*Aidan McGuane shadows Keelan Sexton. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

In a repeat pairing of last yearโ€™s county final, Kilmurry Ibrickane turned the tables to advance to the Clare SFC quarter-finals.

Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-12
St Josephs Miltown 0-09
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Billed as the top game of the round, it failed to live up to expectations. Kilmurry Ibrickane for their part were uncharacteristically sluggish in the opening half, on the other hand St Josephs Miltown certainly didnโ€™t set the world alight, particularly as the contest wore on.

It was the Cleary twins that impressed in the first quarter, excellent points from Eoin and Conor saw the reigning champions take control. A move featuring Gordon Kelly and Oisin Looney that was finished off by Eoin gave them a 0-04 0-01 cushion at eleven minutes. Kilmurry Ibrickane finished off the opening half with three of the last four scores to finish the half one point adrift.

Kilmurry Ibrickane took the lead for the first time on the resumption with Shane Hickey and Keelan Sexton splitting the posts. Championship debutant Cian Mahony replied for Maurice Reidyโ€™s charges putting them on equal terms for only the second time in the game.

Despite being down to thirteen men following black cardโ€™s to both Dermot Coughlan and Michael Hogan, the Bricks not alone stayed in contention but were in front following a Michael Oโ€™Dwyer white flag.

Eoin Cleary with two points in succession put Miltown back in front by the smallest of margins but Kilmurry Ibrickane would score five points in a row in the final ten minutes of normal time to seal the win.

It is highly likely that both sides will meet in the business end of the championship but these win is a big lift for Aiden Moloneyโ€™s Kilmurry Ibrickane who needed to know they had the ability to beat their neighbours. The volume erupting from their supporters in the final minutes of the clash signalled that it was most definitely a battle they wanted to win. For them, Keelan Sexton worked hard and contributed on the scoreboard, Martin McMahon, Shane Hickey and Dermot Coughlan in the final few moments stood out

Miltown will be the side teams will not want to get in the second round. They will need to produce a reaction if they are to keep their bid of retaining the Jack Daly alive. In patches, Eoin Cleary, Conor Cleary and Eoin Oโ€™Brien were most impressive.

Scorers Kilmurry Ibrickane: Keelan Sexton (0-3, 3f), Dermot Coughlan (0-2), Ian McInerney (0-1, 1f), Daryn Callinan (0-2, 1f), Michael Oโ€™Dwyer, , Shane Hickey and Michael Hogan (0-1 each).

Scorers St Josephs Miltown: Eoin Cleary (0-6, 4f), Cormac Murray, Cian Mahoney and Conor Cleary (0-1 each).

Kilmurry Ibrickane:
16: David Sexton

15: Martin McMahon
3: Darren Hickey
4: Mark Killeen

7: Darragh Sexton
6: Ciarรกn Morrissey
5: Shane Hickey

9: Aidan McCarthy
5: Daniel Walsh

17: Andrew Shannon
23: Michael Oโ€™Dwyer
12: Dermot Coughlan

31: Ian McInerney
13: Keelan Sexton
10: Michael Hogan

Subs:
11: Enda Coughlan for Shannon (36)
14: Daryn Callinan for McInerney (44)

St Josephs Miltown:
1: Sean Oโ€™Brien

2: Eoin Oโ€™Brien
3: Seanie Malone
4: Enda Oโ€™Gorman

5: Aidan McGuane
6: Gordon Kelly
7: Euan Reidy

9: Conor Cleary
8: Oisin Looney

24: Cian Mahoney
11: Eoin Cleary
10: Micheรกl Murray

14: Cormac Murray
13: Graham Kelly
15: Brian Curtin

Subs:
12: Zack Whelehan for M Murray (39)
19: Kevin Keaney for Mahony (45)
18: Colin Hehir for Gordon Kelly (48)
17: Jamesie Oโ€™Connor for Reidy (55)

Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)

Related News

joe cooney 1
Cooney criticises judicial review process for delaying major infrastructural projects in Clare
leona cusack 1
Shannon woman's family 'haunted' by fear she did not receive medication in time
Screenshot 2025-10-16 111517
Clare Echo Halloween photo contest
john moran jennifer carroll macneill patrick o'donovan 1
Minister says option from HIQA review will be decided before Christmas
Latest News
clarecastle v tubber 21-09-25 ger o'loughlin 1
Sparrow's Clarecastle not overburdened with pressure ahead of chance to seal senior return
conor cusack damien tansey 1-2
Narrative verdict recorded at inquest into death of Shannon woman following breach in HSE sepsis protocol at UHL
joe cooney 1
Cooney criticises judicial review process for delaying major infrastructural projects in Clare
micheรกl duffy 2
Sitting officials linked with Head of Operations vacancy in Clare GAA
corofin v cooraclare 12-10-25 harry o'gorman 2
Youthful Cooraclare can learn from final showing - Daly
Premium
Narrative verdict recorded at inquest into death of Shannon woman following breach in HSE sepsis protocol at UHL
Sitting officials linked with Head of Operations vacancy in Clare GAA
Youthful Cooraclare can learn from final showing - Daly
Murray flying high as he collects second Clare SFC medal with ร‰ire ร“g
Shannon woman's family 'haunted' by fear she did not receive medication in time

Advertisement

Subscribe for just โ‚ฌ3 per month

If youโ€™re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just โ‚ฌ3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter โ‚ฌ8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.