Category: Sport

Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-10 – Inagh/Kilnamona 1-08 at Cusack Park, Ennis

THE Blues are back on the honour roll, capturing their first Clare Cup in 37 years, following a hard fought two point win over the dogged Inagh/Kilnamona combination in Cusack Park on Sunday. This was an important win for Newmarket, one that gained them senior silverware of significance for the first time since their last championship success of 1981 and gives them momentum heading into 2012.

This fixture bucked the recent trend as it was switched from Sixmilebridge to Cusack Park because of a playable pitch! Headquarters was in better shape that a fortnight previously when the County Final was played on a saturated surface. While Sunday’s pitch was heavy, it was eminently playable and as a result the crowd were treated to patches of decent hurling in crisp, dry weather.

Newmarket were ahead throughout and were the better side, yet they had to sweat the closing minutes as Inagh/ Kilnamona won a late free and summoned goalkeeper Pat Kelly to go for goal. His blazing shot skimmed over the crossbar, referee Ger Hoey calling a halt to proceedings immediately after this.

Inagh/Kilnamona had stayed in the game thanks to the doggedness that has seen them ultra competitive this year. With their backs in particular standing up to attack after attack, as usual they went down with their boots on. Indeed it would almost have been fitting if Kelly had goaled from the 21 yard free as he had been outstanding throughout the match, making three point blank saves of the highest quality.

Newmarket opened the livelier and took an early lead they would never lose. Colin Ryan pointed from a placed ball in the first minute and Eoin Hayes followed with a white flag from play a minute later. Niall Arthur answered for Inagh/Kilnamona with a free of his own after five minutes but soon after shot the first of seven first half wides, a stat that would come back to haunt the combo, who played a nervy opening half. With Colin Ryan landing ninety yard frees and both half backlines on top, it soon became clear that chances would be at a premium, Newmarket’s scorer in chief Ryan proving the value of a free taker. He finished with five first half point, four of them from frees, all of them from decent distances.

Haulie Vaughan had the combo’s only point from play in that first half and it was sandwiched between two similar scores for Newmarket, one from a Ryan free and one from Blues half forward Enda Kelly. A Niall Arthur free brought Inagh/Kilnamona within two at 0-5 to 0-3 before the games most crucial score on fifteen minutes. A long delivery from James McInerney seemed meat and drink to an Inagh/Kilnamona full backline that looked comfortable to that point, but the ball broke kindly for full forward Anthony Kilmartin. Almost twenty yards out the Blues man still had work to do but he blasted to Pat Kelly’s right hand side for a green flag of quality. This was the daylight that Newmarket would keep between the sides for the rest of the game, a goal that would light up any match, all the more precious as Kelly really had his eye in between the posts.

With the Inagh/Kilnamona forwards stuttering when shooting opportunities arose and Niall Arthur missing two frees, his brother Ger took over the placed ball duties for one free which he duly dispatched to close the gap to four, 1-5 to 0-4 before a period of backs dominence.

This would be the pattern for most of the second half as well as both half backlines won and cleared ball at will. Alan Barrett and Darren O’Connor were prominent throughout for the Blues, providing great support to the strong presence of James McInerney at centre back. His opposite number in the Inagh/Kilnamona half backline David Heagarty also stood out, giving a commanding hour at centre back.

With the half coming to a close Colin Ryan grabbed three quick points for Newmarket, two from play and one from a free, but only two counted. Following his long range effort from play Inagh/Kilnamona took a quick puck out which was intercepted by Ryan and duly desptached back over the bar, but referee Ger Hoey, after consultation with his umpires disallowed the score as a Newmarket forward had hindered Kelly on the attempted quick puck out. No matter, Ryan added a free a minute later.

Down six points now and with the half time whistle imminent, Inagh/ Kilnamona conjured up a goal of their own, Kieran Devitt saving well from a blast from Eamon Glynn, but helpless to prevent Eoin Vaughan from pulling the rebound to the net. The short whistle followed imediately and the combo headed for the dressing rooms only three points behind at 1-7 to 1-4 despite having shot seven wides, many from long range, while the Blues had been economical in the opening thirty with just one wide from play.

The second half began in a carbon copy of the first, a Newmarket goal chance within seconds. In the first half Kelly saved brilliantly from a Colin Ryan volley, on this occasion he could only watch as Eoin Hayes shaved the far post with a shot.

What followed was ten minutes of ping pong between the opposing back divisions, each unit totally on top. Newmarket played centre forward David Barret, along with brother Enda deeper in the second half and this extra manpower helped them stifle any space for Inagh/Kilnamona forwards.

After ten minutes of this Anthony Kilmartin struck for his second important intervention of the day, a point from play stretching the lead to four. Sporadic breakthroughs by forwards followed, but all of the shooting was long range.

With a few minutes to go two Niall Arthur frees and a Conor Tierney point from play had maintained the gap at three as Colin Ryan (free) and Sean O’Connor with an excellent effort from play, had kept the Blues three in front at 1-10 to 1-7.

With time almost up Kilmartin again burst through on goal but Pat Kelly somehow deflected his shot clear to keep his side in the game. Within a minute of the wonder save Conor Tierney was foulded close the Newmarket goal and Kelly was sent for with instructions to go low and try and win a replay for the combo. With the goal lined, he blasted hard but the shot was rising and it cleared the crossbar. There wasn’t time for the puck-out, Newmarket had held on by two in a game they never really looked like losing.

As usual Colin Ryan was the scoring star with six points, five from frees, but Anthony Kilmartin’s return of 1-1 off the combo’s always impressive Brian Glynn was crucial. All of the Blues forwards gave everything, with Sean O’Connor, David Barrett, Enda Kelly and Eoin Hayes battling hard against a very solid combo back line.

It was in their rearguard that the game was won however, the six backs all coming out on top in their personal battles, O’Connor and Barret really catching the eye at wing back. The full backline of O’Brien, Kelly and Niall O’Connor was also solid and strong throughout. Captain Enda Barrett and Eoin O’Brien hurled manfully in midfield and both played plenty of ball.

Inagh/Kilnamona, as they have been all year, are an extremely difficult side to shake off. Still young in years, their forwardline in particular will benefit from another year’s physical growth. Their backs are rock solid, guaranteeing they will stay in most games til the end. They’ll look at a total of eleven wides against three for Newmarket, but very few of these were clear cut chances.

Best for Inagh/Kilnamona was certainly goalkeeper Pa Kelly, who kept his side in the game with four top drawer saves. Elsewhere the backs were also impressive, with captain Dermot Lynch and Ronan O’Looney adding support to the imperious David Hegarty. Paul O’Looney battled manfully at midfield while the combo’s forwards struggling to impose themselves physically on Newmarket, their effort however was total.

Sixmilebridge 2-12 – Ballyea 0-13 at Clarecastle

IT was Ballyea’s shot at a first ever Minor A title; it was Sixmilebridge’s shot at redemption – not just at minor level, but as a club after their senior championship final ‘drowning’ against the Crusheen.

Redemption it was as the ‘Bridge overcame a sluggish start to power their way to a first minor title in a decade – their lucky 13th in all as they put the nightmare of losing the last three finals in the grade behind them against a plucky, but ultimately inferior Ballyea side.

It had looked good for Ballyea as they opened up a five-point lead go ing into the last five minutes of the first half, but a storming finish by the ‘Bridge that yielded 1-2 before the break changed the complexion completely.

And, this was added to on the turnover as the ‘Bridge slowly and mercilessly killed the game, firstly with points and then with their second goal from Alan Mulready in the 50th minute.

The power-play either side of the half-time was the winning of the game for the ‘Bridge – the losing of it for Ballyea who had been overwhelmed and outscored by 2-8 to 0-1 by a ‘Bridge side intent on blowing their opposition away.

You could say that this tone was set early on with seven yellow cards were brandished by Kevin Walsh and just over seven minutes gone.

It was that kind of game – tempestuous at times, but never out of hand as the two best minor sides in the county slugged it out for the Willie Chaplin Cup.

The scoring was opened by Jamie Shanahan when he landed a point from play in the first minute but two Tony Kelly points had Ballyea ahead by the tenth minute.

From there Ballyea pressed on with the impressive Stan Lineen edging the black and amber further ahead in the 14th minute before Kelly’s third point from play gave them a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 16th minute.

The ‘Bridge did stop the rot with a Jamie Shanahan point on 22 minutes but rapid-fire efforts from Aonghus Keane, Tony Kelly and Gearóid O’Connell had Ballyea 0-7 to 0-2 clear by the 26th minute and in control.

However, by half-time the pendulum had swung the other way. Points by Seadna Morey and Darragh Fitzgerald either side of added time and then a goal from Alex Morey brought the sides level, Sixmilebridge 1-4, Ballyea 0-7.

The ‘Bridge were only starting, something they hammered home in decisive fashion on the turnover. Tony Kelly’s 36th minute effort was all Ballyea had to show for their early efforts while the ‘Bridge sprinted clear by adding 1-6 to their tally. Ballyea’s cause was not helped by the relocation of Tony Kelly to full forward for a spell, the Clare star having to be returned to midfield where he once again found a supply of ball.

A brace by the impressive Conor Deasy by the 43rd minute edged the ‘Bridge 1-8 to 0-8 clear, before points by Brian Carey and Alan Mulready stretched the gap to five by the threequarter stage.

Then county minor star Mulready applied the killer blow – driving through the middle for a goal in the 50th minute that put the ‘Bridge 2-10 to 0-8 clear and with a double scores lead they were out of sight.

Almost that is because, because five-in-a-row from never-say-die Ballyea – four of which came from Tony Kelly and the other from Ryan Griffin – brought it back to a threepoint game by the 58th minute.

A goal could have saved them, but in truth it never looked like coming as the ‘Bridge just drew breath, steadied and added points from Sean Lynch and Seadna Morey to give them the victory their display thoroughly deserved.

Sixmilebridge
Pa Freeman, Eoin Hogan, Conlith Agnew(0-1), Evan McInerney, Darragh McNamara, Seadna Morey (0-2), Dylan Fleming, Brian Carey (0-1), John Mulready, Brian Corry, Jamie Shanahan (0-2), Darragh Fitzgerald (0-1),Alex Morey (1-1),Alan Muready (1-1), Conor Deasy (0-2, 1f).

Subs
Sean Lynch (0-1) for J Mulready, David Murphy for Fitzgerald.

Ballyea
Conor Harkins, Darragh Crowe, Eoin Donnellan, Lee Brady,Aonghus Keane (0-1), Jack Browne, Joe Neylon,Tony Kelly (0-9, 3f), Gearóid O’Connell (0-1), Ryan Griffin (0-1), Stan Lineen (0-1),Tadhg Lynch, Paul Meaney, Niall Deasy, Diarmuid Lorrigan.

Subs
Lee Sherlock for Lorrigan,Alan Dalton for Meaney.

Man of Match
Tony Kelly (Ballyea) Referee KevinWalsh (WolfeTones)

THE celebrations at the end said it all.

This was Sixmilebridge’s 12th county minor success, but coming after a three-in-a-row of final defeats at the hands of Inagh/Kilnamona, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Kilmaley, it was no wonder this one was greeted as vociferously as the first way back in 1970 when the legendary Christy ‘The Craw’ Murray captained them to victory over Smith O’Brien’s in Dr Daly Park.

“It was brilliant to win, just brilliant. It’s a great feeling,” said manager Brian Culbert, himself a minor championship winner with the ‘Bridge in 1997.

“It’s John Corbett below in the field who has the pitch in immaculate condition to the lads in the senior club, minor club. The whole parish was involved in this minor victory and it was a great feeling at the final whistle.

“It was a serious battle. It was only the last 15 or 20 that we pulled away. It was tit-for-tat the whole way from the first whistle.

“We said at half-time to stick with it. The first 15 minutes of the game was just a battle and fighting and wrestling for the ball – it was hard because there was no pattern to the game.

“We told the lads to settle down and once we started hurling we knew we’d come through. Once Ballyea didn’t stop us hurling we knew we’d have the hurling to win,” he added.

And so it proved, with the ‘Bridge reeling in Ballyea before half-time, then turning the screw in the second half as their hurling gradually overpowered their opponents.

“There was no pressure on us,” revealed Culbert afterwards. “It was the first final in the four years that we went into that we went into as massive underdogs. That helped our lads. The lads knew that there was no pressure. A lot of the pressure was on Ballyea because they were favourites.

“We knew that if we performed we were confident in our own ability. We were confident when we started in February that if we hurled we would come through as champions for the year.

“Key for us was that we switched Seadna Morey on to Tony Kelly and put Brian Carey back centre-back. It gave us a lot more space – our halfback line and half-forward were crowding midfield and Tony Kelly couldn’t get the space he needed and they resorted to putting him in fullforward,” he added.

Ca r r igt wohill (Cor k) v Cr usheen @ Pa ir c Ui Chaoimh, Sunday 2pm NEWLY REAPPOINTED county champions Crusheen will be determined not to be once more disappointed at the first Munster championship hurdle as they prepare for their second successive provincial assault this Sunday. After the unprecedented high of capturing a first ever Canon Hamilton crown this time last year, the Blood and Bandages were soon brought back down to earth when ousted on home soil by Tony Considine’s Kilmallock.

It wasn’t necessarily the defeat but the manner of it that cut the deepest as some basic defensive errors and injuries to key performers saw them self-destruct at the first obstacle. County final man-of-the-match Cian Dillon dislocated his thumb early in the game but came back on to help the cause while a persistent injury to chief midfield architect Pat Vaughan refused to halt another leadership display despite his obvious discomfort. However, from a position of comfort, Crusheen uncharacteristically imploded to dramatic effect before their inevitable late rally.

That game still rankles with Crusheen and now back as Clare’s senior representatives, they will be doubly determined not to let another glorious opportunity pass them by as in reality, they are only 60 minutes away from a provincial decider.

However, they aren’t the only side in this encounter to be smarting from their first foray into Munster action. Cork Champions Carrigtwohill began their Munster career in the Intermediate Club Championship quarter-final against none other than Clare champions Clonlara in 2007 and appeared to be heading for victory after rallying from a two point half-time deficit to lead by six in the second period. However, a feature of Clonlara’s emerging campaign that year was their remarkable ability to bounce back off the ropes and face adversity head on and it would stand them in good stead as they eventually powered back to win by three on their way to the Munster crown that year.

Perversely, it seems that Carrigt- wohill have learned greatly from that valuable lesson and honed a neversay-die attitude of their own to rise meteorically to the top of the Rebel hurling ladder. Their’s is a remarkable rags to riches story in itself as they struggled to fend off relegation in their opening two years at the sen- ior grade before bucking the 100/1 odds placed upon them for this year’s championship to finally bridge a 93 year gap of senior championship success.

That battlehardened exterior makes them tough opponents for Crusheen, particularly as they have grafted for every victory in their five championship outings, with three points their biggest winning margin.

Cork senior Niall McCarthy remains their inspiration at centre-forward but they are also bolstered at centre-back where Noel Furlong has been imperious all season. Added to McCarthy’s exprience up front is full-forward Mickey ‘Da’ Fitzgerald who picked up a cool six points in their 0-15 to 1-11 county final victory over CIT in the county decider while former Cork attacker Seanie O’Farrell, who grabbed three goals in the 2007 county intermediate decider and a goal against Clonlara in the Munster campaign, is still as potent as ever which he proved in the county final when popping up for the winning point.

However, if Crusheen have proven anything over the past few years, it’s that when it comes to grinding out results, there are few better around. In particular their half-back unit of Cathal and Cian Dillon and Ciaran O’Doherty have been unstoppable, County senior captain Pat Vaughan is the unquestionable engine and main source of inspiration while up front, David Forde, Fergus Kennedy, Gerry O’Grady and Gearoid O’Donnell have all been to the fore in the business end of the championship.

Clare’s record in this competition doesn’t inspire confidence as since Tulla reached the Munster decider in 2007, their three successors Clonlara, Cratloe and Crusheen have all crashed out in their opening match.

Crusheen certainly have the ability and more importantly the motivation to alter that dismal statistic and despite having to travel to Cork, they won’t be found wanting this time around. Verdict: Crusheen Sunday Oct ober 31, 2010 Munst er Senior Club Cha mpionship Qua r t er -Fina l Kilma llock 2-11 Cr usheen 0-14 at Cusack Pa r k, Ennis A SIX MINUTE horror show made this a Halloween nightmare for Crusheen as they disappointtingly exited the Munster championship at the first hurdle. Despite holding the upper hand for large chunks of the game, Crusheen’s undoing came in the six minute period immediately after half-time when they uncharac teristically conceded 2-4 and from that point on, it left a mountain to climb for the newly crowned Clare champions. Their much vaulted defence were surprisingly the villains of the piece

this time around as both goals were eminently preventable and while Kilmallock would only score two more points for the remainder, Crusheen were unable to pull back a goal that would have set up a grandstand finale.

In essense, it was the fortunes of their three county senior stars Paddy Vaughan, Cian Dillon and Donal Tuohy that would have a significant bearing on the outcome of this game. Vaughan’s persistent groin problems made him a doubt for this game but he more than played his part by scoring seven points and giving everything for the cause before being forced to retire late on. Added to that was a dislocated thumb sustained by defensive lynchpin Cian Dillon early in the contest that saw him substituted after only ten minutes, only to reappear in the second quarter. Those injuries severely dented Crusheen’s chances of advancing to the quarter-finals but the match altering goals were ultimately the nails in the coffin that buried the Clare champion’s bid.

Crusheen had dominated the first half exchanges and should have been much further ahead than the 0-7 to 0-5 half-time scoreline. In fact, defensive errors coughed up three of Kilmallock’s first half total but Crusheen still appeared comfortable going in at the break.

Whatever was in the half-time oranges however, Kilmallock emerged a completely different side and quickly tacked on four points within three minutes, including two from the stick of the impressive Graeme Mulcahy and one from his brother Jake. However, it was the hammer blow to Crusheen of conceding two soft goals in a minute that turned this game on it’s head and left them eight points in arrears.

They appeared dead and buried but somehow dug deep to muster up one final rally, scoring seven of the next eight points mainly through the leadership of Gearoid O’Donnell and the varied skills of Paddy Vaughan who was equally adept from play, frees or sidelines.

Having held Kilmallock scoreless for 18 minutes, Crusheen simply couldn’t obtain the goal they so badly craved mainly due to the outstand ing defending of Gavin O’Mahony and they were finally undone when Paudie O’Brien scored the insurance point in the 60th minute.

Ultimately, on a Halloween day that promised so much, there were more tricks than treats for the Clare cham- pions who exited the competition at the first hurdle for the third consecutive year.

Kilmallock
Barry Hennessy, LiamHurley, Philip O’Loughlin, Kevin O’Mahony, LiamWalsh, Gavin O’Mahony, Bryan O’Sullivan, Eoin Ryan (0-1), Paudie O’Brien (0-1), Paudie O’Dwyer (0-2), Shane O’Donnell (1-0), Gavin O’Sullivan, Graeme Mulcahy (0-2),AndrewO’Shaughnessy (1-3 3f), Jake Mulcahy (0-2)

Subs

Ballyduff 3-08 – Éire Óg 2-10 at Austin Stack Park, Tralee

GREEN was the colour for Ballyduff, but it was speckled with traditional Kerry gold on Sunday as they deservedly booked their place in the provincial final in what’s fast becoming the greatest year in their history since they won All-Ireland senior honours way back in 1891.

The Éire Óg Townies came to Tralee in confident mood, saw what the Ballyduff boys were made of, but could have no complaints about being conquered such was the passion play produced by these hardy annuals from north Kerry.

Ballyduff won, simply by dint of having the physicality that suited the soft underfoot conditions, but also because of their intensity and, most of all, their ability to get goals at crucial stages.

The first came just after the Townies’ star performer, Davie O’Halloran, put his side a goal clear in the first half – Mikie Boyle’s strike brought Ballyduff back to parity, while a brace via Gary O’Brien and Aiden Boyle inside two minutes either side of the three-quarter stage put them six clear and on the high road.

These goals buttressed them for the Éire Óg onslaught in the last ten minutes as they finally threw off the shackles and brought the game to the wire when Fergus Flynn’s 21-yard free was deflected to the net through a forest of Ballyduff defenders.

The gap was back to the minimum, but hand on hurleys, even the most partisan of Townies would admit that a travesty would have transpired if Ballyduff were caught at the death.

Put simply, Ballyduff seemed to want it more – much more, as they went about showing that hurling is alive and well in the traditional heartland of the game in north Kerry.

Firstly they laid down a marker with the opening score of the game – one that was a portent of things to come as the Boyle brothers combined, with Liam firing a long delivery to Michael on the edge of the square who fielded brilliantly and drove over confidently from 25 yards.

Liam ‘Jap’ Boyle was a colossus all through at left-half-back – Mikie Boyle was man-of-the-match, whether at full-forward, centre-forward or back behind midfield with fielding that would have done a Kerry footballer proud.

Éire Óg couldn’t cope with them and were too dependent on Davie O’Halloran for scores, while those around him failed to reach their county final heights.

But still, the Townies were more than holding their own in the first half as the sides were level on four occasions inside the first 24 minutes – Danny Russell finding the range from two placed balls from distance, while Davie O’Halloran chipping in with two from play, which ensured the sides were level at 0-4 apiece.

And when O’Halloran blasted to the net after 25 minutes it looked briefly as if he had liberated the Townies from the dogged resistance of the Kerrymen – only to gift them an equalising goal two minutes later when Bobby O’Sullivan’s free was batted clear by Kevin Brennan, but straight into the path of Mikie Boyle who flashed it back one-handed to the net to tie the sides at 1-4 each.

In truth, Éire Óg never really recovered from that strike, even though the sides were level at the break after Danny Russell and Bobby O’Sullivan swapped frees. It could have been much worse for the Townies, had Ballyduff not spurned two glorious opportunities for points and had the combination of Kevin Bren- nan and the butt of his right post not prevented Mikie Boyle from hitting a second goal.

However, there was nothing Brennan could do to stem the Ballyduff powerplay in the first 16 minutes of the second half when they outscored the Townies by 2-2 to 0-2 to move 3-7 to 1-7 clear. They showed their intent with points from Bobby O’Sullivan and Mikie Boyle inside the first six minutes only for a Danny Russell free and Davie O’Halloran’s third from play to restore parity by the 38th minute.

But there was no denying Ballyduff as they carved open the Éire Óg defence on 44 minutes, with Padraig Boyle teeing up Pat Joe Connolly for a goal chance – he missed but Gary O’Brien made no mistake when crashing to the net from seven yards.

O’Brien turned provider two minutes later, when the Éire Óg defence was again marked as láthair , this time it was Aiden Boyle’s turn to goal and put his side 3-7 to 1-8 clear.

It was the point of no return for the Townies, but they went down fighting thanks to a grandstand finish that just came up short. A couple of Davie O’Halloran frees pegged the gap back to four by the 56th minute before substitute David Reidy added another in the 58th minute.

A minute later Reidy looked to have levelled matters up only for this chipped effort from 12 yards to come back off the post – the goal the Townies craved eventually came via Fergus Flynn’s 21-yard free in the 63rd minute but only after Bobby O’Sullivan’s point from a 21 had given Ballyduff the crucial bit of breathing space their play over the hour richly deserved.

Ballyduff
PJ O’Gorman (7), Jason Bowler (7), Paud Costello (7), David O’Grady (7),Ally O’Connor (7), Padraig O’Grady (8), LiamBoyle (9), Bobby O’Sullivan (7) (0-4f), Barry O’Grady (7), Gary O’Brien (7) (1-1),Aiden Boyle (8) (1-0), Padraig Boyle (7), Pat Joe Connolly (7), Mikie Boyle (9) (1-3),Anthony O’Carroll (7).

Subs
TomO’Rourke for O’Carroll [55 Mins], JP Leahy for Connolly [62 Mins].

Éire Óg
Kevin Brennan (7), Cathal Whelan (6), Cormac O’Regan (6), Marc O’Donnell (7),Tadhg McNamara (6), Fergus Flynn (7) (1-0f), Kevin Moynihan (7), Noel Whelan (7), Mark Fitzgerald (7), Danny Russell (7) (0-3, one 65), David Ryan (6), Ronan Keane (6), David O’Halloran (9) (1-5, 2f), Barry Nugent (6),Thomas Downes (6).

Subs
AdrianWalsh (6) for Noel Whelan [51 Mins], Kevin Hally (6) for O’Regan [51 Mins], David Reidy (7) (0-1) for Downes [62 Mins]

Hermitage A 1 – Burren United 1 at The Fairgreen, Ennis

IT was a case of honours even at the Fair Green on Sunday as Hermitage and Burren United battled it out for a share of the spoils.

A superb strike from Burren’s Evan Talty was cancelled out shortly before half time by Richie Fitzgerald’s tap in. Level at halftime, both sides pressed for the winner after the break. But despite the game opening up neither side could make the breakthrough. Burren’s failure to do so owed much to a couple of outstanding saves from Tage goalkeeper Joe Burke.

The Ennis side created a couple of decent chances of their own but couldn’t find the back of the net,

Tage, beaten in their opening two league games, made the brighter start. Gerry Dullaghan tested Burren goalkeeper Craig Flannagan with a couple of long-range efforts before Eoin O’Meara Daly headed over in the 18th minute.

Having pushed Avenue United all the way in last week’s extra time defeat, Burren responded to the early pressure in a positive fashion. Talty and Chris Maoczek both went close before Dan Carey’s header was tipped over the crossbar by Burke.

The visitor’s energetic spell was rewarded with a goal in the 36th minute. Decent work by Pat Connole on the right wing teed up Talty in yards of space midway inside the Tage half. With options aplenty, the midfielder elected to go for an early and powerfully hit shot that eluded Burke.

It didn’t take long for Tage to hit back. Fitzgerald latched onto Gerry Dullaghan’s precise through ball in the 40th minute. Flannagan kept out the first effort but Fitzgerald was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Burren were the better side for long periods of the second half. Yet for all their pacy approach work the north Clare team could find no way past Burke in the Hermitage goal.

Martin McDonagh’s stinging half volley drew an outstanding save from the former Lifford man who later denied the same player as the game drew to a close.

Tage had some decent moments in the latter stages but both sides had to settle for a share of the points.

Hermitage
Joe Burke, Eoin Kane, Rhys Phillips, Eoghan Ryan, Neil Mills, John Maher, Gerry Dullaghan, Sean McGhee, Eoin O’Meara Daly, Richard Fitzgerald, Paul Dullaghan

Subs
Robert Dunne for O’Meara Daly, Paul Dinan for P Dullaghan, Chris Gaulier for McGee

Burren United
Criag Flannagan, Michael Reddan, Eric Murrihy, Dan Carey, Michael Keating, EvanTalty, Pat Connole, Pat Nagle, Martin McDonagh, Chris Maoczek,Alex Garcia

Subs
Stephen Moloney for Nagle, Marine Ghiat, Mark McCarthy

Referee
Pa Gleeson

WHEN it was all over, Ballyduff’s play everywhere man-of-the-match Mikie Boyle thundered over to the grandstand, scaled much of the wire and with his right hand that broke Éire Óg hearts all afternoon gave a series of fist-clenched salutes to their Kerry Kop.

Fully five minutes later, the crescendo that greeted Ballyduff’s victory had barely died down when Éire Óg boss Tony Nugent tried to explain away where it all went wrong for his emerging side.

Yes, Ballyduff were a senior side and Éire Óg were intermediate. But it was still Kerry v Clare in hurling, with the mantle of favourites always going to fall with Éire Óg, something they ultimately couldn’t live with in the face of Ballyduff’s powerplay.

“To have trained hard since last February and to finish up here,” reflected Nugent (below), with his words barely audible above the din. “They might never get a chance like this again. It was a huge opportunity for them. They know that as well.

“We knew Ballyduff would be good and they proved that today. We saw them against Courcy Rovers in Coughduv and we know ex – a c t l y what they w e r e going to br i ng. It wasn’t i nt erm e d i a t e h u r l ing out t here, it was senior hurling.

“They are a senior team, with big strong men and if we were to try and mix it with them, we were going to come off second best. The conditions suited them. We have a small halfforward line and we need the ball to be going at 90 miles an hour. It suited their game.

“The only thing is, if we played Ballyduff in June, July or August – September even, I think the game would be different. The ball would be moving faster and we would be better. With small, slight guys, if it’s too slow for them, they’re going to get knocked out of it. If it’s moving fast they’re better,” he added.

Of course, the one exception over hour was Éire Óg’s star man, Davie O’Halloran – probably the smallest man on the field but head and shoulders above every other Townie on the field, winning lavish praise from Nugent for his attitude and application of a gameplan responsible for bringing the Townies back into the senior ranks.

“Davie was Davie,” said the former Clare senior captain. “He brings huge intensity to it. At the start of the year we wanted to defend from number 15 back, not from number one up. In fairness they did that and Davie’s number 15 and he works extremely hard for us.

“He got his few scores today and fair play to him. He’s the type of guy I’d be looking to for the future of Clare hurling – a guy like him inside in the corner, giving you everything.”

Clare League 1 – Roscommon League 0 at The County Grounds, Doora

LAST year Clare reached the semifinal of this competition and were unlucky losers against Kilkenny in that penultimate round tie – this year it’s a case of starting from scratch with no survivors from that side.

However, it was certainly a case of a good start being half the work as the county side – managed by Alfonso D’Auria who is assisted by Dave Kerin and Keith Flynn – got their 2011/2012 Inter-League Youths campaign off to a winning start on Sunday.

The winning goal came 15 minutes into the second half when Dara Kerin’s corner was headed home by Niall Pender for the only goal of the game.

Clare were full value for the win that was built on a solid team performance, with the familiarity between the Avenue players in the starting 11 – they made up eight of the team – being key to the impressive display.

Indeed, they could have won by more than the lone goal. Donal O’Halloran was unlucky in the first half when his drive from 30 yeards seemed to be destined for the net only to hit the post.

The winning start now sets up Clare to challenge strongly to come out of the group and reach the knockout stages. Next up will be the Galway League at an away venue in three weeks time.

Clare League
Nathan Murray (Avenue United), Dean D’Auria (Avenue United), Paddy O’Malley (Avenue United), Kaylan O’Loughlin (Avenue United), Mark Hehir (Bridge United), Donal O’Halloran (Avenue United), Conor O’Brien (Avenue United), Sean Corry (Avenue United), Dara Kerin (Avenue United), Niall Pender (St Pat’s Kilmihil), Emmanuel Abadeyi (Ennis Town Rock)

Subs
Simon McDonagh (Manus Celtic), Raymond Esedebe (EnnisTown Rock), NickyTomasi (Ennis Town Rock).

THE ANNUAL GAA Handball AllStar Awards function will take place in the Croke Park Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday November 19th. The AllStars (in 15 seperate categories) are selected on a provincial basis, with with all four provincial winners in each category nominated for the national awards, which will be announced on the night.

Three Clare handballers were selected as Munster All-Stars as recognition of their success in 2011 Diarmaid Nash (Player of the Year), Pat Donnellan (Masters Player of the Year) and Tommy Hegarty (Official of the Year).

Tuamgraney clubman Nash had a stellar year in 2011, winning the Munster Senior Singles, All-Ireland Intermediate Singles and Doubles and the All-Ireland 3rd level colleges Open Singles titles as well as finishing runner-up in the Irish Nationals.

Scariff native Nash, who is also an inter-county hurler of note having represented Clare on underage teams right up to Minor and Under 21, faces stiff competition if he is to take the national award, the other nominees being Paul Brady (Cavan & Ulster), Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath and Leinster) and Dessie Keegan (Mayo and Connacht).

Pat Donnellan won Munster and All-Ireland titles in both Singles and Doubles this year, winning both Golden Masters B titles in the big alley. His selection as Munster Masters Player of the Year also made mention of his continued dedication to hand- ball at adult and juvenile level, particularly in his club, Kilkishen.

Clarecastle man Tommy Hegarty is a former County Board Secretary and is the current Treasurer and Leagues Secretary. Tommy receives the Munster Official of the Year award as a “key administration figure in his own club and county, where he is well known for his tremendous efficiency, and has done so for many years. Coordinated and ran one the most successful Feile competitions ever in 2010. In addition to club and county level, he is a delegate to the Munster handball council. This award is justification for all the time, hardwork and dedication he puts in as a very committed official of handball”.

The AGM of Clare County Handball Board was held recently and there were changes at the ‘top table’ as Willie Roche stepped aside as treasurer and will be replaced by Tommy Hegarty. Roche continues in his role as Chairman of the Munster Handball Council while Newmarket’s Michael Hogan was elected to the position of Secretary, replacing Padraic Garvey.

Matthew McMahon continues as County Chairman and Shane Walsh as PRO and the other new face on the Board’s executive is Kilrush’s Jason Ryan (Assisstant Secretary). The County Adult Handball Leagues will resume for the 2011-12 season in the coming weeks, clubs are reminded to forward final entry lists to Tommy Hegarty immediately.

WHERE the FAI Junior Cup is concerned, Avenue United are the bluebloods – thank God for that, Clare Soccer League officials must have been thinking on Sunday as they reflected on a bleak day for the county in the biggest knockout tournament in Europe.

All because, The Avenue apart, all the remaining Clare clubs who saw action on the day bowed out at the third round stage in the Clare/Kerry/ Desmond area section of blue riband of the junior game.

Worse still, three of the defeats came at home, with Manus Celtic, Ennis Town Rock and Newmarket Celtic failing to use the advantage of home comforts as all three went down to Limerick opposition.

Manus fare worst of all, going down 6-1 to Broadford, Ennis Town Rock came off second best by 3-1 to Newcastlewest, while Newmarket Celtic were pipped 3-2 by Ballingarry in a five goal thriller.

Bunratty/Cratloe made the long journey to the west Kerry Gaeltacht to take on Dingle Bay Rovers. The sides were level 2-2 after extra time, but the home side advanced when winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

That left Avenue to carry the Clare flag as they made the journey to Tral- ee a profitable one as they beat Classic FC 3-1. Classic had beaten Killarney Celtic in the previous round, but Avenue were full value for the win.

The opened the scoring through after 25 minutes when David Smythe’s corner was fumbled to the net by the Classic keeper. The Tralee side got back on terms from a penalty on 35 minutes but second half goals from Mikey Mahony and Sean Corry sealed Avenue’s win on the road.

Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Con Collins, David Russell, Mattie Nugent, David Herlihy, Barry Nugent, Gary Flynn, David Smythe, David McCarthy, Mikey Mahony. Subs Sean Corry for Mahoney, Shane Browne for Barry Nugent, Paddy O’Malley for Flynn.