Category: Sport

Clonlara 2-11 – Clondegad 2-07 at Gurteen

IN the end it came down to many things – the infusion of youth, tactical switches and a final flourish that carried Clonlara to an historic first ever adult football championship title.

In the process they took a wrecking ball to Clondegad’s dream of an intermediate/junior double. This dream was very much alive for Clondegad at the three-quarter stage – in fact, they were living it as a contribution of 1-6 from full-forward Colm Quinlivan had steered them into a three-point lead.

They had the advantage of the breeze and having hit back from the concession of a freak goal two minutes into the second half had reeled off four points in a row to take command of proceedings.

But this was a game of many twists, in what had to be the most entertaining Junior B decider in many years, complete with 22 scores before Clonlara celebrated another blow for east Clare football at the death after hitting 1-4 without reply in the closing ten minutes.

They had made the better start, hitting four points from play inside the first ten minutes via Nicky O’Connell, Cormac O’Donovan, Brian ‘Gooch’ Woods and Barry O’Connell to help them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead.

Clondegad had stayed in touch with two Colm Quinlivan frees, but there was much more to come as the burly full-forward went about winning this county final on his own. He tacked on his third pointed free in the 14th minute, before driving a penalty to the net a minute later after Liam Deasy had been fouled.

Then after Barry O’Connell and Ger O’Connell had hit back with points by the 21st minute Quinlivan turned provider for Clondegad’s second goal, this time floating a free to the edge of the square that was gathered by Liam Deasy and slammed to the net to give his side a 2-3 to 0-6 interval lead.

All of Clonlara’s points had come from play and it was this ability that ultimately carried them past the challenge of a Clondegad side that could only manage 1-1 from play over the hour.

A lucky break in the 32nd got Clonlara back into proceedings when Ronan Carey’s speculative effort bounced on the edge of the square, then hit the crossbar before cannoning to the net off the back of luckless Clondegad keeper Kenneth Breen.

When Nicky O’Connell flashed over a point a minute later it looked as if Clonlara would take over – this eventually happened but only after some radical surgery to the team in response to a flurry of points via three Quinlivan frees and an effort from play by Liam Deasy had put Clondegad 2-7 to 0-7 clear.

Minors Cathal O’Connor and Colm Galvin were thrown in; John Conlon moved out from full-back and midfielder Ger O’Connell started running from deep at a retreating Clondegad defence.

The effects were stunning. Cathal O’Connell grabbed points in the 50th and 51st minutes to leave only a point in it. Then in the 57th minute a sweeping move was finished to the net by Colm Galvin after he took a final pass from Barry O’Connell to put Clonlara 2-9 to 2-7 clear.

Clondegad were out on their feet, with the insurance points coming from the O’Connells, Nicky and Ger, in injury time as Clonlara closed in on history and moved up to the Junior A ranks.

Lifford AFC 3 – Avenue United 2 at Lees Road, Ennis

NOTHING like a local derby to whet soccer appetites in the county capital – especially when there’s some silverare up for grabs.

So it was that bluebloods Avenue United and 50 years young Lifford produced a cracking Sunday afternoon contest for the first piece of premier silverware on offer in the 2011/12 season.

Honours went to Lifford, as for once they emerged from the shadow of the illustrious neighbours that were formed as a breakaway club way back in 1983 thanks to this edging this five-goal thriller.

And Lifford can say they did it the hard way, coming from a goal down and being generally outplayed by Avenue side the first half to forging 3-1 on 75 minutes and then withstanding everything Avenue could throw at them in a frantic finish.

It looked to be Avenue’s to win in that first half once they grabbed the initiative after 15 minutes when David McCarthy beat Lifford’s off-side trap and raced through unimpeded on Lifford’s goal before nonchalantly dispatching the leather past Jean de Silva.

By this stage a clear pattern had emerged – Avenue were playing the ball to feet, constructively trying to tease out openings, while Lifford adopted the route one and up and under approach to goal.

Which ever cap fits, because it worked Donal Magee’s charges on 25 minutes when a long ball was met by the ultra-competitive Lunga Balman in the air, with his close range header beating a hitherto virtually redudant John Healy in Avenue’s goal.

It was like an injection to Lifford because from there they grew in confidence, while Avenue lost their most influential player in David McCarthy to injury nine minutes before halftime.

McCarthy wasn’t the only person struck down – referee Tommy Guilfoyle had hamstring problems and was replaced at half-time by Dave McCarthy.

Lifford struck for a second two minutes after half-time when Lunga Balman turned provider – his cross from out near corner flag on right finding Darren O’Neill who nodded low to Healy’s left for a the lead goal.

It got better on 75 minutes when Ruairi Norrby benefitted from great work in the build up by Scott Hen nessy to beat Healy with a low drive – a goal that Lifford were full value for as they turned the screw on a strangley ragged Avenue.

All Avenue could do for the closing 25 minutes was circle the wagons – they did that but their only reward was an 89th minute goal from Mattie Nugent when his free kick from the left wing flew all the way to the net past de Silva.

It teed up a hectic finale but Lifford had done enough to mark their Golden Anniversary with some silverware.

It’s been a long time coming. Thirty five years since they won the last of their three Clare Cup titles.

Lifford
Jean De Silva, Joe Lynch (Paul Cantillon), Hamed Kuku, Mickey Joe O’Sullivan, Dylan Blake, Ruairi Norrby (Julius Lake),TJ Ajisomo (Pa Mannion), Pat Darcy, Lunga Balman, Darren O’Neill, Scott Hennessy.

Avenue United
John Healy, Dylan Casey, David Russell, Mattie Nugent, Simon Cuddy, Gary Flynn (ColmMullen) Con Collins, David Herlihy, Sean Corry, David McCarthy (Barry Nugent), Mikey Mahony.

Referee
Tommy Guilfoyle

Miltown-Castlemaine 2-05 – Clondegad 0-10 at Páirc de Búrca, Miltown

WAY back in 1950 the Clare seniors went to Tralee and had Kerry beaten in the Munster championship only to be robbed by a last second point that earned the Kingdom a draw.

Clondegad knew that same sinking feeling on Sunday as they were robbed by a Miltown-Castlemaine side that could scarcely believe their luck as they stumbled over the line into the Munster final to keep alive Kerry’s hopes of landing a sixth straight provincial title in the grade.

It was a theft of grand larceny proportions, all thanks four goalmouth incidents, all of which went the Kerry champions’ way and helped them reach the final frontier despite being totally outplayed in the second half of this low-scoring, yet entertaining semi-final.

For Clondegad it was a missed first half penalty and then a disallowed goal three minutes into the second half; for Miltown-Castlemaine a freakish first goal and then a last gasp effort in the 56th minute that came totally against the run of play.

Yes, dame fortune was shining on Miltown-Castlemaine, while scowling on poor Clondegad as they were left to reflect on what should have been after producing their best performance of the year.

That performance came from the get go, with the iron-man of the Clondegad cause, full-back Paddy O’Connell winning the first ball that came his way to set the tone for his side – one that served notice that they weren’t going to be canon fodder opposition like Clare teams before them.

O’Connell’s play was the spark and inside 30 seconds Clondegad could have goaled, only for Tony Kelly’s rasping drive from 25 yards to be pushed over the bar of Miltown-Castlemaine keeper Joe Daly.

Clondegad played with the advantage of the breeze it the first half – starting well to lead by 0-3 to 0-1 after six minutes when Gary Bren- nan struck from both play and a free to add to Kelly’s opener.

However, the first in a serious of unfortunate events in front of goal started to haunt them as early as the ninth minute when Cathal Moriarty’s hopeful ball towards goal somehow ended up in the back of Clondegad’s net.

A minute later Gavin Wrenn tapped over his second free to give MiltownCastlemaine a 1-2 to 0-3 lead that their play scarcely deserved. Clondegad did restore parity by half-time, but should have done more.

By the 15 minute mark frees by Gary Brennan and Paudge McMa- hon sandwiched a like effort from Gavin Wrenn, before Clondegad’s confidence slowly began to rise once more when Francie Neylon burst up the left wing to land the point of the day in the 45th minute.

Then opportunity knocked in the 29th minute when Shane Brennan faced up to a penalty after Paudge McMahon was bundled to the ground, only for Daly to save at the expense of a 45 that McMahon pointed to leave the sides deadlocked at the break: Clondegad 0-7 MiltownCastlemaine 1-4.

Clondegad’s chance seemed lost as they faced into the breeze, only for the underdogs to produce a stirring second half performance that should have been enough to score Clare’s first ever win over Kerry opposition in the Munster intermediate series.

They looked to be on their way when Gary Brennan’s 33rd minute free was fisted to the net by Shane Brennan, only for the goal to be disallowed. Still, Clondegad never lost heart and pointed frees by Paudge McMahon and Gary Brennan ensured that they led by 0-9 to 1-5 entering the last ten minutes.

More than that, they were dominating against a Miltown-Castlemaine that had failed utterly to produce their county final winning form. However, from nowhere they conjured up a match-winning goal in the 56th minute.

Kieran Browne looked to have been fouled when coming out of defence, but when no free was given, Cathal Moriarty picked up the pieces, danced his way through a porous wall of defenders and toe-poked to the net to give his side an unlikely 25 to 0-9 lead.

Not what Clondegad deserved, but despite Gary Brennan pointing a free in the 58th minute and laying siege on the Miltown-Castlemaine goal for a further four minutes, it what they got.

Their Munster championship race was run in cruel fashion.

THE ANNUAL GAA Handball AllStar Awards function will take place in the Croke Park Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday November 19th. The AllStars (in 15 seperate categories) are selected on a provincial basis, with with all four provincial winners in each category nominated for the national awards, which will be announced on the night.

Three Clare handballers were selected as Munster All-Stars as recognition of their success in 2011 Diarmaid Nash (Player of the Year), Pat Donnellan (Masters Player of the Year) and Tommy Hegarty (Official of the Year).

Tuamgraney clubman Nash had a stellar year in 2011, winning the Munster Senior Singles, All-Ireland Intermediate Singles and Doubles and the All-Ireland 3rd level colleges Open Singles titles as well as finishing runner-up in the Irish Nationals.

Scariff native Nash, who is also an inter-county hurler of note having represented Clare on underage teams right up to Minor and Under 21, faces stiff competition if he is to take the national award, the other nominees being Paul Brady (Cavan & Ulster), Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath and Leinster) and Dessie Keegan (Mayo and Connacht).

Pat Donnellan won Munster and All-Ireland titles in both Singles and Doubles this year, winning both Golden Masters B titles in the big alley. His selection as Munster Masters Player of the Year also made mention of his continued dedication to hand- ball at adult and juvenile level, particularly in his club, Kilkishen.

Clarecastle man Tommy Hegarty is a former County Board Secretary and is the current Treasurer and Leagues Secretary. Tommy receives the Munster Official of the Year award as a “key administration figure in his own club and county, where he is well known for his tremendous efficiency, and has done so for many years. Coordinated and ran one the most successful Feile competitions ever in 2010. In addition to club and county level, he is a delegate to the Munster handball council. This award is justification for all the time, hardwork and dedication he puts in as a very committed official of handball”.

The AGM of Clare County Handball Board was held recently and there were changes at the ‘top table’ as Willie Roche stepped aside as treasurer and will be replaced by Tommy Hegarty. Roche continues in his role as Chairman of the Munster Handball Council while Newmarket’s Michael Hogan was elected to the position of Secretary, replacing Padraic Garvey.

Matthew McMahon continues as County Chairman and Shane Walsh as PRO and the other new face on the Board’s executive is Kilrush’s Jason Ryan (Assisstant Secretary). The County Adult Handball Leagues will resume for the 2011-12 season in the coming weeks, clubs are reminded to forward final entry lists to Tommy Hegarty immediately.

WHERE the FAI Junior Cup is concerned, Avenue United are the bluebloods – thank God for that, Clare Soccer League officials must have been thinking on Sunday as they reflected on a bleak day for the county in the biggest knockout tournament in Europe.

All because, The Avenue apart, all the remaining Clare clubs who saw action on the day bowed out at the third round stage in the Clare/Kerry/ Desmond area section of blue riband of the junior game.

Worse still, three of the defeats came at home, with Manus Celtic, Ennis Town Rock and Newmarket Celtic failing to use the advantage of home comforts as all three went down to Limerick opposition.

Manus fare worst of all, going down 6-1 to Broadford, Ennis Town Rock came off second best by 3-1 to Newcastlewest, while Newmarket Celtic were pipped 3-2 by Ballingarry in a five goal thriller.

Bunratty/Cratloe made the long journey to the west Kerry Gaeltacht to take on Dingle Bay Rovers. The sides were level 2-2 after extra time, but the home side advanced when winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

That left Avenue to carry the Clare flag as they made the journey to Tral- ee a profitable one as they beat Classic FC 3-1. Classic had beaten Killarney Celtic in the previous round, but Avenue were full value for the win.

The opened the scoring through after 25 minutes when David Smythe’s corner was fumbled to the net by the Classic keeper. The Tralee side got back on terms from a penalty on 35 minutes but second half goals from Mikey Mahony and Sean Corry sealed Avenue’s win on the road.

Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Con Collins, David Russell, Mattie Nugent, David Herlihy, Barry Nugent, Gary Flynn, David Smythe, David McCarthy, Mikey Mahony. Subs Sean Corry for Mahoney, Shane Browne for Barry Nugent, Paddy O’Malley for Flynn.

Newmarket-on-Fergus 5-06 – Sixmilebridge 3-03 at Éire Óg Grounds, Ennis

THE Blues had nine points to spare in this Cla re People sponsored decider on Sunday afternoon, thereby denying their neighbours Sixmilebridge an historic minor hurling/minor camogie winning weekend.

It may have taken Newmarket 14 minutes to get off the mark, but when it came it was a goal that put them on their way to the title, giving them a lead they never looked like surrendering.

The ‘Bridge had been camped in the Newmarket half for much of the early exchanges, but all they had to show for it was a pointed free, before they were hit for the goal that teed up the Blues

Eimear Murray blocked the first shot from Kate O’Neill and the loose ball was sent to the back of the ‘Bridge net by Caroline Feehily. Niki Kaiser then converted a free and when Laura McMahon goaled to put the Blues 2-1 to 0-1 clear, the writing looked to be on the wall for the ‘Bridge.

Maire McGrath pulled back a point for the ‘Bridge in the 18

Clarecastle 3-09 – Meelick 1-05 at Fr Murphy Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus

SECOND HALF goals from Niamh Daly and Elaine Lyons proved crucial as Clarecastle who just reformed their Ladies Football Club earlier this year claimed the Junior B Shield Championship title when they overcame Meelickt on Sunday.

The winners who led by two points at half time registered their opening score in the fifth minute when impressive midfielder Zelma Power saw her 35m free take a deflection to the net from a Meelick defender. At the end of the first quarter Clarecastle had pushed 1-4 to no score ahead thanks to points from Power, Sharon Quinn (2) and Niamh Daly but then Meelick came storming in to the match.

Full forward Suzie Harnett scored a fine goal in the eighteenth and further points followed from Claire Dolan and Katie Moore (2). During this time Clarecastle just registered a single point thanks to their top scorer Elaine Lyons. However, despite Meelicks comeback it was the magpies who led 1-5 to 1-3 when Alan Hehir blew the half time whistle.

It was all Clarecastle in the second half. They had added a further 2-2 similar to the opening half before South East Clare side twice troubled the umpire for a white flag. Niamh Daly 1-1, Elaine Lyons 1-1, Charlene Reynolds 0-1 and Sharon Quinn were the winners second half scorers.

Clarecastle were well served on the day by Sinead Reidy, Jane Scanlon, Ruth O’Gorman, Elaine Lyons, Sharon Quinn and Niamh Daly while Zelma Power was their stand out player. Brid Walsh had a fine game between the posts for Meelick while Emma Scanlon, Claire Dolan, Rachel Ryan, Katie Moore, Dionne O’Sullivan and Christine Gibbons all played their part.

After the game Clarecastle captain, Claire O’Loughlin was presented with Shield by Co. Board Chairman, Johnny Hayes.

Clarecastle
Sinead Reidy, Claire O’Loughlin (capt.), Grainne Lynch, Liz. Murphy, Maria Lyons, Jane Scanlon, Niamh Keogh, Zelma Power 1-1, Marie Lynch, Rochelle Broderick, Charlene Reynods 0-1, Ruth O’Gorman 0-1, Elaine Lyons 1-2, Sharon Quinn 0-3, Niamh Daly 1-1.

Subs
Catherine Curran for N. Keogh, Sinead Frawley for L. Murphy,Alison Shortt for T. O’Gorman, Catriona Reynolds for N. Daly,Aisling Frawley for R. Broderick. Management: Eoin Brennan, Dave Mullen, MaryTorpey, Declan Clohessy.

Meelick
BridWalsh, Mairead Gavin, Sarah Daly, Mairead Broggy, Sharon Neville (joint captain), Emma Scanlon, Christine Howard, Claire Dolan 0-1, Zara Hehir, Rachel Ryan, Katie Moore (joint captain) 0-2, Dionne O’Sullivan 0-1, Christine Gibbons 0-1, Susie Harnett 1-0, Stacey Hehir.

Sub
Jean O’Reilly for M. Gavin. Management: Robin O’Connell, Brendan Healy.

Referee
Alan Hehir (WolfeTones)

IT WAS A football filled weekend for Clare’s Ladies U11, U13 and U15 development squads, who were all in action last Saturday. The U11s under the care of coordinator Gordon Drummy (Kilrush) with Pat Keane (Miltowm), Tara Kelly (Shannon Gaels) and Linda Russel fielded three teams in the PJ O’Halloran competition which was also attended by teams from Galway, Kerry and Tipperary, two hundred and ten girls overall. Tipperary won the plate, Galway took the Shield and Clare defeated Kerry in a super game of football to take the Cup. The PJ O’Halloran is one of the key events in the development calendar and always well attended by Intercounty development teams and was conducted at the Kilrush Shamrocks and Moneypoint pitches in Kilrush. Clare Development Officer Michael Murphy must be commended for organising the event again this year, and parents did a fantastic job of providing food for all the visitors in the clubhouse, not a small task. U11 Panel: Banner Ladies:Albina Aliu, Erona Aliu, Grace Copley, Ciara Corbett, Eabha Keane, Leah Morgan, Laoise Ryan, OlivaTouhy. Clooney-Quin: Rachel Beg, Mary Connelly, Michelle Meere. Coolmeen : Emma McMahon. Cooraclare: Caoimhe Corry, Megan Downes, Megan Garry, Alana Hehir, Sarah Looney, Kayla Morrissey, Sarah Morrissey. Doonbeg: Ciara Breen, Niamh Keane, Roisin Kelly, Orla O’Mahoney. Doorabarefield: Emer Hanranhan,Amy Lenihan, Laura McDonal, Aine Moloney, Niamh O’Keefe,Abby O’Connell, Aisling Reidy, Leah Ryan, Chloe , J Towey. Fergus Rovers:Alana Hanranhan, Lauren Hill,Aine Slattery, Eimear Stephens. Kilmihil: Catriona Callinan, Ciara Lernihan. Kilrush: Lucy Bermingham, Mykayla Kelleher, Lizanne O’Brien,Abigael Drummy,Aoife Drummy. Liscannor: Lisa Conneely, Karen Hillery, Aoife Nagle. Miltown: Megan Brennan, Caoimhe Carmody,Aoife Hehir,Aimee Keane, Emer Keane. Newmarket-On_Fergus:Alice Sheedy, Mary Enright,Tara O’Neill. Shannon Gaels: Mairead Grogan,Tara Kelly,WillowSwire, BiancaTully. West Clare Gaels:Aoife Lynch, Fidelma Marrinan, Michelle Marrinan, Sarah Marrinan.WolfeTones: Jenifer Ryan, Meave McInerney. The U12 Development Squad will travel to Thurles this Saturday 12th Nov. to play in the Tipperary hosted development blitz and will display their skills against Cork, Tipp, Waterford and Limerick teams. The U12s had a great run in the recent Michael Cullinan competition winning over Galway, Tipperary and drawing with Kerry before the event was washed out and prematurely ended. The Clare U13 development squad also had a fruitful day out in a Mun

ster development programme fix- ture with the Kingdom. The event was conducted at the Killimer GAA pitches who kindly facilitated the fixture at short notice. Two Clare teams got a great run against four Kerry teams and brought in wins in four out of seven mini-matches. The U13s squad will compete next in the Munster U13 development blitz in Rathkeale on Nov 19th which is the culmination of the twelve week programme. Ladies football clubs from all over Clare will then be invited to send girls born in 1998 to attend the Clare U14 trials which will be conducted during the three week Marian Keane Tournament, starting on Nov. 26th. The U15 development programme conclusion was reached when they went to Fermoy last Saturday with two teams and won six games out of six, a great achievement. The event was attended by teams from Clare, Cork, Waterford and Limerick. Coordinator Joe Downes (Cooraclare) with Edel Carmody (Fergus Rovers), Sharon Malone (Eire Og), Annmarie Callinan and Roisin Garry (Kilmihil) will be looking forward to conducting the U16 trials after a brief break. Details to be announced.

AFTER SUCH a historic day and match for Pat O’Rourke and his fellow Meelick clubmen one could have expected to find a very stressed and distraught losing manager. However this was not the case and instead this experienced mentor was brimming with pride both for his club and the panel of players who had just served him so well for sixty minutes against a superior Kerry outfit Dromid Pearses.

“I thought our performance out there today was absolutely excellent. We kept our heads throughout the game. We never dropped them. We played a good style of football and fought hard in every position on the field.

“Bearing in mind that Dromid Pearses are everybody’s’ favourites to go on and win this All-Ireland title I felt we did very well. It was always going to be a very difficult challenge but overall I thought we tried our best and put it up to them.”

The final margin of nine points was probably a bit unfair on Meelick who battled on for the duration of the contest and he first half in particular pleased O’Rourke but the concession of such a vital score was always going to make it an uphill struggle after the restart.

“The first half was great apart from the very soft goal we let in. It was very disappointing as we had fought our way back into contention before that but what can you do.

“Overall I don’t think it would have altered the final result. They are a super team and at the end of the day it would have been awful hard to beat them the way they especially played in the second half.”

A glimpse of hurt was evident in his voice but again this pain was swiftly moved away from and transformed into a positive.

“Clare was the main aim for us this year and we won that championship. We have to be delighted with that. Of course then a game in Munster was a huge bonus for the whole club. The lads really enjoyed it and were looking forward to it.

“The year though still isn’t over for us. We now have to prepare for a league final next weekend. This was definitely a very good work out for us today. Even for next year games like this give you great experience and preparation.

“We will be facing far better opposition in the 2012 championship and if all things go well next weekend we might be up in division three in the league as well.

“Last year when we got promoted a division we were afraid we wouldn’t win a game but now we have managed to reach another final. It’s been a great year.”

Dromid Pearses 2-12 – Meelick 0-09 at Meelick

AS EXPECTED it is Kerry champions Dromid Pearses who comfortably march on to a Munster Club Junior Semi-Final after accounting for a spirited but limited Meelick challenge. The Clare club’s home advantage was not enough to halt the eventual onslaught inflicted by the superior Kingdom outfit who raced out as winners by double scores.

With a minute on the clock Seán Ó Curráin laid down an early marker to open the game’s scoring after brilliantly securing possession from a Meelick kick-out before unleashing his perfectly judged shot between the posts.

Pearses full-forward Niall Ó Sé soon added a second before Meelick’s midfield maestro Kevin Harnett eventually set his team on their way after five minutes. Ó Sé was proving to be in the form of his life and it was his terrific goal after a quarter of the encounter had surpassed, that was the ultimate difference between the teams at the interval on a score of 1-6 to 0-6.

This goal was a huge blow to the ever-improving Meelick momentum. The east Clare club may have stolen five out of the last six scores in the opening half but the concession of such a soft goal when they were temporarily minus a full-back due to injury, meant their hardworking efforts were to no avail and left trailing by three points at half-time.

The second half saw Pearses seize complete control with double All-Ireland winning Kerry captain Declan O’Sullivan at the fore of everything good for the South Kerry side. His individual tally of four points was important but his influence as key play-maker was even more crucial to his team’s second half master class.

A Tomas Ó Curráin penalty added more gloss to their ever-increasing scoring haul to quell any hope of a miraculous Meelick come-back. A duo of Meelick defenders combined to drag him to the ground to leave Limerick’s Richard Moloney with an easy decision.

Unfortunately Shane Daly who had already made two match win- ning saves was left with no chance and was beaten for a second time by a perfectly struck kick low into the bottom corner of the goal. Both teams lost players to second yellow cards, William O’Shaughnessey for Meelick and minutes later captain Aodán Ó Concubhair for Pearses as a bad tempered clash got even worse. In fact the Kerry club were lucky not to have been reduced to 13 when wing back Micheál Ó Siochain’s received a yellow instead of read card, much to the dismay of the Meelick faithful.

Meelick deserve significant credit however for their maintained effort for the duration of this Munster tie. Pat Finucane excelled at centreforward while Kevin Harnett was equally impressive around the middle but will be disappointed with two missed frees towards the end that he would usually convert with ease.

Their combined total of eight points almost accounted for all their team’s scores with full-forward Brian O’Neill the only other player to add his name to the home side’s score sheet.

The more ruthless and powerful team deservedly came out on top and the pre-match favourites for Munster and All-Ireland honours have already justified these claims with this impressive nine point victory.

Dromid Pearses
Alan ÓHógáin (7), Padraigh ÓSuilleabháin (7), Domnic ÓSuilleabháin (7), Donal ÓSuilleabháin (7), Donnacha ÓSuilleabháin (7), Caoimhin Ó Sé (7), Micheál ÓSiocháin (7),Tomas ÓCurráin (8) (1-1, Pen.), Cian ÓhÁilliosa (7), Gearóid Ó Suilleabháin (7) (0-1), Declan ÓSuileabháin (8) (0-3, 2f),Aodán ÓConcubhair (6), Eoin ÓLaoire (6), Nial ÓSé (9) (1-4), Seán ÓCurráin (7) (0-1)

Subs
Croistóir ÓFearcheallaigh (7) (0-1) for G ÓSuilleabháin, Micheál ÓConcubhair (6) (0-1) for ÓLaoire, Pól McGearailt (6) for ÓhÁilliosa, Micheál ÓSé (6) for ÓSiocháin, Seamus (6) Ó Suilleabháin for Donal ÓSuilleabháin.

Meelick
Shane Daly (8), Mickey Kelly (7), Sean Cooney

(6), Gary Kennedy (7), Stephen Hayes (7), Barry Harnett (7), É Mulvihill (7), Niall Mullen (7), Kevin Harnett (8) (0-4, 3f),WilliamOShaughnessy (6), Pat Finucane (8) (0-4, 2f), Gary Moloney (7),Andy White (7), Brian ONeill (7) (0-1), Oisin Hickey (7)

Subs
Damien Moloney (7) for Cooney, Daragh Quinn (6) for ONeill, Sean OConnor (6) for White, Gary Callinan (6) for Hickey, Luke Davis (6) for Mulvihill.

Man of the match
Niall Ó Sé (Dromid Pearses) Referee Richard Moloney (Limerick)