*Ennistymon’s Liam Cotter. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
WITH just two rounds remaining the race for places in the play offs and to avoid relegation in the various football leagues is hotting up.
Cusack Cup holders Ennistymon lead the way in Division 1 with five wins from five outings for a total of ten points. St Joseph’s Miltown are in second place three points behind with Lissycasey a point further back in third place.
Kilmurry Ibrickane are currently in fourth place followed by St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Kildysart who have four points each while St. Breckan’s and Clondegad are currently in the bottom two positions.
In the race for the Garry Cup Corofin despite suffering their first loss at the weekend, lead by a point from Éire Óg and Doonbeg with Kilmihil and Kilrush Shamrocks a point further back. Cooraclare and O’Currys have one win and a draw each while Ballyvaughan are pointless
Miltown bounce back from poor opening quarter
St Joseph’s Miltown 2-13
Clondegad 1-10
Venue: Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay
St Joseph’s Miltown edged closer to the knock out stage in the Cusack Cup with this six point win over Clondegad at Hennessy Park on Friday evening.
Clondegad made the better start and raced five points clear in the opening quarter. Miltown settled, following the introduction of Kieran Malone and helped by a goal from Brian Curtin they fought their way back and when the half time whistle sounded the sides were level at 1-7 each, Mossy Gavin scoring the visitors’ goal.
The home side upped their performance after the break and a goal from Paul Keane saw them move into a comfortable lead. They were five points clear when Clondegad had a goal disallowed for a square infringement.
On the evening the winners had a good spread of scorers with eight players sharing in their impressive final tally with five of their defenders getting on the scoresheet and contributing a total of 0-9 of their final score.
St Joseph’s Miltown: Mark Cunningham (0-1, ‘45); Enda O’Gorman (0-1), Seanie Malone (0-2), Eoin O’Brien; Cian Mahoney (0-4, 4f), Gordon Kelly (0-1), Jamesie O’Connor; Darragh McDonagh, Oisin Looney; Gavin Twomey, Brian Curtin (1-0), Oisin Meade; Paul Keane (1-2), Euan Lineen (0-2), Ger Malone.
Subs: Kieran Malone for O. Meade; Paul Frawley for G. Malone; Ronan Keavey for Paul Keane; Cormac Devitt for G. Twomey
Clondegad; Darren Cleary; Colin McNeilis, Conor Gavin, Niall Lynch; Sean McAllister, Tadhg Ó hUallachain, Evan Flynn; Morgan Garry (0-1), Diarmuid O’Neill; Colm Meaney, Ryan Jennings (0-1), Eoghan Gavin (0-1); Mossy Gavin (1-1), Sean O’Leary (0-5), Cillian Gavin
Subs: Eoghan Donnellan for E. Gavin; Daniel Kelly (0-2) for S. O’Leary; Patrick Sweeney for C. Meaney; Cormac Reidy for McAllister; Mark Crowe for R. Jennings; Niall Carigg for O h-Uallachain (blood sub);
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
Strong second half from Lissycasey
Lissycasey 2-12
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-11
Venue: Gurteen
Seven points ahead at half time, everything pointed to a victory for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield when these sides clashed in the Cusack Cup at Gurteen on Friday night.
The game was brought forward from Saturday evening because of the funeral of Gerard Moran Lissycasey, a strong supporter of the club and whose three sons, Gerry, Martin and Kevin have played for the club.
Tom McDonald gave the home side the lead inside the opening minute but, in their first attack, Lissycasey took the lead with Cian Meaney, having his first game in a year because of injury, found the net.
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield then landed three unanswered points before the visitors did likewise and with the game edging towards the half time whistle the sides were level at 1-4 to 0-7.
Then, in the space of two minutes, St. Joseph’s opened a seven point lead as they hit 2-1. Kieran Thynne followed a point from play with a goal from the penalty spot. Straight from the kickout the home side won possession and a superb move ended with Tom McDonald passing to Jack Hannan who flicked the ball to the net.
The sides exchanged points before the break when the score was 2-9 for the home outfit to 1-5.
The swapped points again on the resumption before converted frees by Conor Finnucane and Darragh Culligan left five between them.
Lissycasey were coming more into the contest and a good team move ended with Darren Keane finding the net and this score clearly gave the visitors a boost. Niall Kelly kicked an excellent point before team captain Conor Finnucane levelled when converting a free from a difficult angle.
Finnucane again and Joe Rafferty exchanged points and a share of the spoils looked the likely outcome but Lissycasey had other ideas and defender, Michael Kelly, making his senior debut kicked the winning point.
Lissycasey: Thomas Collins (0-1, ‘45); Michael Kelly (0-1), Niall McCarthy, Enda Meaney; Cyril Sheehan, Conor Meaney, Fionn Cotter; Darren Keane (1-0), Shane Griffin; Darragh Culligan (0-2, f), Ben Skerritt, Luke Griffin (0-1); Enda Finnucane, Conor Finnucane (0-5, 4f), Cian Meaney (1-1);
Subs: Niall Kelly (0-1) for Skerritt; Francis Hayes for Cian Meaney;
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield; Tom O’Brien; Eoin Boyle, Conor O’Brien, Cathal O’Brien; Cian McDonagh, Fionn Kelleher, Kieran Thynne (1-1, 1-0 penalty); Dara O’Shea, Jack Hannan (1-1); Conor Daly, Joe Rafferty (0-1), Eoghan Thynne (0-1); Paddy Bugler (0-2), Tom McDonald (0-3), Tom Curran (0-1).
Subs: Tom Hannan for C. McDonagh; Odhran O’Connell for C. Daly; Conal Kelleher for D. O’Shea; Conor Brannock for T. Curran;
Referee: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Champions on the way to the play offs
Ennistymon 2-15
Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-17
Venue: Lahinch
Title holders Ennistymon maintained their winning run when accounting for Kilmurry Ibrickane at Ennistymon on Saturday evening but they had to battle all the way to the end for this one point victory.
The win sees them sitting pretty on the top of the league table and hot favourites to qualify for the knock out stage of the competition.
At the halfway stage the visitors led by two, 1-7 to 0-9, the goal having come from Joe Campbell.
Two second half goals from Niall Canavan played a key part in this latest victory for Ennistymon on a day when eight players shared in their final tally.
Amongst those to play impressive roles were wing backs Tiernan Hogan and Liam Cotter, Joey Rouine, Dara Conneally, Niall Canavan, Eanna Rouine and Joe Dowling in attack.
David Sexton, Martin McMahon, Darragh Sexton until injured, Colin Considine and Shane Hickey were prominent for the Kilmurry Ibrickane side.
Ennistymon; Noel Sexton; John Murphy, Dara Conneally, Brian McNamara; Liam Cotter (0-2), Joey Rouine, Tiernan Hogan (0-3); David McNamara, Josh Vaughan; Darren McNamara (0-2), Niall Canavan (2-2), Ciaran McMahon (0-1); Eanna Rouine (0-2), Joe Dowling (0-1). Gearoid Barry (0-2);
Subs: Joe Casey for B. McNamara; Eoin Rouine for David McNamara; Ryan Barry for J. Dowling
Kilmurry Ibrickane: David Sexton; Diarmuid Comber, Diarmuid King, Conor Kearney; Martin McMahon (0-1), Darragh Sexton, Oisin Sexton (0-1); Evan Cahill (0-1), Michael Comber; Colin Considine (0-2), Shane Hickey (0-4), Jason Cussen (0-3); Cathal Talty (0-1), Daryn Callinan (0-2), Joe Campbell (1-2).
Subs: Paudie Murrihy for Darragh Sexton (inj); Shay Gleeson for O Sexton; Maurice Donnellan for D.Comber; Enda Coughlan for J. Cussen;
Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
Injury time goal earns Kildysart a share of the spoils
St. Breckans 1-10
Kildysart 1-10
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
A Keith O’Connor goal in the third minute of ‘added time’ earned Kildysart a share of the spoils with St. Breckans when the sides clashed at Lisdoonvarna on Saturday evening.
The result means that the North Clare outfit are still chasing their first win in this season’s campaign.
At the end of a well contested first half the sides retired on level terms at 0-6 each. The home side had a dream start to the second half with Dale Masterson striking for a goal a minute after play resumed.
That goal still separated the sides as the game went into ‘added time’ but Kildysart refused to throw in the towel and team captain O’Connor got through for the goal which levelled the contest.
St. Breckan’s: Conor O’Neill; Paddy Haugh, Conor Burke, Thomas O’Dwyer; Patrick O’Dwyer, Liam Tierney, Patrick Doherty; Robert O’Connell, Denis O’Callaghan; Rowan Danaher (0-2), Dale Masterson (1-1), Shane Fitzpatrick (0-1); Jamie Stack (0-6), Conor Shannon, Colm O’Brien;
Sub: Cathal Morgan for S. Fitzpatrick
Kildysart: Kieran Eyers; Fergal Guinnane (0-1), Kieran Leahy, Stevie Sheehan; Michael Eustace, Conor Moloney, Oisin Coyle; Kieran O’Brien, Keith O’Connor (1-0); Ryan Casey, Conor Hassett (0-3), Michael Donnellan (0-3)’ Jack Cotter (0-1), Keith Murphy (0-1) Conor Cusack (0-1);
Subs: Mark Moloney for Guinnane; Conal Casey for R. Casey; Colin Finnucane for Cusack
Referee; John O’Connell, Cooraclare
Kilmihil return to winning ways
Kilmihil 2-10
Corofin 2-7
Venue: St Michael’s Park, Kilmihil
Following their narrow loss to Kilrush last time out, Kilmihil returned to winning ways on Friday evening when recording a three point victory over hitherto unbeaten Corofin at Kilmihil.
Goals from Cathal Murray and Mark Normoyle helped them to a half time tally of 2-3 and at this stage the sides were level with Corofin having 1-6 on the scoreboard, their goal having come from defender Marc O’Loughlin.
Gearoid Cahill was shown a black card just before the half time whistle and while he was off in the opening minutes of the second half, the home side opened a three point lead with Martin O’Leary kicking some great scores.
On Cahill’s return he was instrumental in the move which ended with Cathal Flanagan finding the net to level the tie once again
Corofin won a penalty midway through the second half but Marc O’Loughlin’s effort was well saved by Damian Lineen.
With Conor Finnucane impressing at midfield from where he kicked 0-2, and with Gavin Downes doing well in the half back line, Kilmihil finished strongly to seal victory.
Kilmihil: Damian Lineen; Padraig Lynch, John Finnucane, Padraig O’Grady; David Coughlan, Fionn Febbraro, Gavin Downes (0-1); Conor Finnucane (0-2), Dan Keating; Shane Downes, Sean Crowley (0-2), Cathal Murray (1-0); Mikey Keating (0-1), Martin O’Leary (0-4), Mark Normoyle (1-0);
Subs: Micheal Cotter for M.Normoyle;
Corofin: Eoin Davoran; Colin Fitzgerald, Cilléin Mullins, Marc O’Loughlin (1-0); Colm Rice, Kevin Keane, Damian O’Loughlin; Gearoid Kelly (0-1), Cillian McGroary; Evan Doolin (0-1), Gearoid Cahill (0-4), Sean O’Brien; Diarmuid Cahill (0-1), Cathal Flanagan (1-0), Cillian Clancy
Subs; Josh Ryan for Doolin; Caoimhin O’Donovan for Flanagan;
Referee: Joe Kelly (Coorclare)
Éire Óg ease past Kilrush
Éire Óg 4-14
Kilrush 0-11
Venue: Ennis
Two goals in each half steered Éire Óg to a comfortable win over Kilrush Shamrocks in this Division 2 (Garry cup) tie played at the Ennis club’s grounds on Saturday evening.
Luke Pyne and Darren O’Neill scored the first half goals which helped the home side to a half time leaf of five points with the score at 2-5 to 0-6.
O’Neill and Darren O’Brien were the second half goalscorers on a day when eight players shared in their final tally.
Conor Fennell was the leading marksman for the West Clare side with 0-5 to his credit but the all-round experience of the home side proved too much on the day and they emerged with a merited win to keep their chances of being in the play offs alive.
Éire Óg; Cian Howard; Eoin Guilfoyle (0-1), Aaron Fitzgerald, Gearoid Collins; Dean D’Auria, Aidan McGrath, Jarlath Collins; Darren O’Neill (2-1), Oran Cahill (0-2); Gavin D’Auria, Darren O’Brien (1-1), Niall McMahon; Jack Joyce (0-2), Philip Talty (0-5), Luke Pyne (1-1);
Subs: Mark Collins for G. Collins; Ciaran Russell (0-1) for D. D’Auria; Alan O’Neill for J. Joyce
Kilrush Shamrocks; David Jones; Sean Purtill, Padraig Browne, Niall Brennan; Billy Clancy, Dylan O’Brien, Sean Canny; Sean Madigan, Ciaran Bermingham; Darragh Bolton, Tadhg Lysaght (0-1), Ben McKiernan; Keith Crowley (0-2), Conor Fennell (0-5), Ross Phelan (0-3).
Subs: Cathal Carigg for Purtill; Calum Bond for Lysaght;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Runaway win for Doonbeg
Doonbeg 6-16
Ballyvaughan 1-5
Venue: Ballyvaughan
Doonbeg continued their march towards a return to the Cusack Cup with a big win over bottom of the table Ballyvaughan at the North Clare club’s venue on Saturday.
The Magpies were well on their way to victory when they led 1-10 to 0-2 at the break.
Darragh Burns contributed 2-3 while the other goalscorers were Luke and Eoin Conway and Eoghan Tubridy with two.
Lorcan Doolin, James Hynes, Mark Walsh and Philip Queally tried hard for Ballyvaughan but they couldn’t match the greater experience and team work of their opponents.
Doonbeg: Eamonn Tubridy; Conor O’Mahoney, James Killeen, Gavin O’Shea; Cian O’Mahoney, Kevin Pender, Cillian Blake; Mikie Tubridy, Kevin McInerney (0-1); Cathal Killeen (0-2), David Tubridy (0-8), Brian Behan; Eoin Killeen (0-1), Luke Conway (1-1), Darragh Burns (2-3);
Subs: Sean Conway for Cian O’Mahoney; Eoghan Tubridy (2-1) for L. Conway;
Tadhg Lillis for C. Blake; Cian Clancy for G. O’Shea; Eoin Conway (1-0) for D Tubridy
Ballyvaughan: John McCormack; Joseph Flanagan, Philip Queally, James Costello; Mark Walsh (0-3), James Hynes (0-1), Noah McNamara; James Howard, Phelim Kyne; Ian Woods, Lorcan Doolin (1-1), Scion Flanagan; Cian Walsh John Martyn, Martin Howard;
Subs: Tomas Francis for Martin Howard; Dermot Costello for Ian Woods; Darragh O’Brien for Cian Walsh.; Ian Woods for James Howard (inj).
Referee: Pat Healy (Kilmaley)
Lillis saves the day for Cooraclare
Cooraclare 0-12
O’Currys 0-12
Venue: Cooraclare
Goalkeeper Mark Lillis contributed 0-4, including the levelling score shortly before the final whistle as Cooraclare and O’Currys shared the spoils in this division 2 tie at Cooraclare on Saturday evening.
Cooraclare took an early two point lead but when the half time whistle sounded the visitors were one ahead with the score at 0-6 to 0-5.
O’Currys were reduced to fourteen men ten minutes before the half time whistle when Seamus Keane was sent off.
O’Currys picked up where they had left off after the break and they kept their noses in front. Inside the final quarter Cooraclare were reduced to fourteen when James Chambers picked up a second yellow.
Some excellent free taking by goalkeeper Mark Lillis proved decisive for the home side and he landed four great points in the closing period to leave the sides level when referee Barry Keating sounded the final whistle.
Cooraclare: Mark Lillis (0-4); Gearoid Lillis, Robert Ryan, Ciaran Chambers; Thomas Downes, Fergal Donnellan, Aaron Townsend; Jake Garry, James Burke; Sean Browne (0-1), Padraic O’Donoghue (0-1), Kevin Marrinan (0-1); Rory Lillis, James Chambers (0-1), Colin McNamara (0-2).
Subs: Sean Molloy (0-2) for R. Lillis; Jimmy Gallagher for S. Browne
O’Currys; Damian Clohessy; Jonathan Clancy, Stephen Kelly, Patrick Clancy Eoin Brew, Sean Haugh, Seamus Keane (0-1); Michael Foran, Thomas Clancy (0-1); Eoin Kelly (0-1), Eoin Troy (0-1), Cathal Downes (0-2); Shane Browne (0-4), Danny Downes (0-2), Jim Marrinan.
Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)
