Category: Sport

Clonlara 0-20 – Kilmaley 0-05 at Clooney

AND SO it came to pass. The perfect year of a clean sweep of league and championship honours that encompassed a 15 match winning run was finally realised on Saturday. Even the dogs around Clonlara could have told you that the title was destined for the club, especially after romping to the Junior A league.

And while this wasn’t their most impressive of displays this year, particularly in the opening period when only holding a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage, having benefitted from the aid of a strong breeze, once they opened up on the turnover it was merely a matter of how much the winning margin would eventually be.

Kilmaley for their part, fought the good fight in the opening half but against such a clinical outfit, they simply needed to take every opportunity and missed frees ultimately proved costly, six in the first half alone.

That said, it’s unlikely it would have mattered to the overall result as Clonlara were devastating in the second half with Barry Moloney unerring through frees while captain Alan O’Connell tacked on three points to cap off another masterful display.

Junior A championship beware.

Clonlara
Patrick Stritch, Patrick Conlon, Fergal

Barron, Owen Hackett, Patrick Clancy, Brian Woods, Ronan Carey, Diarmuid O’Meara (0-1 s/l), Barry Moloney (0-9f), Harry Horgan, Jason Murphy (0-1), Michael Collins, Ryan Morris (0-2), Paul Barry (0-2),Alan O’Connell (0-4)

Subs
Kieran Murphy for Clancy,TomBegley (0-1) for Horgan, Kenneth Haskett for Collins, Eoin Meehan for Conlon, Padraig Hession for Morris

Kilmaley
Eoin Meehan, ColmLynch, James Murphy, Darragh McMahon, Jacko Neylon (0-1), Gerard O’Sullivan, Sean Hogan, Ciaran O’Loughlin, DavidTalty, John McMahon, Dick Pyne, Darragh Gregan (0-1), Eamon Bracken (0-1), Gerry Kennedy (0-2), Dermot Queally

Subs
James O’Rourke for Queally, Eibhear Slattery for Pyne, Shane O’Malley for O’Loughlin, Dermot Maher for J. McMahon, Flan Queally for Talty

Man of the Match
Barry Moloney (Clonlara) Referee Michael Fitzgerald (Ballyea)

Wolfe Tones 1-10 – St Senan’s Kilkee 0-09 at Lissycasey

WHERE there’s football there’s hope.

It must have been the mission statement around Rineanna at the start of the year when they took a stock take of the footballers they had left at their disposal.

Privately they may have been talking about safeguarding senior status as their goal for 2011, but now they’re publicly stoking the dream of a landmark first ever county final appearance.

And, why not. Their chance seemed lost when they surrendered a fourpoint lead to the old dogs of Kilkee in the final minutes of the drawn game, but that theory was well and truly cast to the Kilmihil wind on Sunday afternoon as the Tones finally brushed aside the off-colour Blues.

It’s true that the Tones again made life difficult for themselves when racking up 11 sides over the hour and failing to kill the game in the second half when they had enough chances to ease away from their one-dimensional opponents.

But, they still got there, with the final nail driven into the Seasiders’ championship challenge deep in in jury time with a Patsy Keyes point that finally put the Tones into the comfort zone.

Until then there was always the threat of another Harry Houdini act from Aidan O’Keeffe’s charges – by dint of spirit and never-saying-die they had clawed their way to the safety of a draw the first day out and tried valiantly to go down the same road this time out, but lightening didn’t strike once more.

Two David Russell points off his left foot and another from Darragh Kelly had reduced matters to a 1-9 to 0-9 game deep in injury time as the Blues clawed their way back into contention, but it just wasn’t to be.

That this was the case was down to the Tones’ first half display when they were in complete control and racked up an impressive 1-7 to 0-2 interval lead. Midfield dominance from Patsy Keyes and Joe McGauley gave them the platform, while the forwards made light of the absence of the injured Chris ‘Chippy’ Dunning in grabbing the game by the scruff when playing with the breeze.

Full-forward Darren Ryan opened their account with a first minute point, before a seventh minute goal from Daniel Gallery had them on the high road as the blazed away from a lethargic Kilkee side.

A fisted point from the influen- tial Stephen Monaghan in the ninth minute had them 1-2 to no score clear before Chris Williamson finally broke Kilkee’s duck with a 15th minute point.

However, it wasn’t until injury time that Kilkee raised another flag and in between those scores Wolfe Tones tacked on five points, while their cause was further boosted when Michael O’Shea retired injured in the 20th minute.

Monaghan landed a long range point in the 16th minute while Daniel Gallery and Gary Leahy added two each before the Blues finally raised some cheer for themselves with a Barry Harte pointed free just before the break.

Michael O’Shea did re-appear in the second half while a Barry Harte point two minutes after the re-start threatened to spark another trademark Blues revival, but truth told they just hung in until the death on the back of some alarming profligacy by a Wolfe Tones team that lacked the ruthlessness to kill the game long before the end.

Points from free by Stephen Monaghan’s in the 40th minute and Gary Leahy free in the 59th was all they could muster from ample possession, a poor return that gradually enabled the Blues to chip away at their deficit.

A point from Michael O’Shea in 44th minute and two by Barry Harte by the 54th minute really kickstarted the comeback, while points by David Russell (2) and Darragh Kelly in injury time ensured that the Tones were living on their nerves in the final minutes.

Enter Patsy Keyes to ensure that Wolfe Tones’ remarkable journey from the departures lounge of Shannon Airport towards Cusack Park in high October continued.

Wolfe Tones
Jason Casey (7), Stephen Carroll (6), Sean Brennan (6), Craig O’Brien (7), ColmMcCaul (6), Brendan Hughes (7) WilliamFlynn (7), Patsy Keyes (7) (0-1), Joe McGauley (7), Daniel Gallery (8) (1-3), Kevin Cahill (7), Kevin Corbett (6), Gary Leahy (7) (0-3f), Darren Ryan (6) (0-1), Stephen Monaghan (7) (03, 1f).

Subs
Aaron Cunningham(6) for Ryan [29 Mins], Stephen McInerney (7) for O’Brien [HalfTime], Chris Dunning (6) for Corbett [60 Mins].

AS Wolfe Tones players trooped off the field and into the dressing room after the first installment against St Senan’s Kilkee, the management team of supremo Brendan Reidy, coach Jerome Stack, Tony O’Gorman and a few more held back for a few minutes.

They were deep in conclave, talking it through, before finally going into the players. You could say that they were in game mode still – just as Brendan Reidy was when talking to reporters after the Tones eventually reappeared from behind the closed doors.

“We’re still in this in a big way,” said Reidy. “You better believe it,” he added. What’s more, he said a number of times – not to raise the spirits of some disconsolate clubmen around him after they had blown a four-point lead in the final minutes, but because he believed it.

The result was this performance – again they had a healthy lead, this time they closed it out to reach a first county semi-final in four years. Dreamland for a team decimated by emigration before a ball was kicked at the start of the year? Surely?

“When we gathered in January the main thing for the year was to safeguard our senior status,” admitted Reidy.

“We were totally down in numbers and it was just about re-grouping and staying up, because if we didn’t there was always the danger that football could go down in Wolfe Tones in a flash.

“We were lucky against Kilrush in the first game – total enthusiasm and workrate got us through that day and we built from there.

“There has been a great attitude in the dressing room all year. Small numbers bring that.

“After the drawn game we sat down as a team on Monday night and we thrashed it out. We got fellas’ opinions and there were a lot of fellas who didn’t play well the first day. Then we had a great training session on the Tuesday night and a lot of the fellas stood up in this game.

“I could never see the game being gone from us after the first day. We had the speed, we had the legs on them, it’s just that we didn’t finish them off.

“We did it this time and are looking forward to the semi-final.”

Éire Óg 0-17 – Parteen 1-09 at Shannon

ÉIRE ÓG are only 60 minutes away from an eagerly anticipated return to the top tier after eventually seeing off the challenge of Parteen on Saturday. Granted, they made hard work of it at times and can’t claim to have produced their most effective display of the championship but after two knock-out defeats in as many years, getting over the line by any means possible was the Ennis side’s only concern.

In truth, it was their superior firepower and strength-in-depth that essentially won the day after Joe O’Connor’s 42nd minute goal had gained parity for Parteen. Danny Russell’s frees along with a blistering five minutes from former county senior Barry Nugent regained control for the Townies while county minor Shane O’Donnell simply tortured the Parteen defence upon his introduc tion in the 41st minute. The fact that Éire Óg had the luxury of bringing on All-Ireland intermediate winner Ronan Keane and Munster minor winner O’Donnell only further emphasised the superior strength of their squad.

Parteen had no such selection headaches and while they were infinitely better than their previous outing against Ruan, poor shooting cost them dearly. Up against the best forward division in the championship, Parteen needed big performances from their leaders and a clinical edge to upset the odds. Six first half wides against the breeze was decisive and while their tactic of playing the impressive Darragh Yelverton as a sweeper as well as some of their short puck-outs did disrupt the flow of Éire Óg for long periods, they needed to take every available scoring opportunity.

Parteen did have a great start against the conditions when surging 0-3 to 0-1 clear by the eleventh minute thanks to scores from Paraic O’Connor, Martin Moroney and Ivan Conway.

Éire Óg settled, mainly through the unerring free-taking of Danny Russell who picked off four of his side’s opening six scores to secure a 0-6 to 0-4 turnaround by the 19th minute. By the half’s end, there were three points in the difference at 0-8 to 0-5 and Parteen would have been satis- fied to have held the Townies with the wind to come.

Noel Whelan opened the second half scoring after only 30 seconds to extend it to a four point game but it was Parteen who crept back into the tie, with county minor Martin Moroney central to that charge.

After Ivan Conway’s 33rd minute point, Moroney would cut the deficit further and in the 42nd minute, pro- duced a mazy solo run through the heart of the Éire Óg defence to set up the equalising goal. There was a large element of fortune involved as well as his shot for goal rebounded off the body of an Éire Óg defender and fell into the path of Joe O’Connor who doubled to the net.

Éire Óg needed leaders and while Mark Fitzgerald was inspired throughout, who better than Barry Nugent to take up the mantle over the next five minutes. It was as if he had an X-Men-like magnetic force for leather as the ball was drawn to his hand on five separate occasions, yielding four successive scores. First he earned a free for Russell to convert and then hit three points in as many minutes to push his side clear once more.

If that wasn’t problematic enough for the previously miserly Parteen defence, substitute Shane O’Donnell came on to terrorise them thereafter, earning three frees for Danny Russell to arrow over the crossbar as Parteen ran out of steam. Having successfully avoided this potentially tricky banana skin, the Townies will take some stopping now.

Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-22 – Tubber 0-16 at Clarecastle

THE Blues don’t really want to be here, but on this display they can’t be accused of not wanting to embrace what is effectively a chase for ninth place in the county senior pecking order in 2011.

It was their energy and urgency even the passion displayed by Darren O’Connor when venting his frustration about being substituted early in the second half – that helped sweep them to this comfortable 12-point success on Saturday afternoon.

The job of journeywork that was advancing to the semi-final was really done by half-time as they moved 1- 11 to 0-11 clear when playing against the strong breeze, an advantage that enabled them to gradually turn the screw in the second half as Tubber’s challenge gradually petered out.

A 1-11 haul by Colin Ryan led the way for the Blues, with his 19th minute goal from a 21-yard free driving his side 1-9 to 0-7 clear of a game Tubber side that stayed competitive thanks to Blaine Earley’s accuracy.

The sides were level on four occasions inside the first ten minutes, with Earley hitting three points for Tubber in addition to Shane O’Connor’s opener while Enda Barrett, Martin O’Hanlon and Colin Ryan (2) were on the mark for the Blues.

Indeed it was the Blues’ greater spread of scorers that showed up the difference between the two sides – Anthony Kilmartin, Enda Kelly, Eoin Hayes David Barrett and Shane O’Brien, not to mind the free scoring Colin Ryan that kept them in front all through the half.

Seven points without reply in the first 15 minutes after half-time killed the game as the Blues moved 1-18 to 0-11 ahead, with Anthony Kilmar tin, Shane O’Brien, David Barrett, Stephen Kelly and Colin Ryan (3) on the mark.

Clive Earley grabbed Tubber’s first point of the half in the 47th minute, but they were restricted to only five in the half while Newmarket matched their first half tally of 1-11 in cruising to victory.

Three points in row between the 50th and 55th minute via Blaine Earley (2) and Patrick O’Connor left only seven between the sides but the Blues cranked up once more with a strong a strong finish that was embellished when Anthony Kilmartin slammed to the net in the final minute.

Newmarket- on- Fergus
Kieran Devitt, Shane O’Brien, Stephen Kelly (0-1), Padraig Gilmartin, Darren O’Connor, James

McInerney, Enda Barrett (0-1), Martin O’Hanlon (0-3), Eoin O’Brien, Shane O’Brien (0-2), David Barrett (0-2), Enda Kelly (0-1), Eoin Hayes (0-1), Anthony Kilmartin (1-2), Colin Ryan (1-10, 1-6f, two 65).

Subs
Alan Barrett for O’Connor, JimMcInerney for Hayes, Sean O’Connor for Stephen Kelly, James Liddy for Enda Kelly

Tubber
RonanTaaffe, Eoin Ruane, Mark Earley, John O’Connor, Fergal O’Grady, Patrick O’Connor (03f), Conor Earley, Clive Earley (0-2), Ger O’Connor, David O’Donoghue (0-1), Shane O’Connor (0-1), Nigel O’Donoghue, Dara O’Connor, Justin McMahon (0-1), Blaine Earley (0-8, 6f).

Subs
Tommy Lee for Dara O’Connor.

Man of the Match
Colin Ryan (Newmarket- on- Fergus) Referee Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield)

Corofin 0-13 – Ruan 1-10 at Shannon

ALL’S WELL that ends well as these neighbours will gladly take a second bite of the cherry to decide who will play Éire Óg in the decider. Both sides could claim to have been unlucky not to win but equally will certainly be relieved that they are still in the championship after a thrilling yet anxious cresendo to this derby.

The sides were level on no fewer than six times over the hour but it was Cillian Ryan’s 56th minute equalising score that stood out from the pack as he took a pass on the run from Darragh Roughan to pick off the score of the game and force a replay.

The Ruan support were overjoyed to see their side gain parity as they had found themselves four points in arrears as late as the 52nd minute and in real trouble in most areas of the field after Corofin had made deci sive match-altering switches.

No better team that Ruan to grind out the result however as despite not playing to the heights of previous performances, still had enough championship experience to maintain their unbeaten run of six games. But while fading late on, Corofin will also be hugely encouraged by their display as this was arguably their most impressive showing of the campaign.

Essentially, both sides had their heroes with centre-backs Gerry Quinn and Jonathan Clohessy to the fore while respective wing (Mikey Vaughan and Neil Killeen) and corner forwards (Brendan Lyons and Cillian Neylon) also playing decisive roles in this derby. However, Darragh Roughan’s leadership in the last ten minutes also has to be noted as the main driving force behind their comeback.

Corofin had the better of the early exchanges when pushing 0-4 to 0-1 clear by the 13th minute with unanswered points from Stephen Heagney (two frees), Declan Lee and Neil Killeen following Mikey Vaughan’s third minute opener. However, they were rocked when Ruan goaled merely seconds later against the run of play through Brendan Lyons who slipped initially before getting up and finishing to the net.

That inspirational score was added to by Vaughan again as Ruan retook the lead but it was Corofin who finished stronger with Killeen, Neylon and Kevin Heagney handing them a 0-8 to 0-6 half-time advantage despite being lucky to keep their full complement of players after a hefty late Declan Lee challenge on Eoin Hanrahan just before the break.

The wet conditions played their part throughout and could have had a decisive impact on the restart when Gerry Quinn’s ’65 slipped out of Jonathan Clohessy’s grasp, only for goalkeeper Packie Roughan to come to his rescue on the line. Ruan used that let-off to their advantage though when pulling level by the 38th minute through points from Brendan Lyons and Aidan Lynch.

Corofin freshened things up with a trio of substitutions and it was the return of Daragh Clancy that really caught the eye as the former county senior went to full-back, releasing Luke O’Loughlin to the wing and Damien Ryan to midfield as they began to seize control once more. A brace of Stephen Heagney frees add ed to points from substitutes Jamie Malone and Diarmuid Daly put Corofin four clear by the 49th minute and with Ruan all at sea, it looked to be Corofin’s day.

However, last year’s finalists dug deep and led by an immense final quarter from Darragh Roughan, they began to chip away at the deficit. Roughan found John Punch for their first score in 12 minutes; Cillian Ryan and Aidan Lynch combined to release Vaughan for his third of the game and Punch converted a 55th minute free before Ryan put over a crucial 56th minute equaliser.

With momentum on their side, Ruan had chances to win it but ultimately failed to capitalise and in the end, a draw was the fairest result for both sides’ endeavours.

Clooney/Quin 2-14 – Scariff 1-11 at Dr Daly Memorial Park, Tulla

ANYONE who doubted the enthusiasm for the senior B championship was silenced in this fiercely competitive last eight tie. Granted, there was a sizeable drop in standard from the last of the group games, both from the players and main official, but the will to win was beyond question as this full-blooded encounter demonstrated.

In the end, a brace of Mike Daffy goals was enough to separate the sides in the second period after an evenly matched first half. The lively corner-forward eased his side to a ten point lead as the game entered its finale and while there were question marks surrounding the build up to both goals that could have on another day resulted in frees the other way, there was no doubt about the clinical finishes that put Clooney/Quin into the last four.

Credit Scariff for never throwing in the towel and admirably slashing the deficit in a hectic final few minutes but time simply wasn’t on their side as Clooney/Quin held on.

All so different in an inch-tight first half that saw the sides level on four occasions before Clooney/Quin edged a 0-6 to 0-5 interval advantage thanks to a late Padraig Ward free. Ward’s three placed balls allied by Fergal Lynch’s clever running to pick off a brace made up the bulk of their scores while Scariff had a greater spread of scorers that included Ross Horan, Padraig Brody, Alan Corbett, Diarmuid Nash and Kenny McNamara. However, there could easily have been goals as well for either side with Daffy sending off a warning shot as early as the first minute when picking up a break around the square only to see his shot expertly tipped away for a ’65 by goalkeeper Shane Mulvihill. Four minutes later, it was Scariff’s turn as Ross Horan soloed through to attract the last line before offloading to Barry Murphy who volleyed first time just past the far post, shipping a hefty tackle in the process from goalkeeper Damien O’Halloran that could have easily earned a penalty.

The pair would eventually have to succumb to injuries sustained in that incident but it wasn’t to be the last of the goal chances. Scariff reemerged in the second half and had an early opportunity when Michael Moroney broke the ball for Alphie Rodgers but he struck wide. The east Clare side would rue that chance as Martin Duggan hit back with a point followed by the opening goal of the game in the 37th minute when substitute Derek Ryan appeared to pick the ball off the ground before offloading to the overlapping Daffy to finish with aplomb.

Scariff were incensed but used that motivation to reply with points from Alan Corbett and Ross Horan before wasting another glorious goal chance, this time through Kenny McNamara who did the hard work by soloing to the endline but his shot hit the side netting.

Again they would be punished to the full as Daffy and Lynch capitalised further. Both registered a point apiece before combining for the second goal in the 49th minute and when Cillian Duggan eventually converted a free from halfway after a farcical three minute stoppage, Clooney/Quin found themselves ten points clear.

Scariff’s charge came late but did make for a compelling climax as they picked off 1-4 including two Conor McNamara 20 metre frees that yielded 1-1. Daffy and Lynch again replied deep into injury-time to restore a six point advantage while the final chance fell to Conor McNamara who again stood over a 20 metre free in the 65th minute. However this time, he was distracted in his run-up and failed to lift the ball as Clooney/Quin marched on to the semi-final against Clarecastle.

Clooney/ Quin
Damien O’Halloran, Joe O’Loughlin, Conor Harrison, Shane McNamara, Donncha Murphy, Cillian Duggan (0-1f), Enda Harrison, Mike McNamara, John Earls, Martin Duggan (0-3), Cathal Egan, Seamus Conroy, Padraig Ward (0-4 3f 1’65), Fergal Lynch (0-4), Mike Daffy (2-2)

Subs
Patrick Cunninghamfor O’Halloran (25 mins, inj), Derek Ryan for Conroy (HT), Sean Conheady for Ward (47 mins),Tony McMahon for Murphy (62 mins)

Scariff
Shane Mulvihill, Barry McNamara, Darragh Kelly, JimMinogue, Padraig Brody (0-1), Conor McNamara (1-1f), Patrick Minogue, Diarmuid Nash (0-1 1’65), Shane Corry, Ross Horan (0-2), Kenny McNamara (0-2),Alphie Rodgers (0-1), Barry Murphy, Michael Moroney (0-1),Alan Corbett (0-2)

Subs
MatthewHoran for Murphy (HT, inj), Brian Corry for Corbett (55 mins)

Man of the Match
Mike Daffy (Clooney/ Quin) Referee Ger Lyons (Ruan)

Crusheen 1-24 – Broadford 0-10 at Clarecastle

CRUSHEEN cruised into yet another senior hurling championship semi-final after accounting for a spirited but limited Broadford challenge on Sunday afternoon. The champions would have always been favourites to progress from this tie but the 17point winning margin alone, does not tell the whole story of this clash.

The first half of this encounter was highly competitive with Broadford merely trailing by the minimum at the interval. The second half, however, saw a combination of Crusheen’s class and experience steamroll their young and often naïve East Clare opponents to progress to the next round of this season’s championship with relative ease.

Broadford needed a positive open- ing half to establish themselves in the game but to also make the most of the advantage of having a powerful gale at their backs. Despite this obvious requirement it was Crusheen who notched a score on Clarecastle’s electronic scoreboard first. Paddy Meaney in his usual typical manner side-stepped his loose marker to get free on his trusty left side and pointed from 30m out to set Crusheen on their way.

Mark ‘Mouse’ Moloney however quickly responded for Broadford. A minute later and his high lobbying effort sailed between the posts the level the game. This pattern continued for the opening quarter with both outfits matching each other’s efforts and exchanging scores.

Padraig Hickey grabbed a couple in a row while Niall Moloney made the most of a poor Donal Touhy puck-out to add their names to the Broadford score sheet. Crusheen at the other end of the field were equally accurate. Jamie Fitzgibbon found his first of five points from play while the skillful adopted son David Forde drew on all of his experience to drive the sliotar low into the breeze over the black spot on the crossbar.

Broadford were fighting hard and would have been in front only for a terrible miss-firing patch in front of goal for the remainder of a half. A quarter-final victory was never going to be achieved with an incredible total of ten first half wides. It could have even been harder if two clear cut Crusheen goal chances had been converted.

Both were wasted by Gearoid O’Donnell and Gerry O’Grady but still they managed to at least steal a point on each occasion. The 31st minute saw the last score before the break with Meaney also finding his range at the end of the half to leave Crusheen in front on a score of 0-8 to 0-7.

Crusheen were always going to be pleased with their opening half and with the wind now at their backs they quickly shifted into cruise control and took over proceedings. Broadford’s challenge from the throw-in did not have the same intensity as had been seen in the first 30 minutes of hurling. Crusheen managed 1-16 in the second half while Broadford could only muster up a very disappointing three points.

Crusheen’s defence was rarely tested with Cian Dillion dominating without having to even draw a sweat. Since the team, who won a championship only because of their backs, were in such dominance it was the ideal time to crush this ever-lasting theory. Of the 16 second half points they created, only one was not from play and that was a super Paddy Vaughan free who by his standards had a poor day from placed balls especially against the wind in the first half.

In contrast Fitzgibbon was having a perfect day in front of goal with everything he touched turning into a white flag waving moment no matter whether it was from his role as centre forward or midfield he was shooting from. Even more impressive was Kennedy. His hat-trick of points was only outshone by his well taken goal. An excellent low cross field pass by O’Grady constructed the chance but the young attacker displayed no hesitation in slotting home a peach of a shot to firmly cement the outcome of this game three quarters through.

Broadford tried and tried but they were just not in the same level as Crusheen by the end. For the winners a place in the last four is a huge reward but many sterner tests still await if an incredible two in a row is ever to materialise.

“JOB done” was the primary mantra of Crusheen manager Michael Browne after his sides’ quarter final victory over Broadford last Saturday afternoon.

There appeared to be no exaggerated mood for celebration from the Crusheen players or Browne himself who instead was far more eager to get to Cusack Park as quickly as pos- sible to suss out possible semi-final opponents, who were playing in the second quarter final of the day, later in the evening.

“It was a very good win. It was a work-man like performance. All the lads put in a tough shift and never gave in.

“The first half was particularly pleasing after playing against a very strong wind we still managed to be in contention. The team has to be com- plimented for their efforts.”

This was the real winning of the game in Browne’s view. The elements were always going to affect the outcome of this crucial knock-out tie and it was his side that made the most of the natural advantages.

“At the start of the game when we realised we were playing against the wind in the first half all we wanted to do was to be in touching distance at half time.

“Whether we were level or only trailing by a few points and not too far behind we would have accepted it.

“When we managed to have a one point lead at half time that was a big bonus for us.

“Still there was a lot of pressure on us before the second half got underway. There was a lot more to do. They were playing very well and putting us under pressure.

“In the end we got the hard working performance that we had talked about in training and before the game. It was a good result in the end.”

A county semi-final and a chance of retaining their county title still very much alive, with Browne in optimistic mood.

“Thanks be to God we’re still there anyway. We will enjoy this one for a few days and we will start worrying about that after another while.”

Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-14 – Clarecastle 1-09 at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

IT’S FIVE years since Newmarket and Clarecastle met in an adult championship final and it seems that the Blues still have the indian sign over their great rivals as they finished strongly to claim their first silverware of the year.

It didn’t appear to be going Newmarket’s way either as the Magpies held a two point advantage heading into the last ten minutes. However, four successive Donagh Keogh points, three from frees, along with a late Gary Collins goal turned the tie on its head and ensured the trophy went Newmarket’s way.

For long periods of the game, it seemed as if this game was heading towards a replay as the sides were level on six occasions before Newmarket’s clinical finish. But in the end, Newmarket proved they had the greater strength-in-depth as they emptied the bench to good effect in the final quarter while Clarecastle, without key players such as Barry Guinnane, Patrick and Michael Casey and Patrick Galbraith, simply ran out of steam.

All so different early on when three Pakie Healy frees along with a point from Brendan Murphy had Clarecastle 0-4 to 0-2 clear by the tenth minute. Newmarket finally found their range however and despite nine first half wides, the Blues hit back with five unanswered points of their own to take control, with Peter Roache claiming his second of the half, Keogh converting two frees while impressive displays from Oisin Pender and Alan McInerney were also capped off with points by the 19th minute.

Indeed, they also had two glorious goal chances in that period as well but Roache pulled wide from close range while Pender’s effort soon afterwards was repelled by veteran goalkeeper Tommy Hegarty.

The Magpies brought on another former senior championship winner Mark Scanlon to boost their flagging challenge and it had the desired effect as Mika Malone and Pakie Healy added points before a 27th minute goal reclaimed the lead. Pakie Healy was intrumental in the build up as he took on Newmarket’s last line but when he failed to get his shot away, in stepped his cousin Jeff to pull to the net.

Credit Newmarket though as they fully reovered before the break with Shane McDermott and Keogh reply- ing with points to gain parity at 1-6 to 0-9. The second period began in a similar busy pace as Keogh and Pakie Healy swapped scores by the 33rd minute. There were also goal chances for either side that could have significantly atlered the narrative of the game. A Donagh Keogh free from the ’65 was excellently caught by Rory Murphy but struck his shot wide and in the next passage of play, Jeff Healy had a shot excellently turned away by goalkeeper Brian Tierney.

Clarecastle did finally nudge ahead when Alan Considine and Pakie Healy pointed by the turn of the final quarter to give their side a two point advantage. However, with Newmarket freshening things up, they got a crucial second wind that would see Keogh convert four unanswered points while Gary Collins cemented victory when finishing to the net in the 57th minute.

Newmarket- on- Fergus
BrianTierney, John O’Looney, Paudie O’Looney, Anthony O’Donoghue, Ruairi McInerney,Alan Leamy, Ronan McCarthy,Alan McInerney (0-1), Shane McDermott (0-1), Donagh Keogh (0-8 7f), Peter Roache (0-2), Cathal Fleming, Cathal Kilmartin, Rory Murphy, Oisin Pender (0-2)

Subs
Darren Hayes for J. O’Looney (46 mins), Shane Collins for Fleming (46 mins), Gary Collins (1-0) for Kilmartin (49 mins)

Clarecastle
Tommy Hegarty, Gary Casey, Patrick Hayes, Michael John Reynolds, EoinVaughan, David Geraghty, Emmet Considine,Alan Considine (0-1), Barry Lynch, Sean Dilger, Brendan Murphy (0-1), Pakie Healy (0-6 4f), Bernard Scanlon, Jeff Healy (1-0), Mika Malone (0-1)

Sub
Mark Scanlon for E. Considine (21 mins)

Man of the Match
Alan McInerney (Newmarket- on- Fergus) Referee Jack Chaplin (Cratloe)