CLARE IFC: Favourites Clondegad, Cooraclare, Kilrush Shamrocks & Banner all begin with first round wins

*Photograph: Ruthie Griffin.

CLONDEGAD, Cooraclare, Kilrush Shamrocks and Banner who are all tipped to be in the knockout stages of the Clare IFC won their opening games as the title race commenced this weekend.

There were comfortable victories for Kilrush, Banner and Clondegad in the first round of the TUS Clare intermediate football championship over Coolmeen, Naomh Eoin and Wolfe Tones while Cooraclare had to work hard to get over Michael Cusacks.

In the remaining two games, Shannon Gaels finished strongly to account for Liscannor while Killimer marked their arrival at intermediate level with a hard earned two point win over Ennistymon.

Clondegad control matters against Wolfe Tones

Clondegad 4-18
Wolfe Tones 3-9
Venue: Gurteen

By Seamus Hayes

Championship favourites Clondegad got their challenge for intermediate championship honours off to a bright start when they recorded a comfortable and merited win over Wolfe Tones on Saturday afternoon.

On top from the start, they had first half goals from Eoin O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Neill and Eoin Kennedy from the penalty spot on their way to a half time lead of 3-9 to 1-5, the Shannon outfit’s goal having come from Darragh Leahy who was their top scorer on the day with 2-3.

The winners maintained the upperhand in the second half when Seán McAllister struck for their fourth goal.

Wolfe Tones battled to the end and shortly before the final whistle Jayme O’Sullivan finished to the net for their third goal.

It was too late however to deny the James Murrihy managed Clondegad from recording a merited win on a day when nine players shared their impressive final tally.

Their all-round team work proved too much for the Shannon men who will be hoping to bounce back for their round two meeting with Shannon Gaels on Saturday August 15 when they will return to Gurteen.

Clondegad’s round 2 fixture will be against Liscannor and this is scheduled for Sunday August 16 at Cooraclare.

Scorers Clondegad: E Kennedy (1-3), F Kirby (0-4), E O’Connor (1-1), S McAllister (1-1), C McAllister (0-3), C Kirby (0-3), C Meaney (0-2), C Brennan (0-1).

Scorers Wolfe Tones: D Leahy (2-3), C Riordan (0-4), J O’Sullivan (1-0), D Devanney (0-1), E Gough (0-1).

Clondegad:
1: Daniel Kelly

5: Dillon Killoughery
3: Brian Casey
4: Tadhg Ó hUallacháin

13: Colm Meaney
6: Morgan Garry
7: Cillian Gavin

8: Cillian Brennan
9: Diarmuid O’Neill

18: Eoin Kennedy
11: Eoin O’Connor
12: Sean Mc Allister

15: Cian McAllister
22: Cian Kirby
26: Fiachra Kirby

Subs:
23: Evan Flynn for C. McAllister;
2: Cormac Reidy for C. Gavin
14: Eoin Glynn for C. Kirby
21: Eoghan Gavin for E. Kennedy

Wolfe Tones:
1: Shane Russell

2: Tan Greene
6: Conor Carrig
4: Robert Cahill

15: Eoghan Casey
3: Jayme O Sullivan
12: Cody Waller

8: Daithí Lohan
9: Damien Lyne

10: Aaron Kelly
11: Colin Riordan
14: Dean Devanney

24: Eoghan Gough
13: Darragh Leahy
7: Niall Fitzgerald

Subs:
27: Jason McAuley for T. Greene (inj)
31: Jack Ryan for D. Devanney
22: Craig Riordan for J. O’Sullivan (inj);

Referee: Pat Healy (Kilmaley)

Gallery of photographs by Ruthie Griffin

Strong gust at the finish from Gaels enough to lower Liscannor

Shannon Gaels 0-12
Liscannor 0-9
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg

By Páraic McMahon

Dylan Kenny kicked three points in additional time for Shannon Gaels to seal a valuable opening round win over Liscannor.

Tied on seven different occasions, this was as tight as it got and it seemed destined to end in a draw. However Kenny’s kicking would ultimately be the difference, landing a two pointer and a point from play to tee up celebrations among the Shannnon Gaels sideline.

Dylan Kenny. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

These celebrations were not a form of jeering at Liscannor but rather underlined that the Gaels knew this was the game to win to avoid getting drawn into a potential relegation battle.

With Clondegad and Wolfe Tones to come for both sides in the subsequent rounds, the odds are against them so it was simple, win this game to give yourself a shot at making a preliminary quarter-final at worst and at best it would starve off status worries.

Quarter-finalists for the past two seasons, Shannon Gaels find themselves in a very tricky group this year and they were well aware that starting off with a win serves as their best chance of trying to replicate their runs of the last two campaigns.

Not just because of the outcome, Liscannor will be the side with more regrets. They had the chances to win, they missed four scoreable frees in the first half, three in a row from the twenty sixth minute on. In total, they had eleven wides over the hour which will heighten frustrations for the North Clare men.

Both sides were short of arguably their most influential players. A hamstring injury meant Darren Nagle was only introduced for the dying moments for Liscannor while Darragh Bohannon is out of action through injury but is also out of the country.

Within the first eight minutes, the sides were level twice before Shannon Gaels went 0-4 0-2 in front by the end of the opening quarter, Dylan Kenny and Tadhg Kelly shoving them clear.

For the second quarter, Liscannor outscored the Gaels 0-3 0-1 with Cian Guerin, Alan Clohessy and Brian Considine converting to keep the sides on par by the half-time break.

On the restart, Liscannor went ahead for only the second time, Guerin nailing a free before Considine had a two pointer.

Wing back Julian Linnane kicked his second score to bring the Gaels within two and Dylan Kenny equalised with a two pointer on thirty nine minutes. Cian Guerin’s white flag restored the lead to Liscannor with forty two minutes on the clock but crucially they would fail to score for the remainder of the game.

Indeed it was only Kenny that was on target in the final quarter, kicking a free on the forty ninth minute, a two pointer on sixty one minutes and another effort on sixty two minutes to seal the win for Shannon Gaels.

Missed chances and their final quarter fade away will sting Liscannor who felt the free awarded which Kenny kicked a two pointer from to go ahead at the death, was of the soft variety. The tougher pill to swallow is they had their chances but didn’t take them. For Martin Guerin’s charges, Tom Hanrahan, Seán McDonagh, Cian Guerin and Alan Clohessy were most effective.

Winning in the manner they did gives the Labasheeda and Kilmurry McMahon men a timely gust of belief ahead of round two against Wolfe Tones where if they produce their best they could well cause an upset. In this outing, Peter O’Connell’s side has solid displays from Julian Linnane and Jack Reidy in defence with Dylan Kenny kicking the all-important scores.

Scorers Shannon Gaels: D Kenny (0-8 2TPf, 1’45 1f), J Linnane (0-2), Tadhg Kelly (0-1), Thomas Kelly (0-1).

Scorers Liscannor: C Guerin (0-4 3f), B Considine (0-3 1TP), A Clohessy (0-2 2f).

Shannon Gaels:
1: Ciaran McCarthy

2: Eoin Keane
3: Fergal Kenny
4: Aaron Lee McMahon

5: Damien Downes
6: Jack Reidy
7: Julian Linnane

8: Tadhg Kelly
9: Darren Crehan

10: Colm Downes
11: Thomas Kelly
12: Dylan Kenny

15: Thomas Kenny
14: Dylan O’Neill
13: Dave Bannigan

Subs:
18: Michael O’Donoghue for Crehan (33)
20: Jack Foley for T Kenny (44)
22: Peadar Kelly for Banigan (53)

Liscannor:
1: John Kerin

5: Francesco Bonito
3: Padraig Haugh
4: Paul McLoughlin

6: Dara Blake
2: Tom Hanrahan
7: Joe Hanrahan

8: Seán McDonagh
17: Michael Foley

13: Alan Clohessy
11: Cian Guerin
12: Brian Considine

15: Daniel White
14: Oisin Leyden
18: Cathal Finucane

Subs:
10: Daithí Fitzgerald for Finucane (40)
20: Ultan McDonagh for B Considine (44)
19: Stephen Murray for Leyden (55)
9: Darren Nagle for White (60)

Referee: Joe Kelly (Cooraclare)

Banner put down a marker at Naomh Eoin’s expense

Banner 4-17
Naomh Eoin 0-14
Venue: Pairc na Muintire, Lissycasey

By Seamus Hayes

A strong start which yielded two goals inside the opening ten minutes and a third before half time laid the foundation for Banner’s winning start to Clare IFC. They proved too strong for Naomh Eoin in a tie which produced ten 2 pointers, six for the winners.

The Ennis outfit were the better balanced side and they had opened a seven point lead by half time when the score was 3-4 to 0-6.

They had early goals from Johnny Martyn and Thomas Meeneghan before Shane Meehan found the net shortly before half time.

Naomh Eoin kept in touch with the help of two pointers from Conor Magner and Niall Bonfil.

The introduction of All-Ireland U20 winner, Ronan Kilroy helped the winners stretch their lead as he landed three 2 pointers in the second half and they sealed victory with their fourth goal which came from another substitute, Eoin Fitzpatrick.

Scorers Banner: R Kilroy (0-6 3TP), S Meehan (1-2 1TP), J Martyn (1-1), T Meehnaghan (1-1), S McMahon (0-3 1TP), E Fitzpatrick (1-0), B O’Halloran (0-2 1TP), J Coakley (0-2)

Scorers Naomh Eoin: C Magner (0-4 2TP), O Lynch (0-4 3f), N Bonfil (0-3 1TP), C Downes (0-2 1TP), J Roche (0-1).

Banner:
1: Mark Cleary

17: Kenneth Higgins
3: Cian Rynne
4: Conor O’Toole

5: James Coakley
6: Eoin Walsh
7: Conor Dennehy

8: Fuwhad Akinwale
9: Brian McDonald

10: Ben O’Halloran
11: Seán McMahon
12: Johnny Martyn

19: Shane Meehan
14: Thomas Meeneghan
15: Cian O’Connor

Subs:
18: Ronan Kilroy for C. Dennehy
2: Cian Ruane for K. Higgins (inj)
13: Sean Hegarty for C. O’Connor
23: Eoin Fitzpatrick for Meeneghan
20: Oisin McMahon for C. O’Toole

Naomh Eoin:
1: Eoin Daly

4: Adam Foley
3: Mark McQuaid
19: Paddy Donnellan

5: Tomás Bonfil
7: Adam Haugh
6: Conor Magner

8: Fergal Keane
9: Gavin Magner

11: Niall Bonfil
14: Joseph Roche
15: Owen Lynch

13: Gearoid Lynch
12: Conor Downes
10: Eoin Hanrahan;

Subs:
18: Kevin Roche for G. Lynch
25: Fionn Doherty for E.Hanrahan

Referee: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)

Kilrush cause carnage against Coolmeen

Kilrush Shamrocks 6-12
Coolmeen 0-3
Venue: Kilkee

By Seamus Hayes

Kilrush were in control from start to finish in this intermediate championship first round tie played at Kilkee on Sunday afternoon.

The took control from the start and raced 1-3 to 0-1 clear after ten minutes, their opening goal coming from Ross Phelan

By the twentieth minute they had added 0-4 to their tally and they added two goals before half time when they led on a scoreline of 3-8 to 0-1, those goals coming from Dylan |O’Brien and Mark Bonfield

Tadhg Lysaght. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

Two early points when the second half got underway suggested that Coolmeen might get back into contention but that was as good as it got and from here to the finish the shams dominated the exchanges and added a further three goals from Sean Fennell, Don O’Driscoll and James Blunnie.

Conor Fennell top scored for the side with 0-6, a point more than Mark Bonfield who contributed 1-2.

Kilrush will return to Kilkee in two weeks time to face Naomh Eoin in round 2 while Coolmeen will face the Banner in Lissycasey on the same afternoon.

Scorers Kilrush Shamrocks: C Fennell (0-6), M Bonfield (1-2), D O’Brien (1-1), S Fennell (1-0), R Phelan (1-0), J Blunnie (1-0), D O’Driscoll (1-0), K Crowley (0-1), B McKiernan (0-1).

Scorers Coolmeen: M Kennedy (0-1), A Corry (0-1), D Power (0-1).

Kilrush Shamrocks:
1: Stephen Ryan

2: Paudi Browne
3: Ross Cullinan
4: Jimmy Browne

5: Dean Neary
10: Darragh Bolton
7: James Blunnie

8: Conor Fennell
9: Darragh Blunnie

19: Ben McKiernan
11: Sean Fennell
21: Tadhg Lysaght

13: Dylan O’Brien
15: Mark Bonfield
14: Ross Phelan

Subs
20: Don O’Driscoll for D. Bolton (inj. 15)
18: Brian Wallace for Lysaght
17: Keith Crowley for M. Bonfield
12: Jack Flavin for McKiernen
16: Bobby Carey for Ryan

Coolmeen:
1: Adam Carigg

4: David Hehir
6: Rian Meaney
2: Colm McGrath

7: Dylan O’Halloran
5: Brian Markham
12: Jamie Brooks

8: Eoin O’Connor
9: Thomas Coffey

18: Michael Kennedy
15: Cathal O’Connor
10: Joe Corry

14: Aidan Corry
11: Dylan Power
13: Oran Meaney

Subs:
20: Alan Normoyle for C. McGrath
24: Adam Wallace for D. Hehir
17: Tommy Flynn for J. Brooks

Referee: Gary Twomey (Ennistymon)

Jack leads the way for Cooraclare

Cooraclare 2-12
Michael Cusacks 1-11
Venue: Hennessy Park, Miltown Malbay

By Seamus Hayes

A strong performance from full forward Jack Morrissey steered Cooraclare to victory over Michael Cusacks in Group 3 of the Clare IFC.

Morrissey contributed 1-5 of his side’s tally and had a hand in a number of other scores including their opening goal when his effort struck the upright before Sean O’Dea was on hand to direct the ball over the goal line.

That said they were made work all the way by a Domhnall McMahon powered Michael Cusacks. Lining out at centre forward, McMahon, who is a key player with Tubber in the intermediate hurling championship, contributed 0-7 of his side’s tally.

He threatened danger throughout and anytime he won possession he was immediately surrounded by a number of Cooraclare players as they battled to deny him scoring chances.

The winners opening score was a Simon Culligan two pointer which was quickly followed by a goal finished by Sean O’Dea.

Gearoid Lillis. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

McMahon replied with two points before Noel Hynes found the net to give the North Clare side a one point lead.

That lead was short lived as Jack Morrissey, having roamed outfield, won possession and soloed past a number of defenders before drilling the ball low into the corner of the net. The goal helped his side to lead at the break on a score of 2-3 to 1-4.

The teams exchanged pints at the start of the second half and they then exchanged two pointers, courtesy of Morrissey and McMahon. Points were exchanged again leaving the score at 2-6 to 1-8 with ten minutes remaining.

Points from Morrissey and Padraic O’Donoghue stretched Cooraclare’s lead to a goal which was still the margin between the teams inside the final five minutes. A Domhnall McMahon score closed the gap to two and kept the North Clare men in contention but points from Darragh Townsend and Kevin Marrinan sealed victory for Cooraclare for whom goalkeeper Oisin Morrissey made two excellent saves at vital times in the game.

Scorers Cooraclare: J Morrissey (1-5 1TPf), S O’Dea (1-1), S Culligan (0-2 1TP), D Townsend (0-1), R Lillis (0-1), P O’Donoghue (0-1), K Marrinan (0-1).

Scorers Michael Cusacks: D McMahon (0-7 1TP 2f), N Hynes (1-1), T Geoghegan (0-2), C Droney (0-1)

Cooraclare:
1: Oisin Morrissey

2: Gearoid Lillis
3: Sean O’Dea
4: Eoin Murphy

5: Aaron Townsend
6: Pearse Lillis
7: Ciaran Chambers

8: Darragh Townsend
9: Robert Ryan

19: Rory Lillis
11: Simon Culligan
12: Padhraic O’Donoghue

13: Sean Molloy
14: Jack Morrissey
15: Shane O’Connell

Subs:
17: Gary Cunningham for R. Ryan
10: Gabriel Fennell for S. Molloy
20: Tadhg Lillis for R. Lillis
27: Niall Kelly for C. Chambers
21: Kevin Marrinan for S. O’Connell;

Michael Cusacks:
1: John Fawle

2: Padraig Fahy
3: Pappy Taaffe
4: Ruadhri McMahon

18: Joe Clancy
13: Thomas Roche
7: Robert Cassidy

8: Neil O’Loughlin
10: Aidan McNamara

12: Seaghan Brosnan
11: Domhnall McMahon
14: Jack McGann

20: Cathal Droney
15: Tadhg Geoghegan
24: Noel Hynes

Subs:
22: Joey Droney for Brosnan

Referee: Robert Harte (St. Senan’s Kilkee)

Killimer claim first-ever Clare IFC win edging out Ennistymon

Killimer 2-7
Ennistymon 0-11
Venue: Páirc na Muintire, Lissycasey

By Páraic McMahon

Reigning Junior A champions Killimer picked up a historic victory at Ennistymon’s expense and two points which may prove decisive in determining who is battling for survival later in the championship.

Level five times over the hour, Mikey Kelleher’s converted penalty on fifty minutes saw Killimer regain the lead entering the closing stretch which they crucially retained to the death to emerge on top.

In a very tight encounter, the West Clare side started the brighter but the scoreboard didn’t reflect this, Ennistymon then grew into the game only to find themselves tied at the break.

Colm Pyne was lively from the get-go at left wing back for Killimer, he merged forward as an option and a viable shooting target on a handful of occasions, opening the scoring on four minutes while also having a total of four scoring opportunities inside the opening twelve minutes.

It took Ennistymon nineteen minutes to register a score, Niall Canavan fisting over following a move which began all the way in their own full-back line from a Lawrence Healy turnover.

Next it was Joe Casey alongside Healy who would kickstart the move for score number two, he linked up very well with fellow U20 All-Ireland hurling winner Fred Hegarty as did Michael Davenport before Hegarty gave them the lead for the first time on twenty one minutes.

Ex Clare U20 football captain Odhran Cunningham kicked a fine two pointer to see Kilimer regain the lead, Alan Behan working the ball well to tee up the joint captain.

Two points in succession via Louis Griffin and Christy Organ saw Ennistymon go ahead for the second time only for Colm Pyne to equalise before the half-time whistle.

Ennistymon nudged ahead on three different occasions in the third quarter with Paudie Considine on target twice including landing a two pointer, Michael Davenport also managed to split the posts. Cian Corry and Liam Callinan pointed from a free and from play to make sure Killimer were never far away.

Colm Pyne was a constant threat for Killimer. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

David Foran struck for the game’s first goal on forty five minutes, producing a brilliant finish off his left boot after Killimer had made a thundering run from their half-back line.

An impressive response saw Fred Hegarty kick a two pointer to restore Ennistymon’s advantage, making it 0-10 1-6 on forty seven minutes.

Umpires were reaching for the green flag again when Mikey Kelleher calmly converted a penalty after Seán Kelly was fouled by Louis Griffin, shoving Killimer two ahead with ten minutes of normal time remaining.

There was time for Ennistymon to edge their way back, they created five scoring chances but only took one while Killimer kicked another free to run out as the winners.

Having won the Junior A title in 2023 and suffered immediate relegation in the subsequent season, there has been a strong focus in Killimer on preserving their status in the second tier. The two points from round one will go a long way towards assisting in that objective.

Seán Haugh’s side used the ball well, with Odhran Cunningham, Colm Pyne, Seán Kelly and Josh Hassett they have players capable of creating an abundance of chances through smart running. They will need to become more clinical and cannot afford to replicate their sixth missed chances in the first quarter againsty stronger opposition.

Last year, Ennistymon’s second string had to battle relegation and a win in round one would have eased such worries for 2026. All is not lost for them, a victory against Cooraclare in round two is highly unlikely but they are capable of overcoming Michael Cusacks for what will be a defining third round tie, both sides drew last year and nothing will be between them at the end of the month.

Joe Casey, Conor Rynne and Lawrence Healy in the full-back line formed Ennistymon’s strongest sector of the field. Beano Rouine’s side will need more electricity in their attack, they have firepower off the boots of Fred Hegarty and Paudie Considine but efficiency needs to be increased.

Scorers Killimer: D Foran (1-0), M Kelleher (1-0 Pen), C Pyne (0-2), O Cunningham (0-2 1TP), C Corry (0-1 1f), L Callinan (0-1), A Behan (0-1 1f)

Scorers Ennistymon: P Considine (0-3 1TPf), F Hegarty (0-3 1TP), N Canavan (0-2), L Griffin (0-1), C Organ (0-1), M Davenport (0-1)

Killimer:
1: Cian Corry

2: Paul Browne
4: Declan Pyne
24: Daniel Moloney

5: Seán Kelly
6: Josh Hassett
7: Colm Pyne

3: Fiachra McKeoewn
9: Stephen Grogan

10: Mikey Kelleher
11: Odhran Cunningham
12: Luke Callinan

15: Joseph Meehan
14: David Foran
13: Alan Behan

Subs:
19: James Browne for J Hassett (44) (inj)

Ennistymon:
1: Conor Gallagher

2: Conor Rynne
4: Joe Casey
3: Lawrence Healy

23: Louis Griffin
21: Seán Connealy
12: Daniel Brody