*Lissycasey’s U13 footballer look on as Coiste na nÓg Peil Chairman, PJ McGuane prepares to hand over the cup.
It had to take extra-time and a dramatic late winning goal to finally separate the sides as Lissycasey edged a thrilling Under 13 Division 1 Football Final derby over fellow parishioners Clondegad by 1-11 to 0-10 in Cooraclare on Sunday afternoon.
Level on eight occasions over the extended 80 minutes, the prolific Kris O’Callaghan grabbed a clinching goal to take his overall tally to 1-6 as Lissycasey edged a titanic battle.
O’Callaghan (1-6) and freetaker Shane Cotter (0-3) were matched by ever-impressive Clondegad duo Eoin O’Connor (0-3) and Dara Kennedy (0-5) as the neighbours wrestled for supremacy throughout.
That blow-for-blow pattern saw Lissycasey lead by the minimum at the break, Clondegad held a one point advantage by the turn of the final quarter while it took a Bill Egan equaliser for Clondegad to force extra-time.
It was equally as tense in the additional periods but there would be no way back for Clondegad when Kris O’Callaghan found the net in the dying minutes to cement the inaugural Under 13 Division 1 title for Lissycasey.
First half goals through Thomas Dillon and Zak O’Shea were instrumental in Doonbeg claiming the Division 2 Championship crown following a 2-8 to 1-7 victory over fellow Magpies Clarecastle in the first match of the Super Sunday double head in Cooraclare.
Goalkeeper Daniel Haugh repeatedly frustrated Clarecastle’s comeback hopes as a more clinical Doonbeg led by 2-7 to 0-6 by the turn of the final quarter, only for a Sean Kelly goal to tee up an anxious finale before the West Clare Magpies prevailed.
Parteen had a little more comfort in securing the Under 13 Division 3 Football silverware in Ballynacally on Saturday afternoon thanks to a 4-7 to 1-6 win over Kildysart/Coolmeen. Opening half goals through Cormac Barry (2) and Donal Connelly provided a 3-0 to 0-3 half-time advantage for the South East Clare side, a lead that they would only stretch on the resumption as Gavin Marshall finished a powerful effort to the net to ensure a 4-5 to 0-6 scoreline by the turn for home.
A well-deserved Liam Casey consolation goal epitomised Kildysart/Coolmeen’s never-say-die attitude but Parteen were much the stronger team over the 50 minutes.
Goals were also a strong feature of the Under 13 Division 1 Shield decider in Miltown on Saturday afternoon as Kilrush/Killimer overcame St Breckan’s by 6-16 to 4-4. Timely goals from Josh McInerney (2), Aidan Griffin, Jack Johnson, Bobby O’Driscoll and Stephen McInerney allied to some great point-scoring from midfielder Brian Wallace saw the West Clare amalgamation incrementally pull clear of their North Clare opponents.
An all-North Clare decider drew a bumper crowd to Tubber on Monday night as Crusheen/Tubber edged out neighbouring combo Corofin/Ruan by 1-7 to 1-4 to cement the Under 13B Hurling Shield.
An Eoghan O’Donnell goal after only 15 seconds provided the home side with a lead that they would never relinquish despite a late backlash from Kevin Noonan.
