*Dean Ryan holds off Euan Lineen in the meeting of Éire Óg & St Joseph’s Miltown. Photograph: Mike Brennan
THREE teams are tied at top of the table in the Cusack Cup following the fourth round of action this Easter weekend.
Title holders and hitherto unbeaten Lissycasey suffered their first defeat as round 4 in this season’s willwego.com Cusack cup was completed on Friday evening
Kilmurry Ibrickane have joined Lissycasey and Éire Óg at the top of the table with three wins from four outings each.
Elsewhere, Ennistymon had a big win over a previously unbeaten St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield while Kildysart and Corofin shared the spoils.
Kilrush Shamrocks remain unbeaten in the Garry Gup, their latest win coming in Cross where they accounted for Naomh Eoin. Doonbeg had a comfortable win over Kilmihil while St Breckans made it three wins from four when accounting for Clondegad.
O’Currys recorded their first win of the campaign with a two point victory over Wolfe Tones at Doonaha.
Kilmurry Ibrickane’s greater hunger wins the day
Kilmurry-Ibrickane 2-9
Lissycasey 0-11
Venue: Lissycasey
A livelier Kilmurry Ibrickane put in a strong second half showing to overcome Lissycasey at the latter’s venue.
Second half goals from Joe Campbell and Cathal Talty were key to the West Clare outfit’s merited win.
The visitors won the majority of breaking ball around midfield and they also caused huge problems for the Lissycasey half back line throughout
Lissycasey led by a point at half time, 0-6 to 0-5 each side with a two pointer through Conor Finnucane for the home side and Cathal Talty.
Talty levelled for the visitors after half time but Lissycasey hit back with points from Finnucane and Darren Keane to lead by two with twenty minutes remaining.
A Joe Campbell goal put the winners ahead for the first time since the fifth minute but a Finnucane free had he sides level with a quarter remaining.
The visitors had the better of the final quarter and Talty’s goal three minutes from the end killed off any chance of a Lissycasey win.
Kilmurry Ibrickane finished the game with fourteen men as Killian Darcy picked up a black card shortly before the final whistle.
Kilmurry Ibrickane; David Sexton; Maurice Donnellan, Diarmuid Comber, Colin Considine; Daragh Sexton (0-1), Darren Hickey, Josh Moloney; Diarmuid King (0-1), Cillian Darcy; Leo Switzer, Caoilfhin O’Dea, Kevin Tubridy; Cathal Talty (1-6, 1TP), Damian Lynch, Joe Campbell (1-0|)
Sub; Oisin Sexton for D. Lynch;
Lissycasey; Thomas Collins; Aaron Killeen, Ryan Griffin, Michael Meaney; Adrian Meaney, Luke Griffin, Aaron Clohessy; Matt O’Shea, Cian Meaney; Michael O’Neill (0-1), Darren Keane (0-1), Ben Skerritt; Shane Culligan (0-3), Conor Finnucane (0-6, 1tp), Francis Hayes;
Subs: Diarmuid McMahon for B. Skerritt; Aidan Weaver for F. Hayes; Cathal Casey for A. Meaney
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Éire Óg move to joint top of Cusack Cup
Éire Óg 2-16
St Joseph’s Miltown 3-10
Venue: Éire Óg GAA Grounds, Ennis
By Páraic McMahon
A third win on the bounce saw Éire Óg go joint top of the willwego.com Cusack Cup table.
They produced the stronger second half in Ennis where they outscored St Joseph’s Miltown 1-8 2-2.
Five of their starting team to line out in last year’s county final took to the field from the off for the Townies who had former League of Ireland netminder Barry Ryan between the posts.
What was a slight breeze favoured Miltown in the opening half but they were tied with Éire Óg by the sounding of the half-time whistle at 1-8 apiece.
Euan Lineen’s wonderful volley off his right boot was the highlight of the first half and indeed the entire contest. He latched onto a dropping diagonal delivery and swung his right leg at the ball in what is likely to be the goal of this year’s Cusack Cup.
His major was on fourteen minutes and followed a brace of Cian Mahony two pointers which had given the visitors the lead for the first time. Following the goal they had a four point cushion.
They stayed in front until the thirtieth minute when Jarlath Collins managed to flick a delivery from Aaron Fitzgerald beyond Ger Malone for their first goal. The last score of the half arrived from midfielder Micheál Murray to level matters at the interval.
Ralph Whelehan put the visitors ahead on the restart only for Éire Óg to reply with efforts from Philip Talty and Conor Perill. Whelehan then raised a major to give a big lift to Miltown but Éire Óg responded with an unanswered 1-5, the goal from corner back Niall McMahon after the offload to put him through arrived from Luke Pyne.
Miltown pulled a goal back when full-back Seanie Malone dispatched a penalty to the net on fifty seven minutes, Whelehan the man fouled to prompt referee Fergal O’Brien to award the spot kick.
Scorers Éire Óg: J Joyce (0-7 3f 1TPf), J Collins (1-1), N McMahon (1-0), A Fitzgerald (0-2), A McGrath (0-1), G D’Auria (0-1), C Perrill (0-1), C Russell (0-1), O Cahill (0-1).
Scorers St Joseph’s Miltown: C Mahony (0-5 1TP 1TPf 1f), R Whelehan (1-1), S Malone (1-0 1’Pen), E Lineen (1-0), C Meade (0-1), E Devanney (0-1 1f)
Éire Óg: Barry Ryan; Niall McMahon, Dean Ryan, Eoin Guilfoyle; Ciaran Russell, Aidan McGrath, Gavin D’Auria; Oran Cahill, David McNamara; Jarlath Collins, Aaron Fitzgerald, Conor Perill; Luke Pyne, Jack Joyce, Philip Talty.
Subs: Luca Cleary for Perill (44), Bernard Keating for McNamara (46), Mark Collins for McGrath (55), Harry Kavanagh for Talty (62)
St Joseph’s Miltown: Ger Malone; Euan Reidy, Seanie Malone, Diarmuid O’Sullivan; Paul Frawley, Seán Neylon, Cormac Devitt; Darragh McDonagh, Micheál Murray; Ralph Whelehan, Cian Mahony, Conall Meade; Oisin Meade, Euan Lineen, Eoin Devanney.
Subs: Sean Malone for O Meade (37), Stephen Murphy for Meade (44), Ronan Keavey for Devitt (51)
Referee: Fergal O’Brien (Broadford)
Spoils shared at Kildysart
Kildysart 0-11
Corofin 1-8
Venue: Kildysart
Kildysart and Corofin went into this tie at Kildysart in search of their opening points in this campaign and at the end of a hard fought game in which there were many missed chances, a share of the spoils was the outcome.
They were level at the break with the score at 0-5 each and they continued to trade scores throughout the second period.
Corofin will bemoan failing to convert a couple of good goal chances on an evening when Gearoid Cahill top scored for them with 0-6.
Luke McGrath and Conor Hassett each landed 0-5 for the home side.
Kildysart; Aidan O’Loughin; Joe Kelly, Stevie Sheehan, Jamie Sheehan (0-1); Cillian Kelly, Conor Moloney, Colm Finnucane; Keith O’Connor, Kieran O’Brien; Seamus Casey, Luke McGrath (0-5, 1TP), Oisin Coyle; Jack Cotter, Conor Hassett (0-5), Ryan Casey;
Subs; Fergal Guinnane for S Casey; Conall Casey for Coyle; Mikey Donnellan for C. Finnucane; Keith Murphy for R. Casey; Michael Eustace for Joe. Kelly
Corofin; Luke Neylon; John Rees, Cillein Mullins, Caoimhin O’Donovan; Cathal Flanagan, Damian O’Loughlin, Kevin Keane; Gearoid Kelly (1-0), Cillian McGroary; Colm Breen, Cian Doolin, Evan Doolin; Seanán Kirby (0-1), Gearoid Cahill (0-7), Enda Collins;
Subs: Josh Ryan (0-1) for E. Collins
Referee: Martin Downes (Naomh Eoin)
Ennistymon well in control of Doora/Barefield
Ennistymon 1-15
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 0-5
Venue: Lahinch
A physically stronger Ennistymon recorded a comfortable win over St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in this tie played at Lahinch.
The winners dominated at midfield through Eoin and Brendy Rouine and this ensured a plentiful supply of ball to their forwards.
They had built up an eight point led at half time then the score was 1-8 to 0-5, their goal coming from Éanna Rouine.
Doora/Barefield were short a number of regulars including James Curran and Tom McDonald to mention two.
Hosts Ennistymon continued to hold the upperhand in the second half and they had the points sealed long before the final whistle sounded.
Ennistymon; Noel Sexton; Joey Rouine, Darragh Conneally (0-1), Ciaran McMahon; Liam Cotter, James Cullinan, Tiernan Hogan (0-1); Eoin Rouine (0-1), Brendy Rouine (0-4, 1tp); Mark Kelleher, Seán Rouine, Josh Guyler (0-3); Josh Vaughan (0-1), Eanna Rouine (1-0), Darren McNamara (0-3);
Subs: Joe Concannon (0-1) for M Kelleher; John Murphy for J. Guyler; Ryan Barry for S. Rouine
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield Tom O’Brien; Sam Costelloe, Dara O’Callaghan, Conal Dorgan; Charlie Hannan, Diarmuid Boyle, Eoghan Thynne; Darragh O’Shea, Cian McDonagh; Liam Clune (0-1), Odhran O’Connell, Conor Daly; Joe Rafferty (0-1), Michael Nash (0-1), Tom Curran (0-2);
Subs; Cian Moloney for O’Callaghan (inj); Joe Keane for C. Daly; Conor Byrne for D Boyle; Jack McAllister for T Curran
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
Kilrush extend unbeaten run
Kilrush Shamrocks 0-15
Naomh Eoin 0-7
Venue: Páirc Eoin, Cross
Kilrush Shamrocks continued their winning ways when proving too strong Naomh Eoin at Cross on Friday evening.
The visitors laid the foundation for this win in the opening half a the end of which they had opened a six point lead with the score at 0-8 to 0-2.
Kilrush adapted better to the difficult conditions and they continued to hold the edge in the second half.
Seven players shared in their tally on the evening as they deservingly took the points and made it four wins from four outings.
Kilrush Shamrocks; Stephen Ryan (0-2); James Blunnie, Ross Cullinan, Jimmy Browne; Dylan O’Brien, Ciaran Bermingham, Tadhg Lysaght (0-2); Darragh Blunnie, Sean Fennell (0-1); Ben McKiernan (0-1), Conor Fennelll (0-4, 1tp) Dean Neary; Jim Young, Gearoid O’Brien (0-2), Ross Phelan (0-3);
Subs; Padraig Browne for J. Browne; Sean Canny for S. Fennell;
Naomh Eoin; Eoin Daly; Adam Foley, Tomas Bonfil, Declan Keniry; Adam Haugh, Conor Magner, Eoin Hanrahan; Sean Bonfil, Gavin Magner; (0-1) Fergal Keane, Conor Downes, Niall Bonfil; Gearoid Lynch, Owen Lynch (0-6, 2tp), Odhran Lynch
Subs; Seamus Boland for G Lynch; Kevin Roche for N. Bonfil; Ciaran Bonfil for A. Foley; Andrew Naughton for E. Hanrahan
Referee: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Breckan’s pick up third win
St Breckan’s 2-14
Clondegad 0-12
Venue: Páirc Mhichil Ui Eithir, Ballynacally
By Michael Fitzgerald
St Breckan’s had an easy evening in Ballynacally as they accounted for Clondegad by a margin of eight points.
Clare forward Jamie Stack gave an incredible performance, he made use of three two-point frees in the first half as the North Clare side began to pull away.
Clondegad fought back but were overly eager, giving away frees and hitting three wides in the first half hour. Eoin Kennedy played excellent in red and black as he converted four frees in the first thirty minutes. A twenty-fifth minute goal by Cathal Morgan ensured Breckans entered half time with a healthy 1-10 to 0-06 lead.
Stack continued to impress for the 2023 county finalists in the second half as he notched up a further three points from frees. Substitute Liam Tierney made a sizeable impact off the bench with a goal in the forty-second minute to put the result beyond doubt.
All was not well for St. Breckan’s however as substitute Eoin Byrne suffered what appeared to be a broken ankle late in the contest which prompted him to exit the field in agony.
Scorers St Breckan’s: J Stack (0-9 3f), C Morgan (1-3), L Tierney (1-0), C O’Brien (0-1), MD Garrihy (0-1).
Scorers Clondegad: E Kennedy (0-4 4f), C Kirby (0-3), E Gavin (0-2), S O’Leary (0-2), D O’Neill (0-1).
St Breckan’s: Conor O’Neill; Ronan Fitzpatrick, Conor Burke, Patrick Doherty; Padraig O’Dwyer, Maccon Byrne, Rowan Danaher; Micheál Flanagan, Padraig Kelly; Robert O’Connell, Eoin Guerin, Denis O’Callaghan; Cathal Morgan, Jamie Stack, Conor Shannon.
Subs: Liam Tierney for Guerin (HT), Colm O’Brien for Flanagan (40), Eoin Byrne for O’Callaghan (42), Thomas O’Dwyer for Danaher (45), MacDara Garrihy for Shannon (51).
Clondegad: Daniel Kelly, Niall Carrig, Brian Casey, Conor Gavin; Cillian Gavin, Joe Neylon, Dylan Killoughrey; Diarmuid O’Neill, Evan Flynn; Patrick Sweeney, Colm Meaney, Eoghan Gavin; Eoin Kennedy, Fiachra Kirby, Cian Kirby.
Subs: Conor McNeilis for E Gavin (37), Sean O’Leary for Sweeney (37), Kieran McDonnell for Kennedy (45), Mark Crowe for O’Neill (50), Kieran Connolly for Conor Gavin (55).
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Easy for Doonbeg
Doonbeg 1-14
Kilmihil 0-4
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Park Doonbeg
Kilmihil opened the scoring with a two pointer from Cathal Murray in the fifth minute but this was as good as it got for the visitors to Shanahan McNamara Park.
The game was in the thirteenth minute before the winners opened their account with an Eoin Killeen point.
With the help of a goal from Paul Dillon, seven minutes from the brfeak, they went on to lead at the break, 1-4 to 0-2.
They dominated the third quarter, landing 0-7 without reply to take a commanding lead.
Kilmihil, to their credit, battled to the end but the absence of experienced players such as Ciaran Downes and Dan Keating proved a big blow to their hopes .
Doonbeg; Eamonn O’Dea; Jason Linnane, James Killeen, Shane Bermingham; Cian Clancy, Gavin O’Shea (0-1), Cian O’Mahoney; Kevin McInerney, Cillian Blake; Mikie Tubridy (0-1), Cathal Killeen, Jamie O’Shea; Sean Conway (0-6, 1tp), Eoin Killeen (0-2), Paul Dillon (1-3);
Subs; David Tubridy (0-1) for P. Dillon; Brian Behan for C. Clancy; Rory Walshe for J. O’Shea; Robbie Burns for C. O’Mahoney; Colm McMahon for S. Conway
Kilmihil; Damian Lineen; Padraig Lynch, Padraig O’Grady Fionn Febarro; Stan Lineen, Mikey Keating, Shane Downes; Gavin Downes, Jack Keating; Dylan Downes Rigney, Sean Crowley, John Finnucane; Mark Normoyle, Cathal Murray (0-3,1tp), Martin O’Leary (0-1);
Subs; Colm Pender for M. Normoyle; Mark Lineen for D. Downes Rigney;
Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
A first win for O’Currys
O’Currys 1-14
Wolfe Tones 2-9
Venue: Doonaha
On an evening when weather conditions were challenging at times, O Currys got out of the blocks the quickest with three unanswered points.
Wolfe Tones settled into the game and brought two fine saves from the home side’s goalie, Colin Clohessey.
The sides exchanged scores throughout the half and an O Curry’s goal from Cathal Downes put the home side in a strong position at half time with a seven point advantage.
Wolfe Tones, with the elements in their favour in the second half, found it difficult to score.
O Currys defence worked well and with Shane Browne’s accuracy from frees O Currys held on with a well taken point by Liam Griffin sealing the victory.
O’Currys; Colin Clohessy; Paddy Clancy, Stephen Kelly, Luke Murray; Seamus Keane, Eoin Brew, Brian Keane; Cathal Downes (1-2), Thomas Clancy (0-1), Liam Griffin (0-1), Michael Foran, Ian Roche (0-1); Danny Downes (0-2). Eoin Kelly, Shane Browne 0-7)
Wolfe Tones; Fionn Morgan; Shane Nihill, Brian Murphy, Aaron Brennan; Jason McAuley (0-1) Conor Carigg, Niall Fitzgerald; Liam Divilly, Jayme O’Sullivan (0-1); Tadhg Fitzgerald, Joe McCauley, Shay Waller; Aaron Kelly, Colin Riorday (1-1), Dean Devanney (0-1)
Subs; Tan Greene for C. Carigg (inj); Chris Dunning (0-4, 1tp) for T Fitzgerald; Eoinn Gough (1-0) for L. Divilly; Gavin Carigg (0-1) for A.Kelly; Ben O’Neill for N. Fitzgerald
Referee: Noel Meaney (Coolmeen)
