*Michael O’Connor and Mark McInerney.
ENNIS’ Mark McInerney is celebrating adding to a growing medal collection this week.
Mark was part of the NUIG panel which claimed the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup, their first time winning the coveted silverware since 2003.
NUIG overcame UL 0-12 1-06 at the grounds of IT Carlow on Wednesday evening to make up for their disappointment in losing the 2018 decider. Maurice Sheridan’s side won the Sigerson Cup for the twenty third time and are now joint second in the roll of honour with UCC.
McInerney who has been added to Colm Collins’ Clare panel has now added the Sigerson title to his medal collection which also includes a Clare senior football championship following the success of the Paul Madden Éire Óg side in 2021, Mark raised the green flag in their 1-11 0-09 final win over Kilmurry Ibrickane.
Success is no stranger to the McInerney household, Mark’s father Francis was captain of the Clare footballers crowned Munster champions in 1992 while he has several Clare SFC medals to his name from the Doonbeg dominance of the 1990s. His twin sister, Alana is currently part of the Irish Six Nations squad and is continuing to impress for both UL Bohs and Munster.
Man of the match, Cathal Heneghan though from Roscommon has plenty of links to the Banner County. Although he was only introduced at half-time, he would kick 0-03 to put NUIG ahead in difficult conditions, ultimately he was the match winner and his exploits were keenly watched by his relations in Feakle, Bodyke, Barefield and Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Crusheen’s Michael O’Connor is the gaelic games officer with NUIG and has been basking in their success plus the potential of a double with the Fitzgibbon Cup hurlers also facing UL in the decider. The current Vice Chairman of Clare GAA is currently balancing his NUIG role and GAA administrative duties with his freelance commitments to The Clare Champion.
Clare players were also chasing success as part of the UL side. Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Daniel Walsh lined out at midfield with Emmet McMahon of Kildysart and Kilmihil’s Ciaran Downes part of the half-forward line, McMahon’s shooting from distance had been one of the standout aspects of their semi-final win. Clare SFC winner, Oisin Looney from St Joseph’s Miltown was introduced in the second half for Downes.
