Category: Sport

Avenue United 5 – Mountshannon Celtic 1 at Lees Road, Ennis

AVENUE United got their league campaign of to a flyer with a convincing victory over newly promoted Mountshannon Celtic on Sunday.

Centre forward Mikey Mahony was the main man for the Clare Cup champions, bagging a second half hat trick to take the game beyond Celtic. After a strong start, Avenue led 20 at half time. The home side added another goal before Mountshannon struck back from the penalty spot. That goal prompted the visitor’s best spell of the game. Mountshannon twice hit the post while Avenue goalkeeper John Healy was forced into a great save. However Avenue’s greater firepower ultimately proved decisive. David McCarthy gave his side the lead after 15 minutes but despite creating a number of opportunities, Avenue had to wait until the closing stages of the half to double their advantage. They did so when a David Smyth cross was well turned home by Sean Corry. After failing to find the net in the first half, Mahony got of the mark shortly after the re-start. The striker shook off the attentions of the Mountshannon defence to bury a shot to the top corner. The visitors were handed a lifeline when Keith Finnerty was taken down inside the box and Martin McNamara tucked away the penalty. Celtic applied some pressure but Avenue swiftly re-asserted their authority. Mahony bagged his second to make it 4-1 before completing his hat-trick late on.

Avenue United
John Healy, MatthewNugent, Con Collins, David Russell, Dylan Casey, David Smyth, Pa Wilson, Gary Flynn, David McCarthy, Sean Corry, Mikey Mahony

Subs

IF YOU were a betting man, you probably would have put your rainsoaked car on defending champions Doonbeg once they pulled four points clear near the turn of the final quarter. St Joseph’s had fought the good fight in the first half against the breeze to contain Doonbeg to a two point half-time advantage but after early scores from David Tubridy and Conor Downes, it seemed as if Doora/Barefield’s chance had gone.

“It wasn’t looking good,” admitted St Joseph’s manager James Hanrahan, “but when we got up the other side of the field, the whole thing started to turn around.

“There was a bit of a shower of rain and the breeze kind of rose up for a few minutes and we managed to get a couple of scores. And when we got a run on them, we always looked like we were going to get back into the game fairly fast.

“They still had one or two frees towards the finish and it didn’t look good because if one of them went over, we probably would have needed a goal to get back in the game but luckily enough for us, those frees went wide.”

Uncharacteristically they did drift wide and Doora/Barefield used those misses to inspire them further as they toppled the lead and eventually snatched an injury-time winner to set up a semi-final date with either Wolfe Tones or St Senan’s Kilkee.

So after resurrecting their championship campaign following two open- ing losses, how far does he reckon his side can potentially go this year?

“We will go as far as the semi-final anyway and we’ll take it one game at a time. I suppose after the first round, there is such a long break that it doesn’t really matter sometimes if you win the first match or lose it.

“The championship really started ten weeks after that and against Cratloe, while we were beaten, I felt that we had nine chances but kicked nine wides in the first half against them.

“We probably had a 21 yard free to go a point up with maybe ten minutes to go but missed that so it wasn’t the case that we were playing badly or being well beaten in every game, it was more of a case that we weren’t taking our chances at the time.

“On the Saturday morning before we played Shannon Gaels, we would have settled for staying out of the relegation places so to be in the quarter-final at the end of that was a big bonus and it drove the fellas on a bit more. We can’t afford to look any further now than the semi-final.”

Sixmilebridge 5-5 – Éire Óg 0-09 at Cusack Park, Ennis

SIXMILEBRIDGE’S ‘Drive for Five’ was completed on Saturday with another flurry of goals proving decisive at Clare headquarters. After Brian Corry’s four goal haul saw off a much fancied Clarecastle side in the semi-final last weekend, the ‘Bridge’s keener eye for goal again came to the fore in the first half to kill off their opponents, with joint captain Conor Deasy claiming two while Corry and Eoin Flynn also raised green flags.

Playing with a strong breeze in the opening half, Sixmilebridge took full advantage. A 20 metre pointed free from Deasy in the opening minute set the tone while two more in quick succession from tight angles on either side of the pitch by Deasy and Corry had them three clear by the fifth minute. Now gathering momentum, Deasy scored his first goal in the 12th minute while only seconds later, a Stephen Mulready shot rebounded off the post for Eoin Flynn to first time to the net.

A shellshocked Éire Óg finally settled with a Conor O’Halloran opening point in the 17th minute while Nathan Murray cut the deficit further four minutes later when accurately converting a 40 metre free.

However, just as it seemed that Éire Óg would rally to the interval, disaster struck for the Townies in the 25th minute when a Conor Deasy ‘65 was allowed to travel to the net while Brian Corry poured further misery on their opponents when hitting a fourth major to give his side a 4-4 to 0-3 half-time cushion.

With time to regroup, Éire Óg reemerged a more determined side on the restart and with the wind now at their backs, they made inroads in the large deficit through points from Nathan Murray (3), substitute Shane O’Connell and their best performer on the day, Dara Walsh.

However, they still needed a brace of goals to make a full recovery but found Sixmilebridge goalkeeper Jason Loughnane in stubborn form. He made crucial saves in the 43rd as well as the final minute to frustrate the Townies. Sixmilebridge had no such misfortune in front of goal and duly completed their five-in-a-row when substitute Tony McNamara was fouled while bearing down on goal and Conor Deasy completed his hat-trick of goals from the resulting penalty.

Afterwards, County Bord na nÓg Iomaint PRO and Sixmilebridge clubman Tom Sheehan was given the honour of presenting the Fr. McNamara Cup to joint captains Conor Deasy and Alex Morey.

Sixmilebridge
Jason Loughnane, Mark Quinn, Barry Fitzpatrick, Cathaoir Agnew, Stephen Mulready,Alex Morey (Joint-Captain), Shane McInerney, Brian Corry (12), GavinWhyte, Eoin Flynn (1-0), Eoin McMahon, Kevin Fennessy, Cathal Lynch, Conor Deasy (JointCaptain) (3-3), Robbie Corry

Subs
Tony McNamara for Lynch,Tomás Sheehan for R. Corry

Éire Óg
Sean Smyth, Jack Keating, Kieran Malone, Cian Ó Ceallaigh, Dara Walsh (0-1), Dylan Casey, Conor O’Halloran (0-1), Lee Quirke, Michael Moloney, John Allen, NicholasTwumasi, James Wylde, Liam Lynch, Nathan Murray (Captain) (0-6), Paddy O’Malley

Sub
Shane O’Connell (0-1) for Wylde

Referee
Ger Lyons (Ruan)

Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-07 – Cooraclare 1-03 at St Michael ’s Park, Kilmihil

THEY’LL tell you in Oliver Plunkett’s on the Navan Road that at the start of the season they had their man – it was just a matter of processing a transfer form and the missing piece in a jigsaw that included the Brogan Bros, Jason Sherlock, Anthony Moyles and more to finally land them the senior championship was in place.

The man was that giant of a footballer Martin McMahon – that it didn’t come to pass is the reason why Kilmurry Ibrickane’s hopes of landing a third championship in four years are still in place.

With two minutes left on the clock and Kilmurry having gone 17 minutes without a score and kicking seven bad wides in the process, it was McMahon who showed the lead- ership to fire the ‘Bricks into their fourth successive semi-final.

It was the defining moment of a hugely competitive hour, even if Cooraclare were given two chances to bring this standout game of the quarter-final stage to another installment only for John Looney’s accuracy from frees to let him down as two long range efforts drifted wide in injury time.

Time for Kilmurry to breathe sighs aplenty of relief – and it was no wonder as they very nearly committed hiri kiri in a game they should have been able to close out comfortably in the second half when backed by the gale that was blowing towards the scoreboard end of St Michael’s Park.

That it was as dour a struggle as this team has ever faced was down to their own profligacy in the second half, a malaise that also affected their play in the first half when they played confidently into the breeze only to come up lamentably short when it came to converting their chances.

Kilmurry led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes and were motoring well. Rory Donnelly had opened the scoring for Cooraclare with a ninth minute point but frees by Ian McInerney and Johnnie Daly had Kilmurry ahead by the 14th minute before Stephen Moloney swept over another a minute later after taking a clever pop pass from Daly.

John Looney pegged one back in 21st minute to close the first half scoring as Kilmurry were left to bemoan two missed goal chances that could have killed the contest by midterm. Niall Hickey dragged his shot wide in the 25th minute and Johnnie Daly’s thunderbolt was kept at bay by a combination of Declan Keane and his charmed defence.

This wastefulness was to rear its ugly head again on the turnover, but early points by Mark McCarthy and Johnnie Daly inside five minutes of the restart suggested an easy enough second half for Kilmurry as they settled down to play with the breeze.

This feeling was magnified when Cooraclare’s warhorse and lone starter from their last championship triumph in 1997 in Joe Considine was called ashore in the 36th minute.

They did peg a point back in the 38th minute through John Looney’s second free, but this was quickly cancelled out by Ian McInerney which left Kilmurry 0-6 to 0-3 ahead and comfortable entering the last 20 minutes.

What followed was anything but comfortable, however, as Mark Tubridy grabbed matters by the scruff when deserting his post in defence and storming up the field for a levelling goal in the 46th minute.

From a sideline on the stand side of the field Tubridy was twice involved in the move before crashed to the net past Peter O’Dwyer Jnr. Suddenly Cooraclare believed and as Kilmurry wides started to rack up – they had 14 in all over the course of the game – the unthinkable scenario of defeat must have flashed across their minds.

Michael Hogan, Michael O’Dwyer, Noel Downes and Enda Coughlan were all guilty of bad wides before Martin McMahon did the kind of thing that leaders do – storming forward, latching onto an Enda Coughlan free and stroking the ball over the bar nonchalantly from 25 years.

Class from a great player, who along with that other pocket rocket Michael Hogan lorded over this game. How badly they needed them and then thanked the high heavens that John Looney’s accuracy betrayed him at the death.

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)

PATRICK Murrihy likes a cigarette – after this ball game was over you’d be forgiven for thinking that the worried Kilmurry manager lit up any time the ball sailed wide of the posts in the second half.

Wrong. It probably happened earlier, given that the worrying started for Murrihy in the first half as he candidly revealed when reflecting on a game that threatened to go horribly wrong as those wides mounted up.

“At half-time I was concerned,” he said, “because we should have been six or seven points up. The longer you go without scoring in a game, particularly when you’re creating chances, the more stressed you become.

“That happened us. While we enjoyed plenty of possession and created loads of chances, some of our wides were practically in front of the goal. The challenge we got was nothing we didn’t expect from Cooraclare, but to summarise it we made it a little bit harder for ourselves. We hit 14 wides or something like that.

“It was a battle right to the very end and probably our experience won through in the end.

“They are very experienced players and it’s guys like that you look for. Other than our shooting we couldn’t fault our lads. They made a fair battle of it,” he added.

It all means that Kilmurry remain firmly on track to complete a clean sweep of senior titles in 2011 – just like they did back in 2008.

“With all the confusion over the last week or two, we didn’t know who we’d be playing in the semi-final before today,” admitted Murrihy.

“We weren’t even thinking of that, but now that it’s Cratloe all I can say is that last year we were absolutely poxed to get out of Cusack Park with a point of a win.

“It will be a very tough game. They are an up and coming team and we under no illusions about what faces up.

“Hopefully we will step it up. We have to if we’re to get through to a final.

“We have to up the tempo, but we are very happy where we are at the moment.”

Banner Ladies 4-19 – Burren Gaels 0-06 at Corofin

THE BANNER Ladies grip on Clare ladies football strengthened even further on Saturday when capturing their fourth successive Under 18A crown. Titles in all grades from Under 14 to senior this year is made all the more impressive when considering that many players on show here were instrumental in more than one of those championships wins. Eva O’Dea, Grainne Nolan, Niamh O’Brien, Aoife Keane and Emma Neylon have taken laurels at Under 14, Féile, Under 16, Minor and Senior while Eve Copley, Orlaith Martin and Emma Kavanagh did likewise except for Senior grade.

With such championship winning knowhow surging through their side, they were red hot favourites for another historic honour and while Burren Gaels made the Banner fight for every inch in the first half, a dipping ball on the 13th minute from the Banner’s Rebecca Culligan found the net from which the Northerners never recovered and the Banner went on to claim their fourth successive Minor A title.

Difficult weather conditions dampened the flow of the game from the outset but fighting a headwind, the Banner had registered five points from four of the six forwards, Eva O’Dea’s opener, Sister Niamh’s two points from frees, Orlaith Lynch and Karen Roche all picked off points before the Gaels Niamh Considine put one up on the board. The indomitable Niamh O’Dea tacked on another two points, one from a free and as the Burren Gaels found their flow, they put some nice passages of play together down the left wing inspired by captain Fiona Loughman at centre-back, Joanne Howley at wing-back, Niamh Considine at centre-forward, midfielder Roisin Howley, and forwards Katie Connole and Niamh Carrucan, they all registered consecutive scores except for one interjection by Banner poacher Orlaith Lynch. At twenty five min- utes gone, The Banner still hadn’t really pulled away from the Gaels, protecting a two point cushion and it was all to play for. Captain Aoife Martin and Rebecca Culligan played impeccably at midfield to snuff out any further incursions into Banner territory and after Niamh O’Dea had pointed again, Rebecca Culligan’s 30 metre shot scraped the underside of the cross-bar, surprising custodian Kanisha Flanagan and bringing a ray of sunshine to the Banner side just as Damien Fox sent the teams in for their half time rest in the middle of a terrible squall.

The Banner Ladies defence had weathered some heavy pressure in the first half and the half back line in particular Niamh Walsh, Aoibheann Malone and Sinead O’Keeffe did very well with a lot of ball coming in on the breeze. Another sign of dominance in the first half came in the confidence from senior championship winning captain Laurie Ryan when the lines parted as she steamrolled a path from one 20 metre line to the other on a number of occasions.

The game restarted with the wind behind the Banner and they maximised the advantage to the limit. O’Dea opened her second half tally with a pointed free but time and again her distribution to corner-forwards Orlaith Lynch and Karen Roche caused havoc for Amy O’Brien, Niamh Tierney and Amy Cassidy in the Burren Gaels full back line. In a frantic third quarter, Lynch would point and rocket in two goals and then Roche would goal and point three time from play. With no real response, O’Dea controlled the proceedings in the Burren Gaels half and added a further three points to her tally. The Banner’s Aoibheann Malone had her hands full with Roisin Howley but was never more than an arms length away and rarely leaked a ball into full backline Niamh Cahill, Helen Hehir and Laurie Ryan. Malone was to cap a great performance with the last point of the game.

Several of the Banner lineout had two and three previous Minor A titles in the bag and the experience of this proved too much for any team in division one. Ryan, O’Dea, Hehir, N. Cahill, Walsh, O’Shea, Martin and K. Cahill will all move on after three years service at this grade and are already established senior players. They, including Culligan, now get ready for their participation in the Munster Clubs first round meeting with Cappawhite of Tipperary on October 1. They leave Culligan, Roche, Lynch, E O’Dea, Malone, Nolan, Keane, to form the core of a great minor panel into next year and with Emma Neylon, Elaine Casey (injured), Eve Copley, Niamh O’Brien, Shauna O’Connor, Orlaith Martin and Emma Kavanagh all subbing for the game, they bring their experience in 2012.

Banner
Orla Hennessy, Laurie Ryan, Niamh Cahill, Helen Hehir, Sinead O’Keeffe, Katie Cahill, NiamhWalsh,Aoife Martin (Capt), Rebecca Culligan, Eva O’Dea, Niamh O’Dea, Grainne Nolan, Karen Roche,Aoife Keane, Orlaith Lynch, Suzie O’Shea, Shauna O’Connor, Niamh O’Brien, Eve Copley,Aoibheann Malone, Emma Neylon, Orlaith Martin, Emma Kavanagh, Meghan Fitzgerald.

Management
JJ O’Dea, Louise Henchy,Alan Copley.

Burren Gaels
Kanisha Flanagan,Amy O’Brien, NiamhTierney,Amy Cassidy, Caolinn McCormack, Fiona Loughman (Capt), Joanne Howley, Kayleigh McCormack, Roisin Howley, Megan Byrne, Niamh Considine, Katie Connole, Niamh Carrucan,Amy Moloney, Lisa O’Brien. Roisin Kelly, Leanne Lafferty, Shannon McCormack, Sarah O’Gorman, Ella Barrett.

Management
Anthony Geraghty, David Flanagan, Patsy Carrucan, Deirdre Jordan, Mark Mulqueeny.

Referee
Damien Fox (WolfeTones)

Miltown 6-04 – Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-07 at Corofin

MILTOWN’S large strides forward this season were finally rewarded with some silverware on Saturday as they captured the Senior B title against an ever-improving Newmarket side.

Despite the inclement weather, the foundations of victory were laid in the first half when they made full use of a strong breeze to score six goals, just as they did against West Clare Gaels in the A semi-final a few weeks back. A hat-trick from full-forward Karen Galvin as well as goals from 15 year old corner-forward Laura Rynne, player-of-the-match Fiona Lafferty and captain Michelle McCaw saw Miltown take a nine point interval lead while Newmarket kept themselves in the game through goals from Gemma McInerney and Laura McMahon and the free-taking of Jenny Kelly.

Similar to their round robin game when Miltown led by eight at halftime, a big Newmarket onslaught was expected for the second half but Miltown started the better with points from Michelle McCaw and Sinead Sexton. Soon after, Newmar- ket kicked into gear but the pressure they applied didn’t have the desired effect as combination of wayward shooting and some good Miltown defending kept them at arm’s length entering the final ten minutes. However 16 year old dual star Niki Kaiser had other ideas as she goaled to close the gap to six and also hit the crossbar moments later as the Newmarket pressure intensified but it wasn’t enough to knock a triumphant Miltown off their perch.

Newmarket were served best by Roisin McMahon, Ruth Kaiser who tried gallantly to limit Fiona Laf- ferty’s influence proceedings while up front, Niki Kaiser was a thorn in Miltown’s side all afternoon. For the winners, Katie Curtin had an excellent second half display in defence alongside sharpshooters Karen Galvin and Michelle McCaw, while player of the game Fiona Lafferty was immense throughout the 60 minutes.

It’s onwards and upwards for Miltown now as they prepare for the Munster Senior B Plate semi-final against the winners of the Cork and Tipperary champions on Saturday, October 8.

Miltown
SiobhanTalty, Shauna Crowley, Siobhan Lafferty, Laoise O’Malley,Tara Rynne, Sandra Malone, Katie Curtin, Fiona Lafferty (1-0), Bernie McGuire, Jean Talty, Sinead Sexton (0-2f), Niamh Coyne, Laura Rynne (1-1), Karen Galvin (3-0), Michelle McCaw (Captain) (1-1)

Newmarket- on- Fergus
Aine Lawlor, Jane O’Leary, Iris Kaiser, Carol Kaiser, Aoife Griffin, Roisin McMahon,Aimee McInerney, Ruth Kaiser, Jenny Kelly (0-4f), Gemma McInerney (1-1), Carol O’Leary (0-1), Laura McMahon (1-0), Niki Kaiser (1-0), Chloe Morey (0-1),Aine O’Brien

Referee
Sean Ryan (Kilrush) Fergus R over s 2-8 Wolf e Tones 3-2 AN EXCELLENT second half performance where they over turned a half time deficit of nine points to win by three, was enough to see Fergus Rovers crowned Division 3 Shield champions against Wolfe Tones at Cusack Park on Tuesday evening. Wolfe Tones dominated the opening half and led 3-1 to 1-1 at half time but the Ballynacally/Lissycasey outfit did not give up, adding 2-7 in the second half which was enough to clinch the title. After the game County Chairman Johnny Hayes, who is also the president of Fergus Rovers, presented the cup to Fergus Rovers captain Sarah Mullins.

Fergus Rovers
Michelle Collins, Lauren Hill, Katie Fitzgerald, Bernadette Kelly, Cathy Casey, Hannah Downes, Brid Garry, Sarah Mullins (Capt.),Alannah Hanrahan, Eimear Stephens,Aine Slattery, Ciara Sheehan, Emma Hill,Tara O’Malley, Emma Meaney, Rachael Griffin,Yvonne Collins, Grace O’Sullivan, Ashling Hehir,Andrea Sheehan

Wolfe Tones
Emma Ryan,AoifeVaughan, Ciara Byrnes, Kate Hoban, Ciara McTaggart, Mellisa O’Connor, Rhiannon McCoy, Sophie Bridges, Emma Austin, Keylann Donnlan, Hazel Meaney, Lyndsay Hayes, Emily Hayes,Aoife Searson, Emma Mulcahy, Caitlin Casey,Ashling Gough, SaoirseVaughan, Kate Johnston, Shazney Mounsey

Referee
Aoife Murphy (Doora/Barefield)

Éire Óg 2-06 – Kilmihil 0-10 at Labasheeda

2006 CHAMPIONS Éire Óg preserved their senior football status for 2012 with a hard fought two point win over Kilmihil on Saturday evening. Played in blustery condi- tions, Éíre Óg played with the elements in the opening half and duly dominated for large periods only for poor finishing including seven wides to see them only a point ahead after ten minutes. However, this game would be ul- timately decided by two defensive mistakes by the Kilmihil defence in the 11th and 13th minutes. Firstly a lineball for the west Clare side on their own 13 metre line was intercepted by corner-forward Eoin Glynn to convert to the net. Then just two minutes later, a free kick from the full-back line was again intercepted by Glynn and after a one-two with Sean O’Meara, he cooly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. The goals made up for the amount of poor wides as both sides exchanged a flurry of late points to leave the Townies seven clear by the break at 2-4 to 0-3 but would it be enough? Kilmihil resumed full of determination and straight from the whistle, they went on the attack but must have caught Éire Óg’s poor finishing bug as they kicked six wides early in the half. Gradually their forwards began to find their range and as they ate into their opponent’s lead, it became clear that this game was going to go right down to the wire. Kilmihil came in droves and with every passing score, they began to believe as they laid siege to the Éire Óg goal. But the goal that they craved never came, with a Martin O’Leary shot that was parried by goalkeeper Eoin Slattery their best chance and they will now play St Joseph’s Miltown in a final chance at consolidating their senior status.

Éire Óg
Eoin Slattery, Michael O’Regan, Donie Lyne, Saran Butler, Conor Healy,Alan Malone, Dean Ryan, Shane Daniels (0-3f), Brian Frawley, Sean O’Meara (0-1), David Russell, David Monaghan, (0-1f), Eoin Glynn (2-0), Sean Crotty (0-1), Brian McMahon

Subs
Darren O’Neill for Frawley, Darren O’Meara for Monaghan, David Ryan for S. O’Meara

Kilmihil

Liscannor 0-10 – St Joseph’s Miltown 1-05 at Ennistymon

THERE ARE definitely a few clubs around Clare, St. Joseph’s Miltown Malbay being the latest, that would just love to see some of Liscannor’s old guard retire and hang up their boots. This batch of warriors never give up and always come up with the goods when least expected. Their latest achievement is has secure senior status for the small north Clare club for 2012 and in the process leave Miltown with a mammoth task of doing the same with one game left in 2011 to save their season and possibly the future of their club. This youthful Miltown side were fancied for greater things in this championship and championships to come with recent underage progress such as their U21A performances this year but now this has all been placed under huge scrutiny which will be further tested by Kilmihil in a few weeks time.

Liscannor the old dog with apparent football immortality found their first score of the game through Niall Considine who cancelled out an earlier one by Joe Curtin who unfortunately was forced out of the game through injury shortly after. Liscannor soon found a hat-trick of points in as many minutes with Alan Clohessy finding his first two of five for the afternoon while Kieran Considine also notched his name on the scoresheet with a marvellous effort.

Miltown however were in the mood for something unexpected against the wind and a fantastic goal against the run of play was the perfect tonic. Graham Kelly stormed off in a terrific run through the heart of the Liscannor rearguard before setting up Eoin Curtin for a perfectly taken goal. Liscannor’s opening 20 minutes of hard work and effectiveness had now been swiped clear. Surely this would spur on the West Clare men? Ultimately it was their opponents that increased to a higher gear of performance. Four points in a row restored clarity and their lead before the half-time whistle to leave it at 0-8 to 1-1.

The second half was always going to be a hard fought battle with everything to play for. Miltown were far from out of it with the wind now at their backs.

They started positively by creating a number of scoreable chances but all ended as wasted misses as their frustration gradually increased. In truth the scores dried up for both sides after the restart with the card count instead being the only statistic that was being added to.

A haul of nine yellow cards and a few rugby like scrums inspired by Ireland’s earlier heroics displayed how much the guarantee of survival meant to these two clubs.

Miltown may have won the second half in terms of points 0-4 to 0-2 but Liscannor’s first half tally was enough to seal the win as they battled back the final Miltown goalmouth onslaught.

Liscannor
Noel Kilmartin (7), Shane Canavan (8), David McDonagh (7), Michael Foley (8), Dennis Murphy (7) (0-1), Dara Blake (7), Robert Lucas (7), Brian Considine (7), Ronan Slattery (7),Alan McDonagh (7) (0-1), Niall Considine (7) (0-1), Gerry Considine (7), Kieran Considine (7) (0-1), Alan Flaherty (7) (0-1),Alan Clohessy (8) (0-5, 2f)

Miltown
Niall Quinn (7), Michael Talty (7), Gordon Kelly (7), Gearoid Curtin (7), Seanie Malone (6), Enda Malone (7), Conor McKenna (7), Sean Meade (7), Kevin Keevy (7), Micheal Malone (7), Gary Egan (6), Joe Curtin (5) (0-1), Dessie Mollohan (7) (0-3f), Eoin Curtin (7) (1-1, 1f), GrahamKelly (7)

Subs
Enda O’Gorman (7) for J. Curtin, John Meade (6) for Egan, Kevin Burke (6) for S. Malone

Man of the match
Alan Clohessy (Liscannor) Referee John Brew(Kilmurry Ibrickane)