*Fergal Guinane lined out at centre-back for Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil/Kildysart/Coolmeen. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Éire Óg will face off with a Shannon Estuary amalgamation in the final of the Clare U21A football championship.
Bright start crucial as combination outfit seal final spot
Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil/Kildysart/Coolmeen 0-11
Ennistymon 0-8
Venue: Dr Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay
A three point win saw Shannon Gaels, Kilmihil, Kildysart and Coolmeen advance to the final of the U21A football championship for the first time.
Better finishing proved crucial on the evening with the winners leading throughout. They made the better start and raced into a lead that the North Clare outfits failed to pull back.
The combination, jointly managed by Paul Reidy (Kilmihil) and Kevin Kelly (Kildysart) led at the first water break on a scoreline of 0-5 to 0-1 and they went to the half time break with a 0-7 to 0-3 lead, all of their first half points having come from Kildysart duo, Emmett McMahon and Diarmuid O’Donnell.
They held a three point advantage throughout the second half with the scoreline at the three quarter stage at 0-9 to 0-6.
Ennistymon battled hard and while they won some good possession, they were unable to turn this into scores as a strong amalgamation held firm and kicked some impressive long range points on the night.
Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil/Kildysart/Coolmeen: Conor Cusack (Kildysart); Dylan O’Halloran (Coolmeen), John Finnucane (Kilmihil), Stephen Sheehan (Kildysart); Gavin Downes (Kilmihil), Fergal Guinnane (Kildysart), Tadhg Kelly (Shannon Gaels); Emmet McMahon(Kildysart) (0-3), Jack Reidy (Shannon Gaels); Conor Hassett (Kildysart), Gearoid O’Grady (Kilmihil) (0-1), Darren Crehan (Shannon Gaels); J. J. Carrig (Kildysart), Diarmuid O’Donnell (Kildysart) (0-7), Adam Wallace (Coolmeen).
Sub: Mark Normoyle (Kilmihil) for Wallace
Ennistymon: Conor Gallagher; Dara Rouine, Dara Conneally, Micheal Vaughan; Liam Cotter, Ciaran McMahon (0-1), David McNamara (0-1); Eoin Rouine, Brendy Rouine (0-4); John Murphy, Cillian Rouine, Darren McNamara; Dara McInerney, Diarmuid Fahy (0-2), Niall Canavan;
Subs: Sean Rynne for Canavan; Josh Guyler for Darren McNamara; Niall Hogan for D. Rouine; Keelan Guyler for McInerney; Ryan Barry for E. Rouine
Goals from Talty brothers steer Éire Óg to final
Éire Óg 2-12
St. Josephs Doora/Barefield 2-6
Venue: Gurteen
Éire Óg took a giant step towards a senior and under 21 A Clare football double when they accounted for St. Josephs, Doora/Barefield in the semi-final of the under 21 A championship at Gurteen last Wednesday evening.
Weather conditions were difficult with players having to contend with a strong wind which made ball control difficult.
Senior player Mark McInerney converted a number of frees as the winners opened an 0-8 to 0-3 interval lead.
The wind didn’t prove as difficult for players in the second half as Éire Óg continued to hold the upperhand and goals from the Talty brothers, Stephen and Philip helped them into a commanding lead.
To their credit St. Josephs battled to the end and got through for goals from Eoghan Thynne and Tom McDonald but time wasn’t on their side and the town side held on for a merited win on a day when Hugh Connolly, Oran Cahill, James Lyne and Jack Joyce impressed.
Éire Óg; Niall O’Donoghue: Hugh Connolly, Manus Doherty, Cuan Ó Glaisne; Jarlath Collins, Ronan Lanigan, Gavin D’Auria; Oran Cahill, Darren O’Brien; Jack Joyce, Mark McInerney, James Lyne; Stephen Talty, Philip Talty, Kevin Moloney;
Subs: Andrew McElwee for Moloney; Frank Roche for O’Glaisne (inj); Micheál Foley for Lyne (inj); Jack Walsh for Joyce
St. Josephs Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Sam Costello, Jack Scahill, Aodhan O’Shea; Fionn Kelleher, Alan Killeen, James Curran; Tom McDonald, Dara Nagle; Cian McDonagh, Nicky Hardiman, Conal Kelleher; Joseph Rafferty, Eoghan Thynne, Bruce Pigott.
Subs: Eoin Talty for Curran, Kevin Nugent for Hardiman; Dara Whelan for Killeen;
