This article is from page 68 of the 2011-07-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 68 JPG
Ennistymon 1-4 – St Senan’s Kilkee 0-6 at Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
DESPITE being a relatively inexperienced side, Ennistymon once again proved that they have the character to dig out a result when it matters most. The north Clare side were represented by eight of last year’s Under 21 winning side but against seasoned campaigners such as Kilkee and Liscannor, whom they met in the opening round of the champonship, they have proved that they have the belly for battle along with that undoubted potential.
Granted, Kilkee were forced into playing a good sprinkling of young players themselves but with the county senior experience of David Russell, Darragh Kelly, Gearoid Lynch, Kevin Larkin and Michael O’Shea, the Blues’ had enough guile on the field to gain promotion.
It didn’t happen though as they depended far too much on the quartet of Larkin, Russell, Barry Harte and Michael O’Shea while Ennistymon simply had the batter balance and were greatly aided by Sean McConigley’s goal at the turn of the final quarter that essentially handed them victory.
Undoubtedly, conditions weren’t conducive to football with both teams finding it near impossible to even handpass accurately not to mind kick the ball. It made for a substandard, low scoring spectacle but regardless of the weather, both sides had a game to win and in truth, it could have gone either way in what was a tense finish.
Shooting was hardly a priority early on as the sides became accustomed to the conditions with the sides locked at two points apiece for the majority of the half with Sean Mc- Conigley and a David Murphy free helping Ennistymon pull clear twice only to be pegged back on each occasion first by David Russell and then Christopher Williamson.
Wind assisted Kilkee might have also grabbed a goal when a rare flowing passing move ended up with Darragh Kelly but his rushed shot was blocked by the returning Michael Hohey. However, with the hard work seemingly done, Ennistymon eased off the pedal somewhat in injury time and it allowed Darren Clarke and a long range effort from Kevin Larkin to hand Kilkee a 0-4 to 0-2 interval advantage.
With the tables turned for the second period, it also took a while for Ennistymon to utilise their tenuous wind advantage but eventually two points in the 41st minute through Joey Rouine and Kevin Scales gained parity for the third time.
However, it was only when Sean McConligley grabbed a 47th minute breakaway goal that Ennistymon truly began to believe. In what was the best move of the game, Ennistymon moved the ball from back to front starting with a Joe Dowling interception at the corner-back position and working the ball upfield to McConigley who only had goal on his mind.
True to form however, Kilkee never gave up the ghost and after Barry Harte and Michael O’Shea had pulled back points by the 54th minute, there was only the minimum between the sides once more. They failed to get that vital score however, with their best chance coming from a quick Williamson free that picked out Gearoid Lynch, but his attempt to pick out the onrushing Senan Larkin for a potential goal instead of taking his own score failed, much to the relief of Ennistymon who literally weathered the storm to hang on for promotion.