*Dean Devanney. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
IT has long been claimed that the intermediate football championship in Clare is one of the most difficult to win.
Results from the weekend’s first round games in the 2024 race for the Talty Stores cup support that view.
Relegated from senior last year, Clondegad were favoured to account for Naomh Eoin but the men from the Loop Head Peninsula emerged with two goals to spare.
Cooraclare, another of the sides battling to get back up to senior level, were put to the pin of their collars to overcome last year’s junior A champions Killimer.
It was a similar story for Kilrush shamrocks another of the sides being tipped to be in contention come the closing stages. They did well to survive a storming second half from the Banner.
Wolfe Tones, beaten semi-finalists last year, justified favouritism when accounting for O’Currys. Coolmeen proved too strong for Liscannor while a point deep in injury time helped Shannon Gaels to a share of the spoils with Ennistymon.
Kilrush hang on for one point win
Kilrush Shamrocks 2-8
Banner 1-10
Venue: Lissycasey
By Seamus Hayes
Leading by two goals at half time, Kilrush looked to be well on the way to victory over the Banner.
However it’s worth noting that the Banner could and, possible should have been closer at this stage as they had missed some chances which included a penalty just before the half time whistle.
To be fair, credit must go to Kilrush goalkeeper David Jones who saved well from Shane Meehan.
Goals from Ross Phelan and substitute Don O’Driscoll helped the Shams to lead 2-5 to 0-5 at the break.
Banner had the better of the second half exchanges andh elped by a goal from captain Thomas Meenaghan, they stormed back and they only conceded three points in this half while adding 1-5 to their half time tally.
They had a chance to level the tie at the death but Shane Meehan’s free just dropped short and a relieved Kilrush left with the points.
Ross Cullinan, Ciaran Brmingham and Gearoid O’Brien were prominent for the winners.
Kilrush Shamrocks; David Jones; Ross Cullinan, Ciaran Brmingham, Padeaig Browne; Sean Canny, Dylan O’Brien, Niall Brennan; Sean Madigan, Darragh Bolton; Taigh Lysaght, Gearoid O’Brien (0-5), Ben Mc Kiernan; Dean Neary, Ross Phelan (1-1), Conor Fennell (0-2);
Subs: Don O’Driscoll (1-0) for Neary; Purtill for Madigan; Neary for McKiernan
Banner: Mark Cleary; Niall Walsh, Keneth Higgins, Cian Rynne; Justin McGrath, Eoin Walsh, Fuwhad Akinwale; James Coakley, Bradley Higgins; Johnny Martyn, Thomas Meenaghan (1-1), Brian McDonald (0-1); Matthew McGrath, (0-1), Shane Meehan (0-3), Sean McMahon (0-4);
Subs: Ronan Kilroy (0-1) for J. Martyn; Mufana Flynn for M. McGrath ; Finn White for F. Akinwale; Aaron Kelly for J. Coakley;
Referee: Pat Keane (Lissycasey)
Coolmeen dominate second half
Coolmeen 0-10
Liscannor 0-4
Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
By Seamus Hayes
A strong second half showing saw Coolmeen ger their campaign off to a winning start when they accounted for Liscannor on Saturday afternoon.
Ahead by double scores (0-6 to 0-3) at half time they conceded just one point in the second period as they held the upperhand.
Liscannor will reflect on a number of missed chances, especially in the early stages of the second half but once Coolmeen weathered that storm they were in control.
Of the two teams, Coolmeen were the more physical and the result means that for the second year in a row they have overcome Liscannor in the championship.
Coolmeen; J.J. Carigg; Adam Wallace, Gary Meaney, Dylan O’Halloran; Alan Normoyle, Thomas Coffey, Rian Meaney; Eoin O’Connor, Cathal O’Connor (0-1); Cian Murphy (0-3), Brian Markham (0-1) Jamie Brooks; Aidan Corry (0-3), Dylan Power (0-2), Ben
Subs; Ronan Murphy for B. Cleary; Eoghan Corary for J. Brooks; David Neenan for O’Hallor\an
Liscannor; John Kerin; Paul McLoughlin, Robert Lucas, Tom Hanrahan; Padraig Haugh, Darren Nagle, Brian Considine; Gavan Duffy, Stephen Murray; Francesco Bonito, Alan Clohessy (0-2), Cian Guerin; Daniel White (0-1), Sean McDonagh (0-1), Michael Foley;
Subs; Cohan Phillipson for Foley; Diarmuid Commane for C. Guerin;
Michael Haugh for D. White; Dara Blake for S. Murray
Referee: Joe Kelly (Cooraclare)
Naomh Eoin claim scalp of Clondegad in first round
Naomh Eoin 4-6
Clondegad 2-6
Venue: Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay
By Páraic McMahon
In the biggest shock of the football weekend, Naomh Eoin had six points to spare over Clondegad in Group 2 of the Clare IFC.
Make no mistakes, the surprise is not dismissing the credentials of Naomh Eoin who contested the semi-finals last year but the margin of the win and given it was Clondegad who last year were competing in the senior grade has generated plenty of discussion in football circles countywide.
With twenty minutes played, Naomh Eoin were leading 0-3 0-1 but they coughed up some unforced errors to allow Clondegad produce a strong finish to the first half where they hit 1-3 without reply to hold a four point half-time advantage.
Conditions were not as tricky in Miltown Malbay for this tie on Saturday evening as the subsequent game between Ennistymon and Doonbeg in the Clare SFC where the wind picked up and effectively meant the Miltown end was the scoring zone and the Spanish Point goal was more or less redundant.
That was not the case in the intermediate clash as Naomh Eoin shooting into the Spanish Point goal kept the umpires busy reaching for flags while Clondegad with had the officials active waving their hands, particularly in the closing moments where they kicked five wides in the final ten minutes.
Cillian Brennan operating in an attacking position rather than his more accustomed spot in defence kicked the first score of the second half to push Clondegad five in front but the game would soon turn on its head.
Two goals in the space of sixty five seconds had Naomh Eoin leading by a point. Odhran Lynch and Fergal Keane raising the green flags and also the confidence and determination of their side.
A long delivery into the danger area caught the Naomh Eoin defence but paved the way for Sean O’Leary to kick his second goal of the evening and restore the advantage to Clondegad.
It was short-lived as Naomh Eoin hit back with a goal from Eoin Hanrahan, the forward pounced on a rebound after Odhran Lynch’s initial shot was saved.
By the forty fourth minute the sides were level again after Cillian Brennan converted a free but within a fifty one second window, Naomh Eoin raided for 1-1, the goal coming from Odhran Lynch again and Mark McQuaid kicking the preceding point.
Several opportunities to respond fell to Clondegad but they instead had four wides in succession and Naomh Eoin kicked on with an excellent Niall Bonfil score to seal an impressive six point win.
This result coupled with the other Group 2 finishing in a draw leaves Naomh Eoin’s destiny in their own hands. Another win will push them through to the knockout stages but they will be keen to make it three from three for the second year in a row and claim the top spot. Early indicators are that they are well capable of doing that.
It’s back to the drawing board for Clondegad and this has already commenced, as evident by their long post-match debrief in Miltown Malbay. A restructuring of the side such as putting Cillian Brennan back in his more familiar defensive spot will have to be considered to prevent the leaking of goals for the remainder of the championship.
Scorers Naomh Eoin: Odhran Lynch (2-0), Owen Lynch (0-3 3f), F Keane (1-0), E Hanrahan (1-0), C Magner (0-1), M McQuaid (0-1), N Bonfil (0-1)
Scorers Clondegad: S O’Leary (2-0), B Toner (0-2 1f), C Brennan (0-2 1f), R Jennings (0-1), M Gavin (0-1)
Naomh Eoin: Eoin Daly; Adam Foley, Tomás Bonfil, Conor Tevlin; Mark McQuaid, Conor Magner, Adam Haugh; Gavin Magner, Seán Bonfil; Niall Bonfil, Odhran Lynch, Fergal Keane; Eoin Hanrahan, Gearoid Lynch, Owen Lynch.
Subs: Declan Keniry for G Magner (50), Seamus Boland for G Lynch (60).
Clondegad: Declan O’Loughlin; Conor Gavin, Brian Murphy, Niall Lynch; Tadhg Ó hUallacháin, Brian Casey, Diarmuid O’Neill; Brandon O’Connell, Sean McAllister; Cillian Gavin, Ryan Jennings, Barry Toner; Cillian Brennan, Sean O’Leary, Mossy Gavin.
Subs: Evan Flynn for McAllister (34) (inj), Eoghan Gavin for C Gavin (40).
Referee: Pat Healy (Kilmaley)
Bohannon rescues draw at the death for Gaels
Shannon Gaels 1-10
Ennistymon 2-7
Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
By Páraic McMahon
There was relief for Shannon Gaels when they were lucky to leave Quilty with a draw against Ennistymon’s second side on Sunday afternoon.
A rub of the green is required to have some luck and Shannon Gaels certainly got that from referee Fearghal Gray. It was arguably a sign of what was to follow when the match official arrived in Quilty four minutes before the scheduled 12pm throw-in, the game then starting seven minutes later than advertised.
Criticism in this instance is more fitting for the administrators rather than the referee with Feakle based Gray having an approximate 130km round trip commute to officiate the game.
During the game, there were some questionable calls. Ennistymon seemed to have cause to question the first goal of the game inside twenty five seconds when Darragh Bohannon appeared to pick the ball off the ground when having the assist for Jack McCarthy’s goal.
They certainly had a case to argue when six minutes of additional time were signalled but seven minutes were played, appearing to give the Gaels every chance of landing an equaliser. The Gaels receiving ten second half frees compared with two for Ennistymon would also indicate a level of inconsistency from the referee. One such free was signalled but then play was let continue with Dylan Kenny fisting over a point before the ball was brought back for the placed ball which the Gaels missed.
Both teams displayed a sense of inconsistency during the encounter. Shannon Gaels started with aplomb but their challenge soon waned, allowing Ennistymon to grow in confidence, they were helped by relocating Ryan Barry into a sweeper role and the manner in which they calmly moved the ball up the field, their combined sessions with the club’s senior team evident in this regard.
Bohannon picked the ball by the sideline before taking on his man and finding Jack McCarthy who opened the scoring with a goal, the game just over twenty seconds old. Bohannon then added a mark and a free as the Gaels took control early on.
Darren McNamara was the provider as Ennistymon got going, the corner forward for the first and not the last time in the game, had an excellent swift turn while in possession, this allowed him to find the on-rushing Mark Kelleher who hit the net on six minutes.
With a strong gale favouring the Gaels, they added further scores from Bohannon and Dylan Kenny who demonstrated his ability to split the posts from distance. Three of the last four scores in the half were converted by Ennistymon, Joe Dowling, Darren McNamara and an excellent kick into the wind via the left boot of Paudie Considine had them within two points at half-time.
McNamara and David Bannigan traded scores on the restart before Eoin Marrinan brought Ennistymon to within a point. Frees were slotted over at either end, Kenny and Considine doing the business to keep the minimum between the teams entering the final quarter.
Thomas Kelly shoved Shannon Gaels back two clear before Ennistymon took the lead for the first time. The North Clare side worked the ball quickly up the field to Paudie Considine, he controlled the ball and offloaded to Dara Rouine who had ran a considerable distance to be an option, he carried forward and popped to Niall Canavan who produced a tidy finish to the back of the net.
There was a glorious window for Ennistymon to push further ahead but they missed 1-1 in a two minute window following the goal. Eoin Marrinan, a former full-back with Sporting Ennistymon missed a goal chance while Darren McNamara missed what should have been their seventh point.
Another Kenny free had the men from Kilmurry McMahon and Labasheeda level entering the final ten minutes.
Deep into injury time, it looked as if Lawrence Healy, a Clare senior football for nine years, had landed the winning score for Ennistymon but their opponents were given the chance to equalise and up popped Darragh Bohannon to secure a share of the spoils for the Gaels and to almost have their management doing cartwheels.
On the management front, there was some well-known faces on either side. It was the first championship match as manager of the Gaels for well-known hurling coach Fergie O’Loughlin who was part of Waterford’s backroom team this year. He was joined on the sideline by freelance reporter Derek Dormer and ex Clare Champion Editor Peter O’Connell.
Walking the line for Ennistymon were 1992 Munster SFC winner, Brendan ‘Beano’ Rouine, former Rineen NS principal Michael Rouine who between them have been responsible for the development of several quality footballers in the club and local Fianna Fáil councillor, Shane Talty.
Scorers Shannon Gaels: D Bohannon (0-4 1f 1M), D Kenny (0-4 4f), J McCarthy (1-0), D Bannigan (0-1), T Kelly (0-1).
Scorers Ennistymon: M Kelleher (1-0), N Canavan (1-0), D McNamara (0-2), P Considine (0-2 1f), J Dowling (0-1), E Marrinan (0-1), L Healy (0-1).
Shannon Gaels: Ciaran McCarthy; Tadhg Kelly, Damien Downes; Dylan Kenny, Darren Crehan, Fergal Kenny; Gearoid Kenny; Darragh Bohannon, Jack McCarthy; Eoin Keane, Thomas Kelly, David Bannigan; Niall Ellis, Michael O’Donoghue.
Subs: Tomás Cleary for G Kenny (HT), Martin Tubridy for Bannigan (56)
Ennistymon: Conor Gallagher; Seanie Conneely, Lawrence Healy, Oisin Vaughan; Michael Vaughan, Sean O’Driscoll, John Murphy; Dara Rouine, Mark Kelleher; Joe Dowling, Niall Canavan, Ryan Barry, Eoin Marrinan; Darren McNamara, Paudie Considine.
Subs: Alex Leyden for O Vaughan (42) (inj), Cathal McConigley for Barry (58) (inj).
Referee: Fearghal Gray (Feakle)
Favourites Wolfe Tones too strong for O’Currys
Wolfe Tones 2-14
O’Currys 1-9
Venue: Lissycasey
By Seamus Hayes
Among the favourites to win promotion to the top tier are Wolfe Tones, they didn’t do their cause any harm with a merited eight point win over O’Currys.
The West Clare side were dealt a huge blow on the day of the game when team captain Shane Browne was ruled out as he had his appendix removed.
They struggled throughout the opening half at the end of which the Shannon men had opened a six point lead, 0-8 to 0-2.
O’Currys did better after the break and they fought back to within three points of their opponents but try as they did they were unable to get any closer.
With a much bigger panel, Wolfe Tones were able to make changes as players tired and this was a big plus on the evening.
Gary Leahy sparkled at full forward for the winners, contributing 2-6 of their tally, one of the goals coming from the penalty spot.
Paddy Clancy was the West Clare side’s goalscorer while Eoin Troy was their top scorer with 0-6 on the evening.
Wolfe Tones face Cooraclare in round 2 while O’Currys will come up against Killimer and both of these contests are expected to be close.
Wolfe Tones: Shane Russell; Shane Nihill, Aaron Kelly, Aaron Brennan; Jason McAuley, Jayme O’Sullivan (0-1), Conor Carigg; Joe McGauley (0-1), Brian Murphy; Dean Devanney, Craig Riordan (0-3), Jack Ryan (0-1); Cody Waller (0-1), Gary Leahy (2-6), Eoghan Gough (0-1);
Subs; Chris Dunning for Waller; Tadhg Fitzgerald for J. Ryan; Niall Fitzgerald for S. Nihill; Eoghan Casey for C. Carigg
O’Currys; Damian Clohessy; Paddy Clancy (1-0), Stephen Kelly,
Jonathan Clancy; Seamus Keane, Sean Haugh (0-1), Eoin Brew; Eoin Troy (0-6), Thomas Clancy (0-1); Eoin Kelly, Michael Foran, Cathal Downes; Danny Downes (0-1), Ian Roche, Jim Marrinan;
Subs: Luke Murray for Roche; David Byrne for E. Kelly
Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)
Strong finish helps Cooraclare get over the line
Cooraclare 0-10
Killimer 0-8
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park
By Seamus Hayes
Leading by a point inside the final ten minutes Killimer looked to be on the way to a shock result but Cooraclare managed a strong finish scoring the final three points of the tie, to seal victory.
Killimer put down a marker from the off and they led by the minimum margin, 0-5 to 0-4, at half time, corner forward Mikey Kelleher kicking some impressive scores.
The teams continued to be evenly matched on the resumption and looked to be heading for victory when they still led by the minimum margin eight minutes from the end.
Cooraclare’s greater experience proved decisive and they finished strongly to seal victory helped by a man of the match performance from team captain, wing back Thomas Downes who kicked three points from play. Full back Jake Garry was another to do well for the winners
Killimer’s Mikey Kelleher was the game’s top scorer while Sean Kelly and Jack Kelleher also did well.
Cooraclare: Oisin Morrissey (0-2, f); Gearoid Lillis, Jake Garry, Ciaran Chambers; Thomas Downes (0-3), Fergal Donnellan, Robert Ryan; Michael Garry (0-3, f) Brian McNamara; Kevin Marrinan, Padraic O’Donoghue, James Burke; Aaron Townsend, John Lillis, Sean Browne (0-2);
Subs: Rory Lillis for O’Donoghue; Noel Gavin for Burke
Killimer; Cian Corry; Fiachra McKeown, Declan Pyne, Sean Kelly; Kevin Hassett, Josh Hassett, Paul Browne; Liam Culligan, Aidan Reynolds (0-1); Stephen Grogan, Sean Reynolds, Brian Grogan; Mikey Kelleher (0-4), Colm Pyne (0-2), Jack Kelleher (0-1);
Subs: Odhran Cunningham for B. Grogan; Jack Browne for C. Pyne (inj).
Referee: Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
