*Clarecastle’s Conor Halpin gets away from Bodyke defender, Cian Minogue. Photograph: Chris Copley
EIGHT of the ten teams in the Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship (PIHC) remain in the hunt for honours in the second tier.
Whitegate are guaranteed to be in the knockout stages, their final position will dictate whether they advance directly to a semi-final or end up competing in the quarter-finals.
Sixmilebridge and Smith O’Briens are out of contention. The Killaloe side will finish bottom of Group 2 consigning them to a relegation battle while Sixmilebridge need to beat Corofin on Tuesday in round four and hope the North Clare side lose to Whitegate in the final round to avoid having to fight for their status.
Going into the final round of games next weekend, eight of the ten teams remain in the hunt for the Paddy Browne Cup.
In Group 1, Whitegate take on Corofin at Sixmilebridge while Tubber face Parteen/Meelick at Shannon, both games commencing at 13:00 on Sunday.
In Group 2 Clarecastle face Ruan at Inagh while Bodyke will be up against Smith O’Briens at Broadford. 15:00 is the throw-in time on Sunday for these ties.
Hayes strikes later to keep Whitegate’s unbeaten run in tack
Whitegate 1-18
Parteen/Meelick 0-21
Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla
When Whitegate and Parteen/Meelick sit down to review their PIHC game played on Sunday they will wonder how each of them had a spell of dominance and a spell when they were well outplayed.
Whitegate dominated the opening quarter at the end of which they led 0-8 to 0-1.
The third quarter was dominated by Parteen/Meelick who outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-1 in this period.
The fact that the game ended in a draw was probably a fair outcome but Parteen/Meelick are likely to be the more disappointed as they held a four point advantage when three additional minutes were signalled.
To their credit, Whitegate refused to give up hope and with the second past puck of the game Ronan Hayes found the net to rescue a share of the spoils for his side and keep their unbeaten record in this championship in tact.
It was all Whitegate in the opening quarter when Eoin Quirke, playing a sweeper’s role, dictated matters.
The decision of the Parteen/Meelick management to move Clare senior hurling panellist Jack Kirwan to the full forward line proved decisive and he caused huge problems for Whitegate and helped his side to shoot five unanswered points in the last six minutes of the half to leave just two between the sides at the break when the score was 0-11 to 0-9. Shortly before the half time whistle, Whitegate lost Conor Whelan to injury.
Clearly there was a pep in the step of the Parteen/Meelick players as they headed to the dressing room for the half time break and they returned in determined form and this was reflected in their play as they shot the opening four points of the new half.
After Mikey Bogenberger had got Whitegate’s first point of the new half, Parteen/Meelick landed three more without reply and they led 0-16 to 0-12 at the three quarter stage.
It was score for score after this but Parteen/Meelick looked to be on the road to victory when they led 0-21 to 0-17 as the game went into ‘injury time’.
Jake Gibbons converted a ‘65 to keep his side in the hunt but he then failed to connect to a cross from Hayes with the goal beckoning. They weren’t to be denied however and Hayes found the net seconds later to rescue a point and keep his side top of the group.
Scorers Whitegate: Ronan Hayes (1-3); Jake Gibbons (0-4, 1f, 1’65); Mikey Bogenberger (0-3); Eoin Quirke, Finn Madden (0-2) each; Michael Heffernan, Conor Whelan (free), Ciaran Keenan, Kalum Fahy (0-1) each
Scorers Parteen/Meelick:” Jack Kirwan (0-6, 4f, 1’ 65); Dara Nolan (0-4), Gavin Marshall (0-3), Daniel Cooney, Joe O’Connor, Andrew Cleary (0-2) each; Dylan O’Connell, Tom Collins (0-1) each
Whitegate
1: Andrew Fahey;
2: Dylan White,
3: Conor McDermott,
4: Michael Heffernan;
5: Ian Fahy,
6: Eoin Quirke,
17: Kalum Fahy;
20: Eoghan Quinn,
9: Ciaran Keenan;
10: Conor Whelan,
11: Finn Madden
12: Jake Gibbons;
13: Mikey Bpogenberger,
26: Ronan Hayes
15: Harry Bogenberger;
Subs:
8: Danny Hynes for C. Whelan (inj. 28);
7: Liam Murray for E. Quinn (half time);
19; Colm Madden for D. Whyte (47)
Parteen/Meelick:
16: Colm O’Connell;
2: Dylan O’Connell,
3: Sean Connolly,
4: Donal Kenny;
6: Damian Moloney,
8: Darragh McDermott,
7: Shane Fox;
12: Jack Kirwan
9: Mark McDermott;
13: Andrew Cleary,
23: Tom Collins,
10: Daniel Cooney;
11: Dara Nolan,
14: Joe O’Connor,
15: Gavin Marshall
Referee: Brendan Hannon (O’Callaghans Mills)
Ruan win at the death & leave Tulla on tenterhooks
Ruan 2-22
Tulla 3-18
Venue: Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus
By Páraic McMahon
Ruan have left Tulla’s championship hopes hanging by a thread following a nail-biting encounter in Newmarket-on-Fergus.
For the second year running, Ruan defeated Tulla with the last puck of the game. It was a Shane Punch free at the death in the 2025 quarter-final while this time round it was a less likely suspect with full-back Patrick O’Gorman stepping up with a monster strike, over seventy yards out from close to the sideline.
With a bye in the final round, Tulla are now dependent on other results to prolong their season. They need Ruan to defeat Clarecastle in the final round and Bodyke to overcome Smith O’Briens, a series of results which would see them prevail to the quarter-finals at Clarecastle’s expense due to their first round win over the Magpies.
Yet again it was a Ruan versus Tulla meeting with so many ups and downs. There was a host of different acts to this one where Tulla once again put their split personality type performance on full view, the inconsistency which has gripped the club in recent seasons reared its head, they powered eight points clear by the end of the first quarter but failed to score for the final eleven minutes of the opening half to trail by one at the interval.
Down by six entering additional time, Tulla produced a big kick with two injury time goals by Seán Withycombe which looked to have rescued them a draw only to be caught in the dying seconds by Ruan once again.
Not for the first time this season, Ruan’s battling qualtiies came to the fore. Ironically it was back to the scene of the crime as Fr Murphy Memorial Park witnessed their comeback in the Division 3 league final where led by Aidan Lynch they came from four points down late in the game to win 0-19 1-15.
This time round it was Robin Mounsey who drove them over the line, he hit fifteen points over the hour, six in the opening half and nine in the second, seven of his total from play. The Clare panelist managed to get himself in the right position so easily and his selfless teammates made sure to pick him and he knew what to do when given the chance. Mounsey also took over the freetaking responsibilities following some uncharacteristic misses from Lynch in the opening half.
With ten minutes on the clock, Tulla had 1-5 on the board. Daragh Corry pounced for goal after a Ryan Hayes dropping shot was batted in his direction by Ruan custodian Keelan Mounsey. The East Clare men scored 1-5 in a row in their thundering start and by the sixteenth minute they held a 1-7 0-2 advantage.
Frankie Lyons with a well-taken goal on seventeen minutes gave Ruan a timely lift as they began to get into their rhythm. Seán Withycombe’s nineteenth minute point was Tulla’s last score of the opening half with Ruan clocking over seven points on the trot to go in front for the first time by the half-time whistle, leading 1-10 1-9, their last three scores were placed balls from Mounsey.
Scores were exchanged twice on the restart before Tulla fired an unanswered two points via Emmet Mulcahy and Ryan Hayes to regain a two point lead.
As the final quarter commenced, Ruan fired 1-6 without reply to gain control in the defining period of the game. Aidan Lynch expertly flicked to the net for their second major on fifty three minutes to leave Leon Quirke’s side in the driving seat and ahead by six points.
There was another kick in Tulla and Harty Cup winner Seán Withycombe stood up at the death 2-2, finishing superbly with his two green flags to put them back on level terms.
Frustratingly for Tulla they still found a way to lose while providing elation for Ruan was their tough full-back Patrick O’Gorman who stepped up with his most valuable score for the club to give them a major push towards reaching the semi-finals for the fourth year running.
In what was a brilliant response to their loss to Bodyke, Ruan have reignited their Paddy Browne bid and head into the final round knowing a win over Clarecastle could eliminate one of the favourites for honours. Robin Mounsey excelled for Ruan with Ashley Brohan, Frankie Lyons, Ryan Power and Patrick O’Gorman also prominent for the winners.
A waiting game commences for Tulla, they sit out the final round and their fate is in the hands of others. They were exposed in certain areas of defence while the positioning of David McInerney where he dropped deeper from the half-back line had the unintended consequence of limiting his involvement in the game. If Ruan do them a favour, they could still have a big part to play in the Clare PIHC but consistency remains their achilles heel. Cathal Culloo, Seán Withycombe and Daragh Corry stood out for the East Clare side.
Scorers Ruan: R Mounsey (0-15 7f 1’65), F Lyons (1-1), A Lynch (1-0), S Punch (0-2), R Power (0-1), P O’Halloran (0-1), J McDonagh (0-1), P O’Gorman (0-1).
Scorers Tulla: S Withycombe (2-5 4f), E Mulcahy (0-5 3f), D Corry (1-1), R Molloy (0-3 1f), W Halpin (0-2), R Hayes (0-2).
Ruan:
1: Keelan Mounsey
5: Jason Power
3: Patrick O’Gorman
4: Ashley Brohan
7: Piaras Ó Sé
6: James Cullinan
18: Jamie Ryan
9: Darragh McInerney
8: Ryan Power
10: Patrick O’Halloran
14: Aidan Lynch
12: Shane Punch
13: Jack McDonagh
11: Robin Mounsey
15: Frankie Lyons
Subs:
27: Diarmuid Hastings for Ó Sé (45)
17: Christian Cummins for O’Halloran (50)
30: Brian Roughan for Ryan (58)
Tulla:
1: Daniel Vaughan
29: Fearghal Kearney
3: Kevan Conlan
4: Dara Ryan
5: Ryan Hayes
6: David McInerney
7: Padraic Mulconroy
8: Cathal Culloo
13: Ronan Molloy
9: Dan Withycombe
25: Seán Withycombe
12: William Halpin
14: Colin Corbett
11: Daragh Corry
15: Emmet Mulcahy
Subs:
10: Éanna Culloo for Kearney (23) (inj)
18: Andrew Conheady for Corbett (HT)
Referee: Eoghan O’Leary (Whitegate)
Magpies fly back into contention
Clarecastle 2-21
Bodyke 1-15
Venue: Paire Micheal O h-Eithir, Cratloe
Having lost their opening game in the campaign, Clarecastle knew that a win was required when they faced unbeaten Bodyke on Sunday .
While they deservingly captured the points a nine point winning margin is a little flattering in a tie in which their second goal came in ‘injury time’.
Seanie Doyle opened the scoring for Bodyke but Clarecastle’s response was strong as they hit 1-2 without reply in a four minute spell, the goal coming from Conor Ralph.
Paddy Fitzgerald supplied the finish for a Bodyke goal a few minutes later and by the twenty fifth minute the teams were tied up at 1-7 each.
After points were exchanged, the Magpies hit three in a row to lead 1-11 to 1-8 at the interval.
Points were exchanged twice in the opening minutes of the new half before points from Ian Murray and Seanie Doyle left the score at 1-13 to 1-12 in Clarecastle’s favour ten minutes into the second half.
Clarecastle followed with three in a row and after a Fionn Slattery reply for the East Clare men, the Magpies hit four unanswered points to lead 1-20 to 1-13 with five minutes remaining.
Points from Seanie Doyle and Ian Murray kept Bodyke hopes alive but the magpies finished strongly and Evan Price’s goal killed off all Bodyke hopes of victory.
With the game in injury time Bodyke were reduced to fourteen men when Seanie Doyle picked up a second yellow card.
The winner’s defence was strong throughout and limited their opponents scoring opportunities. Stephen O’Halloran was strong at full back while Darragh Healy and Conor Whelan were also prominent in this section.
Team captain Colin Brigdale, Cian Galvin, Harry Doherty and Conor Halpin were others to impress.
For Bodyke, Cian Minogue, Kevin Drost, Seán Óg Kilkenny, Ian Murray and Seanie Doyle were prominent
Scorers; Clarecastle: Conor Halpin, Paul O’Connell (2 frees), Harry Doherty (0-4) each; Conor Ralph (1-1); Cian Galvin (0-3, 2f); Evan Price (1-0); Rory O’Connell (0-2); Conor Whelan, Darragh Healy, Colin Brigdale (0-1) each
Scorers Bodyke: Seanie Doyle (0-9, 5 frees, 1 ‘65); Paddy Fitzgerald (1-1); Ian Murray, Fionn Slattery (0-2) each; Cathal Doyle (0-1)
Clarecastle:
1: Cian Broderick;
2: Filip Wiecheinski
3: Stephen O’Halloran,
8: Aaron Hayes;
15: Conor Whelan,
5: Darragh Healy,
7: Eoghan Wallace;
12: Colin Brigdale,
6: Cian Galvin;
11: Harry Doherty,
25: James Doherty
10: Rory O’Connell;
13: Conor Halpin
26: Conor Ralph,
14: Paul O’Connell;
Subs:
18; Jack Murphy for F. Wiechinski (half time)
9: Evan Price for J. Doherty (42);
19: Lee Brack for R. O’Connell (54);
23: Oisin Whelan for C. Ralph (58)
17: Niall Galvin for P. O’Connell (61)
Bodyke;
1: Cormac Doyle;
2: Seán Óg Kilkenny,
3: Éanna doyle
4: Tommy Wiley;
5: Kevin Drost,
6: Cian Minogue,
7: Sean Wiley;
9: Tiernan Slattery,
17: Cathal Doyle;
14: Sean Browne,
15: Fionn Slattery,
11: Cathal McKenna;
12: Ian Murray,
13: Paddy Fitzgerald
18: Seanie Doyle
Subs:
24: Tommy Minogue for E. Doyle (half time);
8: Ciaran Hickey for C. McKenna (50_;
10: Michael O’Brien for S. Browne (55)
Referee; Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)
Gallery of photographs by Chris Copley
