*Daragh Corry of Tulla takes on Clarecastle duo Harry Doherty and Eoghan Wallace. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
TULLA, Tubber, Whitegate and Ruan are off the mark with wins in the opening round of the Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship (PIHC).
Games in the first round of the Clare PIHC were held across Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Tulla took down competition favourites Clarecastle with Ruan proving too strong for last year’s Clare IHC champions Smith O’Briens in Group 2.
Group 1 saw Whitegate just about edge out Sixmilebridge while 2024 finalists Tubber overcame Corofin who are back in the second tier following their relegation from the senior ranks last season.
Parteen/Meelick and Bodyke had byes from Groups 1 and 2 respectively this weekend but were interested spectators at some of the weekend’s action.
Whitegate weather Sixmilebridge scare
Whitegate 2-19
Sixmilebridge 3-14
Venue: The Evicted Field, Bodyke
By Páraic McMahon
Whitegate came from six points down entering the final quarter to defeat Sixmilebridge to win by three on Sunday afternoon, joining Tubber at the top of Group 1 in the Clare PIHC.
Their nine point turnaround sees them collect a valuable victory, it is the first time winning an opening round tie since dropping down to the second tier. Though they had been used to losing first round games, this one would have been a major setback ahead of their next outing against Tubber.
It was in the final quarter where they claimed the spoils, limiting Sixmilebridge to 1-2 and hitting 2-4 of their own. Among their scoring contribution was a spell of 1-2 without reply in a three minute spell to go ahead and the momentum powered them across the finish line.
Joint captain, Eoin Quirke had their first green flag, storming forward from centre back before meshing together a combination of passes with Mikey Bogenberger and then striking home from a tight angle.
Chief marksman Conor Whelan struck for their second goal on fifty four minutes, finishing a 21m free to the net. The free was conceded at the other end of the field but was brought forward by referee Jarlath Donnellan for dissent in what proved to be a costly airing of opinions from the Sixmilebridge attack.
Straight from the puckout, Mikey Bogenberger plucked the sliotar from the sky and landed it between the posts which saw Whitegate take the ascendancy for the first time in forty one minutes.
Points from Harry Bogenberger and Colm Madden which saw the 2005 Harty Cup winner with St Flannan’s College raise his fist in celebration would secure the win for Niall Hayes’ charges.
Such an outcome didn’t appear to be on the cards for large stages with Sixmilebridge looking composed and on course to victory. Lining out with five-time Clare SHC winner, Derek Fahy between the posts, they were 2-8 0-9 in front by the interval, Fahy landing 0-2 including a point from play in the opening half.
Ronan Tuohy bagged both of the majors in the first half for Sixmilebridge, the first appeared to have caught Donal Burke by surprise while the second stemmed from a Colm Flynn turnover which sent Tuohy on his way. A calf injury sidelined the experienced Andrew Fahey but Burke was a calm figure when the pressure mounted.
That Sixmilebridge’s second team were within moments of defeating Whitegate shows their strength as a club. They memorably defeated Clarecastle in the grade last season but are setting the example for all hurling clubs in the county as to the level their second team needs to aspire to be at. They are more than capable of taking a scalp in Group 1 but let the opportunity of doing so slip through their grasp on this occasion. Jack O’Halloran better known for his exploits with Bridge Utd showcased his man-marking abilities while Cathal Lynch, Caimin Morey, Colm Flynn and Callum Phelan also impressed.
Coming down from six points in arrears to emerge victorious will give Whitegate a huge boost to kick off their campaign. A defeat would have derailed their plans of making successive semi-finals but they packed a strong finish when the need was greatest. They received a big impact from the bench, notably Eoghan Quinn and Colm Madden while standout performers over the hour included Conor Whelan, Conor McDermott ,Jake Gibbons and Ian Fahy.
Scorers Whitegate: C Whelan (1-11 1-7f 1SC), E Quirke (1-1), J Gibbons (0-2), M Bogenberger (0-2), I Fahy (0-1), H Bogenberger (0-1), C Madden (0-1)
Scorers Sixmilebridge: R Tuohy (2-0), C Murphy (0-5 4f), C Phelan (1-1), C Lynch (0-3 2f), D Fahy (0-3 2f), M Mullins (0-1), D Casey (0-1),
Whitegate:
16: Donal Burke
3: Conor McDermott
2: Dylan White
4: Michael Heffernan
5: Ian Fahy
6: Eoin Quirke
17: Kalum Fahy
9: Ciaran Keenan
8: Daniel Hynes
12: Jake Gibbons
13: Mikey Bogenberger
11: Finn Madden
15: Harry Bogenberger
10: Conor Whelan
14: Cian McDermott
Subs:
19: Colm Madden for F Madden (31)
18: Daniel Tuohy for Heffernan (44)
20: Eoghan Quinn for Hynes (44)
26: Ronan Hayes for Cian McDermott (48)
7: Liam Murray for M Bogenberger (57)
Sixmilebridge:
1: Derek Fahy
4: Adam Breen
8: Jack O’Halloran
2: Colm Flynn
7: Oisin Breen
6: Caimin Morey
5: Mark Mullins
9: Cillian Murphy
3: Brian Carey
10: Callum Phelan
11: Cathal Lynch
13: Seamus O’Connell
17: Dara Casey
14: Luke Keogh
15: Ronan Tuohy
Subs:
18: Stephen Gavin for O’Connell (26)
22: Dylan Keogh for Mullins (48)
19: Rory Chaplin for Carey (50)
20: Fionn Hayes for L Keogh (59)
Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)
Gallery of photographs by Ruthie Griffin
Ronan Monahan’s goal proves crucial for Tubber
Tubber 1-16
Corofin 0-18
Venue; Clarecastle
By Seamus Hayes
Tubber got their challenge for Clare PIHC honours off to a winning start on Friday night but not without surviving a stern test from Corofin in the Burren derby.
In a game in which the lead changed hands on a number of occasions, the only goal proved decisive. It came from corner back Ronan Monahan who turned in a tremendous performance throughout the tie.
The goal helped his side to lead by two points at the break when the score was 1-8 to 0-9.
Both sides were missing key players due to injury with the winners lining out without Clare senior panellist Senan Dunford.
Injury also kept Diarmuid Cahill out of the Corofin side and his absence was a huge blow to his side.
Corofin did have a chance to draw the game near the end when they were awarded a very difficult free from near the sideline from which their top scorer Gearoid Kelly was unlucky not to find the target.
Inter county man Conor Leen at centre back and the midfield pairing of Gearoid Cahill and Gearoid Kelly caused a lot of problems for Tubber
In addition to Monahan, Tubber had strong performances from Joe Clancy Patrick O’Connor, Clive Earley, Domhnall McMahon and Macauley Brennan.
In round 2, Tubber will play Whitegate while Corofin will have a bye.
Scorers; Tubber; Domhnall McMahon (0-4, 2f); Ronan Monahan (1-0); Cathal Droney, Clive Earley (0-3), each; Ronan Taaffe (free), Joe Clancy, Patrick O’Connor, Padaig Kelly, Osgar Dunford, Cathal McNamara (0-1) each
Scorers Corofin; Gearóid Kelly 0-9, 7f, 1 65 ; Gearóid Cahill 0-5; James Organ 0-2; Gearóid Hanrahan, Cian Doolin (0-1), each
Tubber;
1: Ronan Taaffe;
5: Ronan Monahan,
3: Pappy Taaffe,
2: Fergal O’Grady;
10: Lorcan O’Grady,
6: Patrick O’Connor,
7: Joe Clancy;
8: Padraig Kelly
13: Osgar Dunford;
15: Cathal Droney,
11: Aidan McNamara
19: Macauley Brennan;
9: Clive Earley
14: Domhnall McMahon,
12: Cathal McNamara
Subs:
24: Blaine Earley for M. Brennan
18: Joey Droney for C. McNamara;
Corofin;
16: Oisín Tierney;
19: Cian O’Loughlin,
3: Fionn Clancy,
4: Marc O’Loughlin;
5: Cillian McGroary
6: Conor Leen
7: Eoin Davoren
8: Gearóid Cahill
9: Gearóid Kelly
10: Kevin Keane
17: Cian Doolin
12: James Organ
13: Seanán Kirby
14: Micheál Duffy
15: Gearóid Hanrahan
Referee: Brendan Hannon (O’Callaghans Mills)
Tulla take down Clarecastle
Tulla 3-20
Clarecastle 1-21
Venue: Gurteen
By Páraic McMahon
A storming second half where Tulla outscored Clarecastle 3-13 0-9 kicked off the celebrations on a jubilant weekend for the East Clare club.
DJ Jenny Greene was among the headline acts in Dr Daly Park for Tulla Fest, the now annual fundraiser for the GAA club but it was Brian Quinn’s men who ensured the festivities began in high spirits.
Quinn joined on the sideline by coach Colin Lynch faced off with fellow All-Ireland winners from the 1990s, Ger O’Loughlin, Anthony Daly and Stephen Sheedy.
Trailing by eight points at half time, Tulla were fortunate not to be further behind. Clarecastle deserved their interval advantage but should have had a greater lead, they had eight wides in the first half, all of which were in the opening eighteen minutes.
Clarecastle went 0-4 0-1 in front by the fifth minute, captain Colin Brigdale, Jack Murphy, Conor Whelan and Paul O’Connell on target while Ryan Hayes aided by a David McInerney turnover landed a nice score from distance to open Tulla’s account.
Four points in succession saw Tulla go ahead for the first time on twelve minutes, Emmet Mulcahy converting three frees with Ronan Molloy splitting the posts after McInerney was again the creator.
Lee Brack raided for 1-1 as the Magpies clocked up 1-3 in succession, he made an excellent catch from a Brigdale delivery before firing to the net, Evan Price was on target from a placed ball with Darragh Healy hitting over an inspiring score from distance.
From here to the half time whistle, Clarecastle had five points and Tulla two to leave it 1-2 0-7.
Seán Withycombe was introduced at half time, fresh from flying in from the United States, he made an immediate impact when bringing some aggression before the throw-in to let Aaron Hayes know he made a safe return.
Withycombe was involed in Tulla’s first two scores on the restart, getting fouled for Mulcahy to slot over the free and then winning a turnover to set up an excellent David McInerney score. Daragh Corry was next on the board allowing them hit 0-3 in a row.
Conor Whelan steadied Clarecastle but they were rocked when Daragh Corry finished the sliotar to the net, Emmet Mulcahy giving him the final pass to make it a three point game.
From the puckout, Harry Doherty plucked the sliotar from the sky and was on target with his shot but it was cancelled out at the other end by Ronan Molloy. Both sides hit two points on the bounce but then Tulla struck for 1-2 without reply, Withycombe landing a peach of an effort which left Cian Broderick with little he could do.
During this run, Doherty was denied what looked to be a legitimate point, so much so that linesman Fergal O’Brien flagged his concerns with referee Gus Callaghan but the Feakle official sided with his umpires who were insistent that it was wide.
Doherty’s older brother James and Evan Price were next on target to level matters with fifty four minutes played. Once again Tulla hit an unanswered 1-2, Mulcahy punishing a wayward Filip Wiechinski pass to collect their third major as they carved out a four point lead.
This was the first meeting of the sides this year and a repeat clash in the knockout stages is highly likely.
Cian Galvin was not in action for Clarecastle but he managed to pick up a yellow card for giving a teammate a drop of water. He is just one player they have to return to their side and it is in attack where they will need to beef up which is why Rory O’Connell, Conor Ralph and Oisin Whelan when back to full fitness will make a real difference. Eagle eyed spectators would have noticed Bobby Duggan was listed among the substitutes, he was not present in Gurteen but will be back later in the campaign for Ger O’Loughlin’s side. Evan Price was their best player over the hour.
There was more fight and energy from Tulla in the second half, they also made better use of possession and brought greater urgency when getting onto breaking ball. They did get a big lift off the bench from Seán Withycombe while Andrew Conheady chipped in with 0-2, both men offer a bit of electricity which is required in their attack. David McInerney excelled at centre back, showing clearly this is his most effective spot for his club, Daragh Corry and Emmet Mulcahy were leading figures of their forward unit with Ryan Hayes also stepping up at wing back.
Scorers Tulla: E Mulcahy (1-9 8f), D Corry (1-3), S Withycombe (1-0), R Hayes (0-2), R Molloy (0-2), A Conheady (0-2), D McInerney (0-1), E Culloo (0-1)
Scorers Clarecastle: L Brack (1-5 5f), E Price (0-5 4f), C Whelan (0-2), P O’Connell (0-2), J Doherty (0-2), C Brigdale (0-1), J Murphy (0-1), D Healy (0-1), H Doherty (0-1), C Halpin (0-1)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Tulla
1: Daniel Vaughan
4: Dara Ryan
3: Kevan Conlon
19: Shane Hunt
5: Ryan Hayes
6: David McInerney
7: Padraic Mulconroy
10: Éanna Culloo
8: Cathal Culloo
13: Ronan Molloy
9: Daniel Withycombe
12: William Halpin
15: Emmet Mulcahy
11: Daragh Corry
14: Colin Corbett
Subs:
25: Seán Withycombe for D Withycombe (HT)
18: Andrew Conheady for Molloy (51)
21: Jack McSweeney for Corbett (51)
Colin Corbett for C Culloo (60) (inj)
Clarecastle:
1: Cian Broderick
5: Darragh Healy
3: Stephen O’Halloran
2: Filip Wiechinski
12: Colin Brigdale
8: Aaron Hayes
7: Eoghan Wallace
9: Evan Price
15: Conor Whelan
17: Niall Galvin
13: Conor Halpin
11: Harry Doherty
19: Lee Brack
18: Jack Murphy
14: Paul O’Connell
Subs:
25: James Doherty for Halpin (39) (blood)
Halpin for Brack (47)
24: Patrick Kelly for Galvin (52)
26: Conor Ralph for Murphy (52)
4: David Tuohy for Price (58)
Referee: Gus Callaghan (Feakle)
Ruan storm past Smith O’Briens
Ruan 3-19
Smith O’Briens 0-8
Venue: Shannon
By Seamus Hayes
Ruan carried the favourites tag into this Clare PIHC Group 1 clash but it’s doubtful if their most ardent supporters expected the winning margin to be as big.
For the opening twenty minutes it didn’t seem that the winning margin would be as great with the winners just a point ahead, 1-4 to 0-6, with ten minutes to go to half time.
In the final ten minutes of the half Ruan hit 1-4 without reply and from here on they were always in control.
A late change of venue saw the fixture moved from Meelick to Shannon. Smith O’Briens had the opening score with Mike Gough converting a free in the first minute and it would be a further five minutes before the next score arrived, Ruan equalising when Robin Mounsey’s penalty effort went over the bar. The free was awarded after Frankie Lyons was pulled down as he headed for goal.
Two minutes later Mounsey did find the net having won possession from a Shane Punch cross.
When the Killaloe outfit review this game they will rue their poor finishing in the opening half when they were guilty of thirteen wides.
Frankie Lyons struck for the winners second goal eight minutes from the break after he won possession from an Aidan Lynch delivery and they went on to lead at the break on a score of 2-8 to 0-6.
Smith O’Briens returned with two changes in personnel but Ruan took up where they had left off and added to their tally with points from Mounsey and Christian Cummins.
Conor Geraghty gave Smith O’Briens some hope with a point but Ruan replied with five unanswered scores and they had the points well secure as the game entered the final quarter.
Lyons struck for his second goal, a minute from time on a day when James Cullinan excelled at centre back while Piaras O’Se, Ashley Brohan and Robin Mounsey played leading roles.
Scorers Ruan; Robin Mounsey (1-8, 0-1 f); Frankie Lyons (2-1); Aidan Lynch (0-7, 4f, 1 ‘65); Christian Cummins (0-2), Patrick O’Halloran (0-1);
Scorers Smith O’Briens; Mike Gough (0-4, 1f); Eoin Hefron, Adan Moloney (free), Conor Geraghty, Brendan Minogue (0-1) each
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill
Ruan;
1: Keelan Mounsey;
2: Tom O’Halloran
3: Patrick O’Gorman
4: Ashley Brohan;
18: Jamie Ryan
6: James Cullinan
7: Piaras Ó Sé
8: Ryan Power
10: Patrick O’Halloran
12: Shane Punch,
17: Christian Cummins
11: Robin Mounsey
20: Daniel Guinnane
14: Aidan Lynch
15: Frankie Lyons
Subs:
13: Jack McDonagh for D. Guinnane (39)
5: Jason Power for J. Ryan (45)
9: Darragh McInerney for S. Punch (46)
30: Brian Roughan for Ó Sé (58)
Smith O’Briens;
1: James Power;
2: Ben Murnane,
8: Cathal Stritch
4: Diarmuid Coleman;
3: Stephen Geraghty,
5: Micheál Ryan
10: Conor Geraghty;
6: David Gough
9: Eoin Hefron;
14: Mike Gough,
12: Jason Monaghan
22: Dean Lawlor;
15: Brendan Minogue,
26: Keith Stritch
17: Sam Flaherty
Subs:
25: Dara Rosney for D. Lawlor (HT)
20: Adam Moloney for S. Flaherty (HT)
21: Cillian Collins for J. MOnahan (43)
11: Marc O’Halloran for M. Ryan (45)
Referee: Kieran Liddane (Sixmilebridge)
