*Steven Conway and Barry Fitzpatrick swing for the dropping ball. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
KILMALEY OCCUPY top spot of the FutureTicketing Clare Cup after recording their third win in as many games while Sixmilebridge withstood a Feakle comeback to keep their unbeaten record alive.
Feakle’s third loss sees them rooted to the bottom of Division 1A with Broadford and Newmarket-on-Fergus who suffered disappointing defeats over the weekend just above them.
Both Crusheen and O’Callaghans Mills had their second wins of the campaign to prop up the top half of the table.
In Division 1B, the Colin Lynch coached Clarecastle continue to set the way, Lee Brack hit 1-06 as the Magpies made it three wins from as many outings while Cratloe and Scariff both dropped points for the first time this season, drawing to each other in East Clare over the weekend.
Smith O’Briens and Wolfe Tones both fell to their third defeats to leave the prospect of relegation as a real possibility.
Crusheen lay their claws into Broadford
Crusheen 4-18
Broadford 1-11
Venue: Broadford
A sobering experience for the East Clare club as they were handed a lesson by the blood and bandages succumbing to a whopping eighteen point defeat. This was a far cry from the Broadford side that defeated Clonlara in the previous round away from home and this setback means they are just above Feakle in the table and level with Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Nobody could have envisaged this final scoreline especially when the home side led at the end of the opening quarter 1-3 to 0-5, the goal coming from a tidy Stiofan McMahon finish in the 12th minute.
The second quarter saw Crusheen gradually get on top with fine points from Ross Hayes and Conor O’Donnell edging them in front by three on an interval scoreline of 0-11 to 1-5.
On the restart an Oisin Kavanagh point seemed to signal it was game on but indiscipline would cost Broadford as Ross Hayes raided for 1-1 in ninety seconds with both scores coming from placed balls. The next three minutes effectively ended this contest as a Breffni Horner major was added to by a quick fire Ian O’Brien 1-1 and suddenly it was 3-13 to 1-6.
The game then petered out to it’s inevitable conclusion before another green flag arrived courtesy of a Fergus Kennedy strike in the 50th minute. That’s two wins from three outings as Crusheens positive start to 2023 continues.
Scorers for Crusheen: Ross Hayes 1-7 (1-5f), Ian O’Brien 1-2, Breffni Horner 1-1, Fergus Kennedy 1-0, Eanna McMahon, Conor O’Donnell, Murrogh McMahon (2f) 0-2 each, Jamie Fitzgibbon, Cillein Mullins 0-1 each
Scorers for Broadford: Oisin Kavanagh 0-7(4f, 1 65), Stiofan McMahon 1-0, Craig Chaplin, Cian Mulqueen 0-1 each
Crusheen: Donal Tuohy, Mark Perill, Cian Dillon, Luke Hayes, Diarmuid Mullins, Gavin O’Brien, Tadgh Dean, Cillein Mullins, Eanna McMahon, Ross Hayes, Jamie Fitzgibbon, Ian O’Brien, Conor O’Donnell, Fergus Kennedy, Breffni Horner
Subs: Cathal Dillon for Horner, Murrogh McMahon for Hayes, Glenn O’Sullivan for O’Brien, Niall Kearney for C Mullins
Broadford: Cian O’Brien, David Boland, Eoin Donnellan, Damien Keniry, Darren McNamara, Cathal Chaplin, Cian Mulqueen, Darren Chaplin, Jack O’Brien, Oisin Kavanagh, Craig Chaplin, Paul Moloney, Mark Moloney, Stiofan McMahon, Cian Cremims
Referee:
Moriarty & O’Loughlin lead the way for Clonlara
Clonlara 1-16
Inagh/Kilnamona 0-12
Venue: Clonlara
After two defeats in the opening two rounds the pressure was most definitely on last seasons finalists as they entertained the Louis Mulqueen managed Inagh/Kilnamona. A lightning fast start laid the foundations for victory with the home side racing into an early 1-4 to 0-1 lead by the eighth minute. The major coming courtesy of the highly impressive Aidan Moriarty. This quick start proved pivotal as for the remainder of the contest the two teams basically traded point for point.
Clonlara though were definitely the hungrier of the two early on and showed a serious desire to get their season back on track. At the break the home side deservedly led by six points on a 1-10 to 0-7 scoreline.
Despite valiant efforts by David Mescall who would finish the day with five points and corner forward Keelan Guyler, Inagh/Kilnamona could never really mount a challenge and a comeback was never on the cards. This was as much to do with the Clonlara work ethic as time and time again they harassed their opponents never giving them time to deliver quality ball into their inside line.
Clonlara with Micheál O’Loughlin, who would finish with six points, to the fore showed real good game management and anytime a point was conceded they would almost immediately respond thus preventing the visitors from gathering any real momentum.
Best for the winners were the aforementioned O’Loughlin, Aidan Moriarty and David Fitzgerald while Mescall was the stand out performer for the away side.
Scorers for Clonlara: Michael O’Loughlin 0-6, Aidan Moriarty 1-3, David Fitzgerald, Paraic O’Loughlin 0-2 each, James Hastings, Paul Nihill, Jathan McMahon 0-1 each
Scorers for Inagh-Kilnamona: David Mescall 0-5 (1f), Keelan Guyler 0-2, Patrick Kelly (f), Tommy Barry, Evan McNamara, Shane Vaughan, Niall Mullins 0-1 each
Clonlara: Seimi Gully, Michael Stritch, Gerard Powell, Logan Ryan, David Fitzgerald, Dylan McMahon, Paraic O’Loughlin, Jathan McMahon, James McCormack, Aidan Moriarty, Conor Bourke, James Hastings, Michael O’Loughlin, Bryan McLeish, Daniel Moloney
Subs: Paul Nihill for McLeish, Shane Corbett for Stritch, James Carmody for McCormack, Pat Conlon for P 0’Loughlin
Inagh/Kilnamona: Patrick Kelly, Colin Shannon, Keith White, Seamus Wynne, Shane Woods, Darren Cullinan, Eoghan Foudy, Jason Griffin, Keith Barry, Shane Vaughan, David Mescall, Evan McNamara, Niall Mullins, Thomas Barry, Kealan Guyler
Subs: Shane McInerney for Guyler, Gerry Coote for Barry, Paul 0’Looney for Vaughan
Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena)
Bridge unbeaten as Feakle hit bottom of the table
Sixmilebridge 3-16
Feakle 1-20
Venue: Feakle
After successive defeats to O’Callaghans Mills and Newmarket-on-Fergus the visit of Sixmilebridge was always going to be a difficult assignment for the home side and so it transpired as a two point defeat sees Feakle rooted to the bottom of the table.
However despite this defeat there were plenty of positives for the home side as after only fifteen minutes they trailed by a whopping eleven points. To their credit Feakle would outscore their opponents 1-16 to ten points for the remainder of the contest.
It was a blistering start by Sean Stack’s men that ultimately proved the difference. Three green flags courtesy of Alex Morey, Conor Deasy and Ronan Tuohy had the bridge coasting at 3-6 to 0-4 by the end of the opening quarter. The visitors were far sharper and moving the ball through the lines at pace with precision resulted in the Feakle rearguard being torn apart time and time again.
Oisin O’Connor who would finish the day with an impressive eight points all from play kickstarted their revival and by half time Feakle were back in the match trailing 3-8 to 0-12.
On the resumption of play the home side continued their impressive fightback. First to every breaking ball they simply outworked their opponents and when Stephen Conway superbly goaled in the fiftieth minute their was only the bare minimum between the teams.
Sixmilebridge have a wealth of experience though and showing all of this characteristic they managed to keep the home side from levelling the contest and in the end were grateful to come away with a two point winning margin.
Overall though it was probably the best game of the weekend with plenty of fast paced hurling, loads of physical challenges with four green and thirty six white flags keeping patrons entertained throughout.
That’s two wins from two for the Bridge to keep pace with table toppers Kilmaley while they also have a game in hand after their opening round fixture had to be postponed.
Scorers for Sixmilebridge: Alex Morey 1-4 (3f), Conor Deasy, Ronan Tuohy 1-1 each, Shane Golden 0-3, Jamie Shanahan, Caimin Morey (f, 65) 0-2 each, Noel Purcell, Kevin Lynch, Brian Corry 0-1 each.
Scorers for Feakle: Oisin O’Connor 0-8, Shane McGrath 0-7 (5f), Stephen Conway 1-2, Eoin O’Connor 0-3
Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy, Noel Purcell, Leon Kelly, Jordan Downes, Barry Fitzpatrick, Caimin Morey, Brian Corry, Luke O’Halloran, Jamie Shanahan, Shane Golden, Ronan Tuohy, Alex Morey, Conor Deasy
Subs: Kevin Lynch for Tuohy, Colm Flynn for Downes, Cathal Lynch for Deasy
Feakle: Liam O’Connor, Killian Bane, Evan McMahon, Enda Madden, Eoin Daly, Eoin Tuohy, Gary Guilfoyle, Enda Noonan, Con Smyth, Oisin Donnellan, Shane McGrath, Stephen Conway, Oisin O’Connor, Eoin O’Connor, Raymond Bane
Subs: Justin Nelson for Bane
Referee: Joe Mullins (Clonlara)
Kilmaley blow Ballyea away
Kilmaley 2-17
Ballyea 1-10
Venue: Kilmaley
Last season’s Clare Cup winners Kilmaley under new manager Brian Culbert laid down a marker when easily accounting for Canon Hamilton holders Ballyea. In a superb team display Kilmaley were far sharper than their opponents. First to almost every breaking ball it was their use of the sliotar that provided the platform for victory. Constantly looking to find a player in the better position the home side were full value for their ten point winning margin.
Michael O’Malley opened the scoring inside the opening minute and from here until the half time whistle patrons were treated to some excellent passages of play. The first of three first half goals came in the seventy minute when centre forward O’Malley overturned a short puck out and bore straight down on goal before offloading to full forward Tom O’Rourke who blasted home.
Ninety seconds later corner forward James McGuire finished neatly to the bottom corner and Ballyea looked all at sea trailing 2-3 to 0-2. Credit though must go to the Leonard McNamara side as they would come roaring back into the contest outscoring their opponents 1-7 to 0-6 for the remainder of the half.
The Ballyea goal though will definitely be a what happened next moment as full back Aaron Moloney broke out of defence before attempting a hand pass only to see Fiachra Kirby blocking it down with the sliotar somehow coming off Kirby’s hurley and dribbling all the way to an empty net in slow motion style from fifteen yards.
At the interval there was only three between them and patrons were expecting more of the same. What transpired though was a dog fight with little or no space being afforded. Both sides were pressing high up and swarming their opponents at every opportunity. Kilmaley though were showing far more desire and in a physical battle they restricted Ballyea to only a solitary point while registering eight white flags themselves.
Special mention must be given to wing forward Daire Keane who incredibly landed three beautiful points from play in a forty second scoring burst.
Scorers for Kilmaley: Michael O’Malley 0-7 (5f), Tom O’Rourke 1-2, James McGuire 1-2, Daire Keane 0-3, Michael O’Neill, Sean Kennedy, Cian Neylon 0-1 each
Scorers for Ballyea: Niall Deasy 0-8 (5f),Fiachra Kirby 1-0,Mossy Gavin,James Murphy 0-1 each
Kilmaley: Bryan O’Loughlin, Noel Casey, Aaron Moloney, Oisin Looney, Tommy Barry, Cian Moloney, Colin McGuane, Sean Kennedy, Brian Cahill, Joseph Carmody, Michael O’Malley, Daire Keane, James McGuire, Tom O’Rourke, Michael O’Neill
Subs: Tomas McGuire for Kennedy (37), Jack Warren for Cahill (49), Cian Neylon for J McGuire (49), Enda Haran for Looney (56), Diarmuid Cahill for Carmody (58)
Ballyea: Oisin Griffin, Brian Casey, Peter Casey, Joe Neylon, James Murphy, Gearoid O’Connell, Cian Meaney, Thomas Kelly, Stan Lineen, Morgan Garry, Niall Deasy, Mossy Gavin, Fiachra Kirby, Martin O’Leary, Cian Kirby
Subs: Darragh Moylan for F Kirby (41), Cathal Doohan for C Kirby (46), Brian Long for B Casey (59), Niall Carrig for Gavin (59)
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
Mills profit from Newmarket’s indiscipline
O Callaghan’s Mills 1-17
Newmarket on Fergus 2-11
Venue: Hamilton Park, Kilkishen
It’s an impressive start to 2023 for newly promoted O’Callaghans Mills as they make it two wins from three with their only defeat coming at the hands of Clare Cup powerhouses Kilmaley.
For the second year in a row they have defeated Newmarket-on-Fergus but the visitors will look back on indiscipline as one of the main factors for defeat. At the interval the home side led by four on a 0-11 to 2-3 scoreline but with seven of those points coming from placed balls it’s easy to see where the Blues went wrong.
Éanna Crimmins was the stand out performer for the visitors though lighting up that opening period with a sensational green flag. Picking up possession around the 45m line, Crimmins blazed past several players before unleashing a veritable rocket that flew into the top corner. Moments later, he assisted Peter Power for his major. In fact if the away side had gotten more of a supply to Crimmins the result might have been different.
O’Callaghans Mills will be extremely happy with their performance though as they reaped the rewards of trying former Clare Under 21 full back Conor Cooney in the half forward line. They were running at the Newmarket rearguard forcing the Blues to concede frees.
In total, Newmarket conceded a whopping 1-9 from placed balls, a statistic they will vastly need to improve on if they are to stay in Division 1A. To further highlight how critical the concession of frees proved to be Newmarket were on level terms midway through the second period at 0-13 to 2-7 but then proceeded to concede a further 1-4 from placed balls with goalkeeper Killian Nugent putting a penalty past his opposing number Padraic Guilfoyle.
The home side did lose Patrick Donnellan late on to a red card but it wasn’t to matter as they saw the game out by three points in the end.
Scorers for O’Callaghans Mills: Sean Cotter 0-8 (7f), Killian Nugent 1-1 (1 pen, 1f), Aidan O’Gorman (1f), Fionn Hickey, Cormac Murphy 0-2 each, Michael McGrath, Conor Cooney 0-1 each
Scorers for Newmarket on Fergus: Peter Power 1-6 (4f), Eanna Crimmins 1-0, Eoin Guilfoyle Michael McInerney 0-2 each, Liam Clancy (f) 0-1
O’Callaghans Mills: Killian Nugent, Michael Cotter, Keith Donnellan, Gerry Cooney, Patrick Donnellan, Aidan O’Gorman, Sean 0’Gorman, Michael McGrath, Fionn Hickey, Conor Cooney, Cormac Murphy, Stephen Donnellan, Conor Henry, Sean Cotter, Darragh Moroney
Subs: Rory McNamara for Henry
Newmarket on Fergus: Padraic Guilfoyle, Sean O’Connor, Jack Enright, Stephen Casey, David Frost, Niall O’Connor, Liam Clancy, Paraic McMahon, Michael McInerney, Eoin Guilfoyle, Eanna Crimmins, James Freeman, James Power, Shane Lynch, Peter Power
Subs: Seadhna Liddy for J Power
Referee: Gus Callaghan (Feakle)
Three from three for Clarecastle
Clarecastle 1-24
Smith O’Briens 0-7
Venue: Clarecastle
A powerful showing by the Magpies convincingly running out twenty point winners in the end. This was in truth a one sided battle as Smith O’Briens missing several key players were never really in the contest.
Played in Clarecastle on Saturday evening there was a strong wind which the Eric Flynn managed outfit played with in the opening period. Clarecastle were totally dominant from the start but were struggling for scores from play. Oisin Casey did land five points from placed balls and the Magpies headed to the dressing rooms leading by seven on a 0-11 to 0-4 scoreline.
With the strong wind one expected a fightback from the visitors but as it transpired Clarecastle were ruthless on the resumption of play. Moving the sliotar at pace through the lines they created scoring opportunities at an alarming ease.
Corner forward Lee Brack raided for an early goal and from here to the finish it was one way traffic as the home side launched wave after wave of attacks.
Substitute Rory 0’Connell on for the injured David Tuohy landed a brace of beauties while forwards Oisin Whelan and Killian McDermott also impressed with some fine points from play.
It’s now three wins from three for the Magpies as they seem intent on making a statement this year. There will no doubt be sterner tests to come but on this evidence the Colin Lynch coached side will be extremely difficult to beat.
On an extremely easy day at the office for the home side Lee Brack was the stand out performer with full back Aaron Hayes also impressing.
Scorers for Clarecastle: Lee Brack 1-6, Oisin Casey 0-5 (5f), Oisin Whelan 0-4 (4f), Killian McDermott, Rory 0’Connell, Pat Kelly 0-2 each, Niall Galvin, Darragh Healy (f), Conor Whelan 0-1 each
Scorers for Smith O’Briens: John Cusack 0-2, Eoin Heffron, Micheal Ryan, Eddie Bourke, David Gough 0-1 each
Clarecastle: Fionn Morgan, Gearoid Ryan, Aaron Hayes, Barry Morrissey, Tommy Howard, Eoghan Wallace, Stephen O’Halloran, David Tuohy, Conor Halpin, Oisin Whelan, Killian McDermott, Darragh Healy, Lee Brack, Pat Kelly, Oisin Casey
Subs: Rory O’Connell for Tuohy inj (25), Conor Whelan for Casey (HT), Niall Galvin for Healy (44), Jack Murphy for Kelly (49), Josh Brack for Halpin (50)
Smith O’Briens: James Power, Cian Maloney, Stephen Geraghty, Brian McInerney, Dwane Sheedy, Micheal Ryan, Ben Murnane, Eddie Bourke, David Gough, Eoin Heffron, Evan Connolly, Sean McMahon, Jason Monaghan, John Cusack, Marc O’Halloran
Subs: None
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Scariff & Cratloe finish all square
Scariff 0-19
Cratloe 1-16
Venue: Scariff
Coming into this contest both sides had recorded two wins from two. With Cratloe looking for a swift return to Division 1A and Scariff looking to continue their progress a close battle was anticipated. Spectators were not let down as both teams went toe to toe, blow for blow in a highly entertaining match played in Scariff last Saturday evening.
It was the away side who came out of the starting blocks much faster and were rewarded immediately with a well taken Sean Gallagher major with Cathal McInerney also landing a brace of points to lead 1-3 to a solitary point. What was ominous was the fact that Cratloe were playing into a significant wind but former Clare star Conor McGrath was lording the midfield sector placing his team on the front foot with swift movement of the sliotar. The home side began to settle though with goalkeeper William Kavanagh landing a couple of monster frees and at the end of the opening quarter the blues led 1-5 to 0-5.
Scariff now with a bit of momentum dominated the second quarter and began to run at Cratloe forcing them into the concession of frees which were duly punished. By the interval the teams were deadlocked at 1-8 to 0-11.
Cratloe though would have the elements in the second half and they began to take control with McGrath linking up with Cathal McInerney to devastating effect. By the end of the third quarter the lead was out to four points and there looked to be only one winner. This all changed though as the hugely influential McGrath had to come off with a hand injury.
This was all Scariff needed to gain a foothold and they powered home with Conor Hayes landing some beauties to earn a deserved draw restricting Cratloe to only one further score.
Overall both sides will be relatively happy with a point as it keeps both teams unbeaten and in touch with pacesetters Clarecastle at the summit of Division 1A.
Scorers for Scariff: Conor Hayes 0-8 (1f), William Kavanagh 0-3 (3f), Eanna O’Brien 0-3 (1f), Patrick Ryan, Conor Downes, Scott Cairns
Scorers for Cratloe: Cathal McInerney 0-6, Sean Gallagher 1-1, Rian Considine 0-3 (2f), Sam Sheehy, Conor McGrath, Mikey Hawes, Sean Collins, Jamie Costigan, Luke Healy 0-1 each
Scariff: William Kavanagh, Eoghan Keenan, Michael Scanlon, Seamus McCaul, Sean Collins, Daniel Treacy, Jack Ryan, Conor Downes, Scott Cairns, Liam Crotty, Fergus Madden, Patrick Ryan, Conor Hayes, Sean Malone, Eanna O’Brien
Subs: Rory Ryan for Hayes, Ross Horan for Minogue, Martin Cunningham for J Ryan, Tadhg Minogue for Madden, Seanie Hartigan for Cairns
Cratloe: Eoin Deegan, Emmet Costigan, Aaron Costigan, Jack Murphy, Jamie Costigan, Damien Browne, Sean Collins, Conor McGrath, Daithi Collins, Sam Sheehy, Cathal McInerney, Sean Gallagher, Luke Healy, Mikey Hawes, Rian Considine
Subs: Rian McNamara for E Costigan inj (10), Enda Boyce for D Collins (42), Kyle Neylon for Hawes (47), Cathal Lohan for McGrath inj (53)
Referee: Kieran Liddane (Sixmilebridge)
Convincing win for Clooney/Quin
Clooney/Quin 2-15
Wolfe Tones 1-9
Venue: Clooney
Quite an entertaining contest that was at times fiercely contested eventually saw the home side run out convincing winners with a dominant second half display securing victory. Tommy Corbett’s charges have now won two from three in their pursuit of a return to Division 1A with their defeat away to Clarecastle in the previous round their only blemish.
So keenly contested was this game that two players received their marching orders late on with Wolfe Tones Dean Devanney receiving a straight red while Clooney/Quin midfielder Donagh O’Sullivan was issued a second yellow by referee Aaron Hogg.
Corner forward Dannan Fox was most certainly the star performer throughout scoring 1-7 in total with 1-6 coming from play. Some of the points taken by the lively Fox were extremely impressive, however the best score of the match was a fantastic goal by Shane Harrison.
Picking up possession out on the touchline Harrison sold a dummy before blazing past two defenders and rifling a rocket into the far corner. Clooney-Quin led by two at the interval on a 2-5 to 1-6 scoreline. Wolfe Tones major coming from the stick of Kevin McCafferty when reacting quickest to a spilled ball by keeper Cathal Hannon.
The second period began in a similarly even fashion to the first with the teams trading scores but Conor Dolan’s troops seemed to run out of steam while Clooney/Quin kept tapping over points.
On a lovely evening for hurling the home side were full value for their nine point winning margin in the end with Fox stealing the show. Others to perform well were Sam Scanlon and Shane Harrison for the home side while Gary Cusack and Cian O’Rourke performed best for the Shannon club.
Scorers Clooney/Quin: Dannan Fox 1-7(1f), Shane Harrison 1-1, Eoghan O’Brien 0-3 (2f, 1 65), Sam Scanlon 0-2, Ulick O’Sullivan, Cillian Duggan 0-1 each
Scorers Wolfe Tones: Cian O’Rourke 0- 7 (4f, 1 65), Kevin McCafferty 1-1, Liam O’Dwyer 0-1
Clooney/Quin: Cathal Hannon, David Kennedy, Shane McNamara, Cillian O’Gara, Jimmy Corry, Conor Grogan, Michael McNamara, Donagh O’Sullivan, Eoghan O’Brien, Sam Scanlon, Cillian Duggan, Dannan Fox, Ulick O’Sullivan, Shane Harrison
Subs: Mike Daffy for O’Brien (60)
Wolfe Tones: Oisin O’Rourke, Shane Nihill, Gary Cusack, Michael Hayes, Brian Murphy, John Guilfoyle, Stephen Donnellan, Sean Costelloe, Sam Meaney, Cian O’Rourke, Luke Merrigan, Dean Devanney, Kevin McCafferty, Liam O’Dwyer, Peter McEvoy
Subs: Conor Casey for McEvoy (37), David Ryan for Hayes (46), Rhys Reynolds for Nihill (50)
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara)
Tubber triumph over Parteen/Meelick
Tubber 0-17
Parteen Meelick 1-8
Venue: Meelick
A dominant opening half display by the away side with a blistering start ultimately proving decisive as Tubber now move to three points after three matches while it’s successive defeats for new club Parteen/Meelick with their only victory coming in the opening round away to Wolfe Tones.
They did start the brighter of the two and in fact were first on the scoreboard when full forward Oisin Hickey who would finish the day with seven points with four from play pointed but this proved a false dawn as four quick fire points in succession by Tubber had the Denis Barry managed side on the back foot.
To their credit they did respond with further points from 0’Connor but another scoring spree of four in quick succession including two superb points, one apiece from Blaine Earley and Cathal Droney gave the away side a deserved interval lead of 0-8 to 0-3.
Lorcan O’Grady and Ronan Monahan pointed early in the second half to widen the gap to seven points but Parteen/Meelick then had their best spell. Upping their intensity levels they began to overturn possession in the middle third and in doing so they subsequently raided for 1-2 in a quick fire scoring blitz with the goal coming from Dara Nolan.
With the lead now only at two it was game on but indiscipline would prove costly for the home side as two Blaine Earley frees provided Tubber with the necessary breathing space and momentum as they would then go on to outscore their opponents seven points to two in the closing ten minutes to record their first win of this year’s Clare Cup.
Best for the winners were Blaine Earley, Cathal Droney and Pat O’Connor while Oisin O’Connor was the standout performer for Parteen Meelick.
Scorers for Tubber: Blaine Earley 0-9 (5f), Cathal Droney 0-4, Pat O’Connor, Mark Earley, Ronan Monahan, Lorcan O’Grady 0-1 each
Scorers for Parteen/Meelick: Oisin Hickey 0-7 (3f), Dara Nolan 1-0, Mike McEvoy 0-1
Tubber: Ronan Taaffe, Joey Droney, James Howard, Brian Clancy, Mark Earley, Patrick O’Connor, Pappy Taaffe, John Fawle, Jonah Culligan, Emmet Quinn, Aidan Forde, Lorcan O’Grady, Cathal Droney, Blaine Earley, Ronan Monahan
Subs: Clive Earley for Quinn, Liam Clancy for Forde, Tom Taaffe for John Fawle
Parteen/Meelick: Alan Murnane, Donal Kenny, Nathan Fox, David O’Sullivan, Jason O’Reilly, Shane Fox, Dara Nolan, Dara McDermott, Daniel Cooney, Joe O’Connor, Gearoid Reddy, Mike McEvoy, Eoin Phelan, Oisin Hickey, Ruairi McDermott
Subs: Joe Sherlock for O’ Reilly (20) Darragh McGleenan for O’Connor (20), Greg Daly for McEvoy (40), Cian McCarthy for Cooney (45), Shane Dillon for Phelan (55)
Referee: Johnny Healy (Smith O’Briens)
Doora/Barefield do the business against Whitegate
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 3-19
Whitegate 2-11
Venue: Gurteen
Last year’s Intermediate champions have made a bright start to the 2023 season registering their second win after a convincing eleven point victory over Terence Fahy’s Whitegate.
Starting at an electric pace a Tom Hannan major got the ball rolling and by the end of the opening quarter the home side led 1-5 to 0-3.
A very lively youthful Barefield were far sharper moving the ball at a lightning pace which had the Whitegate defence in all sorts of trouble. They added another 1-5 before half time with Conor Tierney grabbing the goal to give them an interval lead of twelve points on a 2-10 to 0-6 scoreline. The third quarter saw a more even contest with both sides scoring 1-3 apiece. Eoin Lahiffe who finished the day with an impressive 1-10 netting for the home side while Conor McDermott goaled for the border club.
The game though petered out to it’s inevitable conclusion despite an Ian Fahy goal as Doora Barefield kept the scoreboard ticking over with some fine points from Lahiffe and Tierney.
Scorers for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Eoin Lahiffe 1-10 (5f, 1 65), Conor Tierney 1-2, Tom Hannan 1-1, Cian Barron 0-2, Matthew Power, Dara Nagle, Cathal Ruane, Cian Lahiffe 0-1 each
Scorers for Whitegate: Danny Hynes 0-7 (6f), Ian Fahy, Conor McDermott 1-1 each, Andrew Fahy 0-2 (2f)
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Paul Madden, Ian Williams, Darragh McMahon, Cian Lahiffe, Adam Mungovan, Darragh O’Shea, Eoin McMahon, Brian Guilfoyle, Dara Nagle, Cian Barron, Matthew Power, Donal O’Halloran, Eoin Lahiffe, Tom Hannan, Conor Tierney
Subs: Cathal Ruane for Power (HT), Jack Hannan for Nagle (43), Alan O Neill for O’Halloran (44), Brian Clancy for C Lahiffe (45), Frankie Meaney for Guilfoyle (50)
Whitegate: Andrew Fahy, Cormac Quinn, Eoin Patterson, Finn Madden, Liam Murray, Brendan Bugler, Ian Fahy, Danny Hynes, Luke Sugrue, Cian McDermott, Conor McDermott, Ciaran Keenan, James Carey, Ronan Hayes, Paddy Burke
Subs: Mark Bugler for Carey (50)
Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)
