Ennistymon & St Joseph’s Miltown stay unbeaten in Cusack Cup

*Joey Rouine charges out of defence for Ennistymon. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

AFTER three rounds in the FutureTicketing Cusack Cup, Ennistymon and St Joseph’s Miltown remain unbeaten.

Ennistymon holding top spot having won their opening three games. Miltown are a point behind in second place with two wins and a draw to their credit.

St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield got their first win of the campaign when accounting for Clondegad which leaves the Doora/Barefield men, Lissycasey and Clondegad each with one win.

Kilmurry Ibrickane and Kildysart each have three points from their three games while St. Breckan’s bring up the bottom of the table with one point from their three outings.

Corofin lead the way in the Garry Cup (Division 2) with three wins from three outings. Sharing second place are Éire Óg and Doonbeg with two wins and a draw each. Ballyvaughan and O’Currys have yet to register a point in this campaign

Easy for Ennistymon in North Clare derby

Ennistymon 4-8
St Breckan’s 1-6
Venue: Lahinch Community Field

By Páraic McMahon

Ennistymon maintained their unbeaten start to this year’s Cusack Cup when powering past the challenge of their dearest neighbours St Breckan’s on Saturday evening.

Arguably one of their most impressive achievements in this contest was scoring an almost identical goal on four occasions. They moved the ball quickly through the hands, popped a hand pass across the goalmouth and there was always a player in white and black ready to palm the ball to the back of the net, this is also an indictment of St Breckan’s that they didn’t cop or learn to counteract the movement in the course of sixty minutes.

Last weekend on the community field in Lahinch, Ciaran McMahon struck for goal in the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup in the colours of Sporting Ennistymon, this weekend on the same ground he struck for the game’s first goal in the Cusack Cup in the colours of Ennistymon. Darren McNamara gave the pass across the goal for him to palm home on the five minute mark.

St Breckan’s responded with a goal of their own on eight minutes, Mark O’Donnell had the finish with Shane Fitzpatrick providing the assist.

Darren McNamara and Ryan Barry pointed to swing the lead back in favour of the hosts before they struck for their second goal on seventeen minutes via Gearoid Barry a member of last year’s minor championship winning side, a forced turnover on Paddy Haugh allowed them to pounce for the major to have them 2-2 1-1 ahead at the break.

Padraig Kelly cut the deficit to three points on the restart with another free before the experienced Joe Dowling was on the end of another well-worked Ennistymon move for goal number three on thirty two minutes.

Ryan Barry could have had their fourth goal but an excellent save from Conor O’Neill prevented the umpires from reaching for the green flag. Niall Canavan and Padraig Kelly traded scores before Ennistymon centre-back Joey Rouine tapped over the ball for a rare score.

Darren McNamara bagged a goal of his own to further extend the lead while substitute Paudie Considine kicked an excellent score off the left boot in what was among the best scores of the evening.

There’s a long way to go in the year and as is the case for all sides in the Cusack Cup and Garry Cup they are far from full strength. However St Breckan’s will know such a weak performance against one of their bigger rivals is simply inexcusable so Declan O’Keeffe and his management could not be faulted for issuing some home truths in the aftermath of this game where their players failed to land a punch.

Although they’ve three wins from three outings, Ennistymon will need to note that it is a marathon and not a sprint, the early indicators are positive as they use the league to build their panel base but there’s a long way to go. Ger Quinlan’s side had solid performances from Gearoid Barry, Joey Rouine, Tiernan Hogan and Ciaran McMahon.

Scorers Ennistymon: G Barry (1-2), C McMahon (1-1), D McNamara (1-1 1f), J Dowling (1-0), R Barry (0-1), N Canavan (0-1), J Rouine (0-1), P Considine (0-1).

Scorers St Breckan’s: P Kelly (0-5 5f), M O’Donnell (1-0), S Fitzpatrick (0-1)

Ennistymon: Noel Sexton, John Murphy, Lawrence Healy, Conor Rynne; Liam Cotter, Joey Rouine, Tiernan Hogan; Dara Rouine, Ciaran McMahon; Ryan Barry, Niall Canavan, Darren McNamara; Gearoid Barry, Daragh Conneally, Joe Dowling.

Subs: Keith White for Barry (47), James Cullinan for D Rouine (51) (inj), Paudie Considine for Dowling (55), Micheál Vaughan for Rynne (58), Oisin Vaughan for Hogan (58).

St Breckan’s: Conor O’Neill; Ronan Fitzpatrick, Conor Burke, Paddy Haugh; Thomas O’Dwyer, Patrick Doherty, Shane Fitzpatrick; Liam Tierney, Maccon Byrne; Marc O’Donnell, Colm O’Brien, Cathal Morgan; Dara Howley, Padraig Kelly, Rowan Danaher.

Subs: Eoin Hurley for Burke (42) (inj), Jason Howley for R Fitzpatrick (44)

Thynne’s goal steers St. Josephs to first league points

St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-7
Clondegad 0-8
Venue: Gurteen

An Eoghan Thynne goal in the second half proved to be key to St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s first victory in this season’s Cusack Cup when they accounted for Clondegad at Gurteen on Friday evening.

In an evenly contested tie the home side led by the minimum margin at half time when the score was 0-6 to 0-5.

From an early stage it was clear that a goal would be a vital score and St. Josephs put together an impressive move in the second half which ended with Thynne finding the net. The sides were level at the time.

Conal Kelleher, Joe Rafferty, Paddy Bugler and Thynne were the point scorers for the winners as they recorded their first win in this season’s campaign.

Scorers for Clondegad were Eoghan Donnellan, Joe Neylon, Sean O’Leary, Ryan Jennings and Mossy Gavin

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Eoin Boyle, Conor O’Brien, Cathal O’Brien; Kieran Thynne, Cian McDonagh, Cormac Mather; Conal Kelleher, Odhran O’Connell; Conor Daly, Joe Rafferty Nicki Hardiman; Eoghan Thynne, Michael Nash, Paddy Bugler;

Subs; Joe Keane for N. Hardiman; Conor Brannock for C. Daly; Peter Collins for C. Mather; Cian Moloney for P. Bugler

Clondegad: Darren Cleary; Niall Carigg, Evan Flynn, Niall Lynch; Cormac Reidy, Conor Gavin, Joe Neylon; Diarmuid O’Neill, Eoghan Gavin; Kieran McDonald, Ryan Jennings, Patrick Sweeney; Eoghan Donnellan, Sean O’Leary, Mossy Gavin;

Subs: Daniel Kelly for P. Sweeney; Francie Neylon for Eoghan Donnellan; Gearoid O’Connell for C. Reidy.

Referee: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)

Miltown extend unbeaten run

St. Joseph’s Miltown 2-11
Lissycasey 2-8
Venue: Lissycasey

St Joseph’s Miltown maintained their unbeaten start to the Cusack Cup.

In their latest outing they accounted for Lissycasey at the latter’s venue on Friday evening, a game that was closely contested throughout.

A goal separated the sides at half time when the score was 1-7 to 1-4, Darragh McDonagh having the upperhand in the midfield exchanges in the opening period when he contributed 0-3. Defender Cian Mahoney also contributed 0-3.

Lissycasey got the upperhand for a while in the second half and took the lead but a Seanie Malone goal from the penalty spot saw the visitors get back in front and they went on to hold the advantage to the finish.

Dominic Griffin was the winner’s other goalscorer. Luke Griffin and team captain Conor Finnucane were the home side’s goalscorers with Finnucane also landing five points.

Lissycasey manager, Aiden ‘Horse’ Moloney was sent off by referee Chris Maguire during the game.

St. Joseph’s Miltown: Sean O’Brien; Eoin O’Brien, Seanie Malone, Cormac Devitt; Cian Mahoney, Gordon Kelly, Jamesie O’Connor; Micheál Murray, Darragh McDonagh; Dominic Griffin, Brian Curtin, Oisin Looney; Oisin Meade, Ralph Whelahan, Paul Keane

Subs: Euan Lineen for Whelahan, Gearoid Burke for E. O’Brien, Ronan Keavney for O. Meade; Ger Malone for J. O’Connor;

Lissycasey; Killian Normoyle; Michael Meaney, Niall McCarthy, Aaron Clohessy; Daire Hill, Daire Killeen, Cyril Sheehan; Luke Griffin, Conor Meaney; Fionn Cotter, Enda Finnucane, Kevin Shivers; Shane Culligan, Ben Skeraritt, Conor Finnucane;

Subs; Adrian Meaney for M. Meaney; Niall Kelly for S. Culligan; Francis Hayes for B. Skerritt; Cathal Considine for K. Shivers

Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)

All square between Kilmurry Ibrickane & Kildysart

Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-10
Kildysart 1-7
Venue: Kildysart

While both sides can point to missed chances a share of the spoils was a fair result when Kilmurry Ibrickane and Kildysart clashed n round 3 of the Cusack Cup at Kildysart on Saturday evening.

Kildysart led by the minimum at half time when the score was 0-4 to 0-3. Inside the final quarter they were level at 0-7 each when the visitors struck for the game’s only goal which came from Keith Murphy.

Straight from the kick out the home side pointed and they followed with two more to tie up the scores, their last three points coming from Martin McMahon, Daryn Callinan and Shane Hickey.

They had a free from a difficult angle just before the final whistle but it just missed the target.

Kilmurry Ibrickane: David Sexton; Shay Callinan, Diarmuid King, Martin McMahon; Paudie Murrihy, Michael Comber, Daragh Sexton; Shane Hickey, Andrew Shannon; Colin Considine, Enda Coughlan, Oisin Sexton; Caoilfhinn O’Dea, Daryn Callinan, Joe Campbell.

Subs: Damian Lynch for C.. Considine; Kevin Tubridy for O. Sexton; Maurice Donnellan for E. Coughlan.

Kildysart: Kieran Eyers; Michael Eustace, Kieran Leahy, Mark Moloney; Oisin Coyle, Conor Moloney, Ryan Casey; Kieran O’Brien, Keith O’Connor; Rory McMahon, Seamus Casey, Mikey Donnellan; Conor Hassett, Keith Murphy, Luke McGrath.

Subs: Jack Cotter for M. Moloney; Colin Finucane for R. Casey (inj.)

Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)

Corofin cruise past Cooraclare

Corofin 2-13
Cooraclare 0-4
Venue: Cooraclare

Corofin continued their winning ways when they recorded an easy victory over Cooraclare at the latter’s venue on Friday evening.

Ahead by 1-8 to 0-3 at half time, they were always in control against a Cooraclare side missing a lot of regulars due to injuries, travel and involvement with county panels.

The Cahill brothers Diarmuid and Gearoid caused a lot of problems for Cooraclare and between them they contributed 0-11 of their side’s total with Diarmuid landing 0-7.

Damien O’Loughlin and Cathal Flanagan were the goal scorers for the winners who remain top of the division 2 table with maximum points from their three outings.

Corofin: Eoin Davoran; John Rees, Cilléin Mullins, Marc O’Loughlin; Damien O’Loughlin (1-1), Kevin Keane, Michael Cahill; Cillian McGroary, Gearoid Kelly; Eoin Doolin, Cillian Clancy, Josh Ryan (0-1); Diarmuid Cahill (0-7), Cathal Flanagan (1-0), Gearoid Cahill (0-4);

Subs: Cian O’Loughlin for E. Doolin; Colm Rice for M. Cahill; Cian Doolin for J. Ryan; Enda Collins for D. Cahill; Colm Fitzgerald for M. O’Loughlin

Cooraclare: Mark Lillis; Gearoid Lillis, Robert Ryan, Ciarán Chambers; Jimmy Gallagher (0-1), Fergal Donnellan, Noel Gavin; James Burke (0-1), James Chambers (0-1); Sean Molloy, Padraic O’Donoghue, Thomas Downes; John Lillis, Colin McNamara, Rory Lillis (0-1)

Subs: Sean O’Dea for G. Lillis; Kevin Marrinan for T. Downes; Aidan Townsend for N. Gavin;

Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)

Spoils shared between Éire Óg & Doonbeg

Éire Óg 0-9
Doonbeg 0-9
Venue: Éire Óg GAA Grounds, Ennis

Unbeaten Éire Óg and Doonbeg shared the spoils when they clashed in round three of the Garry Cup on Saturday evening.

There was little between the sides throughout with the hosts holding a one point advantage at the break when the score was 0-5 to 0-4.

The sides continued to be evenly matched in the second half with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions.

David Tubridy and Paul Dillon each contributed 0-3 for the Magpies while Alan O’Neill had a similar tally for the home side, all of his three coming in the opening half.

Éire Óg; Shane Daniels; Gearoid Collins, Aaron Fitzgerald (0-1), Mark Collins; Ciaran Russell (0-2), Dean Ryan, Dean D’Auria; Darren O’Neill (0-1) Jarlath Collins; Niall McMahon, Oran Cahill, Gavin D’Auria; Luke Moore, Jack Joyce (0-2), Alan O’Neill (0-3).

Subs: Eoin Guilfoyle for A. O’Neill; Sam Power for M. Collins; Alex McNamara for D. O’Neill

Doonbeg: Eamonn Tubridy; Jason Linnane, James Killeen, Cian Clancy; Conor O’Mahoney, Kevin Pender, Cian O’Mahoney; Kevin McInerney, Sean Conway (0-1); Cathal Killeen, David Tubridy (0-3), Mikie Tubridy (0-1); Shane Bermingham, Paul Dillon (0-3), Darragh Burns

Subs: Eoin Killeen for S. Bermingham; Gavin O’Shea for P. Dillon; Brian Behan (0-1) for C. Clancy

Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)

First half scores vital for Kilmihil

Kilmihil 0-7
O’Curry’s 0-4
Venue: St Michael’s Park, Kilmihil

In a low scoring contest Kilmihil’s strong finish to the opening half steered them to their second win in this season’s Garry Cup campaign.

They led 0-2 to 0-1 as half time approached but they finished the half with a brace of points to lead 0-4 to 0-1 at the break.

The sides matched each other score for score in the second half but that strong first half finish sealed victory for the visitors.

Sean Crowley top scored for the winners with 0-4 while Dan Keating landed a brace with the remaining point coming from Martin O’Leary.

Eoin Troy, Thomas Clancy, Shane Browne and Cathal Downes were the points scorers for Dinny McMahon’s charges.

Kilmihil: Sean Scott Cafferkey; Fionn Febbraro, Mikey Keating, Padraig O’Grady; Gavin Downes, Dan Keating, David Coughlan; John Finnucane, Conor Finnucane; Jack Keating, Sean Crowley, Cathal Murray; Shane Downes, Martin O’Leary. Mark Normoyle;

O’Currys; Damian Clohessy; Paddy Clancy, Stephen Kelly, Jonathan Clancy; Eoin Brew, Sean Haugh, Seamus Keane; Eoin Troy, Thomas Clancy; Cathal Downes, Shane Browne, Eoin Kelly; Jim Marrinan, Michael Foran, Danny Downes;

Sub; Luke Murray for J. Clancy;

Referee: Joe Kelly (Cooraclare)

Five goals for Ross Phelan

Kilrush Shamrocks 7-13
Ballyvaughan 0-5
Venue: Captain Michael Tubridy Park, Kilrush

Full forward Ross Phelan contributed 5-5 as Kilrush scored a runaway win over Ballyvaughan in round 3 of the Garry cup at Kilrush on Saturday evening.

The home side dominated from the off and they were four goals clear, 4-5 to 0-5, at the interval.

Keith Crowley and Tadhg Lysaght were the other goalscorers for the winners. James and Martin Howard, John Martyn and Lorcan Doolin were point scorers for the North Clare side.

Kilrush Shamrocks: James Harding; Niall Brennan, Kieran Bermingham, Padraig Browne; Billy Clancy, Dylan O’Brien, Sean Canny; Sean Madigan, Callum Bond; Tadhg Lysaght, Keith Crowley, Dean Neary; Con Prendeville, Ross Phelan, Ben McKiernan;

Subs; Matthew Moloney for McKiernan; Joe Miniter for Prendeville; Harry Looney for Browne; Damian Carey for Canny; Sean Purtill for Neary

Ballyvaughan: Damian McNamara; James Costello, Philip Queally, Joseph Flanagan; Dermot Costello, Cian Walsh, Noah McNamara; James Howard, Phelim Kyne; Ian Woods, Lorcan Doolin, Scion Flanagan; Thomas Frances, John Martyn, Martin Howard;

Subs: Mathew Irwin for Martin Howard; Comac McGann for Tomas Francis; Jamie Hynes for John Martyn

Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)