*Cian Meaney of Lissycasey battles with Éire Óg’s Eoin Guilfoyle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
LISSYCASEY, St Breckan’s and St Joseph’s Miltown share top spot in the Cusack Cup with two wins in the opening rounds of the league.
Inclement weather conditions forced the alteration of some fixtures across the weekend.
St. Breckan’s, St Joseph’s Miltown and Lissycasey share top spot in the Cusack Cup after recording their second successive victories while defending champions Éire Óg, last year’s runners-up St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Garry Cup champions Kilrush Shamrocks without a win following the first two rounds.
In the Garry Cup, Clondegad lead the way with maximum points from their opening two games. They proved too strong for Doonbeg on Saturday while Cratloe followed up their first round draw with a victory over Cooraclare. Meanwhile Naomh Eoin caused a big surprise when recording a five point win over a fancied Kildysart side.
Wolfe Tones and Corofin do battle in the final Garry Cup fixture on Monday evening.
Round 3 in both competitions which is scheduled for the first weekend in April will see joint leaders Lissycasey and Miltown in opposition while the other joint leader, St Breckan’s will make the short journey to play Ennistymon. There will be a repeat of last year’s final when Éire Óg and Doora/Barefield clash while the remaining game will see Kilmurry Ibrickane and Kilrush in opposition.
Garry Cup leaders Clondegad will face their near neighbours and rivals Kildysart, Cooraclare will take on Wolfe Tones, Cratloe will play Corofin while the remaining game will be a West Clare derby between Doonbeg and Naomh Eoin.
Lissycasey edge poor contest
Lissycasey 1-7
Éire Óg 0-8
Venue: Éire Óg GAA Grounds, Ennis
The meeting of Lissycasey and Éire Óg in round 2 of the willwego,com Cusack Cup was a typical early season contest with both sides guilty of a lot of mistakes.
The game produced just four scores from play, two to either side and crucially the game’s only goal was one of these scores with Enda Finnucane’s strike, seven minutes into the second half, helping his side to their second win in a row.
Éire Óg finished the tie with thirteen players, Ciaran Russell and Oran Cahill both picking up two yellow cards. Russell departed the game fifteen minutes from the end while Cahill’s dismissal came in the final minute.
The game was played at the Éire Óg grounds and the home side made the better start racing into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after eight minutes, Darren O’Brien with two of their points while the other came from Luke Pyne.
The game had reached the tenth minute when Lissycasey got on the scoresheet, goalkeeper Thomas Collins landing a two pointer when he converted a 35m free.
O’Brien replied with two pointed frees and his side still led by three as the game reached the twenty fifth minute. The visitors finished the half strongly with points from Shane Cullligan, anther from goalkeeper Collins and one from a Niall Kelly free which sent the sides to the break locked together at 0-5 each.
Danny Lyne converted a 20m free early in the second half to put the home side back in front but it was short lived as a good Lissycasey move in which defender Michael Meaney played a lead part ended with Finnucane finding the net after Éire Óg goalkeeper Cian Howard was caught off his line.
Éire Óg closed the gap to the minimum with another Lyne free but like scores from Shane Culligan and Niall Kelly stretched the winners lead to three with ten minutes remaining.
The home side piled on the pressure but they could only manage another point from a Lyne free.
Central defenders Darragh Killeen and Daire Hill were prominent throughout for the winners while Michael Meaney, Matt O’Shea and Michael O’Neilll were others to impress.
Dean Ryan, Darren McNamara, Luke Pyne and Aaron Fitzgerald worked hard for the home side.
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Lissycasey; Thomas Collins (0-3, f, 1tp); Kevin Shivers, Daire Hill, Michael Meaney; Luke Griffin, Darragh Killeen, Euan Wragg; Matt O’Shea, Cian Meaney; Ben Skerritt, Michael O’Neill, Aaron Clohessy; Niall Kelly (0-2, f), Enda Finnucane (1-0), Shane Culligan (0-2, 1f)
Subs; Darren Keane for Clohessy; Shane Cotter for Skerritt; Francis Hayes for Culligan; Adrian Meaney for Finnucane;
Éire Óg: Cian Howard; Dean Ryan, Aaron Fitzgerald, Eoin Guifoyle; Ciaran Russell, Fionán Treacy, Gavin D’Auria; David McNamara, Oran Cahill; Luke Pyne (0-1), Darren O’Brien (0-4, 3f), Jarlath Colllins; Bernard Keating, Jack Joyce, Danny Lyne (0-3, f).
Subs; David Loftus for J. Collins; Sean Perrill for B. Keating; Andrew McElwee for J. Joyce, Martin Darcy for A. Fitzgerald (inj).
Referee: Eoin Keane (Corofin)
Miltown go marching on
St Joseph’s Miltown 1-16
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-10
Venue: Clarecastle
Despite conceding an early goal, St Joseph’s Miltown emerged as deserving winners in this Cusack Cup tie played at Clarecastle astro on Saturday night, the game having been postponed from the previous night due to inclement weather which ruled Hennessy Park in Miltown Malbay unplayable.
Scorer of two goals in their opening round win over title holders Éire Óg, full forward Darragh McDonagh took up where he had left off and fired over the opening point in the second minute.
The Doora/Barefied outfit responded with a Dara O’Shea point and a goal from Dara Fahy in just over a minute but that sparked a strong response from the winners who hit 1-4 without reply in the net six minutes. Conor Neylon struck for the goal while Cian Mahoney landed a two pointer and the winners went on to lead 1-10 to 1-4 at the break.
Miltown outscored their opponents 0-5 to 0-2 in the third quarter with Mahoney landing another two pointer.
To their credit an understrength Doora/Barefield continued to battle and they responded with four unanswered points but Miltown always held the edge and they closed out the tie with another Darragh McDonagh point.
Eoin O’Brien, Seanie Malone, Gordon Kely, MIcheál Murray, Darragh McDonagh and Eoin Curtin were prominent for the winners while Dara O’Shea, Cian McDonagh, Conal Kelleher and Eoghan Thynne did well for the Doora-Barefield outfit.
St Joseph’s Miltown: Ger Malone; Eoin O’Brien, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Cormac Devitt; Cillian Keavey, Seanie Maone, Gordon Kelly; Micheál Murray (0-2), Paul Frawley; Conal Meade, Cian Mahoney (0-5, 2tp), Conor Neylon (1-2); Brian Curtin, Darragh McDonagh (0-4), Euan Lineen (0-3)
Subs: Oisin Meade for C. Meade; Cian Flanagan for D O’Sulivan; Jamesie O’Connor for C. Keavey; David Barry for E Lineen.
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Odhran Flynn, Dara O’Shea (0-1), Conal Dorgan; Dara Fahy (1-0), Conor O’Brien, Cian McDonagh; Liam Clune, Odhran O’Connell; Sam Costelloe (0-1), Conal Kelleher (0-3), Eoin Lahiffe; Cian Moloney, Eoghan Thynne (0-3), T.J. Moore.
Subs: Tom McDonald (0-1) for Clune (inj.); Colm Price for T.J. Moore, Darragh O’Callaghan (0-1) for Costelloe; Martin Keogh for C Moloney; Sean Corry for O. Flynn.
Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)
St Breckan’s secure back-to-back wins
St Breckan’s 1-13
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-14
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
By Gearóid Howley
St Breckan’s secured back-to-back victories on Saturday afternoon in Lisdoonvarna, edging past Kilmurry Ibrickane by two points.
Missing four starters from their previous outing, the North Clare side still managed to claim the spoils with a decisive goal from Cian ‘Jimmy’ Burke in the 40th minute proving the difference between the sides.
The home side endured a difficult spell in the opening half, failing to score between the 10th and 25th minutes. During that period Kilmurry Ibrickane registered seven points, with Keelan Sexton landing two two-pointers from play to put the visitors firmly in control.
Sexton’s second two-pointer arrived just a minute after Eoin Byrne was shown a black card for a trip, leaving the home side temporarily down a man. However, St Breckan’s rallied well to close the half, hitting the final three points, the pick of them coming from Colm O’Brien. Enda Coughlan’s charges led by two at the interval, 0-9 to 0-7.
Cathal Morgan was introduced at half-time and the lively corner-forward made an immediate impact. The substitute did superbly to claim the first ball played in his direction and floated over an excellent score. The Spa had been successful in appealing his red card dismissal from the first round.
Padraig Kelly followed with a two-pointer to push the home side a point clear before Keelan Sexton responded from a placed ball to level matters once again.
The decisive moment arrived shortly afterwards when Burke reacted quickest to a point attempt coming back off the post. Anticipating the rebound to perfection, he gathered possession and finished simply to the net for the game’s only major.
Kilmurry Ibrickane responded with points from Keelan Sexton and Cathal Talty, but St Breckan’s continued to keep the scoreboard ticking. Eoghan Garrihy struck two identical points from his right boot in quick succession, with a Sexton two-point free sandwiched in between.
Among the standout performers for the winners were Mark Healy, Maccon Byrne, Colm O’Brien, Eoghan Garrihy and goalscorer Cian Burke. For Kilmurry Ibrickane, Keelan Sexton was their main attacking threat while Colin Considine, Diarmuid Comber and Cathal Talty also impressed.
Gallery of photographs by Burren Eye Photography
St Breckan’s: Conor O’Neill; Mark Healy, Patrick Doherty, Maccon Byrne; Jack Sheedy (0-1), Colm O’Brien (0-1), Padraic O’Dwyer; Padraig Kelly (0-4, 2f, 1tp), Eoghan Garrihy (0-2); Eoin Byrne (0-3, 1tpf, 1f), Denis O’Callaghan, Robert O’Connell; Joe Stack, Cian Burke (1-1), Eoin Fitzpatrick
Subs: Cathal Morgan (0-1) for Joe Stack (HT)
Kilmurry Ibrickane: Tomás Sexton; Conor Kearney, Maurice Donnellan, Shay Gleeson; Colin Considine (0-1), Ciarán Morrissey, Oisin Sexton (0-1); Michael Comber, Diarmuid Comber; Kevin Tubridy, Keelan Sexton (0-8, 2tp, 1tpf, 1f), Tom O’Flaherty; Jason Cushen, Cathal Talty (0-4, 1tpf), Leo Switzer
Subs: Ajay Daly for S Gleeson (46), Conor Burke for M Comber (46), David O’Donoghue for K Tubridy (46), Colin O’Neill for J Cushen (57)
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay)
Kelleher’s goal helps Ennistymon beat Kilrush
Ennistymon 1-14
Kilrush 0-15
Venue: Captain Tubridy Park, Kilrush
Mark Kelleher’s goal, shortly before the end of the third quarter, proved a crucial score as Ennistymon got their first Cusack Cup points of the season when accounting for Kilrush at the latter’s venue on Friday night.
While showing improved form from their opening game in the competition a week earlier, Kilrush will be disappointed with this result as they failed to capitalise on a number of goal chances they created.
This was particularly true of the opening half at the end of which they led by the minimum margin, 0-8 to 0-7.
On what was a difficult night for football, Ennistymon can also point to some missed opportunities, although not as many.
Both sides were, as in the first round a week earlier, short a number of players that will be expected to be in their team as the season progresses.
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Ennistymon; Conor Morrissey; Lawrence Healy, Darragh Conneally, Sean Conneally; Liam Cotter, Brian McNamara (0-1), Jody McMahon; Kevin Noonan, Eoin Rouine; Darren McNamara (0-2), Mark Kelleher (1-0), Tiernan Hogan (0-2); Joe Concannon (0-3), Paudie Considine (0-5, 3f), Eoin Marrinan;
Sub; Joe Dowling for B McNamara (inj.);
Kilrush Shamrocks: Bobby Carey (0-2, 1TP); Darragh Miniter, Ciaran Bermingham Tadhg Lysaght; James Blunnie, Sean Canny, Conor Roche; Don O’Driscoll (0-4, 1TP), Darragh Bunnie; Ben McKiernan, Conor Fennell (0-5, 1TP), Brian Wallace (0-1); Mark Bonfield (0-2), Jim Young (0-1), Ross Phelan.
Subs: Jack Flavin for D. Blunie; Jimmy Browne for D. Miniter; Harry O’Looney for C. Roche; Josh Malone for J. Flavin
Referee: Eoin Keane (Corofin)
A first win for Cratloe
Cratloe 2-16
Cooraclare 1-10
Venue: Pairc Michael Ui hEithir, Cratloe
Cratloe followed their opening round draw with Wolfe Tones when recording their first victory in this season’s Garry Cup as they beat a plucky Cooraclare team on Saturday.
A much depleted Cooraclare got off to a dream start with a goal from corner forward Sean Molloy. Cratloe settled well, and early points from Sean and Podge Collins and Cathal McInerney helped them establish an early lead.
The highlight of the first half was an absolute peach of a goal when Cathal McInerney deftly placed the ball over Oisin Morrissey into the net. This helped the home side lead 1-10, to 1-2 at half time
Unlike last week’s second half against Wolfe Tones in the opening round, Cratloe were determined they were not going to relinquish their lead. A top drawer goal from the industrious Conor Ryan, along with three pointed frees from Sean Collins ensured victory was always going to the home side.
Cooraclare never gave up. A fine two point effort from Molloy, augmented with a brace of points from midfielder Gabriel Fennell ensured a respectable scoreline.
Best on the day for Cooraclare were Molloy, Fennell and Jack Carey. On a day where the Cratloe team performance was to the fore, Conor Ryan, Cathal Lohan and Podge Collins excelled.
Cratloe; Cian O’Gorman; Denis Mundy, David Collins, Riain McNamara; Liam Markham, Michael Brennan, Cathal Lohan; Conor Ryan (1-0), Tommy Rooney; Shane Gleeson (0-1), Sean Collins (0-5, 4f), Ryan Harkin; Cathal McInerney (1-5, 1tp), Jake Moylan, Podge Collins (0-3)
Subs: Sean Ryan (0-1) for Harkin; Jake Higgins for C. McInerney; Emmet Costigan for J. Moylan; Keelan O’Donoghue for C. Lohan; Ross Van Der Houssan (0-1) for Rooney
Cooraclare; Oisin Morrissey; Niall Kelly, Gearoid Lillis, Fionn Burke; Ronan Donnellan, Gary Donnellan, Ciaran Chambers; Gabriel Fennell (0-2), Tadhg Lillis; Gary Cunningham (0-1), Jack Carey (0-1), Kevin Marrinan; Rory Lillis, Padraic O’Donoghue, Sean Molloy (1-3);
Subs; Colin McNamara (0-1) for R Lillis; James Burke for K. Marrinan; Rob Ryan for N. Kelly; Cian Corry for J. Carey; Enda Lillis for P.O’Donoghue;
Referee: Ian Daly (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
Naomh Eoin surprise Kildysart
Naomh Eoin 1-12
Kildysart 0-10
Venue: Gallery Park, Kilrush
Over the past couple of seasons Naomh Eoin have produced some big wins when carrying the underdogs tag and they added to this list on Saturday when scoring a merited five point win over a fancied Kildysart side.
They produced a strong team performance to claim a valuable brace of points in a game which was moved to Kilrush.
The game’s only goal from Odhran Lynch helped the Loop Head Peninsula outfit to a one point interval lead when the score was 1-3 to 0-5.
Kildysart who, it must be noted, were short a number of key players, battled back to level terms midway through the second half but a defence inspired West Clare outfit finished strongly to record a merited win.
Kildysart’s cause wasn’t helped by the loss for ten minutes of the experienced midfieder Keith O’Connor who picked up a black card.
Fergal Keane at midfield and forward Gearoid Lynch did well for the Seamus Boland managed outfit along with their defensive unit.
Naomh Eoin; Eoin Daly; Ciaran Bonfil, Tomas Bonfil, Conor Tevlin; Mark McQuaid, Conor Magner, Adam Haugh; Fergal Keane, Gavin Magner; Odhran Lynch (1-1), Conor Downes (0-2), Gearoid Lynch (0-3, 1tp); Niall Bonfil (0-2), Owen Lynch (0-4), Kevin Roche;
Sub: D.J. Liddane for K. Roche;
Kildysart; Conor Cusack; James Casey, Shane McNeilis, Jamie Sheehan; Darragh Murtagh, Conor Moloney, Seamus Casey; Neil O’Connor, Kevin O’Brien; Conal Casey (0-1), Luke McGrath (0-3), Liam Casey (0-5); Ryan Casey, Diarmuid O’Donnell (0-1), Jack Cotter;
Sub: Conor Finucane for R. Casey
Referee: Pat Healy (Kilmaley)
Two from two for Clondegad
Clondegad 0-13
Doonbeg 1-7
Venue: Páirc Mhichil Ui Eithir, Ballynacally
Despite conceding an early penalty to David Tubridy, Clondegad emerged as deserving winners over Doonbeg in this Garry Cup second round game.
The winners led 0-4 to 0-1 when the penalty was awarded and the experienced Tubridy dispatched the ball to the net but the home side quickly regained the edge and when the half time whistle sounded they led 0-7 to 1-2., goalkeeper Daniel Kelly having kicked a two point free in that half.
In a hard fought contest they continued to hold the lead in the second half when Eoin Kennedy kicked four points to add to his two in the opening period.
The loss of county panellists Mikie Tubridy and James Killeen to injury in the second half didn’t help the Magpies’ cause but Clondegad proved the better balanced side on the day and deserved their win which sees the James Murrihy managed side at the top of the table after two rounds.
Clondegad; Daniel Kelly (0-2, TP); Niall Carigg, Brian Casey, Cormac Reidy; Colm Meaney, Morgan Garry (0-2), Dylan Killoughery; Evan Flynn (0-1), Diarmuid O’Neill; Joe Neylon, Eoghan Gavin (0-1), Paddy Sweeney; Sam Garry, Kieran McDonald (0-1), Eoin Kennedy (0-6)
Subs; Thomas Hehir for Neylon; Cormac Ó Muineachain for S Garry; Sean O’Sullivan for Flynn
Doonbeg; Paul Dillon; Shane Bermingham, James Killeen, Conor O’Mahoney; Mikie Tubridy (0-1), Cian O’Mahoney, Cillian Blake; Kevin McInerney, Gearoid White; Gavin O’Shea (0-1), Darragh O’Sullivan (0-1), Cathal Killeen; Eoin Killeen, Rory Walshe, David Tubridy (1-4);
Subs: Ian Ryan for S. Bermingham; Dylan Conway for M. Tubridy; Kian Conway for R. Walshe; David Conway for J. Killeen.
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
