Magpies & Mills finish level in crucial group game

*Gary Cooney and David Tuohy in action. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

CLARECASTLE AND O’CALLAGHANS MILLS finished all square in the keenly contested Clare SHC Group B clash.

Clarecastle 1-14
O’Callaghans Mills 1-14
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Both sides can point to missed chances which could have seen them claim victory but while there will be some disappointment at the missed chances the overall feeling is likely to be one of satisfaction that they have got point on the board with two rounds still to play.

They both lost out in their opening rounds to Cratloe and Ballyea respectively with the Mills opting for a change in management following their loss. Donach O’Donnell, Ollie Nash, Aaron O’Connell and Kelvin Harold departed with Conor Dolan and Colm Fitzgerald joining the existing set-up.

The Mills didn’t set the world alight from the off and it was Clarecastle who controlled proceedings for the bulk of the opening half. Crucially, their advantage was only two points at half-time (0-08 0-06) and this deficit was always one that the East Clare side were capable of closing.

Darragh Healy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

O’Callaghans Mills have reason to thank Jacob Loughnane’s, following his introduction at half time, he struck with 1-4 in the second half which played a huge role in getting his side back into contention

Clarecastle made the better start and they raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after five minutes, the cores coming from team captain Bobby Duggan (3) and Killian McDermott.

The game was twelve minutes old before the Mills opened their account with Gary Cooney pointing and three unanswered scores helped them to trail by the minimum after seventeen minutes.

Both sides missed chances between here and the half time whistle when the score was 0-8 to 0-6 in Clareacstle’s favour.

The Magpies extended their lead to four five minutes into the second half but the Mills responded with three in a row to move to within a point of their opponents

With fifty minutes on the clock, the Mills stuck their noses in front for the first time, Colin Crehan teed up Loughnane who made no mistake to stick the sliotar past Cian Broderick.

Colm Cleary races away from Stephen O’Halloran. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

All-Ireland U21 winner Bobby Duggan had the perfect response for Clarecastle, he fired a booming free past Killian Nugent to reduce the deficit to a single point as the Magpies coached by Anthony Daly began chasing the game, the placed ball was won by Patrick Kelly who had a fierce battle with Conor Cooney over the hour.

Jack Murphy and the impressive Rory O’Connell put Clarecastle back in front with fifty eight minutes on the clock before Gary Cooney equalised as three minutes of additional time were signalled. Cooney’s score would be the final effort of the afternoon with a draw the final outcome.

Bobby Duggan with 1-8, Stephen O’Halloran, Rory O’Connell and Marc McAuliffe were prominent for Clarecastle while Conor Cooney, Sean O’Gorman and Jacob Loughnane impressed for O’Callaghans Mills.

Scorers Clarecastle: Bobby Duggan 1-8, 1-5 frees; James Doherty (0-2), Killian McDermott, Jack Murphy, Patrick Kelly, Rory O’Connell (0-1) each.

Scorers O’Callaghans Mills: Jacob Loughnane (1-4, 0-3 frees; Gary Cooney (0-4), Colin Crehan (0-3, 2 frees) Aidan Fawl, Aidan O’Gorman (free), Cormac Murphy (0-1) each.

Clarecastle:
1: Cian Broderick

2: Marc McAuliffe
5: Stephen O’Halloran
3: David Tuohy

6: Darragh Healy
9: Eoghan Wallace
18: Pa Tuohy

12: Rory O’Connell

7: Colin Brigdale
8: Killian McDermott

13: Conor Halpin
11: Bobby Duggan
10: Jack Murphy

14: Patrick Kelly
15: James Doherty

Subs:
22: Aaron Hayes for P Tuohy (53)
17: Barry Morrissey for Kelly (59)

O’Callaghans Mills:
1: Killian Nugent

5: Michael Cotter
3: Conor Cooney
2: Gerry Cooney

8: Sean O’Gorman
9: Aidan O’Gorman
4: Niall Donovan

12: Cormac Murphy
7: Aidan Fawl