*Seanie Malone scored a penalty for St Joseph’s Miltown. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
The race for the Cusack and Garry Cups got underway at the weekend when there were wins for Lissycasey, Ennistymon, St Joseph’s Miltown, Clondegad, Doonbeg, Cooraclare and Éire Óg.
As was the case with the opening round of games in the hurling leagues a week earlier, all teams were understrength due to the involvement of players with the county senior and under 20 squads, injuries and travel.
Weather conditions disrupted this week’s schedule with some games in the lower divisions not played due to pitch conditions after all the rain. These games will take place during the coming week
Goals steer Lissycasey to merited win
Lissycasey 3-5
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-8
Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
Goals win games, it’s often said and Lissycasey managed to hit the net three times as they opened their Cusack Cup (division 1) campaign with victory over Kilmurry Ibrickane on Friday night.
While the result didn’t go their way, it was an historic night for the home club as the evening got underway with the official switching on of their new floodlights.
The switching on was performed by Caroline O’Dea and members of the O’Dea family. The late Ciaran O’Dea had played a huge part with the sourcing of funding for this project.
Big thanks to the O’ Dea family, Caroline, Caoilfhionn, Aoibhnait, Luisne and Síofra (watching online) for officially switching on our new floodlights! ✨💡
A fitting tribute to Ciarán O’ Dea, who worked so hard to achieve this for the club.
Thanks to all who came.
💚❤️ pic.twitter.com/ExZWNuoBJm
— Kilmurry Ibrickane GAA (@kibgaaclub) March 15, 2024
Both sides gave senior debuts to a number of players as they both lined out without a third of their squads due to their involvement with the Clare under 20 and senior teams on Saturday.
The home side had the better of matters in the early stages but struggled to hit the target. Daryn Callinan, who scored all but one of their points on the evening, opened the scoring from a free and this was the only score of the opening quarter.
Daire Killeen levelled the contest at the midpoint of the half before Callinan converted from a mark to restore his side’s lead.
A superb 40m delivery from Francis Hayes found his team captain Conor Finnucane who found the net shortly after the visitors had failed to convert an excellent goal chance. At half time the visitors led 1-1 to 0-3. Within a minute of the resumption Callinan struck again to level the tie.
Two second half goals from Fionn Cotter saw Lissycasey get the upperhand and helped them to a merited win on an evening when Conor and Michael Meaney, Fionn Cotter, Francis Hayes and debutants Aaron Clohessy and Stephen Davoran did well.
For the home side whose line up included three players, Enda Coughlan, Martin McMahon and Shane Hickey who have been central to many of the club’s successes over the past two decades, Andrew Shannon, Michael Comber, Colin Considine and Daryn Callinan got through a lot of work.
Lissycasey: Killian Normoyle; Kevin Shivers, Aaron Clohessy, Michael Meaney; Daire Hill, Conor Meaney, Cyril Sheehan; Niall McCarthy, Stephen Davoran; Daire Killeen (0-1), Enda Finnucane, Luke Griffin; Francis Hayes, Conor Finnucane (1-4, 0-2f), Fionn Cotter (2-0);
Subs: Evan O’Haire for Shivers; Sean Hayes for Davoran; Michael Madigan for Cotter.
Kilmurry Ibrickane; David Sexton; Shay Gleeson, Enda Coughlan, Diarmuid Comber; Colin Considine, Martin McMahon, Andrew Shannon (0-1); Diarmuid King, Michael Comber; Oisin Sexton, Joe Campbell, Shane Hickey; Jason Cussen, Daryn Callinan (0-7, 5f, 1 mark), Aaron Considine;
Subs: Kevin Tubridy for Cussen; Tom Flaherty for A. Considine; Caoilfhinn O’Dea for O. Sexton; Maurice Donnellan for Coughlan; Damian Lynch for Hickey
Referee: Niall Quinn (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
A winning start for Miltown
St Joseph’s Miltown 1-9
Kildysart 0-6
Venue: Hennessy Park, Miltown Malbay
St Joseph’s Miltown made a winning start to their Cusack Cup campaign when accounting for Kildysart at Hennessy park on Friday night.
The winners were four points clear at half time when the score was 0-6 to 0-2. Midway through the second half they struck for the game’s only goal, full back Seanie Malone converting from the penalty spot.
The winners will be particularly pleased with the spread of scorers as nine players got on the scoresheet as they picked up a merited win.
Already missing key players Emmet McMahon, Diarmuid O’Donnell and Fergal Guinnane due to their involvement with the Clare senior side, the visitors suffered an early blow with the loss of half back Rory McMahon to injury.
Luke McGrath was the side’s main scorer on the evening, contributing five of their six points with Seamus Casey their other scorer.
Before the game there was a minute’s silence for the late Tom Kelly from Kildysart
St Joseph’s Miltown: Sean O’Brien; Enda O’Gorman, Seanie Malone (1-0), Eoin O’Brien; Gearoid Burke. Gordon Kelly, Gearoid Curtin; Darragh McDonagh (0-1) Micheál Murray (0-2), Oisin Looney (0-1), Brian Curtin, Kieran Malone (0-2); Dominick Griffin (0-1), Paul Keane (0-1), Oisin Meade (0-1);
Subs: Cian O’Mahoney (0-1) for O’Gorman; Euan Lineen for Meade; Ronan Keavey for G. Curtin; Cormac O’Loughlin for E. O’Brien; Cormac Devitt for Burke
Kildysart; Kieran Eyers; Michael Eustace, Kieran Leahy, Stephen Sheehan; Rory McMahon, Conor Moloney, Mark Moloney; Keith O’Connor, Kieran O’Brien; Seamus Casey Luke McGrath, Oisin Coyle; Damian Hill, Mikey Donnellan, Jack Cotter;
Subs: Conal Casey for R McMahon (inj); Conor Hassett for Hill; Jamie Sheehan for Cotter; Colin Finnucane for K. O’Connor;
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Strong finish from Ennistymon
Ennistymon 0-10
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 0-7
Venue: Gurteen
After an evenly matched opening half at the end of which the sides were level at 0-3 each, Ennistymon edged ahead in the second period and claimed a narrow win over St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at Gurteen on Friday night.
The introduction of Clare senior panelists Diarmuid Fahy and Josh Guyler, not on Clare’s match day squad for Saturday’s clash with Antrim, for the second half helped the visitors to get an edge and they opened a two-point lead only for the home side to hit back and go one clear inside the final quarter.
Helped by scores from Fahy (2), Keelan Guyler and Paudie Considine to mention some Ennistymon finished strongly to get their campaign off to a winning start.
The home side will be particularly disappointed that they only managed one point from play in this tie and that came from Kieran Thynne.
Like all teams in action in the opening round of games at the weekend, both Ennistymon and Doora/Barefield were short a lot of regulars due to inter county under 20 and senior involvement while injuries also saw both side without some regulars.
Ennistymon: Noel Sexton; John Murphy, Lawrence Healy, Darragh Conneally; Liam Cotter, Joey Rouine, Tiernan Hogan; Eoin Rouine, David McNamara; Ryan Barry, Niall Canavan, Darren McNamara; Ciaran McMahon, Paudie Considine, Keelan Guyler;
Subs: Diarmuid Fahy for P. Considine, Josh Guyler for L. Healy; Gearoid Barry for Canavan; Joe Casey for D. McNamara;
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Cathal O’Brien, Conor O’Brien, Eoin Boyle; Sam Costello, Fionn Kelleher, Kieran Thynne; Ben McDonough, Conal Kelleher; Cian McDonough, Joseph Rafferty, Conor Daly; Nicki Hardiman, Michael Nash, Paddy Bugler;
Subs: Charlie Hannan for S. Costello; Oisin O’Donnell for C Kelleher; Conor Breathnach for Hardiman; Conal Dorgan for B. McDonagh; Peter Collins for F. Kelleher
Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
Murrihy’s charges bring home the points
Clondegad 0-10
St. Breckan’s 0-9
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
Kilmurry Ibrickane’s James Murrihy got his reign as manager of Clondegad off to a winning start when his charges accounted for St. Breckan’s in the opening round of the Cusack Cup (division 1) at Lisdoonvarna on St. Patrick’s Day.
A bright start saw the visitors race into a three point lead but the home side rallied and drew level at 0-6 each before Clondegad edged one clear, 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval.
They doubled their advantage early in the second half but, again, St. Breckan’s rallied and levelled the tie at 0-8 each at the three quarter stage.
Again, Clondegad edged two clear and while Declan O’Keeffe’s charges battled to the end, a determined Clondegad held out for victory by the minimum margin.
Six players shared in the winner’s total with Eoghan Gavin, Joe Neylon, Mark Crowe and Mossy Gavin each pointing twice while the remaining points came from Ryan Jennings and Evan Flynn.
Padraig Kelly top scored on the day with 0-5 to his credit while Colm O’Brien landed 0-3 with Robert O’Connell accounting for the remaining score.
Clondegad: Darren Cleary; Brian Longe, Brian Murphy, Niall Carigg; Conor Gavin, Tadhg Ó hUallachain, Ryan Jennings (0-1); Diarmuid O’Neill, Mark Crowe (0-2); Colin McNeilis, Evan Flynn (0-1), Joe Neylon (0-2); Eoghan Donnellan, Eoghan Gavin (0-2), Mossy Gavin (0-2)
Subs: Kieran McDonnell for J. Neylon; Patrick Sweeney for M. Crowe; Francie Neylon for E. Donnellan;
St. Breckan’s: Tristan O’Callaghan, Paddy Haugh, Maccon Byrne, Ronan Fitzpatrick; Thomas O’Dwyer, Patrick Doherty, Rowan Danaher; Liam Tierney, Mark O’Donnell; Shane Fitzpatrick, Padraig Kelly (0-5), Robert O’Connell (0-1);
Conor Shannon, Colm O’Brien (0-3), Eoin Fitzpatrick
Subs: Cathal Morgan for E. Fitzpatrick; Conor O’Neill for T. O’Callaghan; MacDara Garrihy for R. O’Connell
Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
Éire Óg aiming to return to the top
Éire Óg 3-5
Kilmihil 1-6
Venue: Ennis
Éire Óg took the first step in what they hope will lead them back to division 1 when they accounted for Kilmihil at the Éire Óg grounds on Saturday.
First half goals from Sean Perrill and Philip Talty helped the Ennis side to lead by a goal at the break, Kilmihil’s goal having come from Dan Keating.
They continued to hold the advantage in the second half when Aaron Fitzgerald got in for their third goal while Philip Talty added 0-4 to his first half goal to finish as the side’s top scorer.
Martin O’Leary, Shane Downes, Sean Crowley and Keating were the Kilmihil side’s point scorers.
Éire Óg: Shane Daniels; Gearoid Collins, Aaron Fitzgerald (1-0), Mark Collins; Ciaran Russell, Aidan McGrath, Gavin D’Auria; Oran Cahill, Darren O’Brien (0-1); Niall McMahon, Jarlath Collins, Dean D’Auria; Sean Perrill (1-0), Alan O’Neill, Philip Talty (1-4);
Subs; Sam Power for G. Collins; Alex McNamara for A. O’Neill; Kevin Moloney for D. D’Auria; James Lyne for N. McMahon
Kilmihil; Sean Scott Cafferkey; Padraig Lynch, Fionn Febbraro, David Coughlan; Gavin Downes, Dan Keating (1-1), Stan Lineen; Conor Finnucane, John Finnucane; Jack Keating, Michael Cotter, Alan Normoyle; Sean Crowley (0-1), Martin O’Leary (0-3), Shane Downes (0-1)
Sub: David Kelly for A. Normoyle;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Magpies lay foundation in opening half
Doonbeg 3-7
O’Curry’s 1-9
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg
Doonbeg built up an eight point lead when playing with the assistance of the wind in the opening half and this helped them to a merited win over O’Curry’s at Shanahan McNamara Park on Sunday.
The win was their second over their neighbours from the Peninsula in a matter of weeks as they also won when the sides met in the final of the inaugural Damian Carmody memorial tournament.
It was 2-5 to 0-3 in Doonbeg’s favour at the interval before O’Currys mounted a strong second half display. Helped by a goal from Thomas Clancy and five pints from Eoin Troy, they made life difficult for their neighbours but the Magpies managed to hold on for victory and take the first step in what they hope will be a journey back to Division 1.
Goalscorers for the winners on the day were Kevin Pender, Eoghan and Mikie Tubridy.
Doonbeg; Eamonn Tubridy; Cian Clancy, James Killeen, Jason Linnane; Conor O’Mahoney, Kcvin Pender (1-0), Sean Conway; Kevin McInerney, Cathal Killeen (0-1); Cian O’Mahoney David Tubridy (0-2), Darragh Burns (0-1); Mikie Tubridy (1-0), Paul Dillon (0-2), Eoghan Tubridy (1-0)
Subs; Brian Behan for K. McInerney; Eoin Conway (0-1) for P Dillon (inj); Jamie Russell for E. Tubrdy;
O’Currys; Damian Clohessy; Stephen Kelly, Sean Haugh, Jonathan Clancy; Seamus Keane, Michael Foran, Jim Marrinan; Eoin Brew, Thomas Clancy (1-0);
Cathal Downes (0-1), Eoin Troy (0-5), Paddy Clancy; Shane Browne (0-2), Eoin Kelly, Ian Roche
Subs: Mark Downes (0-1) for I. Roche; Luke Murray for J. Marrinan;
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Cooraclare’s experience too much for Ballyvaughan
Cooraclare 2-10
Ballyvaughan 0-4
Venue: Ballyvaughan
After an evenly matched opening quarter, Cooraclare took control and deservingly claimed the points at Ballyvaughan on Sunday helped by a goal from Sean Browne the visitors held a six point lead at the interval when the score was 1-6 to 0-3.
A second half goal from John Lillis helped the winners to maintain the upperhand and deservingly claim the points.
The winners were the more experienced side and this helped them to make a winning start in the race for the trophy which commemorates their former player and mentor, the late Michael Garry.
Amongst the point scorers for Cooraclare on Sunday were Colin McNamara, Padraic O’Donoghue, Sean Browne and John Lillis whole John Martyn and James Howard hit the target for the home side.
Cooraclare: Mark Lillis; Gearoid Lillis, Robert Ryan, Ciaran Chambers; Jimmy Gallagher, Fergal Donnellan, Noel Gavin; James Chambers, Padraic O’Donoghue (0-2); Kieran Marrinan, John Lillis (1-2), Sean Browne (1-0); Paudie Hehir, Colin McNamara (0-5), Sean Molloy (0-1);
Subs: Sean O’Dea for C. Chambers; Rory Lillis for P. Hehir; Danny Martyn for J. Gallagher;
Ballyvaughan: Cian Walsh; Scion Flanagan, Philip Queally, Adam Walsh; Noah McNamara, James Hynes, Dermot Costello; James Howard (0-1), Phelim Kyne; Ian Woods, Lorcan Doolin, Mark Walsh; Thomas Francis, John Martyn (0-3), Martin Howard.
Subs: Séamus Costello for D Costello, Darragh O’Brien for M Howard, Damian McNamare for T Francis
Referee: Gary Twomey (Ennistymon)
