*Shane Fitzpatrick holds off both Ciaran McMahon and Josh Vaughan. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

PENALTIES should not be used to determine the winner of a county final, St Breckan’s coach Neil Hawes has argued.

In an entertaining contest in Doonbeg on Saturday, Ennistymon were crowned Clare U21A football champions. They became the first club to win the competition following a penalty shootout with St Breckan’s coming up just short following extra time.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Breckan’s coach Hawes admitted it was a very painful defeat given the manner of the loss. “We’re so disappointed for the boys but so proud of their performance, it is so disappointing, we lost four years ago by a point but I think it is totally wrong to decide a U21A final on penalties, the quicker the new President of the GAA Jarlath Burns comes in and changes this decision the better because it is so unfair on players. Even Brendan Rouine came to me and said it is no way to win or lose a final so that has to go, these are amateur players who will be so disappointed leading into Christmas, it is wrong, totally wrong”.

Hawes is adamant time can be found in the split season to allow for a replay when finals finish level following extra time. “I feel that if the game finished level after extra time that there has to be a window for a replay, there should be no penalties to decide a final, it is totally wrong. I know we came out the wrong side of it, credit to Ennistymon and congratulations to them but this game should be replayed next weekend without a doubt, it is wrong. It was a great advertisement for football given the conditions”.

Neil Hawes. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

A former joint manager of the Clare U21 footballers, Neil hailed St Breckan’s for managing to come back from six points early in the second half to take the lead approaching full-time. “These are a great group, they’ve so much heart and togetherness, they really play for each other, they are never beaten. They left everything on the field to be fair, we had one or two chances, when we were two points up I felt they get a soft free to get it back to one point, that is the way it goes but it is so disappointing, it is a sickener”.

Lining out with their talisman and his neighbour Jamie Stack was a huge blow to their cause. The St Breckan’s attacker is currently sidelined with an ankle injury that saw him forced to wear a protective boot instead of a pair of stylish Nike boots on the field. “Jamie is an unbelievable loss to us, he is such a big game player, he scores six or seven points every day he goes out so we were really trying to win it for him, it was so disappointing for him on a personal level to miss it. I’m so proud of the boys but I’m so disappointed for them, it a shame”.

Related News

luggage cart 1
Judge questions if Ennis woman's summer trip to Turkey is for 'health tourism'
Fr Harry (1)
'Why couldn't we win All-Irelands and why couldn't we have our own hospital?' Fr Bohan reflects on founding Cahercalla Community Care
joe melody 1
Exciting chapter for Bunratty based Melody Farm Eggs with year-long SuperValu listing
harry dinan 1
Convicted killer of Lissycasey teacher knows he is going to jail for drug dealing offence

Advertisement

Latest News
joe melody 1
Exciting chapter for Bunratty based Melody Farm Eggs with year-long SuperValu listing
harry dinan 1
Convicted killer of Lissycasey teacher knows he is going to jail for drug dealing offence
jason mcguinness ryanair 1-2
Ryanair call on Irish Government to lift funding cap at Shannon Airport
olivia tuohy 1
Olivia Tuohy left indelible mark through her warmth, kindness & sense of humour
frank melody niall o'connor niall woods 1
O'Connor & Kelly win Captain's Prizes in Dromoland & East Clare
Premium
sixmilebridge v newmarket-on-fergus 07-06-25 caimin morey shane lynch 1
Bridge end Blues reign as Clare Cup champions to qualify for semi-finals with Inamona, Clonlara & Crusheen
clare v limerick camogie 07-06-25 roisin begley 1
Scoring difference to decide if Clare make All-Ireland quarter final after draw with Limerick
ballaghboy quin rd 1-2
Three shots fired at caravan ten minutes after Garda Armed Support Unit left halting site
Cliffs-of-Moher-Coastal-Walk
Boy (12) fell over the edge of Cliffs of Moher after slipping in a puddle
Ennis Courthouse
West Clare carer (28) facing 'significant period in custody' after being caught with €300k of cocaine & cannabis

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement