*Clonlara’s Mícheál O’Loughlin surrounded by O’Callaghans Mills players. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Heading into the last three rounds in the race for this season’s Future Ticketing Clare Cup senior hurling league title, it remains very tight at the top with just one point separating the top five teams.
With just one game to play Kilmaley have nine points the same total as Crusheen who have two games remaining.
O’Callaghans Mills, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus, each with three games remaining, are locked together on eight points.
Broadford and Ballyea with just one win each are locked together at the bottom of the Division 1A table.
In Division 1B Clooney/Quin lead the way with five wins from six outings and they are one point ahead of Scariff who have nine points from four wins and a draw.
Clarecastle and St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield are each on eight points, one ahead of Cratloe and Tubber with Whitegate a further point back.
Smith O’Briens are pointless at the bottom of the table with both Parteen/Meelick and Wolfe Tones just above them on two points each
Crusheen maintain strong challenge for play-off spot
Crusheen 0-19
Inagh-Kilnamona 1-14
Venue: Crusheen
Crusheen maintained their strong challenge for a place in the knock out stage of the Clare cup (senior hurling league) with this narrow win over Inagh/Kilnamona.
While the losers will be disappointed with the result, there was good news for them as Jason McCarthy returned to action for the first time since suffering a serious leg injury early last year.
Inagh/Kilnamona started well and took an early lead but a strong second quarter from the home side saw them take a one point lead, 0-9 to 0-8, to the break.
They maintained that slight lead for much of the second half but the visitors were disappointed when a Josh Guyler goal was disallowed. They continued to battle for victory but a late goal from David Mescall wasn’t enough to deny Crusheen a win they deserved on a day when Ross Hayes was their top scorer with 0-7 while David Mescall top scored for the visitors with 1-6 to his name.
Crusheen; Donal Tuohy; Gavin O’Brien, Cian Dillon, Mark Perrill; Eanna McMahon (0-1), Ross Hayes (0-7, 5f), Cathal Dillon (0-1); Breffni Horner, Luke Ketalaar (0-1); Gerry O’Grady (0-1), Jamie Fitzgibbon (0-2), Ian O’Brien (0-2); Fergus Kennedy (0-3), Ethan O’Donnell, Colm McNamara;
Subs; Murrough McMahon for McNamara; Eoghan McMahon (0-1) for E. O’Donnell
Inagh/Kilnamona: Pa Kelly; Damian Lafferty, Cathal McConigley, Jamie Wynne; Seamus Foudy (0-1), Cian McInerney, Colin Shannon; Conner Hegarty (0-1), Darren Cullinan; Shane Vaughan (0-1), Shane McInerney, Evan McNamara (0-1); Josh Guyler (0-3), David Mescall (1-6), Niall Mullins;
Subs: Jason McCarthy for Shannon; Keelan Guyler (0-1) for Vaughan; Keith White for Wynne; Gerry Coote for Mullins; Eoghan Foudy for Cullinan;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Goals from Morey and O’Halloran seal victory
Sixmilebridge 4-19
Kilmaley 1-21
Venue: O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge
Two goals each from Alex Morey and Luke O’Halloran helped Sixmilebridge to this victory over title holders Kilmaley in the Clare cup at O’Garney Park on Thursday evening.
The home side took a grip on proceedings from the off and led by two goals, 2-8 to 0-8 at half time, the winners first half goals having come from Luke O’Halloran.
Kilmaley’s goal from Colm Killeen closed the gap early in the second half but the winners responded quickly with a major from Alex Morey and after points were exchanged on a number of occasions Morey struck for his second and the team’s fourth goal
Unbeaten in their first four rounds, this defeat means that the holders, who are managed and coached by Sixmilebridge man Brian Culbert, have picked up just one point from their last four outings.
Both sides were short a number of first choice players due to injuries and exam commitments while both were short players who have travelled to the US for the summer.
Experienced Caimin Morey did well at centre back for the winners while elsewhere Sean McNamara and Alex Morey were prominent.
Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Leon Kelly, Brian Carey, Jordan Downes; Noel Purcell, Caimin Morey, Brian Corry; Barry Fitzpatrick, Paidi Fitzpatrick; Conor Deasy, Alex Morey, Sean McNamara; Ronan Tuohy, Luke O’Halloran, Dylan Downes;
Subs: Evan McInerney for D.Downes; Paul Corry for Tuohy; Kevin Lynch for O’Halloran
Kilmaley: Bryan O’Loughlin; Shane Staunton, Colin McGuane, Enda Haren; Kevin McNamara, Noel Casey, Tommy Barry; Conor Cahill, Darragh McMahon; Joe Carmody, Conor Neylon, Daire Keane; Tom O’Rourke, Michael O’Neill, Colm Killeen;
Subs: Diarmuid Ó Ceallaigh for C. Cahill; Mark Clancy for D. McMahon; Luke McMahon for E. Haren;
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
Feakle continue recent good form
Feakle 4-22
Ballyea 1-19
Venue: Feakle
Feakle continued their recent good form with this victory over Ballyea at Feakle on Saturday evening.
Shane McGrath was again in top form and he top scored with 1-12 on an evening when Oisin O’Connor struck for two goals while the other goal came from Stevie Conway who also contributed a point to his side’s impressive tally.
Oisin Donnellan scored 0-4, Martin Daly 0-3 and Eoin Tuohy 0-2 as the home side moved up the table with their third win of the campaign.
Ballyea, who it must be said, were very much understrength had their goal from Eoghan Gavin in a tie in which Gearoid O’Connell excelled.
Injuries and exam commitments robbed Ballyea of a numbeer of players in addition to those who are involved with the Clare senior team.
Incidentally Ballyea celebrated their senior championship win on Friday night when the members of that title winning squad were presented with their medals.
Feakle: Liam O’Connor; Killian Bane, Evan McMahon, Conor McGann; Gary Guilfoyle, Con Smyth, Eoin Daly; Enda Noonan, Eoin Tuohy; Oisin Donnellan, Shane McGrath, Martin Daly; Stevie Conway, Eoin O’Connor, Oisin O’Connor;
Subs: Oisin Clune for E. Daly; Ronan O’Connor for E. O’Connor; Justin Nelson for C. McGann; Eoin McGuinness for Guilfoyle; Diarmuid Bane for O. O’Connor
Ballyea: Barry Coote; Brian Casey, Brian Murphy, Joe Neylon; Gearoid O’Connell, Peter Casey, Aonghus Keane; Thomas Kelly, Kieran McDonnell; Fergal Guinnane, Niall Deasy, David Meaney; Mossy Gavin, Eoghan Gavin, Jack McNamara;
Subs: Matthew Reidy for Meaney; Cillian Gavin for McNamara; Brian Longe for B. Casey
Referee: Neil O’Brien (O’Callaghans Mills)
Bright start steers Clonlara to victory
Clonlara 4-19
O’Callaghans Mills 2-19
Venue: Clonlara
Clonlara scored a much needed victory in Division 1A of the Clare cup when they accounted for O’Callaghans Mills at Clonlara on Saturday evening.
The foundation for this victory was laid in the opening quarter when the home side got in for three goals, two coming from Bryan McLeish and the other from Daniel Moloney on their way to an eight point lead at half time when the score was 3-13 to 2-8.
Micheál Stritch had the winner’s fourth goal in the second half in a tie in which the Mills had their goals from Conor Henry and Colin Cleary.
Clonlara: Seimi Gully; Michael Clancy, Ger Powell, Tommy Walsh; David Fitzgerald, Colm O’Meara, Paraic O’Loughlin; Jathan McMahon, Dylan McMahon; Cian Moriarty, Daniel Moloney, Aidan Moriarty; Micheál Stritch Micheál O’Loughlin, Brian McLeish;
Subs: Diarmuid Stritch for Moloney; James McCormick for M. stritch; Logan Ryan for D McMahon; Patrick Conlon for Walsh; Padraic Campbell for McLeish
O’Callaghans Mills: Killian Nugent; Michael Cotter, Keith Donnellan, Gerry Cooney; Pat Donnellan, Aidan Fawl, Eoin McInerney; Conor Henry, Aidan O’Gorman; Stevie Donnellan, Cormac Murphy, Michael McGrath; Colm Cleary, Conor Cooney, Fionn Hickey;
Subs: Bryan Donnellan for McInerney; Cathal McNamara for Henry (inj); Alan O’Dea for C. Cooney (inj), Niall Donovan for B. Donnellan (inj.)
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
Clooney/Quin on top in high scoring contest
Clooney/Quin 2-22
Cratloe 0-23
Venue: Pairc Michael Ui hEithir, Cratloe
In a game which produced some excellent scores from both sides Clooney/Quin overcame Cratloe in a most entertaining tie at Cratloe on Thursday evening.
Ahead by five points, 1-13 to 0-11 at half time, the winners continued to hold a lead in the second half despite excellent play and scores from Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney.
Indeed the home side would have been closer but for the play of Clooney-Quin goalkeeper Cathal Hannon who made some excellent saves including one from Cathal McInerney in the closing stages.
Jack O’Neill was the first half goalscorer for the winners while Cillian Duggan found the net in the second half and these scores were vital for the winners on an evening when wing back John Cahill contributed some excellent points.
Clooney/Quin: Cathal Hannon; Conor Grogan, Shane McNamara, Enda O’Halloran; Luke Harrisson, Michael McNamara, John Cahill; Eoin Guilfoyle, Donagh O’Sullivan; Cillian Duggan, Jimmy Corry, Callum Hassett; Jack O’Neill, Dannan Fox, Ulick O’Sullivan;
Subs; David Considine for Harrisson; Trevor Lee for Guilfoyle; Michael Corry for Fox;
Cratloe; Gearoid Ryan; Sean Collins, Aaron Costigan, David Collins; Shane Neville, Enda Boyce, Damian Browne; Daithi Collins, Rian McNamara; Sean Gallagher, Cathal McInerney, Sam Sheehy; Jack McInerney, Kevin Danagher, Conor McGrath
Subs: Mikey Hawes for Gallagher; Cathal Lohan for Sheehy; Jack Manley for Boyce; Kyle Neylon for Danaher; Jack Donnelly for J. McInerney
Referee: Johnnie Healy (Smith O’Briens)
Goals crucial for Tubber
Tubber 3-15
Clarecastle 0-22
Venue: Tubber
Goals in the opening and closing minutes helped Tubber to a two point win over Clarecastle in this Division 1B Clare cup tie played at Tubber on Wednesday evening.
Clare under 20 player Senan Dunford had the ball in the Clarecastle net twice inside the opening five minutes as the North Clare side raced 2-1 to 0-0 clear.
The Magpies hit the next six points on their way to having a one point lead at the interval when the score was 0-13 to 2-6.
Scores were traded throughout much of the second half and the visitors looked likely to record a narrow win before Domhnall McMahon struck for the home side’s third goal which came in the final minute.
Oisin Whelan top scored for Clarecastle with 0-9 while Senan Dunford contributed 2-2 for the winners.
Tubber: RonanTaaffe; Emmett Quinn, James Howard, Fergal O’Grady; Mark Earley, Pat O’Connor, Pappy Taaffe; Jonah Culligan, John Fawle; Lorcan O’Grady, Blaine Earley, Aidan McNamara; Senan Dunford, Domhnall McMahon, Cathal Droney.
Sub: Lorcan Doolin for Dunford;
Clarecastle: Cian Broderick; Niall Brigdale, Aaron Hayes, Conor Griffin; David Tuohy, Cian Donnelly, Colin Brigdale; Cian Galvin, Conor Halpin; James Doherty, Patrick Kelly, Rory O’Connell; Lee Brack, Niall Galvin, Oisin Whelan;
Subs: Sam Browne for N. Brigdale (inj); Jack Murphy for Halpin; Oisin Casey for N. Galvin; Josh Brack for L. Brack
Referee: Robert Harte (St. Senan’s Kilkee)
Doora/Barefield heading towards the play offs
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-20
Parteen-Meelick 0-17
Venue: Gurteen
A strong second half showing helped St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield to maintain their strong challenge for being in the knock out stages of this season’s Clare Cup when they accounted for Parteen/Meelick at Gurteen on Saturday evening.
At the end of an evenly fought first half the home side led by the minimum martin, 1-5 to 0-7, their goal coming from Cian Barron.
Barron struck for the Doora/Barefield outfit’s second goal soon after the break as they took control in vital areas on their way to a merited win which keeps them very much in contention form the knock out stages of the competition.
Oisin Hickey top scored for the South Clare outfit with 0-8, five from frees while Darragh McDermott contributed 0-3.
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Mikey Roseingrave; Ian Williams, Brian Clancy, Cian Lahiffe; Adam Mungovan, Francie Meaney, Donal O’Halloran; Dara O’Shea, Matthew Power; Dara Nagle, Cathal Ruane, Brian Guilfoyle; Eoin Lahiffe, Alan O’Neill, Cian Barron;
Subs: Eoghan McMahon for Mungovan (inj.); Eoin Burke for Ruane; Paul Geraghty for Guilfoyle;
Parteen/Meelick: Alan Murnane; Donal Kenny, Phil Lavin, David O’Sullivan; Gavin Rackard, Nathan Fox, Damian Moloney; Darragh McDermott, Daniel Cooney; Shane Fox, Greg Daly, Rory McDermott; Eoin Phelan, Gearoid Reddy, Oisin Hickey;
Subs: Adam Sherlock for E. Phelan; Joe Sherlock for S. Fox; Danny Williamson for D. O’Sullivan; Darragh McGleenon for Rackard; Shane Dillon for R. McDermott;
Referee: Kieran Liddane (Sixmilebridge)
Scariff edge tight affair
Scariff 0-22
Wolfe Tones 1-18
Venue: Whitegate
Scariff returned to winning ways with a hard-earned victory over Wolfe Tones in a tie played at Whitegate on Saturday evening. The result sees them in second place on the Division 1B table and on course for a place in the knock out stage of the competition.
The Shannon side enjoyed the upperhand in the opening quarter and opened a four point lead, 0-8 to 0-4 but Scariff finished the half strongly with five unanswered points to lead 0-9 to 0-8 at the break.
The sides continued to be evenly matched in a second half in which Liam O’Dwyer scored the game’s only goal.
Full forward Aaron Cunningham top scored for Wolfe Tones with 0-12 to his credit while Shane Kavanagh contributed 0-8 for the winners.
Scariff: William Kavanagh; Seamus McCaul, Michael Scanlan, Eoghan Keehan; Tadhg Kavanagh, Shane Kavanagh, Sean Collins; Scott Cairns, Conor Downes; Michael Barrett, Keelan Hartigan, Liam Crotty; Rory Ryan, Tadhg Minogue, Eanna O’Brien;
Subs: Conor Hayes for R. Ryan; Aaron Collins for S. Collins; Jack Ryan for T. Kavanagh; Martin Cunningham for Barrett;
Wolfe Tones: Daithi O’Connell; Shane Nihill, Liam Murphy, Brian Murphy; Gary Cusack, Daithi Lohan, Sam Meaney; Dean Devanney, Stephen Donnellan; Luke Merrigan, John Guilfoyle, Sean Costelloe; Peter McEvoy, Aaron Cunningham, Liam O’Dwyer;
Subs; Conor Carigg for McEvoy; Conor Casey for Merrigan;
Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena)
Another win for Whitegate
Whitegate 3-15
Smith O’Briens 0-12
Venue: Killaloe
Whitegate led from an early stage in this East Clare clash of neighbours at Killaloe on Saturday evening.
First half goals from Ciaran Keenan at the mid point of the half and Paddy Burke, five minutes from the break helped Whitegate to lead 2-9 to 0-8 at the interval.
Substitute Cian McDermott struck for their third goal in the second half in a game in which Micheal Ryan top scored for the Killaloe side with 0-5 while David Gough and John Cusack both scored 0-2.
The result keeps Smith O’Briens rooted to the bottom of the table and in line to be relegated.
Whitegate: Andrew Fahey; Dylan Whyte, Finn Madden, Ciaran Quinn; Brendan Bugler, Colm Madden, Ian Fahy; Thomas Holland, Conor Whelan; Eoin Patterson,
Conor McDermott, Liam Murray; Paddy Burke, Ronan Hayes, Ciaran Keenan
Subs: Cian McDermott for Burke; Mark Bugler for Holland; Padraig Hynes for Murry; James Carey for Patterson
Smith O’Briens; Mark McInerney; Ben Murnane, Dwayne Sheedy, Cian McLoughlin; Tony Foley, Evan Connolly, Mark O’Halloran; David Gough, Eoin Heffernan; Cillian Collins, Micheál Ryan, Shane Geraghty; Eoin Power, John Cusack, Adam Moloney;
Subs: Diarmuid Coleman for Murnane; Darragh Nolan for McLoughlin; Noel McInerney for Moloney; Patrick Aherne for Cusack; Kevin McEvoy for Ryan
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara)
