*Conor Burke of Kilmurry Ibrickane gets away from Kilrush/Killimer’s Josh Hassett. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
KILMURRY Ibrickane, Cooraclare and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield have claimed the first three semi-final berths in the U21A football championship.
Lively contests ensued when the race for the Clare under 21 football championships at A, B and C levels got underway at the weekend.
That there will be a great tussle for the A title was evident as the quarter finals were well contested and produced some good football and some impressive scores. Interested spectators amongst the attendances at all venues were members of the Clare under 20 management team
The semi-finals are set for the weekend of November 13/14 and 15. The remaining quarter-final pits Lissycasey against Ennistymon on Tuesday evening.
Goals decisive for Kilmurry Ibrickane
Kilmurry Ibrickane 3-9
Kilrush/Killimer 0-12
Venue: Páirc Cuar an Chláir, Cooraclare
Goals from Cathal Talty (2) and Conor Burke were key as Kilmurry Ibrickane overcame the challenge of a lively Kilrush/Killimer outfit in the opening quarter final in the 2026 under 21 A football championship on Saturday evening.
It was a win that they had to work hard for on an evening when, remarkably, they saw attempts for scores rebound off the woodwork on no less than five occasions during the hour.
There will, of course, be much speculation as to whether the outcome would have been different had the Fennell brothers Conor and Sean been in the Kilrush/Killimer line up.
It is understood that a clash with the All-Ireland sean nos dancing competition at Killarney led to their absence from this fixture which changed a few times in the lead up to Saturday evening. Initially it was advertised for Friday evening, then for early on Saturday afternoon before it was finally given a 7p.m. slot on Saturday evening.
Kilrush/Killimer, playing with the aid of the breeze, made the better start and dominated the opening quarter at the end of which they led 0-4 to 0-0 and they were a little unlucky not to have been further ahead at this stage.
Cathal Talty got the winners off the mark in the 19th minute with a good point and two minutes later he struck for the opening goal of the game, converting from the penalty spot after Aaron O’Connor was adjudged to have been fouled.
Conor Burke then converted a 20m free to give his side the lead but the hugely impressive Rian Cotter had Kilrush/Killimer level a minute later. The winners finished the half stronger and after Aaron Considine had pointed Cathal Talty struck for his side’s second goal and they led 2-3 to 0-6 when the half time whistle sounded.
A superb two pointer from Tadhg Lysaght three minutes into the new half clearly signalled that Kilrush/Killimer would not be easily overcome.
Conor Burke restored his side’s three point lead when he landed a two pointer in the tenth minute of this half.
Arguably the game’s key score arrived at the turn of the final quarter when Burke found the net after Evan Cahill had created the opportunity with a great run from midfield.
Kilrush/Killimer kept their hopes alive with three unanswered points to leave four between the teams with five minutes to play. Points from Leo Switzer and a Burke free sealed victory and a place in the semi-finals for Kilmurry Ibrickane for whom Shane and Evan Cahill, Conor Kearney, Cathal Talty and Conor Burke impressed.
For the losers Bobby Carey, Jimmy Browne, Josh Hassett, Brian Wallace, Jack Kelleher and the outstanding Rian Cotter excelled.
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Scorers Kilmurry Ibrickane: Conor Burke (1-5, 2f, 1TP); Cathal Talty (2-1, 1-0 penalty); Leo Switzer (0-2), Aaron Considine (0-1);
Scorers Kilrush/Killimer: Rian Cotter (0-5, 1f); Bobby Carey (0-2 TPf), Tadhg Lysaght (0-2 1TP), Jack Kelleher (free), Brian Wallace, Shane Whelan (0-1) each
Kilmurry Ibrickane
1: Tomas Sexton;
2: Matthew Campbell,
3: Ajay Daly,
4: Ruairi Lafferty;
5: Shane Campbell,
6: Conor Kearney,
7: Davy Donoghue;
8: Evan Cahill
9: Cillian Darcy;
10: Aaron O’Connor,
11: Reuban Fallon,
12: Leo Switzer;
13: Cathal Talty,
14: Aaron Considine,
15: Conor Burke;
Subs:
17: Ryan Whelan for A. O’Connor (50);
18: Fergal McMahon for A. Considine (58)
19: Jack Talty for L. Swirzer (58);
21: Rian Cummina for M. Campbell (60)
Kilrush/Killimer;
1: Bobby Carey;
2: James Blunnie,
3: Jimmy Browne,
4: Michael O’Sullivan;
5: Eoin Soffe,
6: Josh Hassett,
7: Sean Kelly;
8: Dara Blunnie,
9: Brian Wallace;
10: Tadhg Lysaght,
11: Jack Kelleher,
12: Shane Whelan;
13: Rian Cotter,
14: Brian Phelan
15: Aidan Griffin
Subs:
19: Jack Flavin for M. O’Sullivan (49)
21: Josh Malone for S. Whelan (inj. 52);
18: Sean Tubridy for B. Whelan (57)
27: Conor Doyle for A. Griffin (61)
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Cooraclare’s second half eliminates last year’s beaten finalists Clondegad
Cooraclare 2-12
Clondegad 1-10
Venue: St Michael’s Park, Kilmihil
A strong second half showing which saw them overcome a five point half time deficit, steered Cooraclare to victory over Clondegad in this under 21 A quarter final tie played at Kilmihil at noon on Sunday.
While Cooraclare’s victory was merited Clondegad are sure to rue the fact that they recorded seventeen wides on the day, eleven coming in the opening half when they held the upperhand.
They dominated the early exchanges but were guilty of some very poor shooting which is reflected in the fact that they had registered seven wides before the game was ten minutes old.
Daniel Costelloe and Simon Culligan traded points in the opening ten minutes before Cooraclare goalkeeper Harry O’Gorman came forward and converted a 40m free to register the first two pointer of the tie.
Clondegad hit back and landed 1-2 without reply in the next ten minutes, the goal coming from Cian McAllister.
A two pointer from play by Sam Garry shortly before half time helped Clondegad to lead 1-7 to 0-5 at the break.
Cooraclare piled on the pressure on the resumption and they had drawn level ten minutes in, Aidan Considine’s goal levelling the tie at 1-7 each. A Simon Culligan free put Cooraclare ahead and following this score there was a skirmish in midfield which involved players from both sides.
Interestingly referee Barry Kelly waved play on and Clondegad won possession from the kick out and went on the attack. As Kieran Connolly carried the ball into attack the fracas quickly broke up and Cooraclare defenders including goalkeeper Harry O’Groamn were desperately racing back into position but Connolly’s kick from 40m drifted inches wide of an empty goal.
Clondegad regained the lead with two pointed frees by Cian McAllister but two 2 pointers in a minute from Simon Culligan and Sean Molloy, both from play, put Cooraclare in the driving seat and they sealed victory when Darragh Townsend struck for the team’s second goal five minutes from the end.
Gabriel Fennell, Aaron Townsend, Sean Molloy, Simon Culligan and Harry O’Gorman were prominent for the winners.
Although included at full back and wing forward on the starting team named shortly before throw in, neither Jake Garry or Jack Carey started for the winners but both were introduced at half time.
Scorers; Cooraclare: Simon Culligan (0-5, 2f, 1TP); Sean Molloy (0-4, 1TP); Hary O’Gorman (0-3, 1TP free, 1 ‘45); Aidan Considine, Darragh Townsend (1-0) each;
Scorers Clondegad: Cian McAllister (1-4, 0-4 frees); Sam Garry (1TP), Daniel Costelloe (0-2 each); Eoin O’Connor, Dara Kennedy (0-1) each
Cooraclare:
1: Harry O’Gorman
18: Gavin Browne
6: Finn Burke
4: Cian Corry;
17: Jimmy Gallagher
8: Gabriel Fennell
7: Aaron Townsend
2: Eoin Murphy
9: Sean O’Dea;
10: Kevin Marrinan
11: Darragh Townsend
5: Aidan Considine
13: Simon Culligan,
14: Sean Molloy;
15: Rory Lillis;
Subs:
12: Jack Carey for K. Marrinan (half time);
3: Jake Garry for J. Callagher (half time);
Joe McMahon for Carey (46);
Clondegad:
1: Sean O’Malley;
2: Dillon Killoughery,
3: Alan Sheehan,
4: Dara O’Neill;
5: Kieran Connolly
6: Sean McAllister
7: Daniel Costelloe;
8: Colm Meane
9: Sam Garry
10: Eoin O’Connor
11: Cian McAllister
12: Dara Kennedy;
13: Eoin Coote,
14: Robbie Markham
15: Thomas Hehir;
Subs:
18: Oisin Vaughan for D. O’Neill (5);
16: Cillian Turner for D. Costelloe
17: Barry Irwin for R. Markham;
Referee: Barry Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
Better balanced St. Josephs seal semi-final spot
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-15
Éire Óg 0-9
Venue: Gurteen
An all-round better balanced St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield deservingly qualified for the U21A championship semi-final when accounting for their neighbours Éire Óg at Gurteen on Sunday evening.
While they deserved the victory, the margin is a little flattering in their favour as they landed 1-2 in ‘injury time’.
When Éire Óg followers reflect on this game, they will wonder if they would have done better had they not lost David Loftus to injury as early as the second minute.
In addition they were without senior player Darren Moroney who, it is understood, wasn’t released by the senior management ahead of their Munster club game against Rathgornmack from Waterford on Sunday.
The game was eleven minutes old before the first score arrived, a two pointer free by Danny Lyne for Éire Óg.
In the next ten minutes the winners landed points through Conor Daly and Tom Curran who scored two each. Curran brought the half to a close when converting a two pointer free to send his side to the dressing room leading on a scoreline of 0-8 to 0-4.
The teams swapped scores on a few occasions in the opening twenty minutes of the second half at the end of which the margin was still the same, each side having added 0-4 to their half time tallies.
A well marshalled St. Josephs defence kept a tight reign on the Éire Óg forward line and the Ennis outfit only managed two points from play in that second half as the Boyle brothers and Charlie Hannan led the way for the home outfit.
Tom Curran brought his tally for the evening to 0-9 when he converted a two pointer free as the game went into ‘injury time’ and a minute later substitute Liam Clune finished off a sweeping move when striking for the game’s only goal.
Scorers St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom Curran (0-10, 2TPf, 3 frees); Conor Daly (0-3); Liam Clune (1-0); Darragh Ball (0-2).
Scorers Éire Óg: Danny Lyne (0-6, 1TPf, 2 frees); Luke Pyne (free), Alex McNamara, Bernard Keating (0-1) each;
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield:
1: Kuba Ruminouicz;
2: Charlie Hannan,
3: Eoghan Boyle,
4: Cillian McIlroy;
5: Odhran Flynn,
6: Diarmuid Boyle,
7: Colm Daly;
8: Darragh Fahy,
15: Cian Breslin;
10: Ogie Fanning
11: Eoin Lahiffe,
12: Odhran O’Connell;
13: Tom Curran,
14: Darragh Ball,
9: Conor Daly
Subs:
19: Liam Clune for C. Breslin;
23: Liam McAllister for McIlroy;
18: T.J. Moore for Flynn
Éire Óg;
1: Cian Howard;
2: Rian Mulcahy,
3: Robert Loftus,
4: Roan McDermott;
5: Alex McNamara,
6: Fionán Treacy,
7: Aaron Mounsey;
8: David Loftus
9: Luke Malice;
12: Conor O’Farrell,
11: Luke Pyne,
10: Conor Perrill;
13: Bernard Keating,
14: Danny Lyne,
15: Niall Doyle;
Subs:
21: Charlie O’Doherty for D.Loftus (inj. 2);
20: Luke Vaughan for Doyle (half time);
David Kennedy for C. Perrill;
Referee: Eoin Keane (Corofin)
Under 21 B title race:
St. Breckans are the only team from the traditional football area of the county remaining in the race for the under 21 B championship title.
At Quilty on Sunday they accounted for the West Clare peninsula combination of Naomh Eoin, O’Currys and St. Senans.
Ballyvaughan’s Cathal McNamara who assists St. Breckans in this grade, struck for the game’s only goal and he also landed a number of points for the winners.
On Thursday evening Cratloe scored a four point win over Corofin at Clarecastle. Jamie Moylan and Marc O’Brien were to the fore for the winners in this tie. O’Brien was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in a matter of seconds from referee Chris Maguire.
At Pairc na Muintire in Lissycasey on Friday night Clooney/Quin emerged with a three point win over St Joseph’s Miltown, winning on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-9.
The remaining quarter final saw Wolfe Tones record a two point win, 3-9 to 2-10, over Banner. Ben O’Connell scored 1-2 when introduced from the bench for the Tones who trailed by seven points in the opening half.
Parteen/Meelick on the march:
With the junior A and minor C titles already won, Parteen/Meelick advanced to the quarter finals of the under 21 C title race when they recorded a comfortable win over Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil at the weekend.
Doonbeg also put down a marker when proving too strong for Clarecastle in their quarter final game at Coolmeen. Kildysart/Coolmeen had a comfortable win over Éire Óg’s second team at this grade while St. Joseph’s, Doora/Barefield proved too strong for the North Clare combination of Liscannor, Kilfenora and Michael Cusacks known as Clann Lir, winning on a scoreline of 6-11 to 0-14.
