Category: Sport

Turnpike Rovers 4 – Kilrush Rangers 2 at Lees Road, Ennis

AFTER their opening round fixture against Manus Celtic (A) was abandoned by the match referee, Turnpike Rovers returned to winning ways with victory over Kilrush Rangers on Sunday.

Despite the concession of an early goal, Turnpike hit back to lead 2-1 at half time. The Ennis side pushed on after the break, confirming their dominance with two further goals. Centre forward Eric Considine was influential for Pike, scoring one and having a hand in two more goals.

Kilrush will be disappointed to have lost out especially after making such a promising start. They will look to get back on track tomorrow night when they take on Rhine Rovers. It was all Kilrush in the early stages and the visitors were rewarded with a well-taken goal. Terry Herlihy did well to skip around a couple of Turnpike defenders before rolling the ball into the net.

The home side responded in impressive fashion. Eric Considine found the net for the equaliser before Clinton Keane was brought down for a penalty. Dean O’Grady stepped up to convert and give Pike the lead.

Brendan Dobbins extended Rovers’ lead after the break before Robert Carey responded with a penalty for Kilrush.

The game was in the melting pot until Considine set up substitute John Ferns for Pike’s decisive fourth goal.

Turnpike Rovers
Ian Mounsey, Donagh Hassett, Darren Daly,William O’Keefe, Mark Woods, Davy McMahon, Dean O’Grady, Clinton Keane, Brendan Dobbins, Jason Hayes, Eric Considine

Subs
John Ferns

Kilrush
John O’Connor, Cedric McNamara, Martin Danaher,Tony Burke, Patrick Coleman,Terry Herlihy, Robert Carey, Eoin Fitzgerald, Niall Brennan,Trevor Clancy, John Carmody

Avenue United B 2 – Corofin Harps 3 at Lees Road, Ennis

THAT Corofin Harps are battlers is a given and it certainly hasn’t taken them long to prove this adage true – the latest display of the never-saydie that famously carried them to back-to-back Clare Cup triumph half a decade ago coming on their maiden voyage in the 2011/12 season.

There may be many changes in personnel from those glory years, but the return of Diarmuid Daly – the midfield dynamo of those Clare Cup wins in 2005 and ’06 – to the Corofin ranks played a huge part in this stirring comeback victory.

It looked bleak for Corofin after the first 15 minutes of this Sunday morning encounter. They trailed by two goals, with Avenue’s second string having hit the ground running with early strikes from Darren O’Meara and Josh Lynch.

However, Harps threw themselves a deadline just before the break when Stephen Keane got the decisive touch in a conjested penalty area to poke the ball home past Nathan Murray in the Avenue goal.

Then in the second half substitue Daly, who played football with Moher Celtic in recent years, made his presence felt on proceedings when grabbing the equaliser 16 minutes in – with another toe-poke doing the needful from ten yards.

With John Keane and Michael Concannon starring in defence and Luke O’Loughlin, who joined the club this season from Avenue’s underage setup, also an influential substitute, the Harps had hteir tails up and completed their recovery after 65 minutes when Damian Ryan drove to the left corner of the net.

Corofin Harps
Fergal Neylon, Brendan Keane, John Keane, Brendan Neylon, Gary Molloy, Michael Concannon, Michael Daly, Damian Ryan, Eamonn Malone, Ian Hassett, Stephen Keane. Subs Dara Shannon, Luke O’Loughlin, Dermot Daly.

Avenue United B
Nathan Murray, Emre, Mick Shiels, David Considine, Dean D’Auria, Niall Slattery, Shane Mangan, Dara Kerins, Darren O’Meara, Josh Lynch.

Man of the Match
John Keane (Corofin Harps) Referee Julian Standford

Rhine Rovers 1 – Manus Celtic 2 at Lees Road, Ennis

NEWCOMERS Rhine Rovers and Manus Celtic battled it out, just as they did in last year’s Second Division before Rhine Rovers took top spot as champions. However, it was the Clarecastle side that usurped the honours this time around after a late recovery snatched all three points.

1-0 up for the majority of the tie following Cathal O’Sullivan’s 25th minute effort, Rhine Rovers appeared to be heading towards victory until Manus hit them with two goals in the last three minutes to steal the win.

It was a bitter pill for Rhine to swallow, particularly as it was one of their former players, Jamie Fahy that inflicted the damage. First the substitute cracked a 20 metre free to the net to equalise and only two minutes later, he was pulled down in the box for Simon McDonagh to convert the penalty.

Their close rivalry is set to continue for the coming season, one feels.

Rhine Rovers
Brendan Quinn, Seanie Healy, Martin McInerney, Cillian Dugan, Paul Johnston, Martin Reidy, Mike Daffy, Mark Hanrahan, Johnny O’Brien, Cathal O’Sullivan, Mark McInerney

Subs
Ray O’Halloran,Vinnie O’Mullane

Manus Celtic
Pakie Healy, Ian Considine, Patrick Galbraith, Mark Walsh,Tola Crowe, Simon McDonagh,Aaron Greene, Stephen Geraghty, John Molloy, Mikie Geraghty, Mikey McDonagh

Subs
Jamie Fahy, Darren McDonagh, John Reidy, Aidan McCarthy

Referee
Dave Brosnan

Banner Ladies 1-14 – West Clare Gaels 1-13 at Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg

A FRENZIED finish brought the senior championship to a heightened cresendo as the Banner Ladies hung on to reclaim the ultimate prize in Clare ladies football. Having led by seven points at one stage of the contest, the Banner’s character was severely tested when reduced to 13 players following the sinbinning of Clare Walsh and Niamh Keane that injected new life into defending champions West Clare Gaels’. However, the Ennis based side passed the test with flying colours to defy the numerical disadvantage and deservedly take back the senior crown.

The ultimate difference in the end was Niamh O’Dea who produced a majestic display of strength, pace and accuracy to take the game by the scruff of the neck when needed most. Allied to her impressive haul of 1-7, the county minor captain was tireless in her pursuit of glory and even gave her backline some much needed support and relieve the pressure in a mad-cap last quarter.

It wasn’t the classic of last year’s decider between the same pair and of course, there were major absentees on in both camps but it was still highly entertaining in terms of intensity. In truth however, last year’s encounter was too open for comfort which led to this year’s version being contrastingly over cautious on both sides but perhaps to West Clare Gaels eventual detriment.

Personal markers in all key positions made it a less than enlightening opening half, with Niamh O’Dea being closely watched by Shauna Harvey, Katie Geoghegan being picked up by Louise Woods and Niamh Keane guarded by Deirdre Troy to name but a few. Also Rita Boland was utilised as a sweeper for a large chunk of the game and therefore, it was only when the Banner were reduced to 13 that West Clare Gaels came out of their shell and went for broke.

After an even start, the Banner decisively took the initiative in the 14th minute when O’Dea showed her class to score the opening goal of the game. It stemmed from a Niamh Keane free to Louise Henchy whose ball over the top was expertly caught by county senior team-mate O’Dea despite the attentions of two defenders before cooly slotting the ball to the net.

Despite an immediate Niamh Lardner reply, that major was the catalyst for the Banner to step up a gear with O’Dea, Henchy, Keane and Rebecca Culligan kicking unanswered points to open up a 1-7 to 0-3 advantage by the 23rd minute.

Central to the Gaels’ problems was that in trying to avoid the dominance of Louise Henchy at midfield, the amalgamation repeatedly played their kick-outs to the opposite side, thus unleashing Niamh Keane to return the ball with interest.

The holders did finally regroup before the break however with the experience of Denise Geaney, Brid Troy (2) and semi-final star Niamh Lardner grabbing four unanswered points of their own to reduce the deficit to only three at 1-7 to 0-7.

There were changes aplenty at the break as the Banner introduced two new corner-forwards, Eva O’Dea and Orlaith Lynch, to bolster their attack while the Gaels brought on Ciara Harvey to allow her sister Shauna to push up the field.

The O’Dea sisters opened the scoring with a point apiece to restore the Banner’s five point advantage and it seemed once more that the Banner were about to pull away. However, the West Clare Gaels’ reign as county senior and Munster and All-Ireland intermediate champions meant that they were not about to give up their title without a major fight and with the returning Katie Geoghegan increasingly exerting her influence, they hit back with three points of their own by the 40th minute.

Louise Henchy started and finished a move to stop the rot and extend the lead to three but the Banner were hit with a major blow when Clare Walsh saw yellow and a ten minute sejour on the line for an over-enthusiastic tackle.

Brid Troy converted the free and the crowd could sense that the game was turning in the Gaels direction. Cue the indomitable Niamh O’Dea to wrestle back control, picking up successive kickouts from Emma O’Driscoll to solo up the field and grab two points. The second was simply a joy to watch as she made her way through several tackles in a full length run to inspire her side and she added a third in a row when linking up with Henchy to build up a five point advantage by the 48th minute.

O’Dea’s calming influence appeared to have weathered the storm for her side but nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, Niamh Keane’s dissent saw her join Walsh on the sideline and with positions and tactics flying out the window and the major of play in the Banner half, the Gaels’ storm began to brew for the third time.

A Troy free cut the deifict to four and while Clare Walsh returned to the action, the Gaels got a major boost when Brid Troy picked out the unmarked Maria Kelly to goal in the 57th minute and cut the deficit to only the minimum with three minutes remaining.

The tension could be cut with a knife as every pass was intensely scrutinised and the pressure on both sides intensified. Inevitably it was O’Dea who popped up again to ease the nerves but still their two point lead was a dangerous one. They were also boosted by the sinbinning of West Clare Gaels’ Deirdre Troy which coincided with Niamh Keane’s return for the Banner but there was still a manic final few minutes of injury-time to come.

A throw-in on the Banner’s 20 metre line saw all but West Clare Gaels goalkeeper Megan McGrath decend into the Banner half and in the resulting melee, a last gasp free gave the West Clare Gaels a final opportunity. The Banner packed the goal but they were not to be tested as Katie Geoghegan’s free agonisingly rifled over the crossbar for a point in the 65th minute.

The Banner’s relief turned to unbridled joy as referee Michael Talty blew the final whistle to end this nailbiting decider that saw the Banner rise to the summit once more. The biggest rivalry in Clare ladies football just took another major turn. What will next year bring?

BENEATH the obvious joy of a third senior title in four years, you could sense that between the handshakes and hugs, Banner Ladies manager Joe Reidy had been through the wringer for the previous hour. Having led from the seventh minute to the finish without decisively shaking off a stubborn West Clare Gaels challenge, Reidy was thoroughly relieved to have got over the line and wrestle back control from the west Clare amalgamation.

“You couldn’t put words into it at the moment. It’s an amazing feeling to win with such a young team. We were beaten here last year but at least five of the team that started last year weren’t there today for various reasons of work and family commitments so it makes it all the more amazing.

“I mean we finished up there today with two Under 14’s on the field and it’s a fabulous feeling because I love seeing young players coming through. The likes of Laurie Ryan, the captain of the team, she is only a minor but she played with the county all year as well as doing her Leav- ing Cert. The same goes for Naomi Carroll and Niamh O’Dea, they are all minors and it’s a great feeling to come out on top with young players like that.”

O’Dea’s was the decisive contribution however, picking up an impressive haul of 1-7 along with a tireless work-rate that saw her collect the player-of-the-match award from Clare County Board Chairman Johnny Hayes afterwards.

“The first day I saw Niamh O’Dea play, she was eight years of age playing in Kilfenora in a boys football game and I immediately went to her parents to ask would she play for the Banner. That girl played in an AllIreland Under 14 Féile at only eight years old above in Galway. And not only is she a brilliant footballer but she is a lady as well. You can play her full-back or full-forward and she just goes out and gives it everything, every day.”

With the county title secured, has he even considered a Munster assault?

“We are now in the senior competition, playing the likes of the Cork and Kerry champions who are in the senior ranks for years. Clare were never senior and because of the West Clare Gaels All-Ireland intermediate win last year, Clare have been moved to the senior competition and it’s like going from the League of Ireland to the Premier League in England.

“There is also the camogie to consider. When we played in Munster two years ago, there were five of our team missing as the camogie county final was on the same day so it will all depend on who is available to us.”

After such an inspiring victory, the Banner will certainly steele themselves for the challenge of Tipperary champions Cappawhite in the Munster Senior B Championship Semi-Final on Saturday, October 1. Although Joe Reidy is probably just hoping that it isn’t as nailbiting as Saturday’s county final.

O’Callaghan’s Mills 1-09 – Kildysart 1-08 at Shannon

WHITHER the big ball in the Mills and Kilkishen was the cry after they were pummelled by 14 points by Kilmurry Ibrickane in the opening round of the championship.

That was June; that was then; this is now as they’re now 60 minutes away from an historic first ever county intermediate final place after they edged past a determined and neversay-die Kildysart side on Saturday afternoon.

O’Callaghan’s Mills took control of the tie once Conor Cooney bagged a goal in the 12th minute – lead by four at half-time and by the same margin entering the last 15 minutes but in the end had to thank a last minute free from Bryan Donnellan to sneak through to a semi-final date against Clondegad.

Kildysart made a positive start with points by Damien Hill and Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly inside the first ten minutes, but Conor Cooney’s goal settled the east Claremen and in the final 20 minutes of the half they outscored their opponents by 1-4 to 0-2 to take control of affairs.

Cooney’s goal was followed by points from Eoin Pewter, Bryan Donnellan (2) and Jonathon Lyons, while points from Damien Hill and Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly left matters resting at 1-5 to 0-4 in the Mills favour at half-time.

That four differential remained after both traded four points between them with Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly and Niall Ginnane on the mark for Kildysart, with John Cooney and Bryan Donnellan finding the range for the Mills.

However, the game was thrown back into the melting pot in the 49th minute when a Ger ‘Bobby’ Kelly point was followed immediately by a Damien Hill goal that left the sides deadlocked at 1-7 apiece entering the last ten minutes.

In the end it was Bryan Donnellan who came up trumps – he edged his side back in front with a point from play in the 54th minute, only for Kildysart to bounce back inside 30 seconds with the equaliser from Christy Clancy, but it was Donnellan who landed the decisive score with a 59th minute free to bring his tally for the hour to 0-6.

O’Curry’s 1-14 Corofin 1-06 at Pairc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty

THE O’CURRY’S machine cranked up a gear in its pursuit of a quick return to senior level by seeing off Corofin in this winner-takes-all semi-final decider. O’Curry’s displayed a healthy blend of youth and experience to recover from an early setback when Corofin grabbed a 12th minute goal against the conditions.

Perhaps it was the kickstart they needed after a slow start that saw a young Corofin side take the game to their opponents. The game wasn’t even a minute old when a Darragh Shannon lineball was worked from Jamie Malone to Stephen Heagney whose shot for a point dropped short and allowed Fergal Neylon to ghost in at the back post to punch the ball agonisingly wide. Corofin did opening the scoring through the impressive Jamie Malone in the right corner and despite Ger Quinlan’s equalising free and a glorious goal opportunity for Eoin Troy, the north Clare side finally made amends for their earlier miss when Jamie Malone played a pass across the square for the waiting Damien Ryan to volley first time to the net in the 12th minute.

Corofin failed to build on that ad vantage and if anything, the goal only angered O’Curry’s who despite six first half wides would manage to kick eight points without reply in the remainder of the half while keeping their opponents scoreless. Three Ger Quinlan frees bookended good ap- proach work from Michael Carmody and attacking centre-back Ollie Quinlan, and scores for impressive minor Jack Scanlon (2), Eoin Troy (2) and Damien Carmody to hold a 0-9 to 1-1 half-time advantage.

Corofin improved in the second period mainly through Damien Ryan’s free but with Ger Quinlan unerring from placed balls as well, they predominantly cancelled each other out.

Still, for all O’Curry’s control, they were still only four points up with just over ten minutes remaining, having survived a scare when Jamie Malone and Ryan again combined but this time goalkeeper Eoin Clohessy made the decisive save from Ryan with his feet.

That miss was magnified when substitute Mark Roche finished off a slick handpassing move from back to front with his first kick of the game finding the net.That goal put the result beyond doubt and with Corofin becoming increasingly desperate, O’Curry’s finished strongly with further points from Scanlon, Ger Quinlan and Roche again to cement their position in the last four against Kilmurry Ibrickane. However, Corofin’s young side still have a Under 21B final to look forward to in the coming weeks.

O’Curry’s
Eoin Clohessy (7), Gearoid Lynch (7), Michael O’Shea (7), Paul Roche (7), BrianTroy (7), Ollie

Quinlan (8),TomDownes (8), Ger Quinlan (8) (0-7f), DerekTroy (7), Damien Carmody (7) (0-1), EoinTroy (7) (0-2), Michael Foran (7), Michael Carmody (8), Sean Haugh (7), Jack Scanlon (8) (0-3)

Subs
JimDownes (6) for Ml. Carmody (47 mins), Mark Roche (8) (1-1) for Foran (48 mins), Ryan McMahon for O’Shea (57 mins), Eoin Murray for E.Troy (57 mins), DeclanWalsh for D. Carmody (60 mins)

Corofin
Kieran Carkill (7), Brian McGauran (5), Brendan Keane (6), Ollie O’Loughlin (6), Diarmuid Daly (6), Eamon Malone (7), Manus Malone (7), John Keane (7) (0-1), Luke O’Loughlin (7), Fergal Neylon (6), Damien Ryan (7) (1-3 3f), Darragh Shannon (7), JasonTierney (6), Jamie Malone (8) (0-2), Stephen Heagney (6)

Subs
Donnacha Kelleher (6) for McGauran (21 mins), HaulieVaughan (6) for Neylon (48 mins), Killian Neylon (6) for Tierney (48 mins)

Man of the Match
Ollie Quinlan (O’Curry’s) Referee Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

St Joseph’s D/B 3-09 – Shannon Gaels 0-11 at Pairc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty

THE PRECARIOUS nature of the senior championship was exemplified by this dramatic group changer. The Gaels, after a rousing victory over Miltown last time out, were within touching distance of the last eight while point-less Doora/Barefield were in the relegation zone with a big victory needed to emerge. And even then they needed a favour from east Clare side Cratloe in the other group game.

Things weren’t going their way either in the early stages as the Gaels eased to a 0-5 to 0-1 lead by the end of the opening quarter with Michael Coughlan and John Paul O’Neill converting eyecatching points while David Neylon was causing concern for St Joseph’s last line. Indeed, that four point advantage was maintained up to the 27th minute before a dramatic u-turn took effect.

How did it happen? Well, it was a combination of Shannon Gaels hitting the self-destruct button while Doora/Barefield developed a keen eye for goal that saw Enda Lyons set up late goals for midfielders Kevin Dilleen and Alan O’Neill. By the break, Doora/Barefield had exacted an eight point shift at 2-5 to 0-7 to leave shellshocked Shannon Gaels praying for the half-time whistle.

To their credit, the Gaels didn’t fold and came right back at their opponents with three unanswered points in the opening five minutes of the restart through Michael Coughlan (2) and Brian O’Shea to cut the deificit to the minimum.

However, with Sean Flynn using his roving role to perfection and goalkeeper Declan O’Keefee both effective from kick-outs and placed balls at the other end, St Joseph’s stopped the rot with points from David O’Brien and an O’Keeffe ’45. They also had a goalbound shot excel lently saved by Keith Ryan from the impressive Enda Lyons before making amends with the killer blow in the 50th minute when Alan O’Neill fed Cathal O’Sullivan for their third goal.

That major sucked the remaining life out of the Gaels’ challenge and while David Neylon remonstrated with referee Michael Rock for an effort that he felt crossed the line soon afterwards, they would only score one more point through Sean Reynolds. Meanwhile, the now inspired St Joseph’s finished strongly through Declan O’Keeffe and John O’Brien to seal a memorable victory and book their place in the quarter-final against Doonbeg.

St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield
Declan O’Keeffe (8) (0-2 1f, 1’45), Stephen Collins (8), Declan O’Halloran (7), Ger Fannin (8), Gavin O’Sullivan (8), Damien Kennedy (7), Mark Rafferty (7), Kevin Dilleen (8) (1-0),Alan O’Neill (8) (1-0), David O’Brien (8) (0-4), Sean Flynn (9) (0-1), Greg

Lyons (7), Enda Lyons (8), Cathal O’Sullivan (7) (1-0),Aidan O’Connor (7) (0-2f)

Sub
John O’Brien (7) (0-1).

Shannon Gaels
Keith Ryan (6), Frank Cleary (6), John Neylon (7), Fergal Kenny (6),Tomás Madigan (6), Brian Bermingham(6),Tomás Cleary (6), Micheál O’Donoghue (6), Sean Reynolds (6) (0-1), Bryan Cunningham(7) (0-1), John Paul O’Neill (8) (0-1), John Bermingham(6), Brian O’Shea (6) (0-2), David Neylon (6) (0-1 1’45), Michael Coughlan (6) (0-5 4f)

Subs
ShaneTubridy (6) for O’Shea, Nigel Hehir (6) for Coughlan.

Man of the Match
Sean Flynn (St Joseph’s Doora/ Barefield) Referee Michael Rock (Ennistymon)

Cratloe 1-10 – St Joseph’s Miltown 0-06 at Cusack Park, Ennis

A PERFORMANCE of two halves for Cratloe on Saturday who after initially struggling to break free of St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay finally found their groove to confirm a place in the knock-out stages.

For that opening 30 minutes, last season’s quarter-finalists got mired in gridlock and appeared to have trouble finding a route to navigate through.

Miltown contested well around the middle, denied Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney the kind of space they normally thrive in and picked of a few decent points. Cratloe weren’t without their faults, particularly in their ponderous build up play.

At half time with the scores 0-3 03 apiece, the game was anybody’s. That all changed after the break once Cratloe quickened their distribution, a policy that brought the best out of Conor McGrath. After twice skinning Miltown’s full back line for two points, the full forward rocketed a shot to the net in the 42nd minute to send Cratloe six points clear. That was more or less that.

Miltown toiled away but their industry was rarely accompanied by inspiration. Even the return from America of Gordon Kelly failed to provide the spark that was sorely lacking from Miltown’s performance.

Dessie Molohan was having one of those days when it looked like he might shoot the lights out yet Miltown could not establish a regular and accurate supply chain to their talismanic full forward. Unlike Cratloe whose high standard of kick passing, as exemplified by Martin Ogie Murphy and the Collins brothers, Sean and Padraic, was one of the key differences between the sides.

Molohan did provide the opening point, shooting over from distance after neat approach work in the 1st minute.

A Cathal McInerney free leveled matters before Sean Collins powered through for a point in the 14th minute.

Overall the quality of shooting was fairly poor in the first half though there were some genuine moments of quality.

Gary Egan grabbed Miltown’s second point before Molohan caught, swiveled and curled over a sweet point in the 18th minute. A point from Sean Collins in the 28th minute ensured the sides entered the break all square.

It didn’t take long for Cratloe’s greater urgency to manifest itself on the scoreboard when action resumed.

McGrath was involved as Padraic Collins blasted over from close range as Cratloe went for the kill.

The full forward then pointed before a McInerney free and a point from substitute Padraig Chaplin pushed Cratloe 0-7 0-4 ahead.

The goal arrived seconds later and embodied the best of Cratloe’s play in the second half. Murphy’s precise pass afforded McGrath time to turn and speed past Sean Meade. Despite the Miltown man’s close attentions, McGrath kept his balance and roofed his shot from a tight angle.

Points from Michael Malone and Molohan steadied Miltown but it still looked grim for the west Clare side who were now relying on results from elsewhere and on the vagaries of score difference.

Jamie Joyce produced a firm save to deny Darragh McDonagh in the 52nd minute as points from Liam Markham and McInereney copperfastened Cratloe’s seven point victory.

Clondegad 3-14 – Ballyvaughan 0-07 at Pairc Finne, Corofin

A GAME that mattered little in terms of the overall championship and in truth, it showed. Clondegad were safely into the semi-finals as group winners before a ball had been kicked while Ballyvaughan were at the opposite end of the spectrum and facing a relegation battle regardless of the result. And that previous form didn’t lie as last year’s finalists strolled to a handsome win in second gear and could afford to experiment with positions, tactics and even empty the bench to encouraging effect ahead of their semi-final showdown against O’Callaghan’s Mills.

In fact, budding spectators could have saved themselves a few bob and double-backed to the gate before the throw-in as the respective warm-ups succinctly displayed the contrasting difference in confidence and inten- sity. Clondegad’s near 30 minute session was high tempo stuff befitting a side determined to finally get over the line in the championship while Ballyvaughan’s leisurely gathering typified their moral crushing struggle this year with a threadbare squad.

Unquestionably Ballyvaughan did their upmost to impose themselves on their opponents and were honest to a fault but in terms of scoring prowess, pace and purpose, were never going to trouble a Clondegad side desperate not to become another Michael Cusack’s in terms of near misses at intermediate level.

And yet had Ballyvaughan’s most influential player, James Hynes grabbed a 18th minute goal, the north Clare side might have even rallied somewhat but instead the midfielder saw his shot just drift outside the far post. That chance was against the rain somewhat as it was Clondegad who commanded the opening quarter, led by the attacking half-back unit of Francie Neylon and Kieran Browne. On the scoreboard, their control was capped by 1-1 from always available corner-forward Pat Coffey who finished off a great move in only the sixth minute involving Shane Brennan, Eoin Griffin and Eoghan Donnellan before Coffey executed the cool finish under the body of goalkeeper Damien McNamara. That goal added to a brace of frees from Padraig McMahon lifted Clondegad to a five lead by the turn of the opening quarter which was extended to seven by the break at 1-7 to 0-3.

Inbetween James Hynes was effective at both ends, just missing that 18th minute goal chance after receiving the perfect pass from Lorcan Mahon while at the other end only five minutes later, he threw his body in front of McMahon’s goalbound shot to keep his side in the game.

Clondegad used the break to introduce Tony Kelly and Conor Gavin and both would be influential in Clondegad’s more potent second half showing.

With Ballyvaughan increasingly war weary, that added pace gave Clondegad the license to finish the game in style, with Kelly in particular central to that charge.

In all, the dual star would score 1-3 himself and set up two further final quarter goal chances, with Podge McMahon seeing his effort rebound off the butt of the post to safety while the clinical Pat Coffey made no mistake for his second goal of the game in the 54th minute.

In some ways, it was a valuable workout for Clondegad but in others, it was perhaps a phoney war in terms of the imminently tougher challenge to come in the last four.

Clondegad
Declan Flynn (7), Flan Enright (7), Paddy O’Connell (8), Cormac Ryan (7), Kieran Browne (8), Francie Neylon (8), Brian Murphy (7), Cormac Murphy (7), Shane Brennan (8), Francie O’Reilly (7) (0-1), Eoghan Donnellan (8) (0-2), Eoin Griffin (7) (0-2), Kenneth Kelly (7), Padraig McMahon (8) (0-3 3f), Pat Coffey (8) (2-1)

Subs
Tony Kelly (8) (1-3) for O’Reilly (HT), Conor Gavin (7) (0-1) for B. Murphy (HT), James Murphy (6) for C. Murphy (44 mins), Paddy Breen (0-1) for McMahon (51 mins), Flan King for Enright (52 mins)

Ballyvaughan
Damien McNamara (7), John Linnane (6), Sean McNamara (7) (0-1), Mark O’Loughlin (7), Phelim Coyne (6), Kieran Casey (7) (0-1), Marc Walsh (7), Ray Casey (6) (0-1f), James Hynes (7), Lorcan Mahon (6), John McCormack (7), John Mooney (6),Adrian Niland (7) (0-1), Donnacha Mahon (7) (0-2),Thomas Francis (6)

Sub
CianWalsh (6) (0-1) for Mooney (HT)

Man of the Match
Francie Neylon (Clondegad) Referee Pat Cosgrove (Corofin)