*Eoin Lahiffe and Conor Grogan in action, both St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield & Clooney/Quin are battling for the last quarter-final berth in the Clare Cup. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
SEVEN of the eight quarter-final spots in the Clare Cup have been secured following the penultimate round of games.
Newmarket-on-Fergus, Scariff, Inagh/Kilnamona from Division 1A along with O’Callaghans Mills, Kilmaley, Feakle and Crusheen from Division 1B have guaranteed their passage to the knockout stages of the league.
A sixth defeat in succession has relegated Corofin from Division 1A for next season.
Éire Óg are in serious danger of dropping back to Division 2 which they won last year. They are currently bottom of 1B with one game to play. They must beat unbeaten O’Callaghans Mills in their final game and hope that either Ballyea or Sixmilebridge don’t win their last game in order to survive.
The final round of games at the end of the month will determine the remaining quarter finalist and also finalise who will be relegated.
Doora/Barefield run up impressive tally
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 0-29
Clooney/Quin 0-22
Venue: Gurteen
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield remain in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals following a convincing win over Clooney/Quin.
Two successive defeats for Clooney/Quin have hurt their chance of reaching the knockout stages and they will need to defeat Newmarket-on-Fergus in the final round and hope Clonlara overcome Doora/Barefield to make the last eight.
Exchanges were even in the opening minutes but the home side then edged ahead and maintained the lead from here to the final whistle. They were three points in front at half time when the score was 0-14 to 0-11.
Ten players shared in the team’s impressive tally with Senan Crosbie and Eoin Burke each contributing 0-5 while Darragh Keogh led the scoring for the visitors with 0-10 on the evening
The sides are now level on six points each with three wins each with the Doora/Barefield men placed ahead of their neighbours as a result of this victory on Thursday.
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Leon Talty; Joe Mannion, Ciaran O’Driscoll, Ian Williams; Darragh O’Shea (0-1) Eoghan McMahon (0-1), Darragh McMahon (0-2); Adam Mungovan, Senan Crosbie (0-5); Mark O’Connor, Eoin Burke (0-5), Cathal McMahon (0-4); Padraic O’Donovan, Eoin Lahiffe (0-7), Brian Guilfoyle (0-2);
Subs: Niall Talty (0-1) for O’Donovan; Shane Mescall for C. McMahon; Charlie Hannan (0-1) for O’Connor;
Clooney/Quin: Keith Hogan; Donnacha O’Donovan, Evan Maxted, David Considine; David Cahill, Conor Grogan, P.J. McCarthy (0-1); Darragh Keogh (0-10) Patrick Finneran (0-2); Trevor Lee (0-1), Jimmy Corry (0-2), Shane Harrison; Sam Scanlan, Dannan Fox (0-3), Ulick O’Sullivan (0-2).
Subs: Enda O’Halloran for Harrisson; Mike Corry (0-1) for Scanlan
Referee: Ian Daly (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
Blues relegate Corofin
Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-26
Corofin 0-10
Venue: Páirc Finne, Corofin
Newmarket-on-Fergus maintained their spot at the top of Division 1A with a facile win over Corofin on Thursday evening.
In fairness to Corofin it must be pointed out that they were short a number of key players including Gearoid Kelly, Gearoid and Diarmuid Cahill, Conor Leen, MarC O’Loughlin and James Organ to mention some.
Newmarket-on-Fergus took control from early in the tie and they held the upperhand throughout. Eleven players including all six starting forwards and both midfielders got on the scoresheet while goalkeeper Padraic Guilfoyle chipped in with two points when moved outfield for the final ten minutes.
In the absence of Gearoid Kelly, Damien O’Loughlin took over the freetaking duties for the home side and he converted four for the very understrength North Clare outfit.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Padraic Guilfoyle (0-2); Damien Lyne, Jack Enright, Paudie McMahon; Stephen Casey (0-1), Éanna Crimmins, Mark Delaney, Mikey McInerney (0-2), Liam O’Connor (1-1); Colin Guilfoyle (0-3), John Feehily (0-2), Peter Power (1-6, 0-4f); Eoin Guilfoyle (0-2), James Freeman (0-2), Dara McInerney (0-2)
Subs: Conor McCarthy for P Power. Luke Hayes for McMahon, James Power (0-3) for Feehily, Shane Lynch for M. McInerney, Adam Enright for D McInerney.
Corofin; Liam Corbett; John Rees, Fionn Clancy, Shane O’Donoghue; Michael Cahill, Cillian McGroary, Evan Doolin (0-1); Damien O’Loughlin (0-4 4f), Micheál Duffy; Eoin Davoren (0-4), Adam O’Loughlin, Cian Doolin; Seanán Kirby, David Corbett, Gearóid Hanrahan (0-1)
Subs: Oisín Tierney for Fionn Clancy (inj.); Eoin Carroll for Adam O’Loughlin
Referee: Brendan Hannon (O’Callaghans Mills)
Inagh/Kilnamona move into play-off position
Inagh-Kilnamona 2-20
Clonlara 0-16
Venue: Inagh
With the clubs due to meet again in the opening round of the senior championship it’s doubtful if either learned much about each other in this tie on Friday evening as both are likely to be much changed come championship.
Both were short Clare senior and under 20 panellists for this one while some others were absent due to injury and this list included Aidan McCarthy from the home side. Clonlara lost Kieran Howard in the warm up when he suffered an injury.
Both sides took to the pitch in their regular colours which are very similar but after some consultation between officials and the referee, the home side changed to their alternative set of green. This was their first time playing a competitive game in Inagh this season.
The sides were evenly matched throughout the opening half trading points on a number of occasions before going to the dressing room locked together at 0-10 each.
Inagh/Kilnamona got a dream start to the second half when Darren Cullinan got the vital touch to finish off a long puckout from Jack O’Connor for the game’s opening goal. It gave the home side a lead they would hold to the finish and as the half progressed they stretched their advantage.
The visitors weren’t helped by the fact that they played the final quarter with fourteen men, Oisin O’Brien having been shown a straight red card for a tackle on David Mescall, a few minutes after his introduction.
Nine players got on the scoresheet for each side with Keelan Guyler top scoring for the winners with 0-9, seven coming from frees.
The foundation for Inagh/Kilnamona’s win was laid in a strong half defence where Kevin Hehir, Keith White and Jason McCarthy were prominent.
Inagh/Kilnamona; Jack O’Connor; Keith White (0-1), Kevin Hehir, Cathal Ryan; Shane Woods (0-3), Jason McCarthy, Brian Foudy; Mark Callinan (0-1) Ronan Mescall; Darren Cullinan (1-0), Keelan Guyler (0-9, 7f), Tom Barry (0-1); Gearoid Barry (0-2), David Mescall, Josh Guyler (1-2).
Subs: Jack Cullinan (0-1) for T. Barry (inj.); Eoin Fitzgerald for D. Mescall; Ricky Wynne for Foudy; Evan McNamara for D. Cullinan; Jamie Wynne for Callinan
Clonlara; Alan Murnane; Michael Clancy, Ger Powell , Padraig Reddan; Dylan McMahon (0-2), Aidan Moriarty, Colm O’Meara (0-1); Colm Galvin, Sam Barrett (0-1); Micheál O’Loughlin (0-4), Conor Bourke (0-2), Cathal O’Connell; Gearoid O’Brien (0-1), Brian McLeish (0-2), Eoin Begley (0-2).
Subs: Jamie McMahon for G. Powell (inj); Mark Hogan (0-1) for McLeish ; Ben Power for C. Galvin; Oisin O’Brien for C. O’Connell;
Referee: Niall Donovan (O’Callaghans Mills)
Scariff dominate second half exchanges
Scariff 0-18
Broadford 1-11
Venue: Scariff
Despite trailing by six points at half time when the score was 0-6 to 1-9 accounted for their neighbours when they clashed on Sunday evening.
Both sides will meet again in the opening round of the championship.
Broadford had the aid of the wind in the opening half and helped by the game’s only goal which was scores by Darren Chaplin, they looked to be in a good position at the interval.
Scariff clearly had other ideas and they dominated the second half confining the visitors to just two scores while hitting the target on twelve occasions themselves.
Éanna O’Brien was their main marksman with 0-10, six of which came from frees.
As with all sides at this time of season, they line out without a number of regulars due to inter county commitments while injuries also rule players unavailable.
Scariff; William Kavanagh; Seamus McCaul, Michael Scanlan, Scott Cairns; Kian Myles, Matthew Crotty, Sean Collins; Conor Downes (0-2), Sean Hartigan (0-1); Patrick Nugent, Keelan Hartigan (0-2), Rossa Keehan (0-2); Patrick Ryan, Éanna O’Brien (0-10), Ben Sweeney (0-1);
Subs; Luke Madden for Nugent; Michael Vaugzhan for Myles; Rory Ryan for Sweeney;
Broadford: Jack Lovett; Paddy Donnellan, Dara Whelan, Damian Keniry; Cathal Chaplin (0-3), Davy Boland, Cormac Gunning; Cian Mulqueen, Michael Vaughan; Sam Cooper (0-2), Diarmuid O’Brien (0-1), Darren Chaplin (1-0); Aodan O’Driscoll (0-1), Oisin Kevanagh, Diarmuid Moloney (0-4, 3f);
Subs: Derek Greene for Donnellan (inj.); T.J. Dillon for Cooper;
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara)
Mills extend unbeaten run
O’Callaghans Mills 2-26
Sixmilebridge 0-16
Venue: Dr Hamilton Park, Kilkishen
O’Callaghans Mills maintained their unbeaten run and sealed their place in the play offs with this comfortable victory over Sixmilebridge on Thursday evening.
The foundation for this latest victory was laid in the opening half when the winners built up a good lead, 0-13 to 0-8, when playing against the wind.
They dominated the second half and they had the points secured long before the final whistle.
Ten players shared in the team’s impressive tally with Mark Pewter leading the way with 2-2 to his name.
Having missed the previous week’s game due to injury, Aidan Fawl returned to his regular position at wing back and he contributed 0-5 to his side’s tally.
(Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill)
O’Callaghans Mills; Killian Nugent (0-1); Cathal McNamara, Conor Cooney, Keith Donnellan; Niall Melody, Aidan O’Gorman, Aidan Fawl (0-5); Cormac Murphy (0-4), Fionn Hickey; Stephen Donnellan (0-1), Darragh Moroney (0-1), Conor Henry (0-2); Colin Crehan (0-5, 2f). Bryan Donnellan (0-1), Sean Murphy (0-2, f).
Subs: Seán Cotter for C. Cooney (inj); John O’Brien for C. Crehan; Patrick Donnellan for B. Donnellan; Mark Pewter (2-2) for S. Murphy
Sixmilebridge; Derek Fahy; Jack O’Halloran, Brian Carey, John Deasy; Pa Mulready (0-1), Seadna Morey, Noel Purcell (0-1); Conor Deasy, Lorcan Fitzpatrick; Zak Phelan (0-2), Jamie Shanahan (0-3, 1f), Sean McNamara (0-2); Luke O’Halloran (0-2), Cathal Lynch (0-2), Stephen Gavin (0-1)
Subs: Rory Chaplin (0-2) for L. Fitzpatrick; Fiachra ó Braoin for L. O’Halloran
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clonlara)
Kilmaley seal quarter final place
Kilmaley 1-27
Clarecastle 1-14
Venue: Clarecastle
Kilmaley continued their winning run with this victory over Clarecastle on Friday evening. While deserving of the victory the margin was closer that the final scoreline suggests.
Helped by a goal from Colm Killeen the winners led 1-13 to 0-8 at the interval. The result confirmed that they will be in the play-offs and they have also received a further boost as Cian Moloney was introduced during the tie having recently returned from Australia. He contributed 0-2 to the team’s impressive final tally.
Moloney was one of eleven players to get on the scoresheet for the winners while eight players shared in the magpies’ final tally.
There was a delay to proceedings during the game after referee Jim Hickey collided with one of the Clarecastle players.
Kilmaley; Bryan O’Loughlin; Conor Cahill, Colin Carmody, Tommy Barry; Aidan McGuane (0-1), Michael O’Malley, Daire Keane; Eanna McMahon (0-1), Sean Kennedy (0-2); Jason Keane Hayes (0-2), Tom O’Rourke (0-6), Dylan Keane Hayes; James Murphy (0-2), Michael O’Neill (0-4) Colm Killeen (1-4).
Subs; Cian Moloney (0-2) for S. Kennedy; Sean Ronan (0-2) for J. Murphy; Peter Ronan (0-1) for C. Killeen; Padraig Healy for D. Keane Hayes
Clarecastle; Cian Broderick; Aaron Hayes, Darragh Healy (0-1), Filip Wiechcinski; Colin Brigdale, Stephen O’Halloran, Eoghan Wallace; Evan Price (0-2), Conor Whelan; Rory O’Connell (0-4), Conor Halpin (1-0), Lee Brack (0-1); Paul O’Connell (0-2), Patrick Kelly, Oisin Whelan (0-3).
Subs: Rory Ralph (0-1) for P. Kelly; Tom Slattery for Wiechcinski; Jack Ellingstad for Hayes; Conor Griffin for Brack;
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Feakle finish with twelve men but return to winning ways
Feakle 2-22
Ballyea 2-19
Venue: Ballyea
The outcome of this tie at Ballyea on Friday evening was in doubt right to the finish. The East Clare side bounced back to winning ways following their loss to Kilmaley in the previous round.
The home side led at the break on a score of 1-12 to 0-9. Feakle were guilty of quite a number of wides in this period.
Ballyea were guilty of a number of wides in the second half and particularly in the final quarter and this proved costly for them.
Midway through the second half the sides were level and this was still the position inside the final ten minutes when the score was 2-16 each.
Ballyea had a 20m free at the death and went for goal but the effort was saved.
Both sides were reduced in numbers in the closing minutes with Feakle finishing with twelve while Ballyea finished with fourteen.
Shortly before the end a melee erupted leading to the dismissal of Evan Flynn (Ballyea) and Steven Conway on straight red cards while Martin Daly and Killian Bane picked up second yellows which also ended their involvement in the game.
Steven Conway and Diarmuid Bane were their side’s goalscorers in a tie in which Shane McGrath again top scored with 0-11 on this occasion. Cian Kirby and Eoin O’Connor were the goalscorers for the home side for whom Mossy Gavin top scored with 0-9 on the evening.
Feakle; Liam O’Connor; Enda Madden, Killian Bane, Justin Nelson; Evan McMahon, Eoin Tuohy, Oisin Clune; Patrick Daly (0-1), Ronan O’Connor (0-1); Martin Daly (0-2), Oisin Donnellan (0-1), Diarmuid Bane (1-1); Oisin O’Connor, Shane McGrath (0-11), Steven Conway (1-3).
Subs; Conn Smyth for Nelson; Eoghan Daly for McMahon; Enda Noonan for P. Daly; Owen McGann (0-2) for D. Bane;
Ballyea: Barry Coote; Evan Flynn, Paul Flanagan, Tadhg O h-Uallachain (0-1); Paddy Sweeney, Jack Browne (0-1), Eoin Kennedy; Mossy Gavin (0-9), Dylan Killoughery (0-2); Eoghan Gavin (0-1), Kieran McDonnell, Martin O’Leary; Eoin O’Connor (1-1) Cian Kirby (1-4), Cian O’Callaghan.
Subs: Eoin Coote for E. Gavin; Diarmuid O’Neill for K. McDonnell
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
Crusheen in control to claim quarter-final spot
Crusheen 2-16
Éire Óg 1-9
Venue: Crusheen
In another championship first round dress rehearsal Crusheen’s ten point victory over Eire Og on Sunday evening was much more convincing that the final scoreline suggests.
That said it is doubtful if this display will have little impact when the sides meet some in the championship as both were short players who will feature then and this is particularly true of Éire Óg who were missing the majority of their championship winning side of 2025 on Sunday evening. Seven of their starting team from last year’s county final were part of their first fifteen.
The early exchanges suggested a close affair with the teams level three times in the opening quarter.
The concession of two goals in the space of a few minutes, both as a result of defensive blunders proved very costly for the Ennis oufit which went thirty one minutes without a score in the middle period of the game.
Full forward Jamie Fitzgibbon scored the first goal which levelled the tie at 1-3 to 0-6 before Conor O’Donnell pounced to intercept a short puckout and fire home goal number two.
Eire Og led at the break on a score of 2-6 to 0-6 and they had added 0-4 to their tally by the time Eire Og got their next score which came eighteen minutes into the second half.
Eire Og’s goal came two minutes from the end when Danny Russell converted a 20m free but it was too late to prevent the home side from recording a merited win
Crusheen; Donal Tuohy; Alex Guilfoyle, Gavin O’Brien, Ciaran O’Doherty; Cian Dillon (0-1), Diarmuid Mullins (0-1), Kyle Scanlan; Éanna McMahon, James O’Sullivan; Ross Hayes (0-4, f), Oisin O’Donnell (0-4), Luke Ketalaar (0-3); Conor O’Donnell (1-0), Jamie Fitzgibbon (1-3), Glenn O’Sullivan;
Subs: John O’Sullivan for C. O’Donnell; Fergus Kennedy for G. O’Sullivan; Sean Hanrahan for O. O’Donnell; Cian Fogarty for C. Dillon;
Éire Óg: Darragh Stack; Jack Lynch, Ciarán Russell, Roan McDermott; Niall McMahon, Oran Cahill, Rian Mulcahy; Darren O’Brien (0-1), James O’Dwyer; David McNamara, Conor Perrill (0-1), Tom Kavanagh; Luca Cleary, Danny Russell (1-6, 1-5 f), Eoin O’Regan.
Subs; Kevin Brennan for O’Regan; Harry Kavanagh (0-1) for McNamara; Killian Moroney for Lynch;
Referee: Gus Callaghan (Feakle)
