Before a large attendance on Sunday afternoon, Parteen were crowned Clare junior B football champions for the first time when they proved too strong for Kilrush.
Parteen 3-09
Kilrush Shamrocks 1-04
Venue: Éire Óg GAA Grounds, Ennis
The South Clare side started impressively racing into a six point lead. After converting two frees Sean Connolly then saw his effort for a point from play dip into the top corner of the new. Jack Kirwan added a point and the new champions led 1-3 to 0-0.
Back came Kilrush with the experienced Padjoe McGrath to the fore and he struck for 1-2, the goal coming when he fisted a Stephen Sweeney free to the net.
Moments later the sides were level at 1-3 each and the indications were that this would prove to be a very close affair. A converted Connolly free had Parteen back in front, 1-4 to 1-3, when the half time whistle sounded.
Parteen went on the attack from the resumption and two goals in three minutes gave them a grip on the game that they would hold to the finish. The goals came from Connolly and Darragh McGlennon and points followed from Jack Kirwan, Connolly and Ewan O’Brien. When the second waterbreak came Niall McEnery’s charges were 3-8 to 1-3 in front and well on their way to securing the title.
They continued to dominate in the final period and Connolly brought his tally for the afternoon to 2-5 when he had their final point.
Kilrush’s only score of the second half was a fisted point by Robbie Hall. It was an all round solid team performance from Parteen who had convincing wins over all opponents on the way to the title.
After the game Clare GAA chairman Jack Chaplin complimented both teams on reaching the final and congratulated Parteen on their success as he handed over the trophy.
Scorers Parteen: S Connolly (2-5) D. McGlennon (1-0) J. Kirwan (0-2) E. Mulvihill, E O’Brien (0-1) each
Scorers Kilrush Shamrocks; P McGrath (1-2) S. Sweeney, R. Hall (0-1) each
Parteen:
1: Evan Kelly
2: David O’Reagan
3: David Ryan
4: Cian McLaughlin
5: Gavin Higgins
6: Gavin Noonan
7: Eoghan O’Connell
8: Tom Egan
9: Jack Kirwan
10: Sean Connolly
11: Darragh McGleanon
12: Ewan O’Brien
13: Eanna Mulvihill
14: Colm Davoran
15: Peadar McCarthy
Subs:
17: Conor McGuane for McCarthy
21: Aaron McGuane for G. Higgins
20: Sean Ryan for D. Ryan
18: Jack Kelly for Egan
19: Andy McKenzie for Davoran
Kilrush Shamrocks:
1: James Harding
2: Anthony Lillis
3: Fiachra Crowley
4: Donal Madigan
5: Evan McInerney
6: Conor Roche
21: Killian Glynn
7: Cathal McMahon
9: Con Prendeville
10: Neil Cullinan
11: Stephen Sweeney
12: Michael Purcell
13: Padjo McGrath
24: Johnny Stack
8: Ewan Kelly
Subs:
24: Kyle McKierney for D. Hogan
18: Robbie Wall for Sweeney
19: Jack McGrath for Crowley
Referee: Paul Howard (Ruan)
