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*Mikey O’Neill kicked two points for Lissycasey. Photograph: John Meyler
Lissycasey have advanced to the Clare senior football championship (SFC) quarter-finals for the first time since 2016 following a convincing seven point win over Corofin on Saturday.
Lissycasey 1-16
Corofin 0-12
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
In a repeat pairing of last year’s third round clash where Corofin prevailed by three points, Lissycasey were by far the more clinical and focused outfit this time round as they recorded their first championship win of the year.
It took Corofin twenty three minutes to register a score by which Lissycasey had five points on the board. However the North Clare side would finish with three of the final four scores to put a somewhat inaccurate reflection on the game based on the half time score which left just four points between the sides.
There was a bit more zip in proceedings on the restart with four points in as many minutes, two for each side. Minor Robin Mounsey reduced the deficit to three points on thirty six minutes but it would be the closest Corofin would get to their opponents.
Roy Griffin was fouled and a penalty was awarded to Lissycasey which Conor Finucane converted to the net killing off the game as a contest on forty three minutes. Bobby Kelly’s charges continued to keep the scoreboard ticking through Mikey O’Neill, Finucane and goalkeeper Killian Normoyle as Corofin knew at this stage the game was well and truly up.
Their cause was not helped by the decision to leave star man Jamie Malone in the full-forward line for the entire opening half, his presence in the half-forward line made an immediate impact, if he is to be left in the inside line the supply of ball must be constant and in this tie it was not. An improved approach and performance is required by the 2015 intermediate champions to avoid dropping down. For Colm Clancy’s side, Damien O’Loughlin, Sean O’Brien and Robin Mounsey did best.
Although it’s very much job done, Lissycasey will know a repeat display won’t suffice in the knockout stages. Against better quality opposition, their first half finish will be punished. However the elimination of the Kilmaley hurlers will assist their cause with more panellists racking up more hours on the football field. Paraic McNamara, Aaron Griffin and Mikey O’Neill did well for the winners.
Scorers Lissycasey: C Finucane (1-03 1’Pen), N Kelly (0-04 3f), M O’Neill (0-02), K Normoyle (0-02 2f), P McNamara (0-01), C Meaney (0-01), A Griffin (0-01), E Finucane (0-01), Roy Griffin (0-01).
Scorers Corofin: R Mounsey (0-03), S O’Brien (0-03), J Malone (0-03 1f), S Malone (0-01 1f), D O’Loughlin (0-01), F Clancy (0-01)
Lissycasey: Killian Normoyle; Gerry Moran, Ryan Griffin, Paraic McNamara; Cyril Sheehan, Enda Finucane, Cian Meaney; Niall McCarthy, Matt O’Shea; Mikey O’Neill, Niall Kelly, Aaron Griffin; Enda Meaney, Conor Finucane, Francie Hayes.
Subs: Seamus Collins for Sheehan (HT), Roy Griffin for Kelly (37) (Inj), Oisin Hanrahan for E Meaney (37), Paul Nagle for C Meaney (54), Sean Hayes for Hayes (57), Martin Moran for Moran (58).
Corofin: Eoin Fitzgerald; John Rees, Damien O’Loughlin, Brendan Keane; Fergus Killeen, Fionn Clancy, Shay Malone; Luke O’Loughlin, Cilléin Mullins; John Keane, Eoin Clancy, Cillian Clancy; Eoin Davoren, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Malone.
Subs: Robin Mounsey for Davoren (23), Colm Rice for C Clancy (HT), Diarmuid Cleary for Killeen (55), John O’Reilly for L O’Loughlin (58).
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
