*Rowan Danaher of St Breckan’s takes on Ennistymon’s John Murphy. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
ST BRECKAN’s have moved to the top of the Cusack Cup table after overcoming rivals Ennistymon while St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield are rooted to the bottom after a third successive defeat.
Inclement weather conditions disrupted the GAA fixture schedule over the Easter weekend with a number of games being cancelled.
This led to much debate amongst followers, officials and players as to whether or not the powers that be in Clare GAA should have copied their Clare District Soccer League counterparts and postponed their list of games because of the conditions.
Two attempts to play the Kilmurry Ibrickane vs Kilrush Shamrocks Cusack cup tie failed. They were first due to play on Thursday evening in Quilty but heavy rain throughout the day resulted in pitches at Quilty and Kilrush not being playable.
Both clubs, it is understood, agreed to refix the game for eight days later as neither club are impacted by dual players but Clare GAA were strict on the three-day rule and both clubs were informed the game was to be played within this period. The community field in Kilrush was then set as the venue on Saturday evening. Both teams were there, went through their warm up after which referee Chris Maguire ruled the pitch wasn’t playable. It had just hosted the meeting of Michael Cusacks and O’Currys in Division 3. The game is now scheduled for this Friday.
Lissycasey and St Joseph’s Miltown set for Saturday evening also fell foul of the weather. The re-fixture is set to go ahead in midweek with the winner set to join St Breckan’s at the top of the table.
St Breckan’s had two points to spare over North Clare neighbours Ennistymon while title holders Éire Óg got their first points when defeating neighbours St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield.
In the Garry Cup, Clondegad remain unbeaten after a draw with their neighbours, Kildysart while Corofin accounted for hitherto unbeaten Cratloe. The game between Cooraclare and Wolfe Tones, moved from Shannon to the 4G pitch in Clarecastle, also fell foul of the weather with severe winds making it difficult for players who had taken part in a warm up.
Éire Óg lay foundation in first half
Éire Óg 0-19
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 0-8
Venue: Gurteen
Playing with the aid of a galeforce wind, Éire Óg were well on their way to their first win of the campaign at half time when they led 0-18 to 0-0 at Gurteen on Saturday evening.
That tally included six two pointers, these coming from Aaron Fitzgerald who had two, Oran Cahill, Jack Joyce, Danny Lyne and Gavin Cooney who has recently returned from Australia.
Their opening three scores were all two pointers with Cahill, Fitzgerald and Joyce on target inside the opening five minutes.
A very understrength Doora/Barefield struggled to cope with their more experienced opponents who dominated in most areas throughout that first half.
Things did improve a little for the home side on the resumption but their lack of experience against the champions didn’t help their cause.
St Joseph’s were guilty of some poor shooting in that second half when they registered some wides from very scoreable positions.
That said there is no denying the merit of Éire Óg’s victory on a day when captain Aaron Fitzgerald again led by example and when former All-Ireland club winner with Corofin in Galway, Bernard Power made his debut between the posts for the Ennis side.
Éire Óg; Bernard Power; Eoin Guilfoyle, Aaron Fitzgerald (0-4, 2tp), Dean Ryan; Ciaran Russell, Fionán Treacy, Gavin D’Auria; David McNamara (0-1), Oran Cahill (0-2, TP); David Loftus, Darren O’Brien Niall O’Donoghue (0-1); Gavin Cooney (0-5, 1TP), Jack Joyce (0-2, TP), Danny Lyne (0-4, 1TP).
Subs: Jarlath Collins for O’Donoghue; Bernard Keating for McNamara; Dean D’Auria for Guilfoyle
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom O’Brien; Sam Costelloe, Orlan Flynn, Killian McElroy; James Rafferty, Dara Fahy, Sean McMahon; Darragh O’Shea, Odhran O’Connell; Conal Kelleher, Eoghan Thynne, Charlie Hannan; T.J. Moore, Tom McDonald (0-6 1TP), Cian Moloney (0-2);
Subs: Conor Price for Moore; Martin Keogh for Fahy;
Referee: Gary Twomey (Ennistymon)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Three from three for St Breckans
St Breckans 0-10
Ennistymon 0-08
Venue: Ennistymon
By Gearóid Howley
St Breckan’s jumped to the top of the Cusack Cup table with a two-point victory over Ennistymon on Saturday afternoon.
The game was thrown in just as Storm Dave was set to hit, with St Breckan’s leading by 0-3 to 0-1 with ten minutes on the clock following points from Jack Sheedy, Eoin Byrne and Cathal Morgan.
Both teams were more efficient playing against the wind and Paudie Considine kicked what was the only two-point score from play to level the tie heading into the second quarter, with Ennistymon failing to score again in the opening half after his effort.
Breckan’s responded with a point from Rowan Danaher and a two-point free from Eoin Byrne, before Danaher drove through the middle and blazed over for his second point of the day. Morgan also brought his personal tally to 0-2, while Byrne had a goal attempt saved by Conor Morrissey on the brink of the interval.
The Spa failed to score for over twenty minutes in the second half. During that period, they were outscored 0-5 to 0-0, with a Considine placed ball the only score in the first ten minutes after the restart.
In the fortieth minute, John Murphy got on the end of a wayward pass and drove forward before laying the ball off to Joe Concannon who saw his goal chance come flying back off the crossbar, the first of a handful of green flags that the Town squandered.
Michael Davenport and Paudie Considine slotted over points in quick succession to level proceedings with fifty-two minutes on the clock, before Breckan’s opened their second-half account two minutes later, with Cathal Morgan doing superbly to draw a tap-over free for Eoin Byrne, which he duly converted.
Cian Burke made his return to action in the maroon and white for the first time since the 2024 SFC quarter-final against the same opposition, kicking a point with his very first touch to push the gap out to two with four minutes remaining.
With the four minutes of injury time already complete, the home side lofted the ball in once more to try and manufacture one last goal chance, but Ronan Fitzpatrick, who had a superb showing at centre-back for the winners thwarted it and came bursting out with the size-five on the sound of the final whistle.
Rowan Danaher, Ronan Fitzpatrick, Eoghan Garrihy, Jack Sheedy, Colm O’Brien and Mark Healy impressed for the victors, while Ennistymon were best served by Paudie Considine, Seán Conneally and Tiernan Hogan.
St Breckan’s: James Garrihy; Mark Healy, Patrick Doherty, Maccon Byrne; Padraic O’Dwyer, Ronan Fitzpatrick, Jack Sheedy (0-1); Eoghan Garrihy, Denis O’Callaghan; Colm O’Brien, Eoin Byrne (0-4, 1tpf, 1f), Rowan Danaher (0-2); Robert O’Connell, Cathal Morgan (0-2), Cian ‘Jimmy’ Burke
Subs: Michéal Flanagan for C O’Brien (39), Conor Shannon for R O’Connell (44), Cian Burke (0-1) for M Healy (54)
Ennistymon: Conor Morrissey; Lawrence Healy, Joey Rouine, John Murphy; Jody McDonagh, Darragh Conneely, Nathan O’Sullivan; Eoin Rouine, Seán Conneally; Darren McNamara, Michael Davenport (0-1), Tiernan Hogan; Joe Concannon (0-2), Paudie Considine (0-5, 2f, 1tp), Niall Canavan
Subs: Christy Organ for L Healy
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Gallery of photographs by Burren Eye Photography
Spoils shared in Shannon Estuary derby
Kildysart 0-20
Clondegad 3-11
Venue: Kildysart
When neighbours Clondegad and Kildysart meet they generally produce a lively contest and this proved to be the case on Saturday afternoon despite the very difficult weather conditions.
After suffering defeat in their opening two games, Kildysart were chasing their first points of the campaign and they made the livelier starts. Aided by the breeze on their home grounds they had opened a seven point gap by the end of the first quarter.
The sides had swapped points twice before centre back Conor Moloney landed the first two pointer of the tie. Another followed from impressive teenager Liam Casey who lined out at full forward as they pushed 0-9 to 0-2 ahead.
A goal from Eoin O’Connor gave the visitors hope but Kildysart responded with two pointers from Diarmuid O’Donnell and Luke McGrath on their way to a 0-13 to 1-4 half time lead.
Unbeaten Clondegad had the opening score of the new half through centre back Tadhg Ó hUallachain but like scores from O’Donnell, Jack Cotter and Liam Casey had Kildysart 0-16 to 1-5 in front five minutes into the second half.
Clondegad then punished slack defending by the home side and Paddy Sweeney found the net. A two pointer from Eoin Kennedy left just three points between the sides before a defensive error saw Kieran McDonnell score the visitor’s third goal and level the tie with twelve minutes remaining.
Substitute Sam Garry pointed Clondegad into the lead only for Luke McGrah to level. A two pointer from Eoin Kennedy looked to have given Clondegad victory but points from Luke McGrath and Diarmuid O’Donnell tied up the contest.
Kildysart; Aidan O’Loughlin; James Casey, Shane McNeilis, Jamie Sheehan; Cillian Kelly, Conor Moloney (0-2, TP), Dara Murtagh; Keith O’Connor, Kieran O’Brien (0-1); Seamus Casey, Luke McGrath (0-5, 1TP), Diarmuid O’Donnell (0-4, 1TP); Jack Cotter (0-2), Liam Casey (0-6, 1TP), Ryan Casey;
Sub: Conal Casey for R. Casey
Clondegad; Daniel Kelly; Cormac Reidy, Brian Casey, Niall Carigg; Colm Meaney (0-1), Tadhg Ó hUallachain (0-1), Dylan Killoughery (0-1); Joe Neylon, Diarmuid O’Neill; Paddy Sweeney (1-0), Eoghan Gavin, Eoin Glynn (0-2); Eoin Kennedy (0-5, 2TP), Kieran McDonnell (1-0), Eoin O’Connor (1-0);
Subs: Sam Garry (0-1) for Nealon; Evan Flynn for Sweeney; Thomas Hehir for Glynn;
Referee: Noel Meaney (Coolmeen)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Corofin inflict first defeat on Cratloe
Corofin 2-16
Cratloe 0-10
Venue: Cratloe
Playing with the aid of the wind in the opening half, Corofin built up a lead of fourteen points by the halfway point in this Garry Cup tie at Cratloe on Saturday.
Diarmuid Cahill and Damian O’Loughlin were the goalscorers for the winners who led 2-11 to 0-3 at the interval.
An expected fight back from the home side with the aid of the wind in the second half didn’t materialise as the visitors continued to dominate on their way to a merited comfortable win.
Star player Jamie Malone, on a visit home from Dubai, came into the action and he got on the scoresheet with a point.
Sean Collins was Cratloe’s top scorer with half a dozen points, five coming from frees.
Corofin; Oisin Tierney; Marc O’Loughlin, John Rees, Caoimhin O’Donovan; Michael Cahill, Damian O’Loughin (1-1), Kevin Keane (0-3); Cillian McGroary (0-4, 1TP), Dara McGroary; Seanán Kirby (0-1), Gearoid Kelly (0-2, TP), Evan Doolin (0-1); Diarmuid Cahill (1-3), Eoin Clancy, Josh O’Brien;
Subs: Jamie Malone (0-1) for D McGroary; Cillian Clancy for G Kelly Gearoid Hanrahan for J. O’Brien; Cian O’Loughlin for Donovan
Cratloe; Cian O Gorman; David Collins, Jake Higgins, Riain McNamara; Enda Boyce, Mike Brennan, Denis Mundy; Tommy Rooney, Conor Ryan, Shane Gleeson, Sean Collins (0-6, 5f), Cathal Lohan (0-3, 1TP); Rian Considine (0-1), Ryan Bowden, Jake Moylan;
Subs; Jack McInerney for Conor Ryan (inj); Conal O Hanlon for Moylan; Emmett Costigan for Mundy; Caimin Deegan for D Collins
Referee: Fergal O’Brien (Broadford)
Tubridy’s two pointer vital for Doonbeg
Doonbeg 1-11
Naomh Eoin 0-12
Venue: Clarecastle
David Tubridy has landed many important scores for Doonbeg over the years and he continues to be a vital cog in their side.
With time almost up in this Garry Cup tie played on the 4G pitch at Clarecaste on Sunday morning he kicked the game’s only two pointer to give his side the lead for the first time.
Naomh Eoin will be disappointed to have lost this one as they had dominated the exchanges for much of the contest, leading from the outset until Tubridy’s two pointer.
They had a couple of chances to close out the game before Tubridy struck but the post came to Doonbeg’s aid while a fisted effort dropped short into goalkeeper Eamonn O’Dea’s hands.
With the aid of the breeze Naomh Eoin made the better start and they had 0-5 on the scoreboard through Owen Lynch, Conor Downes and Niall Bonfil before the Magpies opened their account after twenty minutes.
When the half time whistle sounded the Naomh Eoin side led by two, 0-6 to 0-4.
Naomh Eoin continued to hold the upperhand on the resumption and they kicked four unanswered points to stretch their advantage to six, 0-10 to 0-4, Niall Bonfil having kicked three of those.
Two Doonbeg points followed before a Cathal Killeen piledriver resulted in the game’s only goal which closed the gap to the minimum
Niall Bonfil put two between the sides but Doonbeg were now showing more urgency and they struck for two to level the tie.
Odhran Lynch put Naomh Eoin back in front after good work by Tomas Bonfil edged the Cross side ahead again only for Tubridy to break their hearts with that two pointer. Substitute Liam Hehir pointed to give the Magpies a two point win.
Doonbeg: Eamonn O’Dea (0-1, f); Shane Bermingham (0-1), Conor O’Mahoney, David Conway; Gavin O’Shea (0-1), Cian O’Mahoney (0-1), Cillian Blake; Kevin McInerney, Cathal Killeen (1-0); Dylan Conway (0-1), Eoin Killeen, Rory Walshe; Darragh O’Sullivan (0-1), David Tubridy (0-3, 1f, 1tp), Cian Conway (0-1);
Subs; Ian Ryan for R. Washe; Cian Clancy for C. Blake; Liam Hehir (0-1) for D. Conway;
Naomh Eoin: Eoin Daly; Ciaran Bonfil, Tomas Bonfil, Conor Tevlin; Adam Haugh, Conor Magner, Mark McQuaid; Fergal Keane, Gavin Magner; Odhran Lynch, Conor Downes (0-1), Gearoid Lynch (0-1); Niall Bonfil (0-5), Owen Lynch (0-5, 4f), Kieran Roche;
Subs; Eoin Hanrahan for G. Lynch; Paddy Donnellan for K. Roche; Declan Keniry for C. Bonfil
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
