Category: Sport

Meelick 0-11 – Kilrush Shamrocks 2-04 at Pairc Finne. Corofin

DON’T let the scoreline fool you. With only a point in it, Meelick were left hanging on for all their worth when the game rolled into the sixth minute of injury time.

The south east Clare side eventually stumbled over the line – had they actually contrived to lose, it would have been football’s equivalent of the injustice perpetrated again Captain Alfred Dreyfus himself.

The Frenchman was exiled to Devil’s Island in the wrong – Meelick would have been exiled in the island of junior football for another year at least, something that would have been very rough justice indeed, given their mastery over the hour.

This was particularly evident in the second half when they hit seven points to move 0-11 to 0-4 clear by the 50th minute. It was a cruise with county panellists Kevin and Barry Harnett pulling the strings in a Meelick side that had more football, better fitness and the legs on a slew of rotund Shams that looked a forlorn and beaten docket for much of the second half.

But looks were deceiving as a David O’Shea penalty in the 59th minute teed up a dramatic finale. Suddenly Meelick were rattled, while their worst nightmare then threatened to unfold when another Shams onslaught yielded a second goal in the fifth minute of injury time from Cian Murray when he blasted to the net from 14 yards. Suddenly it was back to the minimum.

That this nightmare passed a minute later was down Michael Fitzgerald’s final whistle, but ultimately because Meelick had done enough in the first 59 minutes to book their place in the intermediate ranks for the first time.

They had dominated both halves, starting the better with points on five and eight minutes from influential centre-forward Pat Finucane, even if their failure to turn possession into scores eventually allowed the Shams gain a foothold when they opened their account when John Kelly pointed a 23rd minute free.

Meelick bounced back with another Finucane point from play in the 27th minute, only for the Shams to respond almost immediately when David O’Shea and Calum Bond teed up Sean Naughton for a fine point as this decider finally came to life. This raise in standard was then completed in injury time when Gary Moloney placed Andy White for a point to give Meelick a 0-4 to 0-2 interval lead.

Alas, the quality in the second half was lopsided, with Meelick effectively winning the title when hitting four points without reply in the opening 12 minutes as they moved 0-8 to 0-2 clear.

All came from play as Kevin Harnett (2), Niall Mullen and Gary Moloney put a rampant Meelick side on their way. All the Shams could muster in the first 20 minutes were points from Cian Murray and Sean Madigan that left them seven adrift after two more Kevin Harnett points from frees and one from play by Oisín Hickey suggested a predictable finale.

It was far from that, of course, when Michael Murray was pulled down for the penalty that David O’Shea drove home. Then Cian Murray’s strike brought the Shams back from the brink and Meelick to the edge of the abyss.

Justice was served when the unthinkable didn’t happen – that Meelick survived and the Shams came up short.

Shams would admit that themselves.

BEING from Miltown Malbay, Meelick manager Pat O’Rourke saw the Shams in action many times on Hennessy Memorial Park – that’s why he was prepared for what happened at the end when the former kingpins of Clare football kept plugging away and nearly ambushed his team.

“Kilrush were always to come at us,” he said drawing breath at the end, just after their seemingly unassailable seven-point lead had been chopped to the bare minimum. “They are a strong senior club and I new they would keep going. We just got over the line and that’s all that mattered.

“We missed easy scores in the first half and if you don’t take those scores you’re going to be in trouble. We knew we were good enough if we played to our potential and I think we did. Apart from missing handy scores we really did ourselves justice today,” he added.

And, that went for the year as a whole, a window into which O’Rourke introduced anyone who was listening as the junior championship trophy was being presented to captain Kevin Harnett. “We have been training since last February,” he revealed, “and between league and championship we have lost two games all year. So we had a lot of work put in. Today was the big one for us, the one we wanted to win.

“From now on everything else is a bonus. We will look forward to playing Munster Club. Any Kerry or Cork team that you play are going to be good. All we can do is go out and do our best to do the county proud,” he added. Meelick v Dr omid Pea r ses @ Meelick, Sunday 2pm Refer ee – Richa r d Moloney (Limer ick)

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.

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

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

THE victorious Lifford league and cup double winning team of 1975/76 will be the focus of celebrations when the club marks its 50th anniversary on Saturday night.

Club members past and present will gather in the Auburn Lodge Hotel to recall memories of the club’s half a century in existence.

The mid-seventies is regarded, as a golden period in the club’s long history and a special presentation will be made to members of Lifford’s double winning team on the night.

“We’re hoping for a big night to mark the 50th and the focus will be on the double winning team”, said long serving club member John O’Neill.

The club was set up in 1961 a year before the formation of the first Clare soccer league. It grew out of the ashes of another club – Ennis United – whose members played in the Limerick District Soccer League. Lifford’s founding members includ- ed Michael O’Gorman, Frank McInerney, Jimmy Coughlan, Noel Bane and Declan and Freddy Ensko. Both Michael O’Gorman and Frank McInerney were also centrally involved in setting up the Clare soccer league in 1962. Lifford played its first game in autumn of that year and under the captaincy of Syl Cosgrove, claimed the Fergus Cup in 1963. O’Neill explained that another cup victory was secured in 1968 when Lifford played under the name of Rockmount. The seventies saw Lifford enjoy a sustained period of success at adult and youths level. “The 70s were the highpoint for the club. We were always competitive”, said O’Neill. The emergence of Avenue United in 1983 presented a new challenge and new rivalry to Lifford. The club established a schoolboy’s section in 1984 with a Ladies team following in 1988. Lifford produced a number of schoolboy internationals including Gary Flynn and Alan Brooks. The Ladies team too provided a conveyor belt of talent to Irish teams. Lifford ladies also enjoyed a spectacular period of success from the early nineties onwards, winning numerous county and national titles.

For 31 years Lifford played their home games at land on the site of Our Lady’s Hospital before moving in 2007 to Cassidy Park, a € 500,000 development in Drumcliffe.

Premier league and cup success has eluded Lifford since the seventies but with the establishment of the club’s new underage academy, O’Neill is confident about the club’s future.

“We’ve come close to winning it (league) a few times but we’re well set up for the future. We have 30 kids signed up for the academy. Things are moving on”.

Lifford’s 50th Anniversary night takes place at the Auburn Lodge, Hotel Ennis on October 29. There will be a performance on the night from 12 piece orchestra, the West Coast Big Band.

Lisca nnor 1-4 West Cla r e Gaels 1-3 At Hennessy Memor ia l Pa r k, Milt own Ma lbay THE INCLEMENT weather and heavy conditions underfoot meant that this decider was dominated by the defences of Liscannor and West Clare Gaels.

The final started with Liscannor taking the play to their opponents and before long Emer Hillary had laid off a lovely pass to Aishling Torpey who opened the scoring for the northerners. Liscannor were more assertive in the first quarter but against the run of play, Ailish Brew goaled for the Gaels.

Midfielders Shauna Harvey and Collette Keniry kept pushing the at- tack, setting Rachel Clancy free to put the Gaels 1-1 to 0-1 ahead. Despite several Liscannor attacks involving Martina Scales, Sharon Roche and Katie Considine, it took another ten minutes for the next score to register and it was Siobhan Marrinan who oblidged for West Clare Gaels.

After 25 minutes, up and coming Under 13 Katie Considine set free a very industrious Aishling Torpey to take her second point of the game for Liscannor, just before they went in for the break at 1-2 to 0-2 in favour of the ladies from the Corca Baiscinn.

On the resumption, Aishling Torpey had only one thing on her mind but was prevented from goaling, winning a penalty in the process and levelling the game herself at 12. Player-of-the-Match Torpey ran the West Clare Gaels defence ragged in the third quarter, picking off two valuable points in succession to push them two points clear by the 48th minutes, where they would stay until the end.

Liscannor
Aoife Shannon,Therese Shannon, Sinead Considine, Roisin Rouine, Roisin Considine, Fiona Considine, Sarah Clair, Martina Scales, Emer Hillery, Sharon Roche,AishlingTorpey (1-4, 1f, 1-0 pen), Mairead Healy, Katie Considine, Clionadh Considine, Moira O’Donoghue, Niamh Fitzhenry, Sinead Shannon, Elaine Shannon,Aisling Nagle, Sarah Leigh.

Management
Marie Considine, Emma Slattery, Yvonne Flaherty,Anna O’ Connor and Ciara Slattery.

West Clare Gaels
SineadTevlin, Brid Foran, Grainne Harvey, Lauren Keane, Mary Beth Downes, Marie Foran, Emma McMahon, Shauna Harvey, Collette Keniry, Lauren McMahon (Capt), Ailish Brew(1-0), Rachel Clancy (0-1), Shauna Melican, Ciara Lynch, Siobhan Marrinan (0-1)

Subs
Caoimhe Harvey (0-1), Naoise Murray,Amy Keane, Rose Marrinan, Naoise Murray, Michaela Lynch, Becky Madigan

Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-14 – O’Callaghan’s Mills 1-05 at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

EXPERIENCE at the highest level was the decisive factor in this the first of two county final victories for Newmarket at the weekend. Having lost last year’s decider to double champions Crusheen, the Blues were back with a vengeance, with former seniors Michael McInerney, Dominic McMahon, Brian ‘Beano’ McMahon and captain Brian Clancy guiding their side to a first Junior A title in eight years.

The Mills themselves have been knocking on the door repeatedly in the knock-out stages these past few years but they can have few complaints after failing to take their chances, particularly in terms of goal opportunities over the hour.

As the 16 scores to six total emphasises, Newmarket were the sharper and more clinical side throughout, with an unanswered tally of 1-5 by the end of the opening quarter setting the tone for the win.

Mill’s full-forward Damien O’Connell opened the scoring in the first minute but they would have to take a backseat as Newmarket ruthlessly replied with a 16 minute purple patch. Michael McInerney and Dominic McMahon were both to the fore in that flurry of points while McInerney also set up Shane Liddy for the opening goal in the tenth minute.

That goal was cruel on the Mills particularly after they had just spurned a glorious chance of their own at the other end when Rory Neville picked out fellow corner-forward Cathal McKeogh at the back post but his shot was excellently blocked by the body of Shane Kelliher.

McKeogh did make up for that miss when starting O’Callaghan’s Mills second quarter fightback but further scores from Michael McInerney and Shane Liddy limited the half-time damage at 1-7 to 0-4.

Liddy’s frees also pushed his side further ahead on the resumption before the Mills were handed a lifeline. A goalmouth scramble in the 37th minute allowed substitute Aidan O’Gorman pull through a crowd of players to the net and gathering momentum, they also had two further goal chances that might have altered the narrative of this decider.

Expert defending from Clancy and McMahon ensured that didn’t happen though and after literally weathering the storm, Newmarket finished strongly by outscoring their opponents by 1-5 to 0-1 in the final quarter.

There were goal chances aplenty for either side as the game became more open and fragmented, with Michael McInerney central to the two that fell Newmarket’s way. In the 50th minute, his delivery over the top saw Dominic McMahon beat goalkeeper James Hook to the ball to pull to the net while two minutes later the imposing forward would see his rasping shot canon off the butt of the post to safety.

With only minutes remaining, Newmarket held an eleven point lead but the Mills never threw in the towel and goal efforts for McKeogh and substitute Enda McNamara had to be endured before Newmarket would finally realise their title dream at the second attempt.

Newmarket- on- Fergus
Ian Mulcahy (7), Seamus Meehan (7), Brian Clancy (8), Shane Kelliher (8), Paudie Hayes (7), Brian McMahon (8), Darren Cullinan (7), Neil Ryan (7) (0-1), Niall Enright (7), Martin Frawley (6), Paul McInerney (7), Michael McInerney (9) (0-3), Dominic McMahon (8) (1-3), Gerry Hannon (7) (0-2), Shane Liddy (7) (1-5 3f)

Sub
LiamClancy (6) for Frawley (47 mins)

O’Callaghan’s Mills
James Hook (7), Michael McGrath (8), Barry Heffernan (7), Ollie Nash (7), Brendan Hannon (7) (0-1f), Conor Cooney (7), Darren Cooney (8), Noel Nash (6), John McGrath (7), Paul Murphy (6), Robbie Madden (7) (0-1), Ian Donnellan (6), Rory Neville (6), Damien O’Connell (7) (0-1), Cathal McKeogh (7) (0-2)

Subs
Aidan O’Gorman (7) (1-0) for Donnellan (24 mins), Enda McNamara for O’Connell (52 mins), Eoin McInerney for McGrath (52 mins)

Man of the Match
Michael McInerney (Newmarket- on- Fergus) Referee Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora/

Whitegate 0-14 – Killanena 1-09 at Ogonnelloe

KILLANENA’S senior dream only lasted one season as they dropped back down to intermediate level at the first time of asking. Indeed, it was a tense battle of the last two intermediate champions with Whitegate just doing enough to hang onto their status for another year. Emigration and injury had taken it’s toil on both threadbare squads during the year as they were forced to play off for their senior championship lives and in the end, it was Whitegate’s rearguard that showed the way to consolidate their place in the 2012 championship.

In total, all but two of Whitegate’s points came from the back, with goalkeeper Andrew Fahey central to that defensive charge with half of their total from placed balls. County senior Brendan Bugler (3) and John Minogue (2) as well as All-Ireland Intermediate winning goalkeeper Fahey (5) had Whitegate 0-11 to 0- 02 clear by the 28th minute but they would only hold a five point advantage into the break after a David McNamara 20 metre free gave Killanena some much needed hope.

Indeed, that suckerpunch was to hurt Whitegate as they would not score again until the 50th minute. Instead, Killanena gathered momentum, hitting three successive points to get to within two at 0-11 to 1-06. Eric Minogue did stop the rot with ten minutes to go followed by an- other Fahey long range free but with the bit between their teeth, Killanena threw everything at their neighbours that yielded three more points to cut the deficit to the minimum by the hour mark.

That understandably set up a nervous finish but fittingly it was goalkeeper Fahey who cemented the victory in the 62nd minute when he hit his seventh score to keep his side at the highest level and send Killanena back down to intermediate.

Whitegate
AndrewFahey (0-7 5f, 2’65), Cathal Mulvihill, John Bugler,Trevor Kelly, Jason Malone, Brendan Bugler (0-3), John Minogue (0-2), Ian Fahy, Tomás McNamara, Eric Minogue (0-1), Patrick Minogue, Shane O’Rourke, Patrick Burke,Terence Fahy, GeorgieWaterstone (0-1f)

Subs
Ray Cahill for Waterstone, Eoin Quirke for O’Rourke

Killanena
David Noone, Enda Collins, Joe Clancy, Pat Noone, Eoin McMahon, John O’Mara, Stephen McMahon, Mikey Noone, Padraig Brady, Fintan McNamara, Shane Moroney, John Noonan, Gerry McNamara, David McNamara,Alan McNamara

Sub
Jack Houlihan for Noonan

Referee
TomStackpoole

Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-16 – Clarecastle 2-06 at Clareabbey

NEIGHBOURS Newmarket and Clarecastle have had some memorable county final clashes in the last 50 years and while this wasn’t one of them, the Blues deservedly maintained their final hold over the Magpies.

This was the 14th county final derby meeting between the pair in that period, with Newmarket proving to be the Magpies bogey side on 12 occasions and while it wasn’t the county final that both sides would have aspired to at the beginning of the year, it still attracted a sizeable crowd.

Newmarket were full value for their latest title after sowing the seeds of victory in a clinical opening half display that saw them score the first six points of the game by the 30th minute. As ever, central to that scoring feat was county senior Colin Ryan who gave an exhibition of placed balls over the hour in an unerring mix of frees, ‘65’s and a late lineball.

Indeed, while his team-mates opted to try and kill off their opponents early with goals that was met with defiance from goalkeeper Donnagh Murphy and some dogged defending from the Magpies’s last line, Ryan’s experience in tacking on points saw him pick up the first five scores of the game, four of those from placed balls.

Jonathan Clancy had Clarecastle’s best chance of a goal but after being put under pressure, his effort hit the side netting. David Barrett put the Blues six clear in the 30th minute but the Magpies did spare themselves from an opening half whitewash two minutes into injury-time when Eamon Callinan converted a free from 35 metres.

Newmarket came storming out of the blocks once more on the restart, with county seniors Colin Ryan (2) and an inspirational long-range James McInerney point from 65 metres extending their advantage to eight by the 34th minute.

The game seemed to be drifting away from Clarecastle but they received a major shot in the arm with two quick-fire goals in as many minutes to make a contest of it once more. The first stemmed from a Darragh Moloney delivery that was broke by Derek Quinn to the unmarked Danny Scanlon who had the simple task of hitting to an empty net. And only two minutes later, a slice of fortune got the Magpies to within two points of their opponents when a Derek Quinn shot for a point rebounded off the upright into the path of Darragh Moloney to pull past goalkeeper Kieran Devitt.

The intensity was lifted once more and the Blues almost replied in kind but David Barrett hit his goalbound effort into the ground, although Colin Ryan did point the rebound.

With the bit between their teeth however, Clarecastle hit back once more, this time a superb solo effort from captain Tyrone Kearse who gathered possession on his own ’65 before soloing to halfway and arrowing over the bar.

Game on it appeared but Newmarket ruthlessly shut the door on their neighbours around the turn of the final quarter when an Anthony Kilmartin goal was sandwiched by Colin Ryan frees to restore a seven point lead.

Clarecastle kept plugging away with Eamon Callinan picking off three frees to cut the deficit to five with seven minutes remaining. However, the Blues finished the job when Ryan expertly cut a sideline over the bar followed by two successive Anthony Kilmartin points to complete their A, B and C hat-trick of adult titles.

Although the Canon Hamilton still eludes them, Newmarket are certainly moving in the right direction as their adult teams won championships this year in Junior A, Senior B and Junior C. And with a Clare Cup semifinal against Kilmaley this weekend, the push to make next year’s Senior A county final is already gathering momentum.