Sports

Derrick Lynch One of the reasons that Cratloe are back into the Clare senior football final has been the form of midfielder Diarmuid Ryan. The underage county star and current senior hurling panelist has played a key role in their march to the decider, with his two late goals against Clondegad crucial in kickstarting their backdoor journey. The Mary Immaculate student teacher feels the manner in which they have bounced back from an opening round loss to Lissycasey has been a real positive. “In some ways it was a blessing because it really focused the minds and I felt we really upped our performance after that, particularly against the likes of Miltown where we finished really well. We are not really known at times for finishing games strong and even the last day with five minutes to go we were still struggling but it was only when Podge got that goal that we settled down. We know the next day …

Eoin Brennan There was never any doubt that Gary Cooney would follow in his father’s footsteps in the famed O’Callaghan’s Mills senior jersey. Along with elder sibling Ciaran, the Cooney brothers have provided a new injection of talent to an already experienced core, just as their father Donal did when embarking on his first county final in Carron in 1986. County decider reverses to Clarecastle (1986), Éire Óg (1990) and Sixmilebridge (1993) could never be solaced by a handful of Clare Cup crowns as despite being perennial contenders, Donal Cooney and Co. were unable to emulate the club heroes of the 1930’s or even stop the ‘Bridge from securing back-to-back crowns for the first time in their history. 27 years on and history repeats itself once more as their near neighbours are looking to retain their title once more against the Mills, with Donal Cooney now a selector and his sons proving instrumental cogs on the team. However, while the …

Derrick Lynch When Mark Killeen started out on his senior football journey with Kilmurry Ibrickane, it was clear that he was destined to end up as key cog in the full-back line. He had plenty advice at the kitchen table at home, with his father Kevin being a corner back of distinction for the club, including being a central figure in their championship success in 1993. When asked how much of the dark arts of defending were passed on to him by his father, Mark is quick to point out the differences in how they approach that role. “The TV replays would not have favoured him too much anyway. He had a different style of football to me. My style would be more trying to be out in front of my man” he laughs. Since his first county final appearance in 2005, Killeen has developed a reputation as one of the best man markers in Clare club football. Understated in …

Derrick Lynch 2020 has been a mixed bag so far for Cathal McInerney, but in a sporting sense he is hoping it culminates with a third Clare senior football title. The secondary school teacher was forced to miss out on the early part of this year’s campaign as a hamstring injury threatened to derail his entire club season. He made his return against Clondegad in the opening playoff round and since then has hit the ground running to rattle off 1-22 in three games to date, including 1-9 in their semi final win over St Breckan’s, and is odds on to claim yet another championship top scorer award. The Limerick based secondary school teacher admits it was a tough road back to fitness but is confident that it is now behind him. “It just came at a terrible time of the year really. At the start of it I thought I would be out for the whole year but it …

Kieran Harvey Clare Minor C Hurling Final: Ennistymon 1-18 Doora Barefield 4-5 There were joyful scenes after the final whistle in Corofin on Sunday where Ennistymon captured their first county minor hurling championship in 37 years. The foundations for the victory were laid down in a dominant first quarter where Ennistymon held a 0-08 to 0-0 lead at the first water break. Good scores by Adam O’Connor, Diarmuid Fahy and Joshua Vaughan along with accurate free taking from MacDara O’Keeffe meant that Ennistymon continued to hold an 8 point lead at the half time break on a scoreline of 0-12 to 0-4. A goal from Eoin Burke gave St Josephs a glimmer of hope early in the second half. However Ennistymon had only conceded 0-3 in their semi-final victory, and their defence was performing very impressively once again in this final. At the second half water break, the scoreline stood at 0-15 to 1-05. The game was then turned on …

U14B Hurling Championship Final: Clarecastle 1-16 Kilmaley 2-11 A strong final quarter saw Clarecastle finally brush off the stubborn challenge of an excellent Kilmaley side to claim the U-14 B Championship honours in sunny Ballyea on Sunday morning. Kilmaley got the dream start with Jamie Healy scoring the first point of the game within the first five minutes with further points from James Murphy, Patrick Clancy and Ben McMahon. Soon after Healy’s second score landed in the back of the Magpies net to establish a lead of 1-4 within the first 10 minutes. Clarecastle soon settled after the 13th minute with points from Paul O’Connell (0-2f), John Sweeney, Harry Doherty and Evan Price. A further 1-3 from Kilmaley gave their side a comfortable six point lead at the break on a score of 2-7 to 0-7. Martin Sweeney got the Magpies off to the perfect start with a goal in the opening minute of the second half. Kilmaley quickly responded …

Clare U-14A Hurling Final: Sixmilebridge 4-10 Inagh-Kilnamona 2-14 (AET) Sixmilebridge edged a dramatic contest with Inagh-Kilnamona on a day when both sides served up hurling of an exception standard. It was clear throughout this contest that there was little to seperate the sides with just one between them at the half-time interval. Inagh-Kilnamona looked to have stolen a march when a strong third quarter saw them open up a six point lead by the final water break but the ‘Bridge battled bravely with Eamon Breen’s goal helping to force the added period. Finn Murphy’s early goal, created by Niall Liddane, helped Sixmilebridge to lead 1-2 to 0-3 at the opening water break with Inagh-Kilnamona playing against the wind. Liddane was influential throughout and forced Inagh-Kilnamona goalkeeper Frankie Roughan into a brilliant save early in the second quarter. The sides traded points before a big moment arrived as Fred Hegarty found the net with a clever finish to put the Combo …

Patrick Hogan (O’Callaghan’s Mills Minor Club Secretary) Clare Minor B Hurling Final: O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-18 Tulla 1-6 O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke captured the U-18B title on Saturday evening by defeating Tulla on a scoreline of 0-18 to 1-6. The amalgamation started very brightly with two well taken scores by Tommy Wiley at wing forward. Seanie Doyle who was very accurate from frees, stretched the lead to 4 before Tulla had their first score through Sean Withycombe.  At the opening water break the Mills/Bodyke led by 0-5 to 0-1 . Tulla came out more energized after the break and Dan Withycombe got Tulla back to level terms with a goal. However, this would be as close as they got, as the Mills/Bodyke didn’t panic and out scored their neighbours with fine scores from Seanie Doyle and a sideline cut by Cormac Murphy to go in at half time 0-9 to 1-4 in front. Now playing with the aid of the breeze the almagamation scored …