*Paul Frawley of St Joseph’s Miltown gets away from Éire Óg’s Darren O’Brien. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ST JOSEPH’S Miltown, Kilmurry Ibrickane, Lissycasey and St Breckan’s all got off to winning starts in the opening round of the Cusack Cup.
The race for honours in the top four domestic football leagues commenced at the weekend and despite the recent inclement weather which disrupted training schedules for all clubs, there were some exciting games.
Last year’s finalists, Éire Óg and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield both suffered defeat losing to St Joseph’s Miltown and Lissycasey respectively.
Clubs, particularly in Divisions 1 and 2, were understrength as players in the county senior and under 20 squads weren’t available due to upcoming fixtures.
Members of the extended senior panel were made available to their clubs and all except those carrying injuries lined out.
Round Two in the top four divisions will take place this weekend while the opening games in divisions 5, 6 and 7 are also down for decision
Winning start for Kilmurry Ibrickane as Keelan returns home
Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-11
Ennistymon 1-9
Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty.
A disallowed Ennistymon goal in the final minute of normal time was one of the main talking points following this first round tie.
Following consultation with his umpires referee John O’Connell awarded a free out to the home side.
At the end of a game in which both sides had their periods of dominance, the home side just about deserved victory. They had the better of the first half exchanges and led 1-7 to 0-4 at the break. Their lead at this stage could have been greater as they had failed to capitalise on some good changes in that opening period.
That said, their goal was of the fortunate variety as Cathal Talty’s effort from outfield slipped through the hands of Ennistymon goalkeeper Conor Morrissey shortly before the half time whistle.
Ennistymon stepped up a gear on the resumption and inside ten minutes they had closed the gap to the minimum. A sweeping move from their defence ended with Joe Concannon finding the net five minutes into the new half and points from the impressive Darren McNamara and a Paudie Considine free left the score at 1-7 to 1-6 with twenty minutes to play.
Try as they did, however, they never managed to draw level and entering the final five minutes they trailed by three.
A Paudie Considine two point free closed the gap to the minimum with three minutes of normal time remaining and this ensured an exciting finish.
Oisin Sexton put the home side two clear with a minute to go but the disallowed goal, the move finished by Niall Canavan who was injured in the process, left Ennistymon return home disappointed.
While Ennistymon may question the disallowing of the goal, Kilmurry Ibrickane might argue that they scored a two pointer which wasn’t given.
On an evening when both sides were very much understrength, the winners had impressive displays from Ciaran Morrissey, Conor Kearney, Diarmuid Comber, Keelan Sexton back with his home club after a season in Dublin, Colin Considine and Cathal Talty while Ennistymon’s Sean Conneally, Liam Cotter, Paudie Considine and Darren McNamara did well.
Another big talking point amongst spectators was the absence of Inagh/Kilnamona players from the game with reports circulating that dual players from the hurling club will not be available for football this season.
Kilmurry Ibrickane; Tomás Sexton; Conor Kearney, Maurice Donnellan, Shay Gleeson; Darragh Sexton, Ciaran Morrissey (0-1), Diarmuid Comber (0-2 TP); Michael Comber, Diarmuid King (0-1); Colin Considine (0-1), Keelan Sexton (0-3, 2f), Tom Flaherty; Jason Cushen, Cathal Talty (1-2), Oisin Sexton (0-1);
Subs; Shane Hickey for Flaherty (13) (inj); Colin O’Neill for M. Comber (53); Aaron O’Connor for J. Cushen (59).
Ennistymon: Conor Morrissey; Sean Conneally, Ciaran McMahon, Darragh Conneally; Jody McMahon, Brian McNamara, Liam Cotter; Eoin Rouine, Kevin Noonan; Eoin Marrinan, Tiernan Hogan, Darren McNamara (0-3); Joe Concannon (1-0), Paudie Considine (0-6, 5f, 1TP), Niall Canavan.
Subs: Lawrence Healy for C. McMahon (48); Christy Organ for E. Marrinan (59); Mikey Rouine for Canavan (inj. 61).
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Goal-den hour as Miltown inflict defeat on champions Éire Óg
St Joseph’s Miltown 5-4
Éire Óg 2-7
Venue: Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay
By Páraic McMahon
Reigning county and league champions Éire Óg fell to a rare defeat as they began the defence of their Cusack Cup title.
Goals paved the way to glory for St Joseph’s Miltown who raised more green than white flags on Friday evening. Darragh McDonagh and Euan Lineen both bagged a brace with the experienced Brian Curtin who was not part of their panel last year, marking his return to senior action with a well-taken effort at the beginning of the second half.
For Éire Óg it is their first defeat in a Clare competition in 678 days. Their last loss was also in league action but was in the Garry Cup when they came out the wrong side of a 0-13 1-4 score against Corofin in Páirc Finne on 27th April 2024. They won’t reach for the panic button just yet but they’ll certainly have been annoyed with aspects of their opening round display.
Seán O’Brien’s first outing as Miltown manager couldn’t have gone better from a result perspective. His ability to have got Curtin and Eoin O’Brien back on board while having Gordon Kelly with them from the off is another big plus. Delivery can be refined but they were working the ball in a progressive manner with Darragh McDonagh proving to be a handful for the Éire Óg defence, he scored two goals while had a part to play in Lineen’s first effort.
Both Paul Frawley and Ralph Whelahan showed glimpses of what they can do and the duo have the potential to be massive players for the club this season. They each had an assist for goals but were centrally involved in a lot of what Miltown did well.
Without both Colm Walsh O’Loghlen and Mark McInerney, there was no real danger man in the Éire Óg attack depriving them of a spark to create and take scores. Shane Daniels and his management will be frustrated with the concession of five goals and how they struggled to contain McDonagh’s aerial threat.
Two points separated the sides at half-time, Gavin D’Auria somehow managed to get a shot off after falling to the ground in the last score of the half. Gavin Murray had put them in front with a fisted effort on eight minutes only but Miltown opened their account with Lineen’s major after Micheál Murray’s delivery was fielded by McDonagh. McDonagh turned finisher on fourteen minutes following a Frawley and Curtin combo.
On the restart, Éire Óg conceded 1-1 within the space of fifteen seconds. Following Micheál Murray’s point, Cian Howard’s kickout was cut out by Conall Meade who found Curtin and he finished to the net, building up a five point lead.
Darren O’Brien pulled back a fortuitous goal for the visitors after Luke Pyne handpassed the ball off the post and luckily for Pyne it fell back to O’Brien who tapped to the net.
Éire Óg managed to reduce the gap to two points with an Oran Cahill two pointer but Miltown hit back with 1-1 in succession and deservedly held on from here to claim the win.
Scorers St Joseph’s Miltown: D McDonagh (2-0), E Lineen (2-0), B Curtin (1-0), C Mahony (0-3 3f), M Murray (0-1),
Scorers Éire Óg: G D’Auria (1-0), D O’Brien (1-1 1f), J Joyce (0-2 1f), O Cahill (0-2 1TP), G Murray (0-1), C Russell (0-1),
St Joseph’s Miltown: Ger Malone; Euan Reidy, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Cormac Devitt; Cillian Keavey, Seanie Malone, Gordon Kelly; Paul Frawley, Micheál Murray; Conall Meade, Cian Mahony, Ralph Whelehan; Brian Curtin, Darragh McDonagh, Euan Lineen.
Subs: David Barry for Meade (42), Cian Flanagan for Keavey (49), Eoin O’Brien for Malone (50) (inj), Jamesie O’Connor for Reidy (60)
Éire Óg: Cian Howard; Eoin Guilfoyle, Dean Ryan, Fionan Treacy; Ciaran Russell, Aidan McGrath, Gavin D’Auria; David McNamara, Aaron Fitzgerald; Oran Cahill, Darren O’Brien, Gavin Murray; Luke Pyne, Jack Joyce, Danny Lyne.
Subs: Martin Darcy for McGrath (18) (inj), Bernard Keating for Murray (42), Niall O’Donoghue for Pyne (46), Andrew McElwee for Lyne (49), Seán Perrill for O’Brien (57).
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill
Strong finish from Lissycasey
Lissycasey 0-13
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-6
Venue: Páirc na Mhuintire, Lissycasey
A strong finish which yielded 0-4 in the closing five minutes paved the way for Lissycasey’s victory over St. Josephs Doora/Barefield in this Cusack Cup first round tie played under Lissycasey’s new floodlights on Saturday night.
The winners had led by two points at the interval but an early second half goal for the visitors from the penalty spot gave them the lead.
The penalty was a double blow for the home side as they were reduced to ten men for the next ten minutes as impressive full back Daire Hill was shown a black card. Tom McDonald converted the penalty but with the advantage of an extra player for ten minutes the visitors failed to capitalise.
In fact Lissycasey kicked four unanswered points when stretching their lead to three points with five minutes remaining.
The Doora/Barefield side responded with two points in as many minutes to cut the margin to the minimum but substitute Conor Finnucane killed off their hopes of victory with the final two scores of the game, the last being a massive two pointer.
Daire Hil, Darragh Killeen, Cian Meaney, Matt O’Shea, Michael O’Neill and Niall Kelly impressed for the winners while the visitors had strong performances from Cian McDonagh, Darragh O’Shea, Eoghan Thynne and Tom McDonald in the second half.
Before the game there was a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the late Betty Coughlan, mother of Declan, a member of Lissycasey’s junior management team.
Lissycasey: Thomas Collins; Kevin Shivers, Daire Hill, Michael Meaney; Luke Griffin, Darragh Killeen, Euan Wragg; Matt O’Shea, Cian Meaney (0-2); Aidan Weaver, Michael O’Neill, Ben Skerritt (0-1); Shane Culligan (0-2, f), Enda Finnucane (0-1), Niall Kelly (0-2);
Subs; Shane Cotter (0-1) for Skerritt; Francis Hayes for S Culligan; Conor Finnucane (0-4, 3f, 1TP) for E. Finnucane; Adrian Meaney for C. Meaney
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Dara Fahy, Dara O’Shea, Cillian McElroy; Cian McDonagh (0-1), Conor O’Brien, Sam Costello; Odhran O’Connell, Tom McDonald (1-1, 1-0 pen.); Conal Kelleher (0-1), Eoghan Thynne (0-2), Charlie Hannan; Jack McAllister, Eoin Lahiffe, Paddy Bugler;
Subs: Joseph Kelly (0-1) for Bugler; T.J. Moore for Costello; Joseph Keane for McAlister; Cian Moloney for C. Kelleher; Sean McMahon for Kelly (inj)
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
St Breckan’s get off to winning ways in return to top tier
St Breckan’s 2-15
Kilrush Shamrocks 0-12
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
By Gearóid Howley
St Breckan’s returned to the top tier with a comfortable win over a depleted Kilrush side in Lisdoonvarna on Saturday afternoon.
Playing with the aid of the wind in the opening half, the North Clare outfit held a commanding ten-point lead at the interval, with Kilrush failing to register a score from play in the opening thirty minutes.
Eoin Byrne, who has decided to put all of his eggs in the Breckan’s basket for the 2026 season having left both county senior and U20 squads, was prominent early on, kicking four first-half points, including a two-point free after ten minutes.
The game’s opening goal arrived on twenty-five minutes when Cathal Morgan finished to the net. A neat one-two with Jack Sheedy created the opening and he calmly rolled the ball past David Jones.
Kilrush went close to an immediate response when they rattled the crossbar, and Padraig Kelly was alert to block the follow-up effort.
Despite Breckan’s being reduced to fourteen men, and briefly thirteen, Kilrush were unable to significantly cut into the deficit after the restart.
The visitors opened the second half with points from Dylan O’Brien and yet another Conor Fennell placed ball, before Kelly was black-carded five minutes after the restart. Three minutes later, goal scorer Morgan followed him to the sideline after being shown a straight red card for a late hit that was deemed to involve head contact.
Fennell kept Kilrush within touching distance with a superb two-pointer in the 40th minute, while Ben McKiernan raised another orange flag as the third quarter came to a close, although the home side were adamant that the latter came from inside the arc.
With the margin down to four, Breckan’s stormed back, producing the next 1-4 of the contest. Cathal Guerin made an immediate impact on his return as the full-forward capitalised on a turnover from a short kick-out to fire to the net before landing an excellent long-range point close to the hour mark.
Morgan had been Breckan’s liveliest forward prior to his dismissal while Liam Tierney and Eoghan Garrihy controlled matters at midfield. Colm O’Brien and Patrick Doherty also impressed as Breckan’s secured a positive start to their campaign.
St Breckan’s: Tristan O’Callaghan; Mark Healy, Patrick Doherty, Maccon Byrne; Jack Sheedy, Padraig Kelly (0-3, 1f, 1 ‘45), Padraic O’Dwyer (0-1); Liam Tierney (0-1), Eoghan Garrihy; Eoin Byrne (0-6, 2f, 1tpf), Micheál Flanagan, Colm O’Brien (0-2); Cathal Morgan (1-1), Cathal Guerin (1-1), Robert O’Connell
Subs: Eoin Fitzpatrick for M Flanagan (51), Joe Stack for R O’Connell (63)
Kilrush Shamrocks: David Jones; Darragh Miniter, Ciaran Bermingham, Conor Roche; Josh Malone, Seán Canny, Joe Miniter; Ben McKiernan (0-2, 1tp), Bobby Carey; Taight Lysaght, Conor Fennell (0-7, 5f, 1tp), Brian Wallace; Dylan O’Brien (0-1), Ross Phelan, Mark Bonfield (0-2)
Subs: Shane Mulqueen for J Miniter (40, inj) Harry Looney for C Roche (51), Eoin Shannon for J Malone (55).
Referee: Eoin Keane (Corofin)
Gallery of photographs by Burren Eye Photography
Spoils shared at Shannon
Cratloe 3-10
Wolfe Tones 2-13
Venue: Shannon
South Clare neighbours Cratloe and Wolfe Tones shared the spoils in this opening game in the race for the Garry Cup (division 2) football league played at Shannon on Friday night.
It was the ultimate game of two halves with Cratloe dominating the opening period only for the Shannon men to take over after the break,
Cratloe led at half time by 3-6 to 0-8. The highlight of the first half was a predator finish from Cathal McInerney who picked off a kick out and from 35m, neatly put the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.
After a cagey start to the second half, Wolfe Tones roared to life with two quick fire goals from Kevin Hanley and Eoghan Casey, to leave Cratloe leading by a point coming down the stretch. A Sean Collins free was followed by 2 late points from Colin Riordan and Chris Dunning to leave the sides level as time was running out.
Wolfe Tones had a guilt edged chance to take all two points at the death, but two point blank saves from debutant custodian Cian O’Gorman ensured a share of the spoils for Cratloe.
Best for Cratloe on the night were David Collins, Cathal Lohan, until injured, Tommy Rooney and Cathal McInerney. The Shannon men were best served by Eoghan Casey, Dean Devanney and Colin Riordan who finished with 0-8.
Cratloe: Cian O’Gorman; Denis Mundy, David Collins, Rian McNamara; Enda Boyce (0-3, 1tp), Mike Brennan, Cathal Lohan (0-1); Conor Ryan, Tommy Rooney; Tadhg Lohan, Sean Collins (0-1f), Shane Gleeson (0-1); Cathal McInerney (2-2), Conal O’Hanlon, Jake Moylan (1-2);
Subs: Jack McInerney for C. O’Hanon; Emmet Costigan for C. Lohan (inj).
Wolfe Tones: Shane Russell; Tan Greene, Conor Carigg, Robert Cahill; Eoghan Casey (1-0), Jayme O’Sullivan, Niall Fitzgerald; Damien Lyne, Aaron Brennan; Cody Waller, Dean Devanney (0-1), Aaron Shinners; Tadhg Fitzgerald (0-2), Colin Riordan (0-8, 6f), Ben O’Neill (0-1);
Subs; Chris Dunning (0-1) for S Nihill; Liam Divilly for C. Carigg; Kevin Hanley (1-0) for T. Fitzgerald; Eoghan Gough for B O’Neill; Mark O’Sullivan for A. Brennan.
Referee: Robert Harte (St Senan’s Kilkee)
Magpies by the minimum margin
Doonbeg 0-12
Kildysart 0-11
Venue: Kildysart
Doonbeg took the first step on what they hope will be a road that will lead them back to Division 1 (Cusack cup) when they managed a one point win over Kildysart in the Garry cup opening round on Saturday.
The game was played at Kildysart after the magpies conceded home advantage due to ongoing works at Shanahan McNamara park in Doonbeg.
The home side had the better of the first half exchanges and they led by three points, 0-8 to 0-5, at the interval.
The second half saw Doonbeg enjoy the upperhand as they fought their way back to level terms before edging in front in a tie that saw the teams evenly matched for much of the contest. Indeed Kildusart could be considered a little unlucky not to have earned a share of the spoils on a day when four two pointers were recorded, three by Doonbeg players Mikie Tubridy, Cathal Killeen and Darragh O’Sullivan while Luke McGrath landed one for the home team.
In round two this week, Doonbeg travel to Ballynacally to take on Clondegad while Kildysart will travel west to Cross to face Naomh Eoin.
Doonbeg; Eamonn O’Dea; Shane Bermingham, James Killeen, Conor O’Mahoney (0-1); Mikie Tubridy (0-3, 1tp), Cian O’Mahoney (0-1), Gearoid White; Kevin McInerney Cathal Killeen (0-4, 2f, 1tp); Gavin O’Shea, Eoin Killeen, Jamie O’Shea; Eoghan Tubridy, Rory Walshe, Darragh O’Sullivan (0-3, 1tp).
Subs: Dylan Conway for E, Tubridy (inj.); Ian Ryan for J. O’Shea; Daithi Conway for Dylan Conway.
Kildysart: Aidan O’Loughlin, James Casey, Fergal Guinnane (0-1), Cillian Kelly, Darragh Murtagh, Conor Moloney, Seamus Casey; Keith O’Connor, Kieran O’Brien (0-1), Liam Casey (0-4), Luke McGrath (0-4, 1tp), Conal Casey; Ryan Casey, Daniel Moloney, Jack Cotter (0-1);
Subs: Diarmuid O’Donnell for D Moloney; Colm Collllins for R. Casey;
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Corofin take control in second half
Corofin 1-16
Cooraclare 0-8
Venue: Páirc Finne, Corofin
A strong second half showing saw Corofin get their campaign for Garry cup honours off to a good start when they accounted for Cooraclare on Sunday morning at Pairc Finne in Corofin.
In what was a repeat of last year’s intermediate final, Corofin again emerged as the victors.
There was little between the sides in the opening half and when the half time whistle sounded the sides were level at 0-5 each.
The home side dominated the second half exchanges and Cian Doolin struck for the game’s only goal which pushed the winners well clear.
Nine players shared in Corofin’s impressive tally on a day when Cillian McGroary, Diarmuid Cahill, Gearoid Kelly and substitute Josh Ryan landed two pointers.
Cooraclare goalkeeper Oisin Morrissey kicked a two pointer for his side who welcomed back former county minor Jack Morrissey to their ranks.
Corofin; Liam Tierney; Michael Cahill (0-1), John Rees, Caoimhin O’Donovan; Dara McGroary, Damien O’Loughlin (0-1), Kevin Keane (0-2); Cillian McGroary (0-3, 1tp), Gearoid Kelly (0-2, 1tp); Gearoid Hanrahan (0-1), Cian Doolin (1-0), Evan Doolin; Diarmuid Cahil (0-4, 1tp), Eoghan Clancy, Josh O’Brien;
Subs; Colin Fitzgerald for D. McGroary; Josh Ryan (0-2, 1tp) for G.
Hanrahan; Tiernan O’Neill for D. Cahill; Aidan Moloney for E. Clancy;
Cooraclare: Oisin Morrissey (0-2, 1tp); Gary Donnellan, Gearoid Lillis, Noel Gavin; Robert Ryan, Ronan Donnellan, Ciaran Chambers; Adrian Fennell, James Burke; Gary Cunningham, Sean Molloy (0-1), Kevin Marrinan (0-2); Colin McNamara (0-1), Jack Morrissey (0-2), Jack Carey.
Subs: Niall Kelly for R Donnellan; Finn Burke for R. Ryan; Cian Corry for J. Burke; Rory Lillis for J. Morrissey; Padraig O’Donoghue for S. Molloy.
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
Gallery of photographs by Burren Eye Photography
Clondegad in control
Clondegad 3-11
Naomh Eoin 0-8
Venue: Ballynacally
From once the make up of the groups was confirmed Clondegad were installed as one of the favourites and they got their Garry cup campaign off to a winning start when overcoming Naomh Eoin at Ballynacally on Sunday morning.
Clondegad were on the way to this victory at the half way point when they led by four points, 1-5 to 0-4 having played against a fresh wind in the opening period.
Eoghan Gavin was the winner’s first half goalscorer and he struck for another major in the second half when Colm Meaney also found the net.
Eoin Kennedy was the side’s top scorer with 0-7, four coming in the opening half.
In round 2 this Saturday, Clondegad will face Doonbeg in Ballynacally
Clondegad; Darren Cleary; Niall Carigg, Brian Casey, Cormac Reidy; Colm Meaney (1-0), Tadhg Ó hUallachain, Dylan Killoughery; Evan Flynn, Diarmuid O’Neill; Eoghan Glynn (0-1), Eoghan Gavin (2-0), Paddy Sweeney (0-2); Sam Garry, Kieran McDonnell, Eoin Kennedy (0-7);
Subs; Joe Neylon for O hUallachain; Cormac O’Muineachain for Sweeney; Dara O’Neill for K. McDonnell; Thomas Hehir (0-1) for Sam Garry; Sean O’Sullivan for D. O’Neill (inj);
Naomh Eoin: Kieran Magner; Declan Keniry, Tomás Bonfil, Conor Tevlin; Adam Haugh, Sean Bonfil (0-1), Mark McQuaid; Conor Downes, Conor Magner (0-1); Gavin Magner, Niall Bonfil (0-1), Fergal Keane; Odhran Lynch (0-2), Owen Lynch (0-3, 1tp), Gearoid Lynch;
Subs; D.J. Liddane for G. Lynch; Ciaran Bonfil for C.Tevlin; Cathal Carmody for A. Haugh; C. Tevlin for S. Bonfil
Referee: Noel Meaney (Coolmeen)
