*Padraig Kelly of St Breckans charges past Lissycasey’s Conor Finnucane. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
WITH just two rounds of games to go before the play-offs in both the Cusack and Garry Cup football leagues, the picture is becoming a little clearer as to where teams are likely to finish on the league tables.
That said, there is a lot to play for in the remaining rounds as teams chase league honours while others are battling to avoid dropping down a division.
In the Cusack Cup three teams share top spot with Lissycasey, St Joseph’s Miltown and St Breckans all locked together with four wins each from five outings.
Lissycasey suffered their first loss of the campaign when they went under to St. Breckans at Lisdoonvarna on Saturday evening, the latter bouncing back from their loss in the previous round when they went under to St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield.
Kilrush Shamrocks look to be heading straight back down to the Garry Cup as they are pointless after five games. Ennistymon, Éire Óg and Doora/Barefield look to be in a battle to avoid the drop.
It remains to be seen if there will be any review of the score in the game between Éire Óg and Kilmurry Ibrickane on Saturday evening. According to the referee, the game ended in a draw but many of those in attendance were of the view that Kilmurry Ibrickane won by a point.
The final score may have a big bearing on who will be relegated and it may well be that officials will view a video of the game to determine the score.
In the Garry Cup, Cratloe have moved to the top of the table and they are a point ahead of Corofin, Wolfe Tones and Doonbeg with Clondegad a point furher back. Naomh Eoin and Kildysart share bottom spot with Cooraclare just a point ahead of them
Miltown take control in second half
St. Joseph’s Miltown 4-8
Ennistymon 3-7
Venue: Hennessy Park, Miltown Malbay
Ahead by ten points at half time, Ennistymon looked to be on their way to victory in the fifth round of the Cusack Cup on Thursday evening.
However the home side turned the tables on their neighbours in the second half when they scored four goals to emerge with the spoils and move closer to a place in the playoffs.
Few if any of those in attendance would have predicted the turnabout in the second half in which Milltown showed much greater hunger for victory. The final outcome could well prove costly for Ennistymon in their bid to avoid relegation.
Goals inside the opening ten minutes of the new half from Paul Frawley and Euan Lineen rocked the visitors and from here on the winners held the edge.
It was a much different story in the opening half as Ennistymon dominated affairs. They were 2-2 to 0-0 ahead after the first quarter, the goals coming from Darren McNamara and Eoin Marrinan.
By this stage Miltown had lost their vastly experienced defender Gordon Kelly to injury and he was replaced by Clare under 20 defender Stephen Murphy.
The game was twenty five minutes old before Miltown got their first score which was a two pointer from Cian Mahony but Ennistymon finished the half strongly with McNamara striking for his second goal of the tie. This left the score at 3-4 to 0-3 at the break.
Whatever was said in the Miltown dressing room at half time it sparked a strong response and in the first play after the new half got underway Paul Frawley blasted to the net.
Cian Mahony followed with a point before Euan Lineen finished a fine move for his side’s second goal. Another Mahony point followed and suddenly the difference between the sides was down to two points.
Points were swapped twice before another Lineen goal tied up the score at 3-6 each.
A Darren McNamara point had the visitors back in front but Miltown tails were up at this stage and they were winning much more possession.
Cian Mahony levelled before Euan Lineen put the home side in front for the first time and they finished the game with a Darragh McDonagh goal to seal victory.
St Joseph’s Miltown: Ger Malone; Eoin O’Brien, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Cormac Devitt; Cian Flanagan, Cillian Keavey, Gordon Kelly; Paul Frawley (1-2), Micheál Murray; Ralph Whelahan, Cian Mahony (0-5, 1TP), Conor Neylon; Brian Curtin, Darragh McDonagh (1-0), Euan Lineen (2-1).
Subs: Stephen Murphy for Kelly (inj); Jamesie O’Connor for O’Sullivan; David Barry for Flanagan; Brendan O’Brien for Keavey; Conal Meaade for Curtin.
Ennistymon; Conor Gallagher; Brian McNamara, Joey Rouine, Sean O’Driscoll; Liam Cotter, Dara Conneally, Tiernan Hogan (0-1); Eoin Rouine, Sean Conneally; Darren McNamara (2-1), Sean Rouine, Eoin Marrinan (1-0); Joe Concannon (0-2), Michael Davenport (0-1), Niall Canavan (0-2)
Subs: Louis Griffin for Marrinan; John Barry for Canavan; Paudie Considine for Davenport;
Referee: Pat Healy (Kilmaley)
Doora/Barefield inflict heavy defeat on Kilrush
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 5-18
Kilrush 0-7
Venue: Gurteen
St. Josephs Doora-Barefield eased their relegation worries somewhat with this easy win over pointless Kilrush Shamrocks on Friday evening.
This result leaves Kilrush without a point after five games and they look set for a return to the Garry cup for next season.
They did reasonably well in the opening half at the end of which they trailed 1-11 0-7, the winner’s goal having come from Charlie Hannan who finished off a fine move.
Tom McDonald kicked 0-7 of his side’s first half tally which included a two pointer which came with the last kick of the half.
Centre back Don O’Driscoll was Kilrush’s best player in the opening half in which he kicked 0-3 of their 0-7 tally.
It was very much one way traffic in the second half as the home side piled on the pressure. They added 1-4 without reply in the early stages of the new half before a Kilrush effort was given as a point although the majority of those present were in agreement that the ball was wide of the target.
Second half goals from James Rafferty, Darragh O’Shea, Eoghan Thynne and Oran Flynn steered the home side to their second win of the campaign.
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield; Jakub Ruminowicz; Cillian McElroy, Eoghan Boyle, Oran Flynn (1-0); Cian McDonagh (0-1), Conor O’Brien, Darragh O’Shea (1-1); Odhran O’Connell (0-1), Diarmuid Boyle; James Rafferty (1-2), Michael Nash (0-1), Charlie Hannan (1-0), Tom McDonald (0-9, 1TP), Eoghan Thynne (1-1), Eoin Lahiffe (0-1);
Subs; Dara Fahy for C. O’Brien; Sam Costelloe for E. Boyle; Joe Rafferty for E. Lahiffe; Dara O’Callaghan for McDonnald; T.J. Moore for James Rafferty.
Kilrush Shamrocks: Bobby Carey; Michael Sullivan, Ciarán Bermingham, Tommy Dulligan; James Blunnie, Don O’Driscoll (0-3), Tadhg Lysaght; Conor Fennell (0-1), Dara Blunnie; Brian Wallace, Ross Phelan (0-1), Dean Neary; Dylan O’Brien, Mark Bonfield (0-3), Brad Phelan;
Subs; Shane Mulqueen for Lysaght; Josh Malone for J. Blunnie; Jack Flavin for B Phelan; David Jones for Phelan.
Referee: Jim Hickey (Cratloe)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Spoils shared at Éire Óg or were they
Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-11
Éire Óg 0-14
Venue: Éire Óg, Ennis
There was confusion at the end of this Cusack Cup tie in Ennis on Saturday evening with referee Gary Twomey announcing that the match was a draw while Kilmurry Ibrickane supporters and, indeed, many of those present, believing that Kilmurry Ibrickane were ahead by a point when the final whistle sounded.
A great run by Ciaran Russell from his own defence led to a 13m free with the final whistle fast approaching. With many believing that two points separated the sides at the time, there was huge interest on whether or not the Ennis side would try to engineer a two pointer or a goal.
After some of their players had spoken to the referee, Darren O’Brien tapped the ball over the bar and the referee sounded the final whistle. If as many believe Kilmurry Ibrickane led by two at the time it’s likely that Éire Óg would have tried for a two pointer.
A Cathal Talty goal separated the sides at half time when the score was 1-7 to 0-7.
The sides were evenly matched throughout and there was never more that a score between the teams.
Some believe the confusion arose when Conor Burke pointed in the second half. According to some patrons the referee appeared to raise both hands signalling a two pointer.
Two late scores from Keelan Sexton looked to have given victory to the visitors but Danny Lyne and Darren O’Brien responded for the home outfit.
Kilmurry Ibrickane: Ian McInerney; Conor Kearney, Diarmuid Comber, Maurice Donnellan; Josh Moloney (0-1), Darren Hickey, Ciaran Morrissey; Evan Cahill (0-1), Cillian Darcy; Colin Considine, Keelan Sexton (0-6, 1TP), Reuben Fallon; Cathal Talty (1-1), Shane Hickey, Conor Burke (0-2);
Subs: Oisin Sexton for C Considie (inj); Jason Cussen for E Cahill; Tomas Sexton for Fallon;
Éire Óg: Bernard Power; Eoin Guilfoyle, Aaron Fitzgerald, Aidan O’Connell; Ciaran Russell (0-2), Fionán Treacy, Gavin D’Auria; Darren O’Brien (0-7), David Loftus; Dean D’Auria, Luke Pyne (0-1), Aidan McGrath; Danny Lyne (0-3), Jack Joyce (0-1), Niall O’Donoghue;
Subs: Luke Moore for A Fitzgerald; Andrew McElwee for A. McGrath; Bernard Keating for N. O’Donoghue; Sean Perrill for Moore; James Lyne for G. D’Auria:
Referee: Gary Twomey (Ennistymon)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Breckan’s break Lissycasey’s unbeaten streak
St Breckan’s 0-17
Lissycasey 0-13
Venue: Lisdoonvarna
By Gearóid Howley
St Breckan’s got back to winning ways when they overcame table-toppers Lissycasey on Saturday evening.
It was a frantic opening ten minutes with Lissycasey leading on a scoreline of 0-5 to 0-2 before county panellist Jamie Stack notched over a two-point free to bring the gap back to a single score.
Lissycasey goalkeeper Thomas Collins responded with a brace of two-point frees of his own and as the first quarter came to a close, the visitors were leading by four points.
The home side kicked the final four scores of the half, two of those coming from the boot of Conor Shannon in quick succession, and as the sides hit for the complex dressing rooms there was nothing to separate them.
The sides traded scores early in the second half before Padraig Kelly two-point free edged the North Clare side ahead by one, with Rowan Danaher, Kelly, and Colm O’Brien adding further scores.
Jamie Stack was denied from the penalty spot by Lissycasey shot-stopper Collins, and they quickly made it count at the other end, with Conor Finnucane slotting over a tremendous point off his right after wrong-footing Cian Burke with a clever dummy. Collins was called into action again soon after, this time dealing with a chance from play.
In what was a nervy finish, substitute Cathal Guerin struck for a crucial point to secure the win for the Spa heading into injury time.
Most impressive for the victors were Padraic O’Dwyer, Jack Sheedy, Rowan Danaher and Cian Jimmy Burke, while Clare Under-20 star Donncha O’Dwyer also made an impact with an impressive cameo in the middle third, an area Breckan’s had struggled in prior to his introduction.
Thomas Collins, Ewan Wragg, Cian Meaney and Conor Finnucane were amongst the standouts for Lissycasey.
St Breckan’s: James Garrihy; Mark Healy, Patrick Doherty, Maccon Byrne; Padraic O’Dwyer (0-1), Cian Burke, Jack Sheedy; Eoghan Garrihy, Padraig Kelly (0-4, 1tpf, 1 ‘45); Rowan Danaher (0-1), Jamie Stack (0-5, 2f, 1TPf), Colm O’Brien (0-1); Cian ‘Jimmy’ Burke (0-1), Cathal Morgan (0-1), Conor Shannon (0-2)
Subs: Eoin Byrne for M Healy (HT, inj), Cathal Guerin (0-1) for C Shannon (46), Micheál Flanagan for C Morgan (51), Donncha O’Dwyer for E Garrihy (55), Mark O’Donnell for Cian J Burke (55)
Lissycasey; Thomas Collins (0-4, 2tpf); Kevin Shivers, Daire Hill, Michael Meaney; Luke Griffin, Darragh Killeen, Ewan Wragg; Ben Skerritt, Matt O’Shea; Cian Meaney (0-1), Phillip Talty (0-1), Shane Culligan (0-2); Conor Finnucane (0-3, 1f), Niall Kelly (0-1), Darren Keane (0-2)
Subs: Shane Cotter for N Kelly, Adrian Meaney for P Talty, Colin O’Shea for S Cotter (inj), Ryan Griffin for S Culligan
Referee: John O’Connell (Cooraclare)
Gallery of photographs by Burren Eye Photography
Kildysart claim first points in Garry Cup
Kildysart 0-15
Corofin 0-13
Venue: Páirc Finne, Corofin
By Páraic McMahon
A first win of the league pushed Kildysart from the bottom of the Garry Cup table for only a few hours but denied Corofin the chance to bypass Cratloe at the top.
Falling to a fourth loss would as good have relegated Kildysart, having lined out in the top tier of the Cusack Cup last season. Back to back relegations would be disastrous for the Estuary men and while they have yet to avoid the drop to Division 3, this win over Corofin has the potential to be a turning point in their season.
Defeats to intermediate sides Cooraclare and Naomh Eoin plus a loss to Doonbeg and a draw with Clondegad has been their lot so far in the Garry Cup, to be one hundred percent sure of staying up they’ll need to record wins over Wolfe Tones and Cratloe in their final outings while also hoping things don’t go smoothly for Cooraclare, Clondegad and Naomh Eoin.
This meant something to Kildysart and why wouldn’t it as a fourth defeat would have sealed their status, it was evident with Clare senior Emmet McMahon who continues to kick every ball with his clubmates as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury. That’s why this could be moment which sparked their year into gear, simply put they have to adapt the mindset of winning every remaining game in the year because league will roll into championship fairly swiftly and they’ll be steeled for the Clare SFC if they can retain their Garry Cup status.
Corofin won’t be overly upset at missing out on a chance to go joint top because promotion is still within their grasp. More importantly for Peadar O’Brien’s side, they are building towards championship and their return to the senior ranks, seeing Colm Breen and Caoimhin O’Donovan adapt central roles is a big plus for them, Seannan Kirby looks set to break into the first fifteen this year and is an addition as a scoring forward.
With Kevin Keane, Damien O’Loughlin, Cillian McGroary and Jamie Malone among the absentees for the hosts, they won’t be overly concerned with the result.
Leading by three at the turn of the second quarter, Corofin let a three point advantage slip to find themselves level by the half time whistle. Christian Cummins’ point on thirty two minutes put the hosts back on par from the restat following Liam Casey’s early score for Kildysart.
For the remainder of the second half, Kildysart were ahead and crucially maintained this until the final whistle. Casey kicked six second half points and midfielder Kieran O’Brien fisted two. This helped them carve out three point leads on two separate occasions, Gearoid Kelly with a two pointer narrowed matters in the third quarter but the greater energy was with the winners in the second half.
Members of the Clare senior panel, Gearoid Cahill and Diarmuid O’Donnell didn’t play the full hour for their clubs. O’Donnell kicked two points for Kildysart but Cahill was the beating heart of the Corofin challenge at centre back and his exit weakened their challenge considerably, nonetheless they were pleased to welcome back Fionn Clancy from Australia, he returned midweek and offers needed physicality to the North Clare side.
For the winners, Cillian Kelly was excellent at corner back with superb tackling making vital turnovers, Kieran O’Brien was smart with his possessions while Liam Casey is adding a valuable attacking flair to their lineup.
Within the Corofin ranks, Gearoid Cahill was excellent at centre back, Caoimhin O’Donovan, Darragh McGroary and Seannan Kirby also impressed.
Scorers Kildysart: L Casey (0-7 3f), S Casey (0-3), D O’Donnell (0-2 1f), K O’Brien (0-2), C Casey (0-1),
Scorers Corofin: G Kelly (0-3 1TP), D Cahill (0-2 2f), S Kirby (0-2), C Breen (0-1), E Doolin (0-1), C Cummins (0-1), M O’Loughlin (0-1)
Kildysart: Conor Cusack; Darragh Murtagh, Fergal Ginnane, Cillian Kelly; James Casey, Conor Moloney, Jamie Sheehan; Kieran O’Brien, Keith O’Connor; Luke McGrath, Diarmuid O’Donnell, Seamus Casey; Conall Casey, Liam Casey, Jack Cotter.
Subs: Colm Finnucane for O’Donnell (42), Oisin Coyle for Sheehan (44), Danny Moloney for Cotter (57).
Corofin: Oisin Tierney; Marc O’Loughlin, Caoimhin O’Donovan, Christian Cummins; Michael Cahill, Gearoid Cahill, Evan Doolin; Gearoid Kelly, Darragh McGroary; Cian Doolin, Colm Breen, Seannan Kirby; Diarmuid Cahill, Eoin Davoren, Josh O’Brien.
Subs: Fionn Clancy for G Cahill (38), Cillian Clancy for C Doolin (42), Gearoid Hanrahan for O’Brien (56).
Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)
Gallery of photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Doonbeg lay foundation in first half
Doonbeg 1-11
Cooraclare 1-8
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Park, Doonbeg
A strong first half showing by Doonbeg laid the foundation for this Garry Cup victory over their neighbours Cooraclare on Friday evening.
Their opening half tally of 1-8 included three two pointers, two from David Tubridy and the other from Darragh O’Sullivan helping them to a 1-8 to 0-3 half time lead, a two pointer from goalkeeper Oisin Morrissey being part of the visitor’s tally.
Mikie Tubridy, having missed some recent games due to injury was the winner’s goalscorer in the opening half.
As the third quarter drew to a close Cooraclare came more into the game and they enjoyed a lot of possession from here to the end. Darragh Townsend struck for their goal but time wasn’t on their side and the home team held on for a merited victory.
Doonbeg remain strongly in contention for a place in the play offs while Cooraclare are just outside the relegation zone with two games to play.
Doonbeg; Eamon O’Dea; Conor O’Mahoney, Tadhg Lilllis (0-1), David Conway; Cian Clancy, Gearoid White, Cian O’Mahoney; Kevin McInerney, Cathal Killeen; Mikie Tubridy (1-1), Darragh O’Sullivan (0-3, 1TP), Gavin O’Shea; Rory Walsh, David Tubridy (0-6, 2TP), Kian Conway;
Subs; Brian Behan for C. Clancy; Dylan Conway for K Conway
Cooraclare; Oisin Morrissey (0-2, 1TP); Gary Donnellan, Gearoid Lillis, Fionn Burke; Eoin Murphy, Rob Ryan, Ciarán Chambers; Sean O’Dea, James Burke; Darragh Townsend (1-1), Sean Mollow, Gary Cunningham; Simon Cullligan (0-2), Jack Morrissey (0-2), Jack Carey (0-1);
Subs: Tadhg Lillis for O’Dea; Kevin Marrinan for Cunningham; Shane Lillis for Morrissey; Gabriel Fennell for Murphy; Padraic O’Dooghue for Ryan;
Referee: Eoin Keane (Corofin)
Cratloe edge closer to play-offs
Cratloe 2-16
Clondegad 1-15
Venue: Pairc Micheal O h-Eithir, Cratloe
Cratloe strengthened their hopes of a place in the Garry Cup play offs with this four point win over Clondegad at Cratloe on Friday evening.
Helped by a haul of 0-5 which included two 2 pointers from goalkeeper Cian O’Gorman they proved too strong for the visitors.
At the end of a well contested first half the home side held a three point advantage, 0-9 to 0-6. This was reduced to one early in the new half but then the home side struck for goals from Conal O’Hanlon and Ryan Harkin, both of which Clondegad will be disappointed with the manner in which they were conceded.
The visitors fought back again, helped by a goal from substitute Thomas Hehir and they came within three points of their opponents. They created a couple of goal chances in the closing minutes but didn’t manage to convert any of these. Cratloe held firm and landed the final point of the game to seal victory despite playing the final quarter without Tommy Rooney who had picked up a second yellow which ended his involvement in the tie.
Cratloe; Cian O’Gorman (0-5, 2tp); Caimin Deegan, David Collins, Rian McNamara; Enda Boyce (0-1), Mike Brennan, Cathal Lohan; Ryan Bowden, Conor Ryan; Shane Gleeson, Sean Collins (0-3), Tommy Rooney (0-1); Podge Collins (0-2), Conal O’Hanlon (1-1), Ryan Harkin (1-2);
Subs: Jack McInerney (0-1) for C Lohan (inj); Jake Moylan for P. Collins;
Clondegad; Daniel Kelly; Cormac Reidy, Niall Carigg, Brian Casey; Colm Meaney, Morgan Garry (0-3), Cillian Gavin; Diarmuid O’Neill (0-1), Evan Flynn; Paddy Sweeney (0-1), Eoin O’Connor (0-2), Sam Garry (0-1); Eoghan Gavin (0-1), Kieran McDonald (0-1), Eoin Kennedy (0-3);
Subs: Thomas Hehir (1-0) for McDonald; Cian McAllister for Eoghan Gavin; Eoghan Glynn (0-1) for P. Sweeney; Cian Kirby (0-1) for Sam Garry
Referee: Niall Quinn (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Wolfe Tones battle back to earn a draw
Wolfe Tones 1-11
Naomh Eoin 1-11
Venue: Shannon
A converted free in the closing stages gave Wolfe Tones a draw with Naomh Eoin when the sides clashed at Shannon on Saturday evening. A Niall Bonfil goal helped the West Clare side to lead at the break when the score was 1-8 to 0-6.
Colin Riordan was again the Shannon side’s main scorer finishing the game with 1-8 to his credit.
Naomh Eoin will rue failing to convert a couple of two point attempts but they were fully deserving of getting a point from this tie.
However, they remain in a battle to avoid relegation and they face another side battling to avoid the drop, namely Cooraclare, in the next round.
They played the closing couple of minutes with fourteen men after Owen Lynch picked up a black card.
Wolfe Tones: Shane Russell; Jason McCauley, Conor Carrig, Mark O’Sullivan; Damian Lyne, Jayme O’Sullivan, Aaron Brennan; Dave O’Callaghan (0-1). Liam Divilly; Dean Devanney, Darragh O’Neill, Eoghan Casey (0-1); Tadhg Fitzgerald, Colin Riordan (1-8), Kevin Hanley;
Subs; Aaron Shinners for Conor Carigg (inj); Ben O’Neill for T Fitzgerald; Eoghan Gough for Divilly; Conor Casey (0-1) for K. Hanley; Shane Nihill for A Brennan (inj)
Naomh Eoin; Kieran Magner; Declan Keniry, Mark McQuaid, Conor Tevlin; Paddy Donnellan, Conor Magner (0-1), Tomas Bonfil (0-1); Fergal Keane, Adam Haugh (0-1); Eoin Hanahan (0-1), Conor Downes (0-1), Odhran Lynch (0-1);Owen Lynch (0-4), Gavin Magner, Niall Bonfil (1-1).
Subs: Gearoid Lynch for Odhran Lynch (inj.); Joe Roche for G Lynch (inj);
Referee: Ian Daly (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
