*Micheál Murray was named man of the match. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
Willie Clancy week has begun and St Joseph’s Miltown kicked off the celebrations on a high hitting the right note to be crowned O’Gorman Cup champions for the second time in three seasons.
St Joseph’s Miltown 3-21
Wolfe Tones 1-5
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg
St Joseph’s Miltown gave their championship preparations renewed vigour when picking up their most comprehensive win of the year when overcoming Wolfe Tones by a margin of twenty two points in the O’Gorman Cup final.
John O’Gorman’s lifetime of dedication to gaelic football in Doonbeg and Clare is honoured in the competition which also provides timely games to football clubs, many of which are used to blood new players.
Micheál Murray was named as man of the match and he was a worthy recipient, notching 1-2 from midfield, offering purpose with his runs both on and off the ball. He didn’t get to play the full sixty minutes with a finger injury forcing him off in additional time.
Cormac Murray was once again in fine form, kicking 1-1 in the first quarter and ending the evening with 1-3 while Euan Lineen was also proficient in front of goals.
In defence, Cormac Devitt produced a very solid display with the experienced duo of Gordon Kelly and Seanie Malone also setting the way. The availability of Oisin Looney for the group stages strengthens their cause in a massive way and in a twenty minute spell, he kicked a point from wing back, clocked a high amount of possessions and served as a strong attacking outlet.
Also excelling for the winners was Conor Cleary at midfield, his power and physicality coming to the fore while he was effective when given the chance to shoot, finishing with three points to his name. Captain Darragh McDonagh got on a lot of ball and one when factors in that Eoin Cleary still has to return to this team, it gives Miltown supporters reason to be optimistic as they turn their gaze towards championship.
Wolfe Tones though they were first to register a score, conceded the next three points and subsequent to this shipped a goal as Cormac Murray struck the ball to the net.
Jack Ryan had a well-taken effort to lift the Shannon side in what was their only major of the hour, they followed this with an Eoghan Gough point but Miltown closed out the half with an unanswered 1-4.
Scores completely and scoring opportunities completely dried up from the Tones in the second half, their only contribution to the scoreboard was a two pointer from Colin Riordan.
On the flipside, Miltown stuck to their task and showed a eagerness to keep the scoreboard ticking, not in a ruthless fashion of trying to bury Wolfe Tones but more with a sense of focusing solely on themselves and attempting to do the right thing. Not that they needed it but they received a bounce from the bench with Looney, Tim Lenihan and Diarmuid O’Sullivan all knocking over fine scores when introduced.
All eyes for Wolfe Tones now turn towards the opening round of the championship and they face a St Breckan’s side who will be hurt by their six point Garry Cup final loss to Kilrush Shamrocks last weekend, a team that the Tones defeated in last year’s intermediate semi-final.
Michael Neenan of Doonbeg GAA presented the O’Gorman Cup to Miltown captain Darragh McDonagh after the game, it is their second time winning the competition. The victorious captain praised Doonbeg for their continued organising of the competition and said the real test between the sides will arrive on August 2nd when they meet in the second round of the Clare SFC in Lissycasey.
Scorers St Joseph’s Miltown: E Lineen (1-4 3f), C Murray (1-3), M Murray (1-2), C Cleary (0-3), S Neylon (0-2), D McDonagh (0-2), P Frawley (0-1), C Meade (0-1), O Looney (0-1), T Lenihan (0-1), D O’Sullivan (0-1)
Scorers Wolfe Tones: J Ryan (1-0), C Riordan (0-2 1TP), E Gough (0-2), D Devanney (0-1)
St Joseph’s Miltown:
1: Ger Malone
2: Euan Reidy
3: Seanie Malone
4: Cormac Devitt
6: Seán Neylon
23: Gordon Kelly
5: Stephen Murphy
8: Micheál Murray
9: Conor Cleary
7: Paul Frawley
10: Darragh McDonagh
12: Cian Mahony
13: Conall Meade
14: Cormac Murray
15: Euan Lineen
Subs:
29: Oisin Looney for Murphy (37)
11: Gearoid Curtin for Frawley (39)
19: Diarmuid Devereux for Meade (43)
17: Diarmuid O’Sullivan for Reidy (47)
20: Tim Lenihan for Mahony (55)
Wolfe Tones:
1: Fionn McInerney
4: Tan Greene
18: Jayme O’Sullivan
2: Shane Nihill
14: Damien Lyne
6: Conor Carrigg
10: Brian Murphy
9: Liam Divilly
8: Joe McGauley
21: Conor Casey
26: Dean Devanney
12: Eoghan Gough
11: Colin Riordan
15: Jack Ryan
19: Chris Dunning
Subs:
3: Aaron Kelly for Casey (HT)
13: Ben O’Neill for Dunning (HT)
5: Cody Waller for Lyne (39)
22: Daithí Lohan for Ryan (41)
27: Eoghan Casey for Divilly (46)
Referee: Martin Downes (Naomh Eoin)
