*Shane McGrath and Stephen Conway battle with Patrick Donnellan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
FEAKLE or Newmarket-on-Fergus will join Inagh/Kilnamona in the FutureTicketing Clare Cup semi-finals.
With just one round remaining in the race for the various domestic hurling league titles, a clearer picture is emerging as to who who will be in the play offs for honours and what teams will make up the various groupings in next season’s new look leagues.
Newmarket-on-Fergus’ one point win over Scariff on Friday evening has them in contention for a semi-final place. They play Feakle in the final round this week and a draw or win will see them through to the final.
However a win for Feakle will see them through ahead of Newmarket-on-Fergus on the head to head ruling.
Unbeaten Inagh/Kilnamona currently lead the way and at the time of writing they had two games to play.
In Division 1B the two semi-final places rest between Clarecastle, Cratloe, St. Josephs and Broadford.
Meanwhile in Division 2, Éire Óg have secured their place in the final
Newmarket-on-Fergus hold off late Scariff charge
Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-20
Scariff 1-16
Venue: Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus
Scariff had the better start in this tie played on Friday evening and they were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead early on.
With the help of a Patrick Crotty goal, the East Clare outfit held a four point advantage at the break when the score was 1-11 to 0-10.
On the changeover Newmarket piled on the pressure and they quickly levelled the tie at 0-14 to 1-11.
From here on it was point for point with the home side having to survive a storming finish from the visitors.
Newmarket-on-Fergus went into this game short a number of regulars due to injury and they were dealt a further blow in the early stages when they lost experienced James McInerney to injury
Newmarket: Padraic Guilfoyle; Conor McCarthy, Colin Guilfoyle, Eoghan McInerney; Jack Enright, Mark Delaney James McInerney; Shane Lynch, Stephen Casey; Eoin Guilfoyle (0-4), Eanna Crimmins, James Freeman; Seán Arthur (0-2), Mikey McInerney (0-2), Peter Power (0-12)
Subs; James Power for J. McInerney (inj); Eoin Hayes for J. Freeman; Aaron Moroney for E. McInerney; Noel Frawley for M. Delaney; John Feehily for J. Power; Power for J. Enright;
Scariff; William Kavanagh; Scott Cairns, Michael Scanlan, Jack Ryan; Sean Collins, Daniel Treacy, Shane Kavanagh; Tomas McNamara, Liam Crotty (0-1); Michael Barrett (0-2), Patrick Crotty (1-3), Keelan Hartigan (0-1); Paddy Ryan (0-5), Sean Minogue (0-1), Ben Sweeney (0-2).
Subs; Cian Foley for L. Crotty; Fergus Madden (0-1) for B. Sweeney; Conor Moroney for S. Collins; John Scanlan for C. Foley; Colm O’Grady for S. Kavanagh;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Spoils shared in Kilkishen
O’Callaghans Mills 1-17
Feakle 1-17
Venue: Hamilton Park, Kilkishen
A share of the spoils resulted when these East Clare sides clashed at Hamilton Park in Kilkishen on Friday evening.
This was an evenly matched contest in which the lead changed hands on a number of occasions.
The result stretched the home side’s unbeaten run to four while Feakle remain in the hunt for a place in the competition semi-final.
The minimum margin separated the sides at the interval when the score was 1-11 to 1-10, the goals having come from Colm Cleary for the home side and Martin Daly.
They continued to be evenly matched throughout the second half and a share of the spoils was a fair result.
O’Callaghans Mills: Killian Nugent; Keith Donnellan, Conor Cooney, Gerry Cooney; Michael McMahon, Aidan Fawl, Pat Donnellan; Cormac Murphy, Michael McGrath; Eoin McInerney, Aidan O’Gorman, Stevie Donnellan; Colm Cleary, Sean O’Gorman, Darragh Moroney;
Subs: Cathal Lenihan for E. McInerney; Niall McNamra for C. Cleary; Sean Murphy for A. O’Gorman.
Feakle: Liam O’Connor; Eoghan Daly, Evan McMahon, Patrick Daly; Killian Bane, Eoin Tuohy, Justin Nelson; Oisin Donnellan, Shane McGrath; Oisin O’Connor, Stephen Conway, Martin Daly; Fiachra Donnellan, Raymond Bane, Owen McGann;
Sub: Eoin McGuinness for R. Bane
Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)
Strong second half showing by Clonlara
Clonlara 1-26
Crusheen 1-11
Venue: Clonlara
A strong second half from Clonlara steered them to a comfortable and merited win over Crusheen at Clonlara on Friday evening.
Ahead by four points at half time when the score was 1-12 to 1-8, the currents Clare senior hurling champions powered on in the second period.
Crusheen had a dream start when a long range free from former Clare captain Cian Dillon, back after injury for his first game in a number of weeks, deceived the Clonlara defence and went all the way to the net.
With the help of a goal from Kieran Galvin which came after good work by Eoin Begley, the home side hit back and they were our points to the good when the half time whistle sounded.
They were will on top in the second half when a number of their players shared in their impressive tally.
Clonlara: Ken Savage; Michael Clancy, Jathan McMahon, Logan Ryan; Padraig Reddan, Dylan McMahon, Padraic O’Loughlin; Colm Galvin, Aidan Moriarty; James McCormick, Colm O’Meara Micheál Stritch; Kieran Galvin, Eoin Begley, Cathal O’Connell
Subs; Mossy Collins for K. Galvin; Micheál O’Loughlin for E. Begley; Brian McLeish for J. McCormick; Patrick Conlon for L. Ryan; Maurice Nelligan for M. Clancy;
Crusheen: David Kearney; Tadhg Dean, Gavin O’Brien, Roan Ketalaar; Cian Dillon, James O’Sullivan, Cathal Dillon; Cillein Mullins, Ian O’Brien; Luke Ketalaar, Conor o’Donnell, Gerry O’Grady; Stephen O’Brien, Jamie Fitzgibbon,, Glenn O’Sullivan;
Subs: Ross Hayes for Cian Dillon; Cian Fogarty for I.O’Brien; Eddie Fogarty for J. O’Sullivan; Colm McNamara for Cathal Dillon.
Referee: Eoghan O’Leary (Whitegate)
O’Rourke in scoring form
Kilmaley 2-20
Clooney-Quin 1-15
Venue: Clooney
Kilmaley put in a good performance to defeat Clooney/Quin at Clooney on Saturday evening.
There was little between the teams throughout the first half with a point from Joe Casey on 30 minutes giving Kilmaley a one point lead at the break when the score was 0-10 to 0-9.
Kilmaley made a great start to the second half with Tom O’Rourke scoring a goal a minute after the resumption.
Thomas McGuire scored Kilmaley’s second goal in the final minute of normal time after a strong run.
Clooney/Quin got through for a goal in injury time from substitute Ronan O’Donnell but there was no denying Kilmaley a deserved victory in this round.
Kilmaley: Bryan O’Loughlin, Oisin Looney, Martin O’Connor, Tommy Barry (0-1), Noel Casey, Daire Keane, Aidan McGuane, Joe Casey (0-1), Cian Neylon (0-4), Joe Carmody (0-2), Tom O’Rourke (1-8, 5f), Brian Cahill, Dylan Keane Hayes (0-1), Colm Killeen, Thomas McGuire (1-1)
Subs: Sean Kennedy (0-1) for Daire Keane, Peter Ronan (0-1) for Colm Killeen, Sean O’Loughlin for Brian Cahill, Evan Cahill for Joe Carmody, Evan Casey for Oisin Looney
Clooney/Quin: Cillian Duggan; Shane McNamara, Conor Grogan, Bryan McInerney; Cillian O’Gara, Darragh Keogh (0-4), Enda O’Halloran; Jimmy Corry (0-1), Donagh O’Sullivan; Trevor Lee (0-1), Oisin Egan, Sam Scanlan (0-2); Dylan Cunningham (0-1), Gary Hogan, Ulick O’Sullivan (0-2);
Subs: Ronan O’Donnell (1-0) for O. Egan; David Considine (0-4) for G. Hlgan; P.J McCarthy for D.Cunningham (inj); Mike McNamara for B. McInerney; Colin Cassidy for T. Lee
Tubber in control
Tubber 1-27
Bodyke 1-14
Venue: Tubber
An improved performance from Tubber helped them to a comfortable win over Bodyke in this Division 1B tie played at Tubber on Friday evening.
With a number of positional chances, one of which included the move of Domhnall McMahon from attack to wing back from where he contributed 0-3, the North Clare side held the upperhand.
They led by six points at half time when the score was 0-15 to 0-9 Tubber continued to hold the lead after the break and their goal in the second half came from Joe Clancy while Willie Fitzgerald goaled for Bodyke who welcomed Seanie Doyle back for his first game in this season’s campaign.
Tubber: Ronan Taaffe; Emmett Quinn, Fergal O’Grady, Joey Droney; Domhnaill McMahon, Pappy Taaffe, James Howard; Cathal Droney, John Fawle; Blain Earley, Patrick O’Connor, Lorcan O’Grady; Tommy Fahy, Clive Earley, Joe Clancy;
Subs: Dara O’Connor for E. Quinn; Diarmuid Tobin for C. Earley; Sean McNamara for B. Earley; Ian Taaffe for T. Fahy; James Costelloe for L. O’Grady
Bodyke: Daryl O’Donnell; Tadhg Kilkenny, Eanna doyle, Cormac Treacy; Keith Moloney, Sean Wiley, Kevin Drost; Seanie Doyle, Tommy Wiley; Cthal McKe nna, Paddy Fitgerald, Peter Flower; Tommy Minogue, Jamie O’Donnell Eden Buckley
Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena)
Clarecastle chasing semi-final spot
Clarecastle 2-20
Ballyea 1-13
Venue: Ballyea
A strong first half showing laid the foundation for victory for Clarecastle over their fellow parishioners Ballyea at the latter’s venue on Saturday evening.
Goals from Oisin Whelan and Lee Brack helped the magpies to an interval advantage of thirteen points with the score at 2-13 to 0-6.
Ballyea weren’t helped by being reduced to fourteen men when Cathal O’Connor picked up a second yellow car which ended his involvement in the tie.
With the help of a goal from Gearoid O’Connell, Ballyea fought hard in the second half but being a man short left them with a too much to do in a tie in which Oisin Whelan top scored with 1-7.
Clarecastle: Fionn Morgan; Sam Browne, David Tuohy, Niall Brigdale; Filip Wiechinski, Stephen O’Halloran, Evan O’Connell; Conor Whelan Killian McDermott; Oisin Whelan, Darragh Healy, Jack Hayes; Lee Brack, James Doherty, Josh Back
Subs: Eoin Wallace for F. Wiechinski; Ronan Donnelly for S, Browne; Cillian Casey for C. Whelan; Oisin Casey for J. Brack; Paul O’Connell for J. Hayes
Ballyea: Barry Coote; Brian Murphy, Peter Casey, Niall Carigg; Eoin Kennedy, Jack Browne, Darragh Moylan; Cillian Gavin, Gearoid O’Connell; Cathal O’Connor, Mossy Gavin, Tadhg Ó hUallachain; David Costello, Martin O’Leary, Dara O’Neill.
Subs: Brian Longe for P. Casey; Aonghus Keane for E. Kennedy; Thomas Kelly for Ó hUallachain; Eoghan Gavin for M. Gavin; Dylan Killoughery for D. O’Neill
Referee; Kevin Corry, Sixmilebridge
Late goals keep St. Josephs in the hunt
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-20
Cratloe 2-18
Venue: Gurteen
Two goals in the closing minutes helped St. Josephs to a two point win over Cratloe at Gurteen on Saturday and the win keeps them in the running for a semi-final place.
Heading into the final few minutes Cratloe looked set for victory but Brian Guilfoyle and substitute Eoghan Talty struck for those goals which left Cratloe reeling.
The South Clare side had led by a goal at half time when the score was 1-9 to 0-9 and they stretched their lead when their second goal arrived. Once again their goalscorers were Cathal McInerney and Rian Considine.
While the defeat was disappointing, Cratloe were dealt what could well prove to be a greater blow when Cathal McInerney hobbled off with a hamstring injury shortly before the finish and both the club’s hurling and football managements will be keeping their fingers crossed that he will make a swift recovery.
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Brendan Cleland; Conor Daly, Fionn Kelleher, Adam Mungovan; Alan O’Neill, Darragh McMahon, Donal O’Halloran; Sean O’Connell, Dara O’Shea; Senan Crosbie, David Conroy, Michael Nash; Brian Guilfoyle, Cian Barron, Eoghan Thynne;
Subs; Dara Nagle for C. Daly; Jarlath Colleran foe S. O’Connell; Eoghan Talty for D. O’Halloran
Cratloe: Eoin Deegan; Cathal Lohan, Damian Browne, Rian McNamara; Enda Boyce, Conor Ryan, Caimin Deegan; Daithi Collins, Jamie Costigan; Sean Gallagher, Podge Collins, Kevin Danahwr; Jake Moylan, Cathal McInerney, Rian Considine
Subs: Barry Gleeson for J. Moylan; Sean Ryan for C. Ryan; Keelan O’Donoghue for B. Gleeson; Gearoid Ryan for C. McInerney
Referee: Kieran Liddane (Sixmilebridge)
Narrow victory for Wolfe Tones
Wolfe Tones 1-17
Whitegste 2-13
Venue: Whitegate
An evenly matched contest ensued when Wolfe Tones and Whitegate at Whitegate on Saturday where the visitors eventually prevailed by the minimum margin.
In a game in which former inter county players Brendan Bugler for the home side and Daithi O’Connell for the winners made their first appearances at this level this season, coming into the action during the course of the game, the result was in doubt right to the end.
Stephen Donnellan was the winner’s goalscorer while Whitegate had their goals from Michael Bogenberger and Michael Heffernan.
Wolfe Tones: Oisin O’Rourke; Mikey Hayes, Shane Nihill, Conor Ferns Liam Murphy, John Guilfoyle (0-1), Sam Meaney (0-1); Aaron Kelly (0-2), Cian O’Rourke (0-5); Luke Merrigan, Stephen Donnellan (1-1), Sean Costelloe (0-2); Liam O’Dwyer (0-1), Colin Riordan (0-1), Peter McEvoy;
Subs: Conor Carigg for S. Nihill; Brian Murphy for C. Ferns; Fionn McInerney for L.O’Dwyer; Daithi O’Connell (0-3) for P, Mc Evoy
Whitegate: Andrew Fahey; Dylan White, Daniel Tuohy, Ciaran Quinn; Ian Fahy (0-1), Conor McDermott, Mark Bugler; Michael Bogenberger (1-0), Finn Madden; Kalum Fahy (0-2), Conor Whelan (0-5), Liam Murray; Paddy Burke (0-2), Ronan Hayes (0-3), Michael Heffernan (1-0);
Subs: Brendan Bugler for C McDermott; Harry Bogenberger for K. Fahy
Strong start vital for Broadford
Broadford 3-23
Corofin 1-18
Venue: Glenomra Park, Broadford
A blistering start which saw them race into a 2-3 to 0-0 lead laid the foundation for this victory by Broadford over Corofin.
Darren Chaplin and Diarmuid O’Brien were the early goalscorers for the winners who went on to lead 2-14 to 0-10 at half time.
Corofin did much better in the second half, helped by a goal from Cillian McGroary but the early led built up by the home side prove too much o n a day when Darren Chaplin was their top scorer with 2-5 to his credit.
Shane O’Brien was the visitors top scorer with 0-5 from play but the day belonged to Broadford and this win keeps them in the running for a place in the semi-finals.
Broadford: J. C. McMahon; Eoghan Gunning, Eoin Donnellan, Damian Keniry; Conor O’Donnell, David Boland, Padraic Taylor; Cian Cremins, Mark Moloney; Craig Chaplin, Darren Chaplin, Diarmuid O’Brien; Diarmuid Whelan, Niall O’Farrell, Donie Whelan;
Subs: Mark Gunning for Donie Whelan (inj); Padraic Hickey for M.Moloney; T.J. Dillon for D. Keniry;
Corofin: Liam Corbett; Marc O’Loughlin, Damian O’Loughlin, Colin Fitzgerald; Gearoid Hanrahan Sean O’Brien, Eoin Davoran; Gearoid Kelly, Gearoid Cahill; Micheál Duffy, Cillian Clancy, James Organ; Shane O’Brien, Kevin Keene, Cillian McGroary;
Subs: Cian Doolin for K. Keane (inj); Cormac Walsh for C. Clancy;
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
