolly had goalkeeper Quinn to thank once more for maintaining their clean sheet when he was equal to a Trevor Howard shot from 35 metres.

Darkness descended as a penalty shootout had to be undertaken to fi nally separate the sides but the quest for the opening goal had to wait until the fourth penalty through Connolly’s Barry Lynch after the previous three had been expertly saved by Quinn (2) and O’Connell. The tables were turned in Bridge’s favour however as William Slattery and Diarmuid Aherne converted their successive spot kicks while O’Connell saved Connolly’s corresponding two but Sudden Death inevitably came into effect as Luke Turner blasted his potentially match winning penalty over the bar while Connolly substitute John Kelly gained parity at 2-2.

The marathon only lasted two more penalties however as Dean Sinnott found the right corner of the net while Ken Kennedy’s effort sailed agonisinly over the bar. And with a sigh of relief, Bridge Celtic left Clare headquarters with the first silverware of the year and a perfect kickstart to their promotion campaign.