CLARE IFC: Clondegad & Cooraclare crash out with Naomh Eoin, Kilrush, Banner & Wolfe Tones through to semi-finals

*Naomh Eoin’s Mark McQuaid and Niall Bonfil celebrate. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

BIG SHOCKS were the order of the Clare intermediate football championship with favourites Clondegad and last year’s finalists Cooraclare both eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Clondegad’s bid to return to senior ranks has been halted again and it was Naomh Eoin yet again who put paid to their efforts to bet back to the top flight.

Facing off in the quarter-finals for the third year running, Kilrush Shamrocks avenged last year’s result to knock out Cooraclare.

It was as expected with Banner proving too strong for Shannon Gaels and Wolfe Tones accounting for Killimer.

In the semi-finals in two weeks time, Wolfe Tones will face Naomh Eoin while Kilrush Shamrocks will take on Banner.

Naomh Eoin dash Clondegad’s hopes again

Naomh Eoin 0-15
Clondegad 0-13
Venue: Captain Michael Tubridy Park, Kilrush

For the third time in three years Naomh Eoin have turned over favourites Clondegad and dumped the Ballynacally outfit out of the Clare IFC.

Not alone were Clondegad favourites to progress to the semi-finals but they were considered by many pundits to be the leading side to lift the Talty Stores Cup. The men from Cross and Kilbaha didn’t pay any attention to those predictions.

A strong first half showing in Kilrush on Sunday afternoon laid the foundation for this latest victory.

With the help of two pointers from Conor Downes, Adan Haugh and Conor Magner, Naomh Eoin went to the break with a six point advantage, 0-9 to 0-3.

They started the second half with a two pointed free by Own Lynch in the first minute and now they held an eight point advantage.

Clondegad stormed back helped by two pointers from Sean McAllister and Colm Meaney and by the three quarter stage they had moved to within a point of their opponents.

An Owen Lynch free at the turn of the final quarter pushed the winners two clear but like scores from substitute Daniel Costello and Eoin Kennedy levelled the tie with ten minutes remaining.

It looked good for Clondegad as this stage but try as they did they failed to take the lead. Owen Lynch and Eoin Kennedy swapped points leaving the teams tied at 0-13 each with six minutes of normal time remaining.

Clondegad had a couple of wides but they were under fierce pressure from their opponents who chased everything.

Owen Lynch put his side back in front when he converted a 30m free with four minutes remaining and he repeated the feat in the 60th minute just as four additional minutes were signalled.

Clondegad were fighting for their championship lives but Naomh Eoin were doing likewise and they contested everything. A Cian McAllister attempt at a two point free to force extra time went agonisingly wide and the final whistle sounded seconds later to the delight of the huge Naomh Eoin following.

It was a huge team effort for the winners with Mark McQuaid, Conor Magner, Conor Downes, Niall Bonfil and Owen Lynch playing key roles.

All photographs by Gerard O’Neill.

Scorers; Naomh Eoin: Owen Lynch (0-9, 1TPf, 3f); Conor Downes (1TP), Adam Haugh (1TP), Conor Magner 1TPf) 0-2 each

Scorers Clondegad: Eoin Kennedy (0-5, 4f); Sean McAllister (1TP), Colm Meaney (1TP), Can Kirby (0-2 each); Daniel Kelly (‘45), Daniel Costelloe (0-1) each

Naomh Eoin;
1: Eoin Daly

3: Mark McQuaid
5: Tomás Bonfil
19: Paddy Donnellan

14: Joseph Roche
12: Conor Downes
7: Adam Haugh

8: Fergal Keane
9: Gavin Magner

22: Fionn Doherty,
15: Owen Lynch,
6: Conor Magner;

21: Odhran Lynch
11: Niall Bonfil
10: Eoin Hanrahan;

Sub:
13: Gearoid Lynch for C. Downes (51)

Clondegad;
1: Daniel Kelly

17: Evan Flynn,
3: Brian Casey,
4: Tadhg Ó hUallacháin

5: Colm Meaney
6: Morgan Garry,
7: Cillian Gavin;

8: Cillian Brennan,
31: Diarmuid O’Neill;

10: Eoin O’Connor
11: Eoin Kennedy
12: Sean McAllister;

13: Cian Kirby,
14: Fiachra Kirby,
15: Cian McAllister;

Subs:
24: Daniel Costelloe for F. Kirby (45);
26: Ryan Jennings for D. O’Neill (61)

Referee: Ian Daly (Newmarket-on-Fergus)

Meenaghan’s goals send Banner on road to semi-final

Banner 3-12
Shannon Gaels 1-11
Venue: Pairc na Muintire, Lissycasey

Two goals from full forward Thomas Meenaghan in the third quarter turned this quarter final tie in Banner’s favour at Lissycasey on Sunday.

Banner wore the favourites tag into this tie but they struggled in the opening half against a Shannon Gaels outfit that failed to turn some good chances into scores.

Just before the half time whistle Darragh Bohannon, playing his first game of the season for the club having recovered from injury, struck for their goal which sent them to the break with a two point advantage, 1-5 to 0-6.

Inside five minutes of the restart Banner had taken the lead thanks to Meenaghan’s first goal which came after Shane Meehan had created the opening.

The Gaels responded with points from Bohannon, Tadhg Kelly and Dylan Kenny to level the tie at 1-8 each as the game neared the three quarter mark.

Then Meenaghan struck again, this time giving the Gaels defence no chance with a powerful shot into the top corner.

Johnny Martyn followed with a point to put them four clear but a two pointed free from Dylan Kenny left just two between the sides with ten minutes remaining.

A minute later the winners put a sweeping move together which ended with Sean McMahon finding the net and he followed with a two pointed free to kill of Shannon Gaels’ hopes of causing an upset.

Cian Ruane, Cian Rynne, Conor Dennehy, Fuwhad Akinwale, Shane Meehan, Sean McMahon and Meenaghan impressed for the winners.

All photographs by Gerard O’Neill.

Conor Dennehy. Photograph: Gerard O'Neill.

Scorers Banner: Sean McMahon (1-7, 1TPf, 2 frees); Thomas Meenaghan (2-0); Johnny Martyn (0-2); Shane Meehan, Conor Dennehy, Sean Hegarty (0-1) each

Scorers Shannon Gaels: Darragh Bohannon (1-3, 0-2f); Dylan Kenny (0-4, 1TPf, 1 free); Julian Linnane (0-2 TP); Tadhg Kelly, Thomas Kelly (0-1) each

Banner;
1: Mark Cleary;

2: Cian Ruane,
3: Cian Rynne,
4: Conor O’Toole;

5: James Coarkey,
6: Eoin Walsh,
7: Conor Dennehy;

8: Fuwhad Akinwale
10: Ronan Kilroy;

20: Johnny Martyn,
11: Shane Meehan,
12: Sean McMahon;

13: Sean Hegarty,
14: Thomas Meenaghan,
15: Cian O’Connor;

Subs:
17: Ben O’Halloran for S. Hegarty;
19: Matthew McGrath for J. Martyn;
18: Liam Hughes for C. O’Connor;
23: Eoin Fitzpatrick for C. Dennehy;

Shannon Gaels;
18: Michael O’Donoghue;

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

10: Colm Downes,
11: Thomas Kelly
8: Tadhg Kelly

6: Jack Reidy
9: Darren Crehan;

15: Thomas Kenny
14: Dylan O’Neill
12: Dylan Kenny;

20: Matthew Reidy,
24: Darragh Bohannon,
7: Julian Linnane

Subs:
19: John Ryan for M. Reidy;
26: Jack Foley for D. O’Neill

Referee: Gary Twomey (Ennstymon)

Leahy’s goal steers Wolfe Tones into semi-final

Wolfe Tones 1-11
Killimer 0-10
Venue: St. Michael’s Park, Kilmihil

Substitute Darragh Leahy’s goal shortly before the end of the third quarter was the crucial score as Wolfe Tones accounted for Killimer the first of this year’s Clare IFC quarter-finals.

A surprise omission from the starting fifteen, Leahy was introduced shortly before half time and finished as top scorer for the Shannon side with 1-3 to his name.

Wolfe Tones played with the aid of the wind in the opening half and at the break they held a four point advantage with the score at 0-6 to 0-2.
With the help of Leahy’s goal they pushed on and led 1-8 to 0-2 by the three quarter stage.

Inspired by Jack Kelleher, Killimer stormed back into contention and they reduced the Shannon side’s lead to two points, 1-9 to 0-10.
The West Clare side then put a good move together to create a goal chance but Colm Pyne’s effort was smothered by the defence and the Shannon outfit went up field and in the remaining time Darragh Leahy landed two points to seal victory and their place in the semi-final.

The win has moved them a step closer to a return to the top grade from which they were relegated last year.

Darragh Leahy tackles Seán Neylon. Photograph: James Downes

Six players shared in the winner’s total and this was one more than their opponents whose tally came from five players.

Scorers Wolfe Tones: Darragh Leahy (1-3); Colin Riordan (0-3), Tadhg Fitzgerald (0-2), Eoghan Casey, Dean Devanney, Kevn Hanley (0-1) each

Scorers Killimer: Jack Kelleher (0-6, 2TPf); Colm Pyne, Liam Culligan, Alan Behan, Mikey Kelleher (0-1) each

Wolfe Tones;
1: Shane Russell;

2: Tan Greene,
3: Jayme O’Sullivan,
4: Robert Cahill

5: Aaron Kelly,
7: Aaron Brennan,
12: Niall Fitzgerald;

8: Daithi Lohan,
9: Damien Lyne

10: Eoghan Casey,
11: Colin Riordan
13: Dean Devanney;

17: Tadhg Fitzgerald
15: Eoghan Gough
20: Kevin Hanley;

Subs:
14: Darragh Leahy for E. Gough (25);
20: Shay Waller for A. Brennan (HT);
24: Jack Ryan for K. Hanley (45)
19: Cody Waller for N. Fitzgerald (55)

Killimer;
1: Cian Corry;

2: Paul Browne,
3: Fiachra McKeown,
4: Declan Pyne;

8: Sean Kelly,
6: Josh Hassett,
7: Colm Pyne;

18: Liam Culligan,
30: Bryan Grogan;

13: Alan Behan,
11: Odhran Cunningham,
12: Luke Callinan;

15: Jack Kelleher,
10: Mikey Kelleher
3: David Foran;

Subs:
20: James Browne for P. Browne (HT)
19: Kevin Hassett for B. Grogan (40)
17: Joseph Meehan for L. Callinan (45)
23: Bobby O’Driscoll for D. Foran (54)

Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)

Second half goals give Kilrush the upperhand

Kilrush Shamrocks 2-13
Cooraclare 0-14
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Park, Doonbeg

When Coraclare extended their half time advantage of a point to four early in the second half, they looked to be on course to repeat their intermediate championship quarter final victory of 2025 over their neighbours and great rivals Kilrush.

In last year’s quarter final, Kilrush were hot favourites having just won the league title, going through that campaign undefeated but Cooraclare dictated matters when they met in the championship to record a merited win on their way to the final.

Early in the second half at Shanahan McNamara park in Doonbeg on Saturday a converted penalty turned the tie in favour of the shamrocks and they pushed on from here to book their place in the semi-final.

Pearse Lillis was penalised for a foul on Mark Bofield in the square and Conor Fennell made no mistake from the resultant free.

Dylan O’Brien takes on Seán Browne. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

The score proved a huge boost for the shamrocks and had the opposite effect on Cooraclare who struggled in many areas from here on.

From there on Kilrush grew stronger and helped by a goal from Ross Phelan they went on to seal victory.

Each side had six players on the scoresheet but the goals by Fennell and Phelan made a huge difference.

In what was a strong team effort, Ben McKiernan and the midfield pairing of Conor Fennell and Darragh Bolton who limited Brian McNamara’s influence on the tie, were impressive.

Scorers Kilrush Shamrocks: Conor Fennell (1-5); Ross Phelan (1-1); Ben McKiernen (0-3); Dylan O’Brien (0-2), Sean Fennell, Tadhg Lysaght (0-1) each;

Scorers Cooraclare: Simon Culligan (0-5); Jack Morrissey (0-4); Brian McNamara (0-2); Micheál Garry, Pearse Lillis, Colin McNamara (0-1) each

Kilrush Shamrocks:

1: Stephen Ryan;

2: Padraig Browne,
3: Ross Cullinan,
5: James Blunnie;

10: Ben McKiernan,
11: Sean Fennell,
15: Dylan O’Brien;

8: Conor Fennell
9: Darragh Bolton;

18: Brian Wallace,
14: Ross Phelan
12: Dean Neary;

13: Mark Bonfield
17: Don O’Driscoll
6: Sean Canny;

Subs:
4: James Blunnie for R. Cullinan;
7: Tadhg Lysaght for D. Neary
20: Jack Flavin for B. Wallace;
21: Matthew Moloney for M. Bonfield;

Cooraclare;
1: Oisin Morrissey;

2: Aaron Townsend
3: Gearoid Lillis
4: Pearse Lillis;

5: Eoin Murphy,
6: Sean O’Dea,
7: Aidan Considine;

8: Padraig O’Donoghue,
9: Brian McNamara;

10: Darragh Townsend
11: Gabriel Fennell
12: Robert Ryan;

13: Simon Culligan,
14: Jack Morrissey,
15: Micheal Garry;

Subs:
22: Sean Browne for R. Ryan;
20: Tadhg Lillis for P.O’Donoghue;
28: Colin McNamara for D. Townsend
30: Damian Burke for J. Morrissey;

Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)

Liscannor’s experienced heads lead the way to maintain intermediate status

Liscannor 0-12
Michael Cusacks 1-8
Venue: Dr Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay

By Páraic McMahon

Liscannor led from start to finish to conserve their status in the second tier while sending Michael Cusacks battling for their intermediate lives where they will face Coolmeen in the relegation decider.

A day after the village of Liscannor honoured Olympian marathon man Pat McMahon, their footballers went the extra mile to overcome Michael Cusacks in a North Clare relegation derby.

Without a win in all three of their previous four outings, both sides came into the tie shy on confidence but determined to prevail. Wet and wild conditions in Miltown Malbay made it difficult for spectators to make out respective players never mind the challenges faced by the players on the field as they battled the wind, rain and fog.

Even though Michael Cusacks had a draw to their name before the ball was thrown in on Friday evening, they were the team on the backfoot with Liscannor kicking into the Miltown end.

Ex Clare captain Alan Clohessy was on target with three two pointers in the opening half, wing back Francesco Bonito opening the scoring on six minutes with a two pointer.

Thomas Roche struck for goal for Cusacks on thirteen minutes in what was the Carron club’s second goal chance but first time beating netminder John Kerin. Liscannor replied with white flags from Cian Guerin and a Clohessy free, two of his two pointers arrived either side of scores from Aidan McNamara and Tadhg Geoghegan leaving it 0-10 1-3 in favour of Liscannor at the break.

With the aid of the elements, Michael Cusacks hit the first two scores, five minutes from the restart, both via Domhnall McMahon, one of these a two pointer from play.

Clohessy steadied Liscannor with a point from play on forty minutes but the activity was all at the other end. Goalkeeper John Kerin first saved from Domhnall McMahon before saving a penalty.

Daithí Fitzgerald kicked Liscannor’s second and final score of the second half before Cusacks cut the gap to the minimum with points from Tadhg Geoghegan and Domhnall McMahon.

They had more than enough chances to land an equaliser, if not a winner with two subsequent McMahon placed balls drifting wide of the mark to see Liscannor leave with their status intact.

Seven missed chances in the second half proved costly for Cusacks, the absence of Seán McNamara, Joey Droney and Oisin McNamara also weakened their cause but they must circle the wagons to ensure they don’t drop down to the Junior A grade which they won in 2024.

Led by the experienced trio of Alan Clohessy, Dara Blake and John Kerin, Liscannor also had big displays from Seán McDonagh, Darren Nagle and Joe Hanrahan. It is the second year in a row that Liscannor have survived in a relegation semi-final, the focus for Martin Guerin and his management will be securing wins in the group stages to avoid such a battle next season.

Gallery of photographs by Burren Eye Photography