*Michael Foran of O’Currys. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
O’CURRYS have been relegated from the Clare IFC and will next year line out in the Junior A ranks for the first time since 1995.
Ennistymon 1-12
O’Currys 2-6
Venue: Clarecastle GAA Astro
After a number of near misses in recent seasons O’Curry’s finally lost their battle to retain intermediate status when going down to Ennistymon on Saturday afternoon.
Struggling for numbers for the past number of years, the Doonaha based side had managed to defy predictions on a number of occasions including making it to the quarter-finals last season.
This year they were without the experienced duo of Eoin Troy and Seán Haugh through retirement and Jonathan Clancy (RIP), all of whom were missed from their team.
Heavy rain forced the game to be moved from Quilty to Clarecastle and the astro pitch didn’t suit the men from West Clare.
Ennistymon who had been pipped by the narrowest of margins by Liscannor in the relegation semi-final finished stronger to claim victory.
The North Clare men led by the minimum margin at half time, 0-6 to 1-2, O’Curry’s goal having come from Cathal Downes.
In typical determined fashion O’Currys had edged a point clear with the game inside the final quarter, their second goal coming from Brian Keane.
A Daniel Brody goal tipped the tie in Ennistymon’s favour and they held firm in the closing minutes to seal a merited win and their place in the intermediate competition in 2026.
Conor Rynne, Shane Woods, Mattie Kinch, and Lawrence Healy were prominent throughout for the winners.
Michael Foran, Paddy Clancy and Cathal Downes were amongst those who battled to the end for the West Clare side but on the day it wasn’t enough and they must prepare for the Junior A grade next year.
Scorers Ennistymon; Daniel Brody (1–2) Paudie Considine (0-4, 3f); Niall Canavan (0-2); Ryan Barry, Shane Woods, Ruaodhri Murphy, Danny Rouine (0-1) each.
Scorers O’Currys; Cathal Downes (1-1); Brian Keane (1-0); Danny Downes (0-2, f), Seamus Keane, Eoin Kelly, Thomas Clancy (0-1) each
Ennistymon;
Conor Morrissey
Conor Rynne
Lawrence Healy
Dara Rouine
Ryan Barry
Gerry Coote
John Murphy
Shane Woods
Mattie Kinch
Daniel Brody
Joe Dowling
Ruaidhri Murphy
Paudie Considine
Niall Canavan
Danny Rouine;
Subs:
Joe Casey for J. Dowling
Fred Hegarty for Danny Rouine;
O’Currys:
Colm Clohessy
Paddy Clancy
Darragh Keane
Stephen Kelly
Seamus Keane
Michael Foran
Evan Killeen
Cathal Downes
Thomas Clancy
Liam Griffin
Eoin Kelly
Eoin Brew
Danny Downes
Shane Browne
Brian Keane;
Sub; Ian Roche for Thomas Clancy;
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)