Despite being reduced to fourteen men midway through the second half when Oisin Clune was sent to the line on a second yellow card, Feakle held on for a one point victory over Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Feakle 0-14
Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-13
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
It was a rather needly affair, particularly in the second half when there were quite a number of stoppages which resulted in eight minutes of added time.
Feakle officials and supporters were clearly annoyed at the decision to dismiss Clune who, clearly, disagreed with the decision of referee Joe Mullins who made the call after Clune clashed with Newmarket centre back Ends Barrett who picked up a yellow in the incident.
That said a sending off was likely from an early stage because of the needle in a tie which won’t be remembered for the standard of play.
Both teams can point to missed chances while Newmarket might argue that they should have been awarded a penalty in the final minute. Overall Feakle showed that bit more hunger for victory which proved decisive in the end.
The minimum separated the sides at the interval with Feakle ahead by the odd point in fifteen after an evenly fought opening period.
Both sides will feel that they should have had more on the scoreboard at this s tage as both were guilty of missed opportunities.
Feakle missed a great goal chance shortly before the short whistle when Stephen Conway failed to latch on to a ball delivered in from midfield.
It was point for point throughout the opening quarter and when the first water break came in the eighteenth minute Feakle were one ahead, 0-6 to 0-5 when play resumed they doubled their advantage through Shane McGrath but a Colin Ryan ‘65 in the third minute of added time left the minimum between the sides.
Newmarket hit the opening two points in the new half but Feakle responded with a brace. When the second waterbreak was called, twenty minutes into the half, the East Clare side led by one, 0-11 to 0-10.
They finished strongly and a brace from Shane McGrath had them three clear midway through the eight additional minutes.
Newmarket goalkeeper Ronan McCormack converted two long range frees to keep hopes of getting something from the game alive but Feakle held firm and just a bout deserved their victory on a day when Evan McMahon, Eoin Tuohy, Conn Smyth, Oisin Donnellan and Shane McGrath were to the fore.
Newmarket’s best were James McInerney, Sean O’Connor, Enda Barrett, Paraic McMahon and Mikey McInerney
Scorers Feakle; Shane McGrath (0-8, 5f), Oisin Clune, Oisin Donnellan (0-2) each, Colin Nelson, Eoin Tuohy (0-1) each
Scorers Newmarket-on-Fergus; Colin Ryan (0-5), 3f, 1 ‘65; Eoin Guilfoyle (0-3), Ronan McCormack (0-2, frees) Colin Guilfoyle, Mikey Mc|Inerney, Niall O’Connor (0-1) each
Feakle;
1: Eibherar Quilligan
19: Adam Hogan
3: Evan McMahon
4: James Noonan
9: Austin McMahon
5: Conn Smyth
6: Eoin Tuohy
8: Killian Bane
10: Shane McGrath
7: Oisin Clune
17: Fiachra Donnellan
12: Enda Noonan
19: Colin Nelson
14: Oisin Donnellan
15: Stephen Conway
Subs
13: Raymond Bane for S. Conway (half time);
2: Ger Hanrahan for E. Noonan (41)
11: Gary Guilfoyle for F. Donnellan (47);
18: Eric Conway for A. McMahon (55)
23: Frankie O’Grady for C.Nelson (59)
Newmarket-on-Fergus
1: Ronan McCormack
2: Sean O’Connor
3: James McInerney
4: Paraic McMahon
5: Niall O’Connor
6: Enda Barrett
7: Stephen Casey
11: Colin Guilfoyle
20: Liam Clancy
12: Eoin Guilfoyle
17: Eanna Crimmins
10: Colin Ryan
15: Peter Power
13: Eoin Hayes
14: Mikey McInerney
Subs:
19: Jack O’Connor for Clancy (half time)
9: Frank Melody for E.Crimmins (inj.35)
20: Stephen Kelly for Power (44)
8: John Fehilly for E. Guilfoyle (47)
Referee: Joe Mullins (Clonlara)
