Photograph: Mark Hayes
CLONDEGAD AND the Banner will contest the U21B football championship final following their victories over Lissycasey and Kilmurry-Ibrickane respectively on Sunday afternoon.
Both games were well contested with little between them throughout. The only goal of the game proved decisive in Clondegad’s one point success over Lissycasey while two first half goals helped steer the Banner, without the injured Shane Meehan to victory over Kilmurry Ibrickane
Gavin’s goal swings tie in Clondegad’s favour
Clondegad 1-12
Lissycasey 0-14
Venue: Cooraclare
The outcome of this tie at Cooraclare went down to the wire with the lead changing hands on a few occasions.
Lissycasey led by the minimum at half time when the score was 0-7 to 0-6 but Clondegad had missed a few chances and would not have been flattered if they were a few in front at this stage.
Exchanges continued to be evenly fought in the second half with Lissycasey edging two points clear ten minutes into the half.
The game’s only goal helped Clondegad to take the lead, Mossy Gavin’s effort taking a deflection on the way to the net.
Lissycasey fought back to level but Clondegad’s greater hunger for victory won the day. Amongst the point scorers for the winners were Fiachra Kirby, Daniel Kelly and Gavin in a tie in which Niall Carigg, Cormac Reidy and the Kirby twins impressed.
Shane Culligan and Darren Keane were the chief scorers for Lissycasey
Clondegad: Jonathan O’Donoghue; Niall Carigg, Brian Longe, Evan Wall; Killian Gavin, Cormac Reidy, Evan Flynn; Eoin Gavin, Diarmuid O’Neill.; Cian Kirby, Daniel Kelly, Patrick Sweeney; Fiachra Kirby, Mossy Gavin, Dara Coote;
Subs: Colm Meaney for Coote; Charlie Whelan for C. Kirby; David Meaney for F. Kirby.
Lissycasey; Thomas Collins; Dara Killeen, Ian Griffin, Michael Meaney; Colin O’Shea, Michael Madigan, Kevin Shivers; Ronan O’Callaghan, Jack Cahill; Fionn Cotter, Harry Keane, Darren Keane; Shane Culligan, Shane Griffin, Conor Meaney;
Subs: Luke Griffin for H. Keane; Dara Hill for O’Shea
Referee: Martin Downes (Naomh Eoin)
Brilliant start stands to Banner
Banner 3-10
Kilmurry-Ibrickane 1-12
Venue: Pairc Finne, Corofin
Banner got off to a great start in this tie at Corofin with a goal in the early minutes and they quickly added a second which helped them to lead 2-2 to 0-7 at the interval.
The first half goals came from Matthew McGrath and Thomas Meeneghan. Shortly after the resumption of play, Kilmurry Ibrickane levelled but Banner hit back for their third goal which came from Matthew McGrath and this score helped them to open a four point lead.
Kilmurry hit back with a Joe Cambell goal to move to within a point of their opponents but the Banner finished strongly to record a merited win.
Banner: Mark Cleary; Ronan Marron, Niall Walsh, Dylan Mooney; Justin McGrath, Aron Kelly, Conor Dennehy; Fuwhad Akinwale, Thomas Meeneghan; Kevin Toner, Oisin McMahon, Mufana Flynn; Cian Cullinan, Matthew McGrath, Sean McMahon;
Subs: William Belo for Cullinan; Brian Moloney for M. McGrath;
Kilmurry Ibrickane: Thomas Sexton; Matt Campbell, Diarmuid Comber, Shay Gleeson; Colin Considine, Josh Moloney, Conor Kearney; Michael Comber, Oisin Sexton; Oisin Mescall, Damian Lynch, Tom Flaherty; Jason Cussen, Joe Cambell, Cathal Talty.
Subs: Michael Montgomery for Mescall, Ciaran Hanrahan for M. Campbell
Referee: Kieran Harvey (Ennistymon)
