Category: Sport

Clare 2-13 – Kilkenny 1-11 at Semple Stadium Thurles

THERE WAS history in the air in Semple Stadium on Saturday evening as Clare completed the full set of All-Ireland adult titles by capturing the elusive intermediate crown. In truth, the last piece of the jigsaw was garnered more comfortably than expected as once Clare reponded to yet another stuttering start with Tony Carmody’s 14th minute goal, they were always in command without perhaps ever putting the game to bed.

Of course, there are some that would bemoan the fact that Kilkenny were understrength due to the loss of three senior panellists at the behest of senior manager Brian Cody and had only played one competitive game to reach the final but Clare won’t mind that begrudgery as they had earned their title shot the hard way. Hard fought victories over Cork, Limerick and Galway had primed them for the ultimate stage and to complete the set by taking down the defending champions in the decider simply added to the sweetness of the historic occasion.

It was also a moral victory for Kevin Kennedy, Niall Romer, Tommy O’Donoghue and all who had lobbied for the county to take a more serious approach to the intermediate grade in recent times. For years in both hurling and football, the respective intermediate and junior grades were not treated with the respect they deserved but Saturday’s achievement justified a more mature and beneficial attitude that will have only enhanced the development of this squad of players in future intercounty grades.

Captain Tony Carmody put it best before the All-Ireland semi-final when aptly noting that while the competition is predominantly a development grade for younger players, one annual Munster championship outing isn’t sufficient to bring those players on, hence the neccessity for more epxerienced players to aid a sustained run.

And his pronouncement proved to be as accurate as his barnstorming first half goal that put Clare firmly on the road to victory. As in their previous outings, the seamless blend of youth and experience was essential to Clare’s progress on Saturday with Niall Gilligan, Tony Carmody and Declan O’Rouke providing the inspiration for others like Michael Hawes, Patrick Kelly, Shane Golden, John Fennessy, Joe O’Connor and Padraig Hickey to prosper.

And while this wasn’t anywhere near Clare’s most complete performance to date, the spirit and understanding that has developed over the past few months stood to them when need most.

The scores were shared out over ten different players, the loss of captain Tony Carmody to injury only minutes after his goal only strengthened the side’s resolve as they remained focused on the prize.

On the flip side, Kilkenny looked every bit the side that was lacking competitive games together with only PJ Rowe, Stephen Byrne and Paul O’Flynn raising their game to the expected Kilkenny standard but they also had plenty of inter-county and All-Ireland experience at all grades in the side when compared to Clare.

Instead, however Clare didn’t need to be asked twice when gaining a foothold in the game after another slow start. A Michael Grace free immediately on the throw-in was added to by Paul O’Flynn’s fifth minute goal that brought back all too recent memories of their semi-final start against Galway.

However, like a hurler that needs a slap to anger him into action, Clare were forced to react in kind and did so thanks in the main to their Sixmilebridge contingent. Shane Golden opened Clare’s account with a brace from distance, Niall Gilligan converted his own free while Clare finally took the lead in emphatic style when Tony Carmody took on Kilkenny’s last line and found the top corner of the net in the 14th minute to take a 1-3 to 1-1 advantage.

It was a lead that they would never relenquish as Kilkenny failed to hit the target from their numerous chances on the wings while in contrast, Clare grew in confidence with every passing score, grabbing five out of the last seven points of the half to take a 1-8 to 1-4 half-time lead, with the wind to come. While also being defensively sound through the dominant Michael Hawes, John Fennessy and Patrick Kelly, it allowed the forwards to prosper, particularly Padraig Hickey, who epitomised his emergence by his inspirational 30th minute dispossession and score that raised the biggest cheer of the evening amongst the largely Clare dominant support.

They extended that advantage to nine by the 41st minute after points from Joe O’Connor and Niall Gilligan who were both enjoying their new roles in the half-forward line. Daire Keane’s 41st minute goal may have had an element of fortune in the build up when Padraig Hickey’s point attempt came off the upright into the substitute’s path but there was no luck involved in the finish as the Kilmaley man carved his name into the history books from close range.

All this after Kilkenny had started better once more but Ger Shelly’s handpass across the square to his waiting colleagues was expertly intercepted and cleared by Patrick Kelly.

Clare possibly should have ran out comprehensive winners from that point but credit Kilkenny for emptying the bench and sparking a minirevival. Replacements Ger Aylward (2) and Simon Burke hit three unanswered points by the turn of the final quarter but Clare kept themselves in safe territory with Joe O’Connor, Ronan Keane and Declan O’Rouke matching points from O’Flynn, Conor Conway and Burke.

Niall Gilligan might have killed off Kilkenny’s renewed challenge before time but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to strike in front of goal and instead, it took until the 62nd minute for the Cats to use up their ninth life when Paul O’Flynn crept in at the back post but saw his effort for goal just go the wrong side of the crossbar.

That sense of relief was replaced by unbridled joy as the final whistle sounded on yet another positive for Clare hurling.

And while the parameters will change substantially next year, the gauntlet has finally be put down as to the benefits of throwing everything into every competition the county enters.

Clare
AndrewFahey (Whitegate) (7), Mark Earley (Tubber) (7), Patrick Kelly (Clarecastle) (8), Alan Brigdale (Crusheen) (7), John Fennessy (Sixmilebridge) (8), Michael Hawes (Cratloe) (9), Kevin Moynihan (Éíre Óg) (6), Ronan Keane (Éire Óg) (7) (0-1), Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge) (8) (0-2), Martin Duggan (Clooney/Quin) (6) (0-1), Tony Carmody (Sixmilebridge) (7) (1-0), Kevin Dilleen (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) (7) (0-1), Joe O’Connor (Parteen) (7) (0-2), Niall Gilligan (Sixmilebridge) (7) (0-3 2f), Padraig Hickey (Broadford) (8) (0-2)

Subs
Daire Keane (Kilmaley) (7) (1-0) for Carmody (20 mins, inj), Paidí Fitzpatrick (Sixmilebridge) (6) for Moynihan (45 mins), Declan O’Rourke (WolfeTones) (6) (0-1) for Duggan (48 mins), Sean Chaplin (Cratloe) for Golden (58 mins, inj), Conor Tierney (Inagh/Kilnamona) for Gilligan (62 mins)

Kilkenny
Richie O’Neill (Kilmacow) (7),Willie Phelan (Dunnamaggin) (7), Michael Walsh (Young Irelands) (6), Sean Phelan (Lisdowney) (7), Luke Harney (Kilmacow) (7), PJ Rowe (Mooncoin) (8), Stephen Byrne (Young Irelands) (8) (0-1), Michael Grace (Mooncoin) (7) (0-1f),Willie O’Dwyer (Mullinavat) (6), Paul O’Flynn (Dicksboro) (8) (1-2), Seoirse Kenny (St Patrick’s) (6), JJ Farrell (Thomastown) (6), Ger Shelly (John Lockes) (7), Eddie Hickey (Lisdowney) (7) (0-2),Adrian Stapleton (Dicksboro) (6)

Subs
Ger Aylward (Glenmore) (7) (0-2) for Stapleton (38 mins), Simon Burke (John Lockes) (6) (0-2f) for Farrell (42 mins), OllieWalsh (Dicksboro) (6) for Kenny (42 mins), Conor Conway (Mullinavat) (6) (0-1f) for O’Dwyer (49 mins), Nicky Kenny (Piltown) for Hickey (55 mins)

Man of the Match
Michael Hawes (Clare) Referee Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

SUNDAY saw the second running of the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia around the closed roads of Clare.

Nearly 2,000 riders took on the 134km circuit with Australian David McIntosh first over the finish line in a time of 3.53.29 hours (only 12 seconds faster than the 2010 winning time).

The first Irish man home was West Clare club man Jarlath Hassett just four minutes behind the winner. Last year’s winner and wearing number one in the 2011 edition of the event, Phillip Colleran was unable to match last year’s result however he did cross the line in ninth place, finishing in four hours.

Lizzie Wiltshire was the fastest female in 4.26.54 hours. She just edged last year’s fastest Jo Millin by two seconds.

The field of riders from 14 countries saw Irish cycling legend, Sean Kelly starting alongside Irish starlet, World Youth Champion Kate Veale and former British Champion and Great Britain international Dean Downing.

This second running of the event attracted over 1,200 riders from outside of Ireland. Coupled together with partners, families and friends, this resulted in hotels, B&Bs and hostels being full to the bring for the duration of the weekend.

Sunday’s event was the result of eight months of careful planning, activated by over 300 event staff made up of 50 volunteers, 30 Garda, 20 moto marshalls, 30 medics, 40 traffic management team, 60 stewards, plus sponsors, council members and over 25 local businesses who were directly involved in the events success.

On completing the 134km, Sean Kelly said, “That was exciting. I really enjoyed the second Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. The closed roads made for an enjoyable event and the pace was steady and achievable.

.At the finish, Kelly was the centre of attention with fans asking for autographs and posing for photographs.

Kate Veale said, “This was my first cycling event and I was a little apprehensive about the distance but it was amazing to have so much company on the roads, I’m used to training solo and the camaraderie was just brilliant. I’ll definitely do more cycling in the future, I love the challenge of any endurance sport.” For more on the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia visit www.etapehibernia. com.

Kilmaley 1-19 – Clooney/Quin 0-10 at Cusack Park, Ennis

IF at first you don’t succeed, try and try again – that motto stood for Kilmaley on the double in this fourth round clash in Cusack Park on Saturday evening, something they came out on the right side of thanks to this comprehensive double scores win.

First and foremost they were out for a rare championship victory after drawing their opening two games; secondly, as the first half of this game wore on, they were out for a goal, with one finally coming their way on the stroke of half-time.

And, when Eoin Enright flashed to the net from ten yards, Kilmaley finally put four missed goal opportunities behind them with a goal that tipped the balance firmly in their favour and from which they never looked back.

That strike which was teed up by a brilliant overhead flick from Seamus Hurley helped Kilmaley into a 1-6 to 0-7 lead, an advantage they pressed home with a vengeance on the turnover when outscoring a dispirited and disjointed Clooney/Quin side by 013 to 0-4.

It was a procession, so much so that long before the end yet another underachieving year for Clooney/Quin at senior level had arrived – their fifth since graduating from the intermediate ranks as a Munster championship winning team.

They had no winning demenour about them on this day, despite a positive opening that saw them moved 03 to 0-1 clear by the seventh minute after Sean Conheady and a couple of Peter Duggan frees got them going.

However, the reality was that these opening salvos represented the height of Clooney/Quin’s day once Kilmaley settled down and picked off points through Michael O’Neill (2), Brian McMahon and Niall McGuane to tie things up at 0-4 apiece by the 15th minute.

And Kilmaley could have been out of sight at half-time thanks to the many goal opportunities that came their way. Niall McGuane, Seamus Hurley, Eoin Enright and Diarmuid McMahon all had chances as they laid siege on Clooney/Quin’s goal only to get nothing for their efforts.

Undeterred, points via Colin Lynch and an Alan Markham free moved them 0-6 to 0-4 clear by the 23rd minute before Martin Duggan and Fergal Lynch hit back to level matters as the game drifted into injury time.

However, the initiative was firmly with Kilmaley by the break after Hurley’s audacious overhead flick, was gathered by Eoin Enright and he blasted to the net. A Peter Duggan free did peg it back to a 1-6 to 0-7 game at the interval, but Kilmaley’s determination to finally land a championship win ultimately over- whelmed a limp Clooney/Quin side in the second half.

Midfielder Kenneth Kennedy was the man, setting the tone for his side’s domination with three points inside the first ten minutes as they turned the screw on a Clooney/Quin side that rapidly began to lose heart, application and interest.

Indeed, this game was over by the 45th minute, by which time Kilmaley had hit seven points without reply to move 1-13 to 0-7 clear as Kennedy continued to lord it around midfield and on the scoreboard.

A couple of points from Martin and Peter Duggan did stem the tide by the 50th minute, but three more Kennedy points to bring his tally to seven for half and another by John Cabey put them 11 clear and out of sight as Kilmaley revelled in the freedom of finally knowing that they were going to win a championship game.

It was exhibition stuff in the end as Eoin O’Malley and Colin McGuane tacked on points to leave a dozen between the sides in the end.

Clooney/ Quin
Damian O’Halloran (7), Joe O’Loughlin (7), Conor Harrison (7), Shane McNamara (6), Donncha Murphy (6), Cillian Duggan (7), Enda Harrison (6), Sean Conheady (7) (0-1), Mike McNamara (6), Martin Duggan (7) (0-2),Adrian Fleming (6), John

Earls (7) (0-1), Michael Daffy (7), Fergal Lynch (7) (0-2), Peter Duggan (7) (0-3f).

Subs
Cathal Egan (6) for Fleming [Half-Time], Padraig Ward (6) for Mike McNamara [44 Mins], Seamus Conroy (6) for Earls [22 Mins].

Kilmaley
Kieran Dillon (7), Martin O’Connor (7),Anthony Cahill (7), Colin McGuane (7) (0-1), Noel Casey (7),Alan Markham(7) Capt. (0-1f), Conor McMahon (7), Kenneth Kennedy (8) (0-8, 4f, one 65), Colin Lynch (7) (0-1), Diarmuid McMahon (7), Brian McMahon (7) (0-1), Michael O’Neill (7) (03), Eoin Enright (7) (1-0), Seamus Hurley (7) (0-1), Niall McGuane (7) (0-1).

Subs
Conor Neylon (6) for Enright [54 Mins], John Cabey (7) (0-1) for McGuane [54 Mins], Eoin O’Malley (6) (0-1) for Lynch [58 Mins], Declan Clancy (6) for O’Neill [59 Mins], John Clohessy for O’Connor [60 Mins].

Man of the Match
Kenneth Kennedy (Kilmaley) Referee Ger Hoey (Killanena)

WITH THE 60×30 handball provincial championships now concluded, Clare’s three Munster Singles Champions were in All-Ireland semi-final action over the weekend and all three were victorious. The legendary John Kirby had a straight-forward 21-5, 21-11 win over Paddy Walsh (Sigo)in his Ruby Masters semi-final in Ballina while in Golden Masters B Singles, Pat Donellan had a 21-10, 21-11 victory against Galway’s Willie Corcoran at Williamstown. Ashling Fitzgerald travelled to Roscommon to play Stephanie Coleman of Mayo in Junior Singles and came away with an impressive 21-8, 21-15 success.

All three are also Munster Doubles champions and are again in All-Ireland semi-final this Saturday. John Kirby teams up with Jimmy Walsh to take on Mayo pair Tom Derrig and John Kenny in Castlebar (5.00) while there are two games down for decision in Tuamgraney. Starting at 2.00pm, Pat Donellan and his partner Stephen McInerney face Galway opposition in the form of Willie Corcoran and Mike Shaughnessy. Ashling Fitzgerald is again up against Mayo when she partners Edel O’Grady to take on Stephanie Coleman and Mary Duffy.

This weekend also sees the 60×30 All-Ireland Juvenile Semi-Finals take place and on the Munster v. Connaught side of the draw, there is a full list of games down for this Saturday in both Ballina (Tipp) and Hospital (both 12.00). Clare will be represented on Saturday by Fergal Coughlan, who plays his Boys under 14 Singles semi final against either Sligo or Mayo in Ballina.

Crusheen 0-16 – Ballyea 1-08 at Cusack Park, Ennis

FOR THE second successive year, it was an uncomfortable ride before Crusheen finally overcame a stubborn Ballyea challenge.

It was by no means a convincing display from the county champions but at this stage of the competition, a win is a win and Crusheen gave further creedence to their defence of the title by securing top spot in the group and a coveted place in the last eight.

Despite a nervy third quarter when a Tony Kelly-led Ballyea threatened to upset Crusheen’s final group outing, the holders led from start to finish and were 0-9 to 0-3 ahead at the break, thanks to the experience of David Forde (3), Gerry O’Grady (2) and Gearoid O’Donnell (1).

0-6 to 0-1 clear by the 27th minute, Crusheen’s nine first half wides kept Ballyea in the game and it might have proved costly when Kelly’s free from 45 metres dropped around the square but Kevin Sheehan’s effort just went the wrong side of the crossbar.

Former county captain Gerry O’Grady had a pull saved at the other end before the half was completed but he did make amends with the final two points of the half to give his side a six point interval cushion.

Sick of moral victories, the young Ballyea side went for the jugular on the restart, with 1-1 inside the opening three minutes through a Kelly free and a goal for substitute Francie O’Reilly. That pair would also pick off a brace of points around the turn of the final quarter to reduce the deficit to only the minimum as the game was swinging in the balance

Crusheen dug deep, introduced Conor O’Donnell and county senior captain Paddy Vaughan and finished strongly with the last four points of the game through Fergus Kennedy, Paddy Meaney, Vaughan and Gearoid O’Donnell as Ballyea frustratingly tired once more despite emptying the bench.

It means that Crusheen top the group and move a step closer to be the first side to retain a senior championship in 12 years while Ballyea frustratingly go in the oppositie direction and will contest the relegation play-offs, despite another encouraging performance.

Crusheen
Donal Tuohy (7), John Brigdale (7), Cronan Dillon (7),Alan Brigdale (7), Ciaran O’Doherty (7), Cian Dillon (7), Cathal Dillon (7), Shaun Dillon (6) (0-1), Fergus Kennedy (8) (0-1), Jamie Fitzgibbon (6), Joe Meaney (7) (0-2f), David Forde (8) (0-4), Paddy Meaney (7) (0-2), Gerry O’Grady (7) (0-2), Gearoid O’Donnell (8) (0-3)

Subs
Conor O’Donnell (6) for S. Dillon (43 mins), PaddyVaughan (6) (0-1f) for J. Meaney (49 mins)

Ballyea
Shane O’Neill (7), Declan Keane (6), Paul Flanagan (8), James Murphy (6), Cathal O’Connor (7), Gearoid O’Connell (7), Cathal Doohan (8), Paddy O’Connell (7) Tony Kelly (8) (0-5 3f),Tony Griffin (7), Niall Keane (7) (0-1), Niall Deasy (6), Brian Murphy (6), Kevin Sheehan (6) (0-1), Francie Neylon (6)

Subs
Eamon Griffin (6) for J. Murphy (21 mins), Francie O’Reilly (7) (1-1) for B. Murphy (HT),Alan Carrig (6) for O’Connor (41 mins), Frankie Griffin for Neylon (51 mins, inj), Donal Chambers for Doohan (54 mins, inj)

Man of the Match
David Forde (Crusheen) Referee Rory Hickey (Éire Óg)

Doonbeg 2-17 – Burren Gaels 0-04 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

YOU WERE never going to get great odds on Doonbeg Ladies claiming the Junior A Fooball title this year. An impressive outfit from the outset of the competition, they lifted the Bob Flanagan Cup on Sunday evening in Miltown Malbay after an emphatic win over Burren Gaels. Edel Conway now leads her team into the Munster Junior Championships, with the fixtures draw taking place this week.

It was a fairly black and white affair for the Magpies as they executed a relentless game plan that aimed to dominate in all positions. By the end of the first quarter, four of the six forwards were on the scoreboard, Mairead Madigan (1-2), Michelle Fitzpatrick (1-0), Siobhan Behan (02) and Kevina Kenny (0-1).

Burren Gaels’ captain Kayleigh McCormack did inspire several for ays into the Doonbeg danger zone with Lynn and Niamh Carrucan doing their best but with four Junior All-Ireland Champions Edel Conway, Sarah Cahill, Linda Russell and Yvonne Downes (with Kilmihil in 2008), forming the spine of the Doonbeg defence, it was never going to be easy for the young northern team.

Linda Russell took control in the second quarter and drove from midfield to point twice and her distribution was immaculate as she picked out Madigan who came off the cross bar but this was pointed by Michelle Fitzpatrick. Clare Under 16 Katie Connole got the Gaels on to the board with a lovely point and this was followed by a pointed free from county minor Roisin Howley. (2-8 to 0-2). However a missed free and several rushed shots didn’t yield anything for the Burren Gaels while Doonbeg’s Kenny pointed with the left leg and then she broke the resulting kickout down to Behan who pointed to bring the score to 2-10 to 0-2 as Sean Ryan from Kilrush blew for the break.

Katie Connole pointed again on the restart and things looked promising for Burren Gaels in the opening minutes of the second half and they spent a lot of time in the Magpies’ quarters. Major pressure from Niamh Considine, Amy Maloney and Orlaith Cullinan from the centre kept defender’s Edel Conway, Michelle McInerney and Claire Madigan busy but they didn’t get a clear shot at the Doonbeg goals which seemed to be their strategy. It was difficult to shake off the Burren gale in the third quarter but when they did break out, the impressive Mairead Madigan used her strength to rack up four points for the westerners. Russell was back for more as she drove incessantly at County Under 16s Fiona Loughman and Joanne Howley as she won a free for Madigan and scored her own third point at the end of the third quarter at 2-14 to 0-3.

Much credit must be given to the youthful Gaels for taking the battle to a more experienced opposition and they will have noted the fact that they occupied the Black and Whites defence for long periods. However, Madigan pointed two of her four second half points and Kevina Kenny followed suit in the remaining minutes. Doonbeg did come off the upright just before the talented Katie Connole pointed for the third time for the Burren Gaels. When Sean Ryan concluded the match Doonbeg were 2-17 to 0-4 ahead and Junior A Champions for 2011.

Edel Conway, who also co-ordinated the U16 competition for the last number of years with the Clare Ladies Football County Board, will surely look forward to leading her panel into Munster with a wealth of experience and previous All-Ireland success. With additional strength on every line such as Michelle McInerney, Carolyn Haugh, Edel Fitzpatrick, Aoife Conway and Evelyn O’Mahoney, the Magpies will surely be serious contenders when they take to the field on Saturday week.

Doonbeg
LorraineTubridy, Michelle McInerney, Edel Conway (Capt), Claire Madigan, Patricia Nugent, Sarah Cahill, Carolyn Haugh, Linda RussellKelleher, Edel Fitzpatrick,Aoife Conway, Kevina Kenny, Siobhan Behan, Evelyn O’Mahoney, Mairead Madigan, Michelle Fitzpatrick

Subs
Yvonne Downes, Brid Lillis, Maeve Clancy,Amanda Ryan, Cassandra Frawley, Loreta Hanrahan, Caroline Breen, Martha Hanrahan, Diane Kelly, MarieTubridy, Mandy Murphy, Elaine Greene, Rita McInerney, Rachel Ryan.

Burren Gaels
Kanisha Flanagan,Amy Cassidy, Tiana Flanagan, Marion Conway, Joanne Howley, Fiona Loughman, Sarah McMahon, Orlaith Cullinan, Kayleigh McCormack (Capt), Lynn Carrucan, Niamh Considine, Katie Connole, Niamh Carrucan, Amy Maloney, Roisin Howley,

Subs
Christina Commane, Roisin Crowe, Lisa O’Brien, Cora Commane, Margaret Commane, Roisin curtin, Emily McNamara, NiamhTierney, Megan Byrne, Amy O’Brien, Roisin Kelly, Ella Barrett, Caolinn McCarmack. Management – Anthony Geraghty, David Flanagan.

West Clare Gaels 3-17 – Miltown 6-05 at Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg

WHILE much of the pre-match attention centred around the opening semi-final pairing of Banner Ladies and Kilmihil, it was actually the clash of the defending champions and Senior B table toppers Miltown that provided the real entertainment of the evening in Doonbeg. A nine goal compelling thriller that seesawed one way and then the next, supporters were left guessing right up to the final whistle.

The lead changed hands on five occasions, with the sides level on five more, Miltown repeatedly defied the odds through their propensity to grab goals. However, in the end, the defending champion’s experience in last year’s county, munster and AllIreland run came to the surface as they kept their cool to finally see off a gallant Miltown side.

The goalfest began in the third minute when a defensive error allowed West Clare Gaels’ Denise Geaney and Niamh Lardner to send the returning Maria Kelly in on goal to flick past the onrushing Siobhan Talty. However, within a minute, Miltown had gained parity when the impressive Fiona Lafferty soloed through the heart of the Gaels’ defence to blast to the net via the crossbar.

That tit-for-tat pattern continued as two minutes later West Clare Gales restored their three point lead through player-of-the-game Niamh Lardner who opened her account with a clinical goal following good work from Geaney and Michelle Downes. When Geaney kicked two further points, it appeared as if West Clare Gaels had weathered the early storm but nothing could be further from the truth as Miltown thundered back into the game once more. 1-1 within a minute, with the goal coming from the unmarked Karen Galvin at close range, inspired the ever improving side and they even had a Sinead Sexton penalty expertly stopped by the feet of goalkeeper Megan McGrath before the corner-forward made amends with an equalising point in the 16th minute.

Brid Troy regained the lead for the Gaels in the 19th but with Miltown no longer daunted by the opposition, they powered to a 4-5 to 2-6 halftime advantage with further goals from marque forwards Michelle Mc- Caw and Karen Galvin.

Half-time couldn’t come soon enough for the holders to regroup and they soon made short work of Miltown’s five point margin when hitting the ground running in the second period with eight unanswered points in the third quarter. Again it was Lardner, now on her third marker, who proved to be the difference with four points while the experienced Brid Troy chipped in with three as the Gaels maintained a vicelike grip on the game.

At this stage, Miltown were unable to get the ball past midfield but in a rare attack, they were handed an unlikely lifeline when Fiona Lafferty soloed through for her second goal in the 50th minute to level the game once more. In the next passage of play, Niamh Coyne did likewise to push Miltown ahead by three and really put it up to the county champions.

True to form, the All-Ireland intermediate winners showed their mettle as within a minute, they gained parity once more when Denise Geaney found the net. And with momentum behind them, they closed out the game, despite a late goal chance for Miltown’s Michelle McCaw, with Lardner, Leanne Lynch and Shauna Harvey completing a memorable victory.

It’s just a pity someone had to lose such a thrilling contest.

West Clare Gaels
Megan McGrath, Suzi O’Gorman, Kathleen Foley, Grainne Harvey, Rite Boland, DeidreTroy, Marie Foran, Michelle Downes, Shauna Harvey (0-2), Leanne Lynch (0-2), Denise Geaney (1-2), Maria Kelly (1-0), Niamh Lardner (1-6 3f), BridTroy (0-5 3f), Becky O’Farrell

Subs
Ailish Brewfor Kelly (18 mins, inj), Ciara Harvey for O’Farrell (28 mins)

Miltown
SiobhanTalty, Claire Curtin, Siobhan Lafferty, Sinead Griffin,Aisling Coyne, Niamh Coyne (1-0), Tara Rynne, Katie Curtin, Bernie McGuire (0-1), Fiona Lafferty (2-0), Michelle McCaw(1-2), Niamh Pender, Laura Rynne, Karen Galvin (2-1 1f), Sinead Sexton (0-1)

Subs
Edel Hynes for T. Rynne (HT), Helen Burke for A. Coyne (36 mins),Aisling McCawfor L. Rynne (54 mins), JeanTalty for Pender (56 mins)

Player of the Game
Niamh Lardner (West Clare Gaels) Referee Michael Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)

CLARE County Chairman Michael O’Neill has given a guarded welcome to the new structures for the 2012 National Hurling League, following the move by the National Hurling Development Work Group decision to back proposals to change this year’s four divisions to five groups of six.

Clare will take part in Division 1B of the league, a revamp of the competition that will give them a much higher quality of games as they are grouped with Wexford, Limerick, Offaly, Antrim and Laois.

“We were advocating change and from that point of view we welcome it. I can understand how Wexford and Limerick would be frustrated and suddenly they find themselves back down again,” O’Neill told The Cla re People this week.

“We would have lukewarm welcome for it. As an executive we haven’t discussed it since Saturday, but I think quarter-finals would have been a better option, with the second and third teams in Division 1 played the first and second in Division 2. That would have been our preferred option and it was more or less the gist of option two,” he added.

Division 1A is made up of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford, while the top teams in each division will face each other in a final, while the bottom two would contest a relegation play-off.

THE Intermediate Championship Final between Shannon Gaels and Clooney/Quin will be played on Saturday with the game provisionally fixed for Lissycasey at 2.15pm.

Shannon Gaels are the favourites to collect the silverware, but will enter this game with caution having lost the last three county finals.

They are managed by Brian Bermingham, Enda Coughlan and Marie Moloney and will be looking to key players such as Colette Corry, Sarah Bohannon, Eilish Moran, Michelle Madigan, Kate O’Brien, Imelda Kennedy, Helena Flanagan, Ger Corry, Serena Carmody, Mary Ruth and Susan Neylon as well as team captain Carmel Bohannon.

Coolmeen’s Grace Lynch could also make an apearance for her neighbouring club having been granted permission to assist as Coolmeen were forced to withdraw from the Senior championship after the opening round and she had not played in that game due to injury. Clooney/ Quin will be hoping for good performances from Deirdre Murphy, Aisling Corbett, Saidbhe Corbett, Aisling Hannon, Mary Clune, Jessica O’Neill and Kelly McClean. Clooney/Quin are managed by Peter Sheehy and Pat Gardiner.

When they met in Round 1 a few weeks ago, the Gaels were victorious but a full strength Clooney/Quin team on this ocassion will make the task more difficult for Shannon Gaels who should be strong enough to eventually claim the title. The winners will play Munster club on September 10. Senior B Sem i-Final NEWMARKET and Crusheen meet in the senior B championship on Saturday. This game is provisionally fixed for Clarecastle at 3pm. The winners will face Miltown in the final. Newmarket finished second in the group with Cusheen in third place and when the sides met earlier in the competiton the sides finished level. This should be a keenly contested game with little separating the sides at the final whistle.

Ruan 0-16 – Clarecastle 0-13 at Gurteen

IT’S DIFFICULT to believe that these sides are heading in opposite directions after an inch tight battle in Gurteen on Sunday. A repeat of last year’s semi-final, it was just as nervy this time around as well as the sides were on level terms no fewer than nine times over the hour before Ruan just crept clear in the final minutes.

Ruan were already certain of their last four place for the second successive year following Parteen’s victory over Bodyke earlier in the day but still required a win to maintain their push for the top spot in the group. Meanwhile Clarecastle needed the points to avoid a relegation play-off which only added to the competitive nature of the game.

While evenly matched throughout, the game was also dominated by frees with Niall Dunne unerringly accurate for the Magpies while Jonathan Clohessy and John Punch took on similar roles for last year’s finalists. There were also several first half goal chances with Clarecastle goalkeeper Jamie Coughlan equal to efforts from John Punch and Aidan Lynch while at the other end, John Reidy was close on two occasions and Adam Healy also had a 20 metre free stopped as the Magpies held the minimum 0-8 to 0-7 interval lead.

The third quarter maintained the same blow for blow pattern, with the sides on par at 0-12 to 0-12 at the turn of the final quarter. However, John Punch’s frees edged the winners three points in front as late as the 61st minute and they clung on to victory as Clarecastle’s late siege on goal eventually proved fruitless.

Ruan
Patrick Roughan,Alan Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke, Damien Brohan, Jonathan Clohessy (0-4 2f, 2’65), Dara Roughan,Tadgh Hanrahan, Eoin Hanrahan, Caimin Howard,Aidan Lynch (0-4), MikeyVaughan (0-1), Patrick Keegan, John Punch (0-7 5f), Brendan Lyons

Subs
Colin O’Donoghue for Keegan (38 mins), Gary Bell for Howard (58 mins)

Clarecastle
Jamie Coughlan, Eamon O’Connor, Cathal Lynch, BlaiseTalty, Paddy Donnellan,AndrewPage, Barry Lyons,AdamHealy (0-2), Garrett Barry, Niall Dunne (0-9f),Alan O’Loughlin, Jamie Fahy, Briain Lynch, Niall Quinn, John Reidy (0-2)

Sub
Mark Foley for Lyons (50 mins)

Man of the Match
Jonathan Clohessy (Ruan) Referee Ambrose Heagney (Corofin)