*Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Caoilfhinn O’Dea takes on Ennistymon’s Brian McNamara during their Cusack Cup clash. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
NEIGHBOURS Éire Óg and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield are through to the knockout stages of the Cusack Cup while relegation from the top tier awaits Kildysart and Corofin.
Comfortable victories over Kildysart and title holders Lissycasey respectively saw Éire Óg and Doora/Barefield advance to the knockout stages. The neighbours meet in the final round and the winner will advance directly to the final.
The remaining semi-final place will be decided when the final round of games take place next week when a win for Kilmurry Ibrickane over St Joseph’s Miltown will see them through
A win for Miltown in that game could put them through should Lissycasey lose out to Corofin.
Holders Lissycasey can only qualify if they beat Corofin and Miltown overcome Kilmurry Ibrickane.
Kildysart and Corofin are relegated to the Garry Cup for next season, Kildysart have five defeats in six outings while over the six rounds Corofin one win and one draw to their name.
Kilrush Shamrocks are through to the final of the Garry cup and have won promotion to the Cusack Cup ahead of their final game in the group. St. Breckan’s and Clondegad look set to contest the semi-final with the winners gaining promotion along with a final date against Kilrush.
Kilmihil are relegated to Division 3 and they will be joined by either O’Currys or Wolfe Tones. O’Currys will survive if they beat Killmihil in their final group game and if Wolfe Tones are beaten. Should that happen O’Currys and Wolfe Tones will be on the same points and O’Currys would survive on the head to head rule as they defeated the Shannon men when they met.
Bricks still building towards semi-final spot
Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-13
Ennistymon 1-7
Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
By Páraic McMahon
A fourth win has Kilmurry Ibrickane poised to take a semi-final spot in the Cusack Cup. Their latest came on Friday evening, played in glorious sunshine in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty as the club’s scoreboard got its first run out. Its operator could have had a busier hour if Ennistymon brought their shooting boots, particularly in the second half where they kicked nine wides while kicking into the village end which was packed with plenty of football pundits soaking up the Vitamin D.
Of the two sides lining out, Ennistymon had arguably the more experienced team at their disposal. Ten of the nineteen players which featured in their Clare SFC semi-final loss to Éire Óg last season featured in this round six clash whereas for Kilmurry Ibrickane nine of the twenty players to appear in their county final defeat to Éire Óg were in action and worth noting of that nine four came off the bench in the decider.
An even first half left just two points between the sides with the hosts holding a 1-7 1-5 advantage. Although Kilmurry Ibrickane conceded the first score after Eoin Rouine won the throw-in and fed the ball to Darren McNamara, they bounced back with 1-2 on the bounce, working scores from their kickout, Darren Hickey producing a sidestep to dodge Seán Rouine before the ball was worked up field to Cathal Talty who offloaded to Kevin Tubridy for their first score.
Then Caoilfhinn O’Dea scored 1-1 himself, he found it easier than expected to cut through the Ennistymon defence before giving a tidy finish beyond Noel Sexton.
While down to fourteen men after Darren Hickey was shown a black card, Kilmurry Ibrickane conceded 1-3. The goal and the black card arrived in the same sequence, Hickey fouled Diarmuid Fahy prompting Chris Maguire to award a penalty and sideline Hickey, the penalty was duly converted by Fahy on ten minutes.
Points from the unrelated McNamaras, Brian and Darren brought Ennistymon back on level terms, Eoin Rouine again winning the ball in the air to help tee up another score.
Four Talty scores before the break mixed with a point from Fahy and one from Joe Concannon from a free left that half-time margin of two points.
After falling three adrift at two stages early at the beginning of the second half Liam Cotter’s point on thirty nine minutes brought Ennistymon to within two points but this was as close as it got for the North Clare men, indeed his effort was their last of the evening to split the posts as Kilmurry Ibrickane hit an unanswered four points, all via the boot of Cathal Talty to seal a merited six point win.
In what was a decent recovery from their shock loss to Corofin, Kilmurry Ibrickane are now firmly positioned to take a semi-final place. Like their opponents, they still have a lot of quality to return but will be pleased with their league run to date and how less-established players are faring. On this occasion, Darragh Sexton, Cathal Talty, Caoilfhinn O’Dea, Conor Kearney, Josh Moloney and Darren Hickey did best.
Diarmuid Fahy was lively and causing problems until injury yet again unfortunately ended his involvement. He played for twenty five minutes and was Ennistymon’s top scorer which tells its own story. On top of their shortcomings up front, they were easily cut open in defence which is an area to tackle. One big plus from their league to date has been Eoin Rouine who received scant game-time last season but has relished the importance placed on quality fielders in the game this year. They will hope to see out their league with a final round win over an already relegated Kildysart to guarantee they don’t end up further down the bottom.
Scorers Kilmurry Ibrickane: C Talty (0-11 7f), C O’Dea (1-1), K Tubridy (0-1)
Scorers Ennistymon: D Fahy (1-1), D McNamara (0-2), B McNamara (0-1), J Concannon (0-1 1f), L Cotter (0-1).
Kilmurry Ibrickane: David Sexton, Maurice Donnellan, Cillian Darcy, Conor Kearney; Darragh Sexton, Darren Hickey, Josh Moloney; Tomás Sexton, Diarmuid King; Colin Considine, Caoilhinn O’Dea, Kevin Tubridy; Oisin Sexton, Cathal Talty, Joe Campbell.
Subs: Jason Cushen for O Sexton (44), Damien Lynch for Considine (58).
Ennistymon: Noel Sexton; Joey Rouine, Darragh Conneely, Brian McNamara; Liam Cotter, James Cullinan, Sean Conneely; Eoin Rouine, Mark Kelleher; Tiernan Hogan, Seán Rouine, Darren McNamara; Joe Concannon, Diarmuid Fahy, Éanna Rouine.
Subs: Ryan Barry for Fahy (26) (inj), Ciaran McMahon for Éanna Rouine (48), John Murphy for B McNamara (57)
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
Éire Óg march on as Kildysart drop down
Éire Óg 3-17
Kildysart 1-9
Venue: Kildysart
Éire Óg sealed their place in the knock out stage of the Cusack Cup with this comfortable win over Kildysart at the latter’s venue on Friday evening. The result means that Kildysart will play in the Garry cup in 2026.
Three first half goals in the space of five minutes put Eire Og into a commanding position and they always looked the likely winners after these goals which came from Luke Pyne and Philip Talty (2).
Both sides were tight on numbers but the Ennis men had a strong fifteen available. Injuries and inter county commitments robbed the home side of a number of their key players.
The early exchanges were even and both sides exchanged points inside the first ten minutes.
A two points from Jack Joyce, the winner’s top scorer, at the mid point of the half, gave his side a lead they held to the finish.
It was 3-6 to 0-3 when Luke McGrath stepped up to a 30m free in the final minute of the half. His effort dipped over the head of Barry Ryan and into the top corner of he net to leave the score at 3-6 to 1-3 at the interval.
The visitors started the second half with three unanswered points. McGrath pulled one back for Kildysart but Eire Og followed with five in a row, one a two pointer from Joyce to lead 3-15 to 1-4.
Kildysart battled to the end and a two pointer from McGrath was followed by two more points from the same player and one from midfielder Keith O’Connor but the town side emerged as deserving winners on the evening.
On what was a very warm evening, referee John O’Connell allowed a water break at the mid point of both hallves
Eire Og; Barry Ryan. Dean D’Auria (0-1), Dean Ryan, Eoin Guilfoyle; Ciaran Russell, Jarlath Collins, Niall McMahon; Aaron Fitzgerald, David McNamara; Philip Talty (2-0), Darren O’Brien (0-5), Conor Perrill; Luca Cleary, Jack Joyce (0-9, 2tp), Luke Pyne (1-2)
Subs; Darren Moroney for N. McMahon; McMahon for A.. Fitzgerald;; Fionan Treacy for C. Perrill;
Kildysart; Aidan O’Loughlin; Killian Kelly, Conor Moloney, Stevie Sheehan; Harry Scanlan, Fergal Guinnane (0-1), Oisin Coyle; Kieran O’Brien (0-1), Keith O’Connor (0-1); Colm Finucane, Luke McGrath (1-6, 1tp), Seamus Casey; Jack Cotter, Mikey Donnellan, Joe Kelly;
Subs; J.J. McQuaid for Sheehan; Killia McQuaid for Scanlan
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Doora/Barefield seal Cusack cup play-off spot
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 3-21
Lissycasey 0-18
Venue: Lissycasey
St. Josephs Doora/Barefield are through to the knock out stages of the Cusack Cup thanks to this comfortable win over title holders Lissycasey at Lissycasey on Saturday evening.
Ahead 3-6 to 0-10 at half time, they dominated the second half exchanges and kicked some excellent points including four two pointers.
The home side had made the better start and led 0-5 to 0-1 after ten minutes with a two pointer each from Conor Finnucane and Daire Culligan.
The game was turned on its head in the middle ten minutes of this half as the visitors hit 2-5 without reply, their second goal being a powerful effort to the top corner by Liam Clune.
Lissycasey responded with five unanswered points to move to within two but disaster struck for the home side on the stroke of half time when Daire Hill deflected the ball into his own net to leave the half time score at 3-6 to 0-10.
Playing against the fresh wind Lissycasey needed a good start to the second half but a minute after the resumption James Curran kicked a superb two pointer for the visitors and from here on they held the upperhand
At the three quarter stage the score was 3-13 to 0-15. Lissycasey closed the gap to six but the visitors responded with points from Rafferty and Paddy Bugler and another two pointer from James Curran.
Daire Culligan kept Lissycasey’s hopes alive with a brace but a powerful two pointer from 50m from Paddy Bugler and a brace from Joe Rafferty closed out the tie in the Doora/Barefield side’s favour
James Curran, Joe Rafferty, Paddy Bugler and Eoin Boyle were prominent throughout for the winner while Lissycasey’s best were Matt O’Shea, Mikey O’Neill and Daire Culligan.
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Conal Dorgan, Eoin Boyle, Sam Costello; Cian McDonagh, Conor O’Brien, James Curran (0-4, 2tp); Odhran O’Connell, Michael Nash (0-3, 1TP); Liam Clune (1-0), Tom McDonald, Joe Rafferty (1-5); Tom Curran (0-3), Eoghan Thynne (1-0), Paddy Bugler (0-6, 1TP).
Subs; Charlie Hannon for C. Dorgan; Ógie Fanning for E. Thynne; Dara Boyle for S Costello; Conor Moloney for L Clune; Dara O’Callaghan for E Boyle
Lissycasey; Thomas Collins (0-1, ‘45); Michael Kelly Ryan Griffin, Conor Hill; Daire Hill, Mikey O’Neill, Aaron Killeen; Matt O’Shea, Luke Griffin; Cian Meaney (0-1), Conor Finnucane (0-4, 1tp) Darragh Killeen; Diarmuid McMahon (0-1), Darren Keane, Daire Culligan (0-9, 2TP)
Subs; Ewan Wragg for A. Killeen; Ben Skerritt (0-1) for D Keane; Niall Kelly (0-1) for C. Meaney; Aaron Clohessy for D Killeen; Francis Hayes for C. Finnucane;
Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
Miltown maintain Division 1 status
St Joseph’s Miltown 5-9
Corofin 1-16
Venue: Páirc Finne, Corofin
By Páraic McMahon
Five second half goals from St Joseph’s Miltown saw them recover from a three point half-time and final quarter deficit to overcome Corofin in a tight encounter on Saturday evening.
Cormac Murray bagged a hat-trick with Seanie Malone converting a penalty and Euan Lineen finishing off a patient team move to the net as Miltown claimed a vital two points to secure their Cusack Cup status for 2025.
Level heading into additional time, Corofin conceded a two pointer and a goal to come out on the wrong side and drop down to the Garry Cup for next year. They delivered a worthy display but unsurprisingly the concession of five goals was their downfall.
Glorious sunshine in Páirc Finne meant conditions were difficult with fatigue setting in sooner for those clocking up the miles.
With three of the last four scores in the first half, hosts Corofin led 0-7 0-4 at the interval, Gearoid Cahill, Josh Ryan and Cillian McGroary kicking their scores. They could have had a goal too only for an excellent block by Seanie Malone to stop Caoimhin O’Donovan gaoling in what was a finely worked team move.
On the restart, Peadar O’Brien’s side extended their lead to five points with quick-fire scores from Eoin O’Brien and Cahill.
Miltown turned the game on its head with 2-1 in the space of four minutes. Darragh McDonagh was involved in assisting both green flags with Cormac Murray and Euan Lineen finishing to the net, Ralph Whelehan also had a hand to play in Lineen’s goal.
Damien O’Loughlin put Corofin back in front after winning and converting a penalty to the net, he was brought down by full back Seanie Malone on forty one minutes. Cahill kicked their next score to create a three point advantage entering the final quarter.
Two goals in two attacks saw Miltown regain the lead. McDonagh again had an involvement as Murray kicked his second to the net while Malone redeemed himself by scoring a penalty with a tidy finish on fifty minutes to put them three clear.
To their credit, Corofin again bounced back and were on level terms with sixty minutes on the clock. Three frees from Cahill plus points from Ryan and Cian Doolin had them level and in a strong position of even taking the spoils.
However their cause came undone when Cian Mahony landed a two pointer and the resulting kickout went straight into the hands of Cormac Murray who lobbed Neylon to seal a slightly flattering five point win.
Use of the ball was strong from Corofin’s perspective and they were effective when runners came off the shoulder. Josh Ryan and Gearoid Cahill linked up well with each other while the additions of Colm Breen and Caoimhin O’Donovan as nailed-down starters will help when their attention turns to championship. After the disappointment of dropping down in the championship last season, suffering relegation in the league is a blow to the North Clare side.
Still finding their feet, Miltown appear to be entering a transition phase with several of their experienced regulars yet to return to their panel. In their absence, other players have to step up, those doing just that include Sean Neylon at centre back. Cormac Murray excelled at full-forward while Darragh McDonagh and Seanie Malone were solid for the winners.
Scorers St Joseph’s Miltown: C Murray (3-2 1f), E Lineen (1-3 3f), C Mahony (0-3 1TP), S Malone (1-0 1’Pen), M Murray (0-1).
Scorers Corofin: G Cahill (0-8 3f), J Ryan (0-5 2f), D O’Loughlin (1-0 1’Pen), C McGroary (0-1), E O’Brien (0-1), C Doolin (0-1).
St Joseph’s Miltown: Ger Malone; Euan Reidy, Seanie Malone, Diarmuid O’Sullivan; Stephen Murphy, Sean Neylon, Cormac Devitt; Micheál Murray, Darragh McDonagh; Paul Frawley, Jamesie O’Connor, Cian Mahony; Conall Meade, Cormac Murray, Euan Lineen.
Subs: Ralph Whelehan for Meade (40), Enda O’Gorman for Murphy (39), Eoin Devanney for O’Sullivan (48)
Corofin: Luke Neylon; Colin Fitzgerald, Cilléin Mullins, Caoimhin O’Donovan; Cathal Flanagan, Damien O’Loughlin, Cillian McGroary; Gearoid Kelly, Colm Breen; Eoin O’Brien, Cian Doolin, Evan Doolin; Seanan Kirby, Gearoid Cahill, Josh Ryan.
Subs: Gearoid Hanrahan for E O’Brien (45), Josh O’Brien for Kirby (54), Enda Collins for C Doolin (57),
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Promotion for Kilrush who reach Garry Cup final
Kilrush Shamrocks 3-22
Kilmihil 2-18
Venue: St Michael’s Park Kilmihil
Kilrush made it six wins from six outings to reach the Garry Cup final and win promotion to the Cusack Cup with this victory over Kilmihil on Friday evening
The Dermot Coughlan managed outfit carried the favourites tag into the game but they looked to be in trouble at the halfway point when they trailed by five points, 0-8 to 1-10.
With Dan Keating leading the way for the home side they held the upperhand in the opening half.
Keating was their goalscorer and he landed a couple of two pointers as well. He also struck for his side’s second half goal on an evening when the long serving Martin O’Leary chipped in with 0-10, a tally which included three two pointers
Kilrush showed a greater hunger in the second half and a contribution of 1-6 from Sean Fennell, which included three two pointers sent them on their way to this latest win.
Gearoid O’Bren, who top scored with 1-7, and Ben McKiernan were their first half goalscorers as they sealed their return to division 1 football for next season
Kilrush Shamrocks: Stephen Ryan (0-2 TP); Tadhg Lysaght (0-1), Ciaran Bermingham, Jimmy Browne; James Blunnie, Dylan O’Brien, Padraig Browne; Sean Fennell (1-6, 3TP), Jim Young; Ben McKiernan (1-1), Conor Fennell, Dean Neary; Mark Bonfield (0-4), Gearoid O’Brien (1-7), Ross Phelan (0-1).
Sub; Evan Power for P. Browne;
Killmihil; Damian Lineen; Shane Downes, John Finnucane, David Coughlan; Padraig Lynch, Mikey Keating, Stan Lineen; Gavin Downes (0-1), Jack Keating; Mark Normoyle (0-1), Dan Keating (2-4, 2TP), Michael Cotter; Martin O’Leary (0-10, 3TP), Cathal Murray (0-2), Sean Crowley;
Sub: Dylan Downes Rigney for O’Leary;
Referee: Nialll Quinn (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
Clondegad in control
Clondegad 4-13
O’Currys 1-10
Venue: Páirc Micheal O Hehir, Ballynacally
Clondegad kept up their challenge for a place in the knock out stage of the Garry Cup (division 2) with this merited win over O’Currys at Ballynacally on Thursday evening.
The winners played the majority of this game with fourteen men after midfielder Joe Neylon was shown a straight red card inside the opening ten minutes following an off the ball incident with Michael Foran. Referee Noel Meaney consulted with his umpires before ending Nealon’s involvement in this tie.
The winners took the lead after just three minutes, midfielder Diarmuid O’Neill finding the net and this was quickly followed by a point from Eoin Glynn before midfielder Thomas Clancy opened the visitors account with a two pointer.
Clondegad followed with three points to lead 1-4 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter. A goal from Eoin Glynn, five minutes from the half time whistle helped the winners to a 2-6 to 0-4 half time lead.
Points were exchanged twice early the second half and by the three quarter stage the winners were 2-10 to 0-6 ahead.
A Danny Downes goal after a great run by Paddy Clancy and a two pointer from Michael Foran gave hope to the visitors but Cian Kirby quickly killed those hopes with his side’s third goal and they finished strongly with 1-2 from his brother Fiachra.
Brian Casey, Tadhg Ó hUallacháin, Diarmuid O’Neill, Eoin Glynn and the Kirby brothers Cian and Fiachra were prominent throughout for the winners.
Brian Keane, Thomas Clancy, and Danny Downes worked hard for the visitors.
Clondegad; Darren Cleary; Niall Lynch, Brian Casey, Niall Carigg; Colin McNeilis (0-1), Tadhg Ó hUallacháin, Conor Gavin; Diarmuid O’Neill (1-0) Joe Nealon; Patrick Sweeney, Cian Kirby (1-1), Eoin Glynn (1-2); Cillian Gavin (0-3), Fiachra Kirby (1-5), Eoghan Gavin;
Subs; Sean O’Leary (0-1) for N. Carigg; Colm Meaney for C. McNeilis; Eoin Donnellan for E. Glynn; Ian Carrig for Eoghan Gavin; Conor O Muínecháin for Cillian Gavin;
O’Curry’s; Colin Clohessy; Paddy Clancy, Stephen Kelly, Luke Murray; Seamus Keane, Eoin Brew, Brian Keane; Michael Foran (0-2, tp),Thomas Clancy (0-2TP); Eoin Kelly (0-2), Cathal Downes, Liam Griffin; Andrew McMahon, Danny Downes (1-4), Ian Roche;
Sub: Sean Marrinan for A. McMahon;
Referee; Noel Meaney (Coolmeen)
Wolfe Tones dash Doonbeg’s play off hopes
Wolfe Tones 0-14
Doonbeg 0-11
Venue; Shannon
Doonbeg’s hopes of reaching the Garry cup play offs were dashed when they lost out to Wolfe Tones in Shannon on Saturday evening.
This was an important win for the Shannon men as it eased their relegation worries thought they are not yet guaranteed safety.
The sides were evenly matched throughout but the fact that the winners tally was shared by seven players helped greatly as they produced an all-round solid team display.
They led by three at half time when the score was 0-10 to 0-7, David Tubridy having kicked a two pointer for the magpies, the only two pointer of this tie.
The second half was an evenly fought affair with each side adding 0-4 to their first half tallies.
Wolfe Tones; Fionn McInerney; Shane Nihill, Aaron Brennan, Tan Greene; Jason McAuley, Conor Carrig, Niall Fitzgerald (0-2); Liam Divillly (0-2), Dean Devanney (0-2); Cody Waller (0-1), Aaron Kelly (0-2), Shay Waller; Tadhg Fitzgerald (0-1), Colin Riordan (0-4), Brian Murphy;
Subs: Eoghan Gough for C. Waller; Joe McGauley for T. Fitzgerald; Conor Casey for S. Walller
Doonbeg: Eamonn O’Dea; Jason Linnane, James Killeen, Shane Bermingham; Conor O’Mahoney, Tadhg Lillis, Cian O’Mahoney; Kevin McInerney, Kevin Pender; Mikie Tubridy, David Tubridy (0-4, 1tp), Sean Conway (0-4); Eoin Killeen (0-1), Cathal Killeen (0-1), Brian Behan (0-1);
Subs: Kevin O’Brien for E. Killeen (inj); Cilllian Blake for C. Killeen; Colin McMahon for B. Behan; Eoin Conway for K. Pender
Referee; Barry Keating, Lissycasey
Strong second half from St Breckan’s
St. Breckans 2-10
Naomh Eoin 1-8
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
St. Breckans maintained their strong challenge for Garry Cup honours and immediate promotion to Division 1 with a five point win over Naomh Eoin.
They didn’t get it all their own way, however and they trailed at the halfway point when the score was 1-2 for the visitors to 0-3, wing forward Joseph Roche having contributed the Peninsula side’s entire first half tally.
St. Breckan’s showed greater urgency after the break and goals from full back Maccon Byrne and the experienced Liam Tierney sent them on their way to this win.
Midfielder Padraig Kelly landed 0-6 which included two two pointers on a day when their all-round better balance proved too much for the visitors.
St. Breckans; Conor O’Neill; Patrick Doherty, Maccon Byrne (1-0), Padraig O’Dwyer; Denis O’Callaghan, Conor Burke, Colm O’Brien (0-1); Padraig Kelly (0-6, 2tp), Micheal Flanagan; Rob O’Connell, Liam Tierney (1-1), Mark O’Donnell; Conor Shannon (0-1), Cathal Morgan, Eoin Guerin (0-1);
Subs; Eoin Garrihy for M. O’Donnell; Aidan O’Loughlin for L. Tierney
Naomh Eoin; Eoin Daly; Declan Keniry, Tomas Bonfil (0-1), Adam Foley; Adam Haugh (0-1), Conor Magner, Sean Bonfil (0-1); Gavin Magner, Fergal Keane; Eoin Hanrahan, Conor Downes, Joseph Roche (1-2); Owen Lynch (0-2), Odhran Lynch, Niall Bonfil (0-1)
Subs; Kieran Roche for G. Magner; Ciaran Bonfil for A. Foley; Seamus Boland for E. Hanrahan; Gearoid Lynch for J. Roche
Referee: Robert Harte (St Senan’s Kilkee)
