*Shane Culligan leads the charge for Lissycasey. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
TITLE holders Lissycasey have moved to the top of the Cusack Cup table thanks to their second successive victory in this season’s competition.
They are a point ahead of St Joseph’s Miltown and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield both of whom recorded their first wins of the campaign this week having drawn their opening tie in the willwego.com Cusack Cup.
Éire Óg got their first points of this campaign when accounting for Corofin who along with Kildysart, suffered their second successive loss
In the Garry Cup, Kilrush Shamrocks moved to the top with their second win of the campaign after beating a fancied St Breckan’s while Naomh Eoin recorded back to back wins when overcoming rivals O’Currys. Wolfe Tones got their first win of this campaign when accounting for Kilmihil on Friday night.
Lissycasey survive strong Ennistymon finish
Lissycasey 0-14
Ennistymon 0-12
Venue: Lissycasey
In a repeat of last year’s Cusack cup final, Lissycasey again accounted for Ennistymon when the teams met in round 2 of the 2025 willwego.com league at Lissycasey on Saturday evening.
The foundation was laid in the opening half at the end of which the winners were 0-8 points clear with the score at 0-11 at 0-3.
Conor Finnucane with 0-5 and Shane Culligan with 0-3, one two pointer, were the leading scorers in that first half.
A two pointer each from brothers Josh and Keelan Guylar early in the second half brought Ennistymon right back into this tie and by the twentieth minute the margin was down to one Lissycasey having managed just one point in the half and that from a Shane Culligan free.
Conor Finnucane and Brendy Rouine swapped points leaving one between them with five minutes to play.
The visitors piled on the pressure but the home side’s defence held firm and they struck for the final score of the game, Ben Skerritt fisting over the final score of the game.
Lissycasey; Thomas Collins; Aaron Killeen, Aaron Clohessy, Michael Meaney; Aidan Weaver, Luke Griffin (0-1), Adrian Meaney; Matt O’Shea, Cian Meaney; Michael O’Neill, Darren Keane (0-1), Ben Skerritt (0-2); Shane Culligan (0-4, 1tp), Conor Finnucane (0-6), Francis Hayes;
Subs; Enda Finnucane for O’Neill (inj); Diarmuid McMahon for Hayes; Niall Meere for Culligan; Cathal Casey for C. Meaney (inj.);
Ennistymon; Conor Gallagher; Joey Rouine, Dara Connelly, Ciaran McMahon; Liam Cotter, Sean Rouine, James Cullinan; Josh Vaughan, Eoin Rouine; Mark Kelleher, Keelan Guyler (0-5 2tp), Josh Guyler (0-2, tp); Niall Canavan (0-1), Brendy Rouine (0-3), Darren McNamara;
Subs; Tiernan Hogan (0-1) for Cotter; Ryan Barry for M. Kelleher; John Murphy for S. Rouine (inj.)
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Parish put down a marker
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 5-12
Kilmurry Ibrickane 2-9
Venue: Gurteen
By Páraic McMahon
A twelve point win over Kilmurry Ibrickane on Friday evening saw St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield record their first win of the 2025 willwego.com Cusack Cup. They drew with St Joseph’s Miltown in round one and so have an unbeaten status following the opening two rounds.
It may only be mid-March and there is an awful lot of football to be played before there’s any real meaning attached to games but this is a win that could stand to Doora/Barefield, it does however come with the health warning that it was against a very inexperienced Kilmurry Ibrickane outfit where at most a third of their starting team might feature come championship.
Doora/Barefield themselves were not near full strength but there was a lot to like about the youthful side who if they play their cards right could have fitness as one of the key tools in their weaponry come championship time.
Between them, Eoghan Thynne and Tom Curran accounted for four goals, Thynne showing his soccer skills with Avenue Utd though parked for the remainder of the season are still sharp while Curran’s scoring spree is sure to have been relayed back to the Clare U20 football management for whom he has yet to receive game-time for in championship.
Donagh Vaughan’s side had five wides before they had the first score of the game, this arriving via the boot of midfielder Cian McDonough on ten minutes, the first half itself was played in a constant downpour.
Link-up play in attack was central to how Doora/Barefield did well, Joe Raffety was not just on form with finishing but he combined very well with teammates both in supplying direct passes to the inside line but also feeding passes to on-rushing options.
Thynne typified their focus of providing a pass and then looking for a swift return, it helped him to get his second goal on twenty three minutes while his first saw him capitalise on a dropping ball. Curran picked up their first major on sixteen minutes, palming the ball to the back of the net in a nicely worked team move.
Damien Lynch was on free taking duty for Kilmurry Ibrickane, he missed just one of his six attempts over the hour, his two pointer before half time made it 3-5 0-4.
Rafferty was to the fore in creating Doora/Barefield’s fourth goal, not long into the second half, he did a one two with Michael Nash before Curran was on hand to finish beyond Peter O’Dwyer.
A rally of 1-2 without reply saw Kilmurry Ibrickane collect some much needed scores, wing back Josh Moloney with a superb finish beyond Tom O’Brien on forty minutes as he nestled the ball off the post and into the net. Their last score of the game was also a fine goal, Maurice Donnellan with an impressive run before an unleashing a shot to the Quin goal-side in Gurteen.
Tom McDonald who was prominent over the hour had Doora/Barefield’s fifth goal on fifty three minutes.
Scorers St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: E Thynne (2-1), T Curran (2-1), T McDonald (1-3 1f), J Rafferty (0-4), P Bugler (0-1 1f), C McDonough (0-1), M Nash (0-1)
Scorers Kilmurry Ibrickane: D Lynch (0-7 1TPf 5f), J Moloney (1-1), M Donnellan (1-0), A Shannon (0-1)
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Conall Dorgan, Darragh O’Callaghan, Samuel Costelloe; Eoghan Thynne, Diarmuid Boyle, Conor Daly; Cian McDonough, Darragh O’Shea; Paddy Bugler, Tom McDonald, Liam Clune; Joe Rafferty, Michael Nash, Tom Curran.
Subs: Cian Moloney for Daly (54), David McAllister for Curran (55), Darragh Monaghan for O’Shea (56), Matthew Corey for O’Callaghan (58), Darragh Whelan for Boyle (58)
Kilmurry Ibrickane: Peter O’Dwyer; Maurice Donnellan, Ciaran Morrissey, Conor Kearney; Josh Moloney, Andrew Shannon, Colin Considine; Diarmuid King, Cillian Darcy; Colin O’Neill, Leo Switzer, Kevin Tubridy; Damien Lynch, Joe Campbell, David O’Donoghue.
Subs: Darren Hickey for O’Donoghue (HT), Jason Cussen for O’Neill (HT), Paudie Murrihy for Campbell (36), Tomás Sexton for Tubridy (53), Cian Coughlan for Considine (53)
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
Éire Óg dominate first half
Éire Óg 0-19
Corofin 0-14
Venue: Páirc Finne, Corofin
Éire Óg landed four two pointers in the first half as they capitalised on wind advantage when building up an eleven point lead at Corofin on Saturday morning.
Jack Joyce, Darren O’Brien with two and Colm Walsh O’Loghlen landed the two pointers as the Ennis side dictated matters on their way to a 0-14 to 0-3 interval lead, the home side’s three scores having come from Gearoid Cahill.
Three two pointers from the boot of Josh Ryan brought the home side right back into contention in the second half.
They had fought their way back to within four points of the visitors with five minutes remaining but a stronger Éire Óg squad finished with the last score of the game and deservingly captured the points.
Aaron Fitzgerald, Dean Ryan, Oran Cahill, Darren O’Brien, Jack Joyce and Colm Walsh O’Loughlin wee prominent throughout for the winners while Colm Rice, Kevin Keane, Josh Ryan and Gearoid Cahill led the Corofin charge.
Éire Óg; Peadar O’Keeffe; Eoin Guilfoyle, Aaron Fitzgerald, Dean Ryan; Ciaran Russell, Aidan McGrath, Gavin D’Auria; David McNamara, Oran Cahill (0-1); Niall McMahon, Darren O’Brien (0-4, 2tp), Jarlath Collins (0-1); Philip Talty (0-1), Jack Joyce (0-3, 1tp), Colm Walsh O’Loghlen (0-8, 1tp)
Subs; Sean Perrill for J. Joyce; Dean D’Auria for C. Russell; Bernard Keating for P. Talty; Luca Cleary (0-1) for N. McMahon
Corofin; Luke Neylon; Gearoid Hanrahan, Colm Rice, John Rees; Kevin Keane, Damian O’Loughlin, Cian Doolin; Gearoid Kelly, Cathal Flanagan; Josh Ryan (0-6, 3tp), Enda Collins, Tiernan O’Neill; Seanan Kirby (0-2), Gearoid Cahill (0-6), Eoin O’Brien;
Subs; Josh O’Brien for T. O’Neill; Cian O’Loughlin for E.Collins; Cormac Walsh for C. Doolin
Referee; Barry Kelly Miltown St. Josephs
Goals crucial for Miltown in close contest
St. Joseph’s Miltown 3-9
Kildysart 0-16
Venue: Kildysart
Goals proved crucial as St Joseph’s Miltown followed their first round draw with St. Josephs Doora/Barefield with victory over Kildysart on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors first two scores were goals and these scores helped them to be on level terms at 2-3 at 0-9 at the interval.
Midfielder Micheál Murray saw his effort end up in the net in his side’s first attack and Cian Mahoney quickly followed with another major.
The home side hit back impressively and when the half time whistle sounded they had drawn level.
The home side managed some impressive points mainly through Diarmuid O’Donnell and Luke McGrath who, between them, kicked all but three points of their side’s total.
Micheál Murray and Cian Mahoney were the winner’s goalscorers in the opening half while Seanie Malone landed their third major when he converted from the penalty spot after the break.
Both sides were short some regulars for a tie which saw little between the sides throughout.
St. Joseph’s Miltown; Ger Malone; Cormac Devitt, Seanie Malone (1-0), Diarmuid O’Sullivan; Stephen Murphy, Sean Neylon (0-3), Jamesie O’Connor; Micheal Murray (1-1) Paul Frawley; Ronan Keavey, Cian Mahoney (1-2), Ralph Whelehan (0-1); Euan Lineen, Paul Keane (0-1), Eoin Devanney (0-1);
Subs; Conal Meade for R. Keavey; Damian Devereaux for D O’Sullivan;
Kildysart; Conor Cusack; Jamie Sheehan, Stevie Sheehan, Joe Kelly; Colm Finnucane, Conor Moloney (0-1), Oisin Coyle; Keith O’Connor, Luke McGrath (0-6, 1tp); Jack Cotter, Seamus Casey (0-1), Conal Casey; Conor Hassett (0-1), Diarmuid O’Donnell (0-7, 1tp), Ryan Casey;
Subs; Aidan O’Loughlin for C. Cusack (inj); Michael Eustace for J. Kelly; Cillian Kelly for O. Coyle; Harrison Scanlan for R. Casey
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Wolfe Tones take control in the second half
Wolfe Tones 2-11
Kilmihil 0-7
Venue: Shannon
Wolfe Tones and Kilmihil had both suffered defeat in their opening round games in the Garry cup so a win was very much on their minds when they clashed at Shannon on Friday night.
Heavy rainfall greeted their arrival at the venue and this rain continued throughout the opening half at the end of which Kilmihil led by double scores, 0-6 to 0-3.
The West Clare side’s lead could have been a little greater at this stage as they had wasted a couple of opportunities in that first half.
It was a different story in the second half, however although the Shannon side’s winning margin of ten points was a little, both their goals coming inside the final five minutes.
With Dan Keating dominating at midfield Kilmihil dictated matters in the first half when Sean Crowley at centre forward caused some problems for the home side.
Kilmihil raced into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead in the opening quarter and a further five minutes had elapsed before the home side opened their account through midfielder Liam Divilly.
When the half time whistle sounded it was 0-6 to 0-3 in the visitors favour.
A more determined Wolfe Tones returned for the second half and they had the margin down to the minimum inside five minutes thanks to points from Jayme O’Sullivan and Craig Riordan.
A two pointer from Aaron Kelly put Wolfe Tones into the lead and he repeated the feat inside the final quarter.
Substitutes Shay Waller and Darragh Leahy hit the target in the closing period, Leahy finishing with 1-1.
Craig Riordan was the other goalscorer after being put through by another substitute, Eoin Gough.
Kilmihil’s only second half score came from Martin O’Leary shortly before the full time whistle.
Wolfe Tones finished with fourteen men after Shane Nihill picked up a second yellow card seven minutes from the end.
Wolfe Tones; Fionn McInerney; Shane Nihill, Brian Murphy, Tan Greene; Aaron Brenan, Jason McGauley, Niall Fitzgerald; Liam Divilly (0-1), Jayme O’Sullivan (0-1); Tadhg Fitzgerald, Gavin Carigg, Dean Devanney; Ben O’Neill, Craig Riordan (1-2, 0-1f), Aaron Kelly (0-5, 2tp);
Subs; Shay Waller (0-1) for O’Neill (inj.); Chris Dunning for T. Fitzgerald; Eoin Gough for G. Carigg; Darragh Leahy (1-1) for A. Brennan;
Kilmihil; Damian Lineen; Padraig Lynch, John Finnucane, Fionn Febrarro; Shane Downes, Michael Keating, Gavin Downes; Dan Keating (0-1), Jack Keating; David Coughlan, Sean Crowley (0-3), Dylan Downes Rigney; Micheal Cotter, Mark Normoyle, Martin O’Leary (0-3);
Sub; Mark Lineen for M. Cotter (inj);
Referee: Pat Keane (Lissycasey)
Naomh Eoin claim bragging rights in Loop Head Peninsula derby
Naomh Eoin 2-13
O’Currys 0-11
Venue: Páirc Eoin, Cross
By Páraic McMahon
Arguably the largest crowd to attend any of the second round ties in either division flocked to Cross on Saturday evening for the first-ever meeting between Naomh Eoin and O’Currys in the Garry Cup.
Naomh Eoin picked up their second win while it’s back to back defeats for O’Currys who are now emerging as likely relegation contenders in the Garry Cup.
Cross was congested as traffic made its way to Páirc Eoin. Clare GAA who are becoming adept when it comes to baffling calls somehow opted to appoint Feakle match official, Fearghal Gray to referee the tie giving him a 196km round-trip. For an organisation that is stringent when it comes to expenditure for bringing extended panellists to inter-county football ties, the decision to voluntary throw away money on travelling expenses here just doesn’t add up when there are dozens of referees in closer proximity to Cross than the East Clare man.
Given the long journey, it was no surprise the referee was late arriving and the ball was thrown in at 17:10, ten minutes later than the appointed fixture.
There was a strong breeze and the hosts utilised it when it was at their backs in the opening half, kicking five two pointers which aided them in carving out a sixteen point advantage at the interval.
Though it was a comfortable lead, it would be misleading to say Naomh Eoin had it all their own way in the first half. Shane Browne kicked O’Currys into the lead with a pointed free on two minutes.
It took Naomh Eoin five minutes to open their account and the threatening Conor Downes got them off the mark with a well-taken point. He landed a two pointer on twelve minutes and by the twentieth minute they were 0-8 0-1 ahead with Owen Lynch and Niall Bonfil picking off two pointers.
Conor Downes was going for a point when kicking off his left boot but the ball bounced over Ian Roche and eluded him for the game’s first goal on twenty eight minutes. Before the sounding of the half-time whistle, they raised another green flag, this time when Owen Lynch converted a penalty, Paddy Clancy earning himself a black card for a mistimed tackle on the corner forward.
O’Currys appeared to be getting their own back on Gray for his punctuality by taking their time to emerge for the second half. They conceded the first score of the half, an Owen Lynch point but they limited their neighbours to just that score for the remainder of the half.
Crucially they didn’t raise a green flag of their own but they didn’t go down without a fight, they never do to their credit and they managed to reduce the final deficit to eight points.
Wing-back Brian Keane in his first season playing at adult level kicked a brace of two pointers for O’Currys, his addition is a major one for the side who will be without the experienced duo of Seán Haugh and Eoin Troy for the entirety of the Cusack Cup, both of whom are involved with Killimer and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield respectively.
Conor Downes’ addition is a powerful one for Naomh Eoin and they gave a glimpse on Saturday of the potential damage they can inflict on a team given that they possess an array of players capable of shooting two pointers.
Scorers Naomh Eoin: C Downes (1-3 1TP), O Lynch (1-3 1’Pen, 2TPf), C Magner (0-4 2TPF), N Bonfil (0-2 1TP).
Scorers O’Currys: D Downes (0-5 3f 1TPf), B Keane (0-4 2TP), S Browne (0-1 1f), E Kelly (0-1),
Naomh Eoin: Eoin Daly; Adam Haugh, Tomás Bonfil, Adam Foley; Odhran Lynch, Fergal Keane, Seán Bonfil; Conor Magner, Niall Bonfil; Seamus Boland, Gavin Magner, Eoin Hanrahan; Gearoid Lynch, Conor Downes, Owen Lynch.
Subs: Liam Keating for G Lynch (53), Andrew Naughton for Hanrahan (67).
O’Currys: Ian Roche; Paddy Clancy, Stephen Kelly, Luke Murray; Seamus Keane, Eoin Brew, Brian Keane; Michael Foran, Thomas Clancy; Liam Griffin, Cathal Downes, Eoin Kelly; Andrew McMahon, Danny Downes, Shane Browne.
Subs: Paudie Kelly for T Clancy (66) (inj), Seán Marrinan for McMahon (66).
Referee: Fearghal Gray (Feakle)
Goalkeeper Ryan sparkles for Kilrush
Kilrush Shamrocks 1-14
St. Breckans 0-13
Venue; Tubridy Park, Kilrush
Goalkeeper Stephen Ryan kicked four two pointers as Kilrush made it two wins from two outings when they overcame St Breckans at Kilrush on Saturday evening.
In addition to his contribution to their tally, he also saved a penalty from Jamie Stack in the second half.
Darragh Bolton‘s goal helped the winners to a one point lead at half time when the score was 1-6 to 0-8.
The had the better of matters in the third quarter when they opened a six pint lead on the visitors on their way to a merited win.
The winners could have had a bigger winning margin if they had managed to convert more of the scoring chances they created on the day
Kilrush Shamrocks: Stephen Ryan (0-8, 4tp); James Blunnie, Ross Cullinan, Padraig Browne; Tadhg Lysaght (0-1), Sean Canny, Niall Brennan; Ciaran Bermingham, Darragh Bolton(1-0); Ben McKiernan(0-1), Dylan O’Brien, Dean Neary; Jim Young, Gearoid O’Brien (0-3), Ross Phelan (0-1);
Sub: Conor Fennell for J. Young
St. Breckans; Tristan O’Callaghan; Padraic Doherty, Conor Burke, Patrick O’Dwyer (0-1); Eoin Fitzpatrick, Maccon Byrne, Rowan Danaher (0-1); Liam Tierney (0-2, tp) Mark O’Donnell; Cathal Morgan, Micheal Flanagan, Denis O’Callaghan; Conor Shannon (0-1), Jamie Stack (0-7, 1tp) Oisin O’Loughlin (0-1);
Sub: Thomas O’Dwyer for E. Fitzpatrick;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
