More minor glory for Ennistymon with Hogan’s hat-trick seeing them defeat Cratloe

*Ennistymon minor footballers celebrate. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

A SECOND half hat-trick from Dara Hogan was a major factor in ensuring minor glory for Ennistymon’s footballers.

Ennistymon 5-6
Cratloe 1-12
Venue: Páirc na Muintire, Lissycasey

U16B champions last year, Ennistymon went up a level in terms of their grade and performance to claim the U17A title at the expense of Cratloe on Saturday afternoon.

This was the second meeting of the sides in the U17 Tubridy’s Bar and Restaurant championship, Cratloe prevailed by ten points in the opening round with Ennistymon putting their lessons into practice to complete a sixteen point turnaround and go unbeaten from round one.

Minor champions for the first time since 2023, the win marks a fourth title win at this level for Ennistymon in seven seasons. Remarkably they also scored five goals in their last minor final when overcoming Cooraclare 5-7 0-8.

In what was the 480th underage football game played in Clare in 2026, the minor decider was evenly matched throughout, the six point final margin may flatter Ennistymon somewhat, considering the teams were tied entering the last quarter but they were worthy winners.

Throughout Ennistymon led and goals were ultimately the difference. Ryan Brody’s green flag was the first score of the game while Darragh Seery had a brilliant top corner finish on nineteen minutes with Ollie Sherlock landing a two pointer at the other end in between the majors.

Sherlock raised three orange flags in the opening half bringing them to within two points until Ennistymon goalkeeper Conor Griffin kicked over a two pointer before the break to make it 2-4 0-6.

Three points from Sherlock including a two pointer reduced the deficit to the minimum on thirty seven minutes with Seán O’Gorman equalising.

Needing a response, Ennistymon duly delivered and corner forward Dara Hogan collected a hat-trick within the space of twelve minutes, the first two in quick succession over a four minute spell.

Tom Hegarty made the long run forward to tee up Hogan for his first. It was the soccer skills from Hogan that came to bear for his second when flicking the ball before kicking to the net, the move made by a turnover from Tadhg Hasett and Nathan Ahern driving forward.

Seán O’Gorman responded with a goal off his left boot to make it a three point game but Ennistymon hit back via Hogan once again to finish their fifth goal. They could have raided for a sixth but Hegarty’s effort boomed off the crossbar.

Griffin sealed the win with his second two pointer approaching additional time with Ian O’Brien leading the line for Cratloe in attack to kick two white flags before Declan Coyne sounded the final whistle.

Though championship glory was the aim for Cratloe, the bigger picture is that they unearthed footballers capable of representing the club at senior level which is vital considering the impending retirements from some of their greatest servants over the coming seasons. Rian O’Donoghue, Ollie Sherlock and Ian O’Brien were the fires up front that Ennistymon needed to put out.

Defensively Ennistymon did their best to curb those threats while at the other end, the Cratloe back line were unable to cope with their opponents when space and pace came to the fore.

Not used to scoring six points and still prevailing, Ennistymon’s killer instinct in going for goal was central to their success. James Brody’s side had strong showings from Jack Lavin, Tom Hegarty, Conor Griffin, Dara Hogan, Ryan Brody and Tadhg Hassett.

Of the last Ennistymon side to win the Minor A in 2023, only four of them have gone to play senior championship, namely Gearoid Barry, Conor Rynne, Daniel Brody and Joe Concannon. The class of 2026 have physicality and firepower that can see challenge to beat that number in the next four years.

Following the game, Coiste na nÓg Peil Cathaoirleach Joe Considine joined by members of the Liddane family presented the Michael Liddane Cup to victorious captain Aidan Hogan.

Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill