*Andrew Shannon charges out of defence. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
KILMURRY IBRICKANE, Lissycasey and Ennistymon recorded opening round wins in the Cusack Cup.
The race for domestic league honours got underway in Clare on Friday evening amidst greater interest than normally associated with the start-up of a season.
This was due to the fact that the competition is being played under the new playing rules and the first round marked the first competitive games for clubs with these rules in play.
In the willwego.com Cusack Cup there were first round wins for title holders Lissycasey, last year’s runners up, Ennistymon along Kilmurry Ibrickane while St Joseph’s Miltown and St Josephs Doora-Barefield shared the spoils.
In the Garry Cup (division 2), there were first round wins for Naomh Eoin and Kilrush Shamrocks while the game between St Breckans and Kilmihil was postponed due to a bereavement.
Bugler forces draw between Miltown & Doora/Barefield
St Joseph’s Miltown 0-11
St. Josephs Doora-Barefield 0-11
Venue: Dr Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay
The St Joseph’s teams from Miltown and Doora-Barefield shared the spoils at Hennessy park where the visitors levelled the contest in the sixtieth minute when Paddy Bugler landed a two pointer from a free just outside the ark.
Overall it was a fair result although St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield were probably the happier side leaving the venue as they had trailed for much of the tie.
The game was nine minutes old before the opening score was registered with Micheál Murray giving the home side the lead.
The visitors levelled three minutes later before Cian Mahoney landed the first of two 2 pointers for the home side. His second in the twentieth minute put Miltown 0-6 to 0-2 in front.
The visitors finished the half strongly and points from Joe Rafferty, Tom Curran and Eoghan Thynne left the half time score at 0-6 to 0-5 in the home side’s favour.
Miltown struck first in the new half with Eoin Devanney pointing in the opening minute. The half was eight minutes old when Paddy Bugler landed the first of his two 2 pointers to level the tie.
Points from Cian Mahoney and Ralph Whealahan edged Miltown two clear by the three quarter stage before Eoghan Thynne and Tom Curran did likewise for the visitors to level the tie at 0-9 each with five minutes remaining.
While the visitors were enjoying more possession at this stage of the game they struggled against a Miltown defence in which Seanie Malone excelled at full back while Sean Neylon at centre back and Ger Malone in the new role of goalkeeper, were also to the fore while midfielder Darragh McDonagh also played a key role in the win as did their top scorer Cian Mahoney.
Paul Frawley and Neylon with a superb left footed effort had Miltown two clear as the game ticked towards the 60th minute but the visitors weren’t to be denied and Bugler’s two pointer tied up the tie at 0-11 each.
St Joseph’s Miltown: Ger Malone; Euan Reidy, Seanie Maloe, Cian Flanagan; Cormac Devitt, Sean Neylon (0-1), Jamesie O’Connor; Darragh Mcdonagh, Paul Frawley (0-1); Micheál Murray (0-1), Cian Mahoney (0-5, 2×2), Ralph Whealahan (0-1); Eoin Devanney (0-2), Euan Lineen, Paul Keane;
Subs; Stephen Murphy for Devitt; Ronan Keaeney for E. Lineen; Damian Devereaux for M. Murray; Eanna O’Connor for P.Keane; Sean Malone for E.Devanney;
St Joseph’s, Doora/Barefield; Tom O’Brien; Sam Costelloe, Dara O’Callaghan, Conal Dorgan; Liam Clune, Conor O’Brien, Conor Daly; Cian McDonough, Darragh O’Shea; Paddy Bugler (0-4, 2x2TP), Joe Rafferty (0-2), Cian Maloney; Eoghan Thynne (0-3), Michael Nash, Tom Curran (0-2)
Sub: Dara Whelan for C. Moloney
Referee; Barry Keating, Lissycasey
Lissycasey launch successful defence of Cusack Cup
Lissycasey 1-13
Kildysart 1-10
Venue: Kildysart
Lissycasey’s defence of the willwego.com Cusack Cup is underway after recording a three point win over neighbours Kildysart on Saturday evening.
By Páraic McMahon
They led at the beginning of the game, at half-time and crucially at full-time despite falling behind on two occasions in both halves.
Matt O’Shea’s return to Lissycasey after a year with a Leinster club is a welcome return and the rule changes have made his arrival back to his native club has been made even more important. He was particularly effective when it came to Thomas Collins’ kickouts.
Collins’ opposing number Conor Cusack was very prominent in proceedings, he had been used in the full-forward line for Kildysart last year but Robert Eyers’ transfer to Laois club Ballyroan-Abbey has resulted in Cusack’s move back between the posts.
Also making his return to club action was Mikey O’Neill, his last appearance for the club was in the 2022 Clare SFC quarter-final defeat to Corofin. He marked his return by landing their first two pointer in the Cusack Cup.
Indeed O’Neill’s two pointer saw them regain the lead on twenty fourth minute after falling behind for the first time.
It was Ryan Casey’s goal on ten minutes which sparked Kildysart to life, his effort bounced off the crossbar and just over Thomas Collins’ line, they followed it with a Seamus Casey point on fifteen minutes for the hosts to take the lead.
After O’Neill’s two pointer, Lissycasey struck for goal via their scorer in chief Conor Finnucane, who combined with his older brother Enda before delivering a tidy finish to the net. Kildysart with points from Luke McGrath and Conall Casey reduced the distance to two points by half time.
McGrath with a brace of two pointers on the restart brought them back on level terms twice before a free from Shane Culligan shoved the visitors ahead by the smallest of margins.
By the end of the third quarter, Kildysart with two Oisin Coyle scores in succession had their noses in front.
However Horse Moloney’s side limited the hosts to a single score for the entire duration of the final quarter and kicked five of the last six scores in the tie to record a three point win. Thomas Collins produced a save from Jack Cotter on fifty six minutes as Kildysart became guilty of taking the wrong option, they should have tried to keep their account ticking and they could have forced a draw but instead spurned three chances in the final four minutes of normal time.
Conor Finnucane was in flying form for the winners, Shane Culligan looked lively while their final pairing in the middle of the park posed a huge physical presence in the guise of Matt O’Shea and Ben Skerritt. Kieran O’Brien, Seamus Casey and Cillian Kelly did well in patches for Kildysart.
Lissycasey: Thomas Collins; Aaron Killeen, Ryan Griffin, Aaron Clohessy; Michael Meaney, Luke Griffin, Aidan Weaver; Darren Keane, Matt O’Shea; Cian Meaney, Enda Finnucane (0-2 1f), Mikey O’Neill (0-2 TP); Shane Culligan (0-1 1f), Conor Finnucane (1-8 2f), Francie Hayes.
Subs: Cathal Casey for Clohessy (36), Ben Skerritt for Hayes (47), Niall Meere for Culligan (53).
Kildysart: Conor Cusack; Joe Kelly, Stephen Sheehan, Jamie Sheehan; Cillian Kelly, Conor Moloney, Colm Finucane; Keith O’Connor, Kieran O’Brien; Luke McGrath (0-6 2TP), Seamus Casey (0-1), Oisin Coyle (0-2); Ryan Casey (1-0), Jack Cotter, Conall Casey (0-1).
Subs: Michael Eustace for Kelly (46), Mark Moloney for R Casey (55)
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
First half dominance the key for Ennistymon
Ennistymon 3-21
Corofin 1-13
Venue: Clarecastle
Beaten league finalists last year, Ennistymon got the 2025 Cusack cup campaign off to an impressive start with a comfortable win over neighbours Corofin in a tie played under lights on the astro pitch at Clarecastle on Friday night.
There was good news for Clare football here as the game marked a return to action for Brendy Rouine who has been dogged with injury over the past two seasons.
He played the majority of the championship for his club last year. He lined out at full forward for the winners and featured prominently in the scoring before being replaced.
First half goals from Brendy and Éanna Rouine and Keelan Guyler sent the winners on their way and at half time they held a commanding 3-12 to 0-7 advantage.
Gearoid Cahill had Corofin’s goal in the second half but Ennistymon’s overall balance proved too much for on the night.
Ennistymon; Conor Morrissey; Brian McNamara, Dara Conneally, Ciaran McMahon; James Cullinan, Seán Rouine, Liam Cotter; Josh Vaughan, Eoin Rouine; Mark Kelleher (0-3), Keelan Guyler (1-5, 2x2TP), Josh Guyler (0-2, 1x2TP); Niall Canavan (0-2), Brendy Rouine (1-4, 1x2TP), Eanna Rouine (1-1)
Subs; John Murphy for B McNamara; Ryan Barry (0-1) for B. Rouine; Tiernan Hogan (0-2) for J. Cullinan; David McNamara for J. Guyler; Paudie Considine (0-1) for Eanna Rouine.
Corofin; Luke Neylon; Caoimhin O’Donovan, Colm Rice, John Rees; Damian O’Loughlin, Kevin Keane (0-1), Evan Doolin; Cathal Flanagan Gearoid Kelly (0-2); Eoin O’Brien, Cian Doolin (0-1), John Ryan (0-2, 1x2TP) Tiernan O’Neill, Gearoid Cahill (1-4), Enda Collins (0-2)
Subs; Gearoid Hanrahan for C. Flanagan; Cormac Walsh for J. Rees; Adam O’Loughlin for E. O’Brien; Josh O’Brien (0-1) for T. O’Neill; Eoin O’Brien for G Kelly.
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
A winning start for Kilmurry Ibrickane
Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-11
Éire Óg 2-10
Venue: Ennis
Kilmurry Ibrickane survived a strong finish from Éire Óg to start their challenge for league honours with a win.
Three points ahead at half time when the score was 0-6 to 0-3, the winners went on to open an eight point margin (2-9 to 1-4) at which time they looked to be on the road to a comfortable win.
However, the home side stormed back strongly and with good scores from Colm Walsh O’Loughlen they closed the gap.
Time, however, wasn’t on their side and Kilmurry held on for a win they deserved on the day.
The winners had second half goals from Cathal Talty who dashed from assisting the Clare under 20’s in Doonbeg to play in the second half and Darragh Sexton while the Éire Óg goalscorers were Luke Moore and substitute Conor Perrill.
Kilmurry Ibrickane: Peter O’Dwyer; Conor Kearney, Ciaran Morrissey, Maurice Donnellan; Josh Moloney (0-2), Darragh Sexton (1-0), Andrew Shannon (0-3); Diarmuid King (0-1), Cillian Darcy; Colin Considne, Caoilfhin O’Dea (0-2), Joe Campbell; Leo Switzer, Kevin Tubridy (0-1), Damian Lynch (0-2);
Subs: Colin O’Neill for Switzer; Cathal Talty (1-0) for Campbell; David O’Donoghue for K. Tubridy;
Éire Óg; Peadar O’Keeffe; Mark Collins, Aaron Fitzgerald (0-1), Alex McNamara; Niall McMahon, Aidan McGrath, Gavin D’Auria; David McNamara, Alan O’Neill; Niall O’Donoghue, Jack Joyce, Sean Perrill
Colm Walsh O’Loughlen (0-7,) Luke Moore (1-1), Philip Talty.
Subs; Conor Perrill (1-0) for L. Moore; Luca Cleary for S. Perrill; Bernard Keating for O’Donoghue Sean Cosgrove (0-1) for O’Neill; Ciaran Russell for M. Collins;
Referee: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Division 2
Naomh Eoin overcome Clondegad again
Naomh Eoin 1-10
Clondegad 0-11
Venue: Páirc Micheál O hEithir, Ballynacally
Gearoid Lynch kicked a two pointer shortly before the full-time whistle to give victory to Naomh Eoin in the opening round of the Garry Cup (division 2) at Ballynacally on Saturday afternoon.
The win confirmed the West Clare side’s recent dominance over Clondegad as they beat them in the intermediate championship twice last year, in both the opening round and the semi-final.
Helped by a goal from Conor Magner the men from the West Clare peninsula led by the minimum margin at half time when the score was 1-4 to 0-6.
The game continued to be evenly fought throughout the second half and a share of the spoils looked the likely outcome for a lot of the tie until Lynch struck for what proved to be the winning score.
Naomh Eoin; Eoin Daly; Ciaran Bonfil, Tomás Bonfil, Adam Foley; Adam Haugh, Conor Magner (1-0), Niall Bonfil (0-2); Gavin Magner, Sean Bonfil; Kevin Roche, Conor Downes (0-1), Eoin Hanrahan; Gearoid Lynch (0-2, 1×2), Seamus Boland, Owen Lynch (0-5);
Subs: Liam Keating for G. Lynch; Joe Roche for K. Roche; Andrew Naughton for C. Bonfil;
Clondegad; Dan Kelly; Niall Carigg, Conor Gavin, Dylan Killoughery; Colin McNeilis, Brian Casey, Evan Flynn; Mark Crowe (0-2), Joe Neylon (0-1); Cillian Gavin (0-1), Colm Meaney, Paddy Sweeney; Cian Kirby, Kieran McDonnell (0-1), Eoin Kennedy (0-6, 5f);
Subs; Eoghan Gavin for K. McDonnell; Niall Lynch for J. Neylon; Dara O’Neill for C. McNeilis;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Riordan’s ten point tally not enough for Wolfe Tones
Kilrush 2-11
Wolfe Tones 1-12
Venue: Captain Tubridy Park, Kilrush
First half goals from Gearoid O’Brien and Ross Phelan helped Kilrush to a nine point interval lead in this Garry cup tie at Kilrush on Saturday evening.
The visitors, helped by an impressive display by Craig Riordan, fought back strongly in the second half but time wasn’t on their side and the home side held on for victory.
Riordan contributed 0-10 to his side’s tally on a day when he landed four 2 pointers. Dean Devanney was the Shannon side’s goalscorer.
In a tie which saw former Clare goalie and captain Stephen Ryan return to action following a cruciate knee injury, the Kilrush net minder scored the team’s first two pointer.
Kilrush Shamrocks: Stephen Ryan; James Blunnie, Ross Cullinan, Padraig Browne; Niall Brennan, Sean Canny, Tadhg Lysaght; Darragh Bolton, Kieran Bermigham; Dean Neary, Dylan O’Brien, Ben McKiernan; Jim Young, Ross Phelan, Gearoid O’Brien;
Wolfe Tones; Conor Casey; Shane Nihill, Aaron Brennan, Niall Fitzgerald; Cody Waller, Jayme O’Sullivan, Aaron Kelly; Joe McGauley Brian Murphy; Dean Devaney, Craig Riordan, Tadhg Fitzgerald; Chris Dunning, Eoghan Gough, Oisin Casey;
Subs; Gavin Carigg for Gough; Shane Waller for O. Casey; Ben O’Neill for Dunning; Liam Divilly for McGauley; Aaron Shinnors for C. Waller
Referee: Robert Harte (St Senan’s, Kilkee)
Strong second half from Doonbeg
Doonbeg 2-13
O’Currys 1-11
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park Doonbeg
Second half goals from Cian O’Mahoney and a Sean Conway penalty helped steer Doonbeg to victory over O’Currys at Shanahan McNamara park in Doonbeg on Sunday morning.
Managed and coached by former Doonbeg players, brothers Gerry and Eddie Killeen, O’Currys had the better of the opening half exchanges and they led by double scores, 0-8 to 0-4, a half time.
The home side controlled the second half, outscoring their opponents 2-9 to 1-3 to emerge with the points.
Sean Conway top scored for the winner with 1-8 to his credit on a day when Cathal Downes landed 1-4 for the visitors.
Doonbeg: Paul Dillon; Jason Linnane, James Killeen, Cian O’Mahoney (1-0); Cillian Blake, Gavin O’Shea, Conor O’Mahoney; Kevin McInerney, Mikie Tubridy (0-1); Cathal Killeen (0-3, 1×2), David Tubridy (0-1 1f), Shane Bermingham; Sean Conway (1-8, 0-4 f), Eoin Killeen, Rory Walshe.
Subs; Dylan Conway for D. Tubridy (inj); Brian Behan for S. Bermingham; Jamie O’Shea for K. McInerney (inj); Kevin O’Brien for R. Walshe;
O’Currys; Ian Roche; Patrick Clancy, Stephen Kelly, Luke Murray; Seamus Keane, Cathal Downes (1-4), Eoin Brew; Liam Griffin, Thomas Clancy; Eoin Kelly (0-1), Michael Foran (0-1), Brian Keane; Andrew McMahon, Danny Downes (0-4, 2f), Shae Browne (0-1)
Sub; Sean Marrinan for A. McMahon;
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
