Sports

Newmarket 2-18   Kilmaley 0-9 FROM an early stage in Saturday’s Clare Champion Cup (Senior Hurling League) semi-final at Clarecastle, it was evident it would take a huge effort to stop Newmarket from qualifying for their second successive final.Eight points ahead as the end of the first quarter approached, they had added a further two before Kilmaley got through for their first score and by half-time, they had opened a margin of 11 points.Eleven points adrift clearly left Kilmaley with a huge task and this was made far greater when they were reduced to 14 men when Diarmuid McMahon was red-carded seconds before the half-time whistle.Adding to Kilmaley’s woes, Conor McMahon was unable to return for the second half due to injury.Midway through the second half, the slim hopes, which Kilmaley followers entertained of winning this tie were killed off when Newmarket struck for a brace of goals. Colin Ryan and Sean O’Connor got in the vital strikes, which ensured their …

Newmarket 4-21   Bruff (Limerick) 0-0 NEWMARKET-on-Fergus progressed to the Munster Intermediate Club Championship semi-final after a comprehensive 4-21 to 0-0 win over Limerick side Bruff on Saturday in Clarecastle.Niki Kaiser got the home side on the scoreboard with a pointed free in the first minute. The youngster added three more points in the next seven minutes and set the tone of play for Newmarket for the remainder of the game. Newmarket were denied an opening goal in the 10th minute when Bruff keeper Stephanie Kelliher brought off a great save from a Jenny Kelly shot. Kaiser added two more points and with Kelly getting on the scoreboard, Newmarket had a seven-point advantage by the end of the opening quarter. Newmarket were dominant throughout the pitch and when Deirdre Cassidy sent a short pass to Sharon McMahon, the Clare champions had the opening goal of the game. By half-time, Newmarket had 1-14 on the scoreboard and were well on their way …

Tipperary 1-11   Clare 0-8 LEADING by three points with 10 minutes remaining, Clare looked to be on the way to a surprise win over favourites Tipperary in the Darl Darcy U-17 Football Cup final at Páirc na nGael in Limerick on Monday. However, a strong finish by the Premier outfit saw them score 1-6 in the last 10 minutes to justify favouritism and take the title.Tipperary’s superior fitness allied to their greater physical presence proved decisive in this final but Clare will be pleased with the improvement they showed throughout the competition. When the sides met in an earlier round, Tipperary were comfortable winners on a 2-15 to 2-4 scoreline.With a number of their All-Ireland winning minor outfit available, the Premier County showed their determination to win the title from an early stage in the campaign.Trailing by a point at half-time on Monday, the decision to introduce Philip Quirke proved vital. He was a thorn in the Clare defence throughout …

Clondegad 0-13  Corofin 1-7 CLONDEGAD moved a step closer to a second adult championship in 2011 when they qualified for the Junior B final and a date with Clonlara by beating Corofin in this semi-final replay at Miltown on Sunday.Extra time was needed to separate the sides with Clondegad coming through by three points after the teams had been level on six occasions.Corofin got off to a dream start with veteran Colm Clancy goaling in the third minute. Clondegad fought their way back and points from Charlie McCarthy, Colm Quinlivan and Barry Coffey had the sides level by the 22nd minute. Dermot Gavin then put the winners in front but a Colm Clancy effort levelled with two minutes to play in the half.Clondegad substitute Declan Keane put his side in front but Clancy again replied leaving the sides level at 0-5 to 1-2 when the half-time whistle sounded.Full-forward Quinlivan put Clondegad back in front at the start of the second …

Inagh (Clare) 1-13   An Rinn (Waterford) 1-2 INAGH’s superior second-half performance over Waterford side An Rinn in Bansha on Saturday afternoon, secured them the Munster Junior Club Championship title on a final score 1-13 to 1-2.Played in Bansha, An Rinn from the Gaeltacht area of Waterford had the aid of a stiff breeze in the opening half, however, it was Inagh’s Fiona Lafferty who opened the scoring with a pointed free inside the opening minute of play. An Rinn launched an attack having won possession of their own puck-out, Deirdre Ní Fhathaigh gathering the ball on the wing. Her effort was batted out by Bríd McCarthy but it was Lorraine Ní Fhaoleán who got to the dropping sliotar first and her shot flew past McCarthy for the game’s opening goal. Inagh’s response was another point, this time from Helen Hehir, who won possession from a Patricia O’Loughlin delivery.Ní Fhathaigh pointed from a free to extend the Waterford side’s lead to …

Ballyea 2-10   Kilkishen 2-1 BALLYEA claimed the minor B title in Éire Óg on Bank Holiday Monday with a 2-10 to 2-1 win over Kilkishen. Ballyea were on the attack from the throw-in and could have had the opening point inside 30 seconds but they were penalised for over carrying.Edel Hehir got Ballyea on the scoreboard two minutes later when she converted a free. Ballyea could have added a couple of more points but were guilty of some erratic shooting. Ballyea’s second point came when Suzy O’Shea sent a long-range free into the square, which was collected by Rebecca Culligan and sent over the bar. Kilkishen’s opening score came from Kate O’Gorman who converted a free in the 13th minute. Ballyea added another point when O’Shea again picked out Culligan on the wing and she found the target. Jane Flanagan sent the ball down the wing to Culligan who gathered and broke through to handpass to the net. Louise Griffin …

The Bernie Meaney Memorial and the 37th annual St Mary’s 5.5 mile road race was held at Kilmurry McMahon, organised by St Mary’s AC. The event attracted a fine turnout of athletes with Michael Shannon (Kilnaboy) recording a big win in a sprint finish with a time of 27.09 from Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s), who led all the way until the final few metres. In third place was Dermot Galvin (St John’s). The Tommy McCarthy Cup went to St John’s on 27 points ahead of Nenagh Olympic on 50 points, with Kilmurry Ibrickane-North Clare third on 54 points.Maria Carey (Ennis Track) was the big winner when she captured the ladies’ title in 32.39. Former Irish International athlete Rita Kierce (St Mary’s), who was competing in the O-50 section, captured the runner-up spot in 35.57. In third spot was Marian Burke (St Mary’s) in 36.15.Four athletes made an early break with Kenneth Rodgers (St John’s) setting a lively pace from the …

ST Senan’s and Skibbereen fought out a very close and hard battle in Division 1 of the Munster Junior League at Jimmy Slattery Park on Sunday with the result in doubt up to the very last kick, when Jed McNamara just missed the posts with a 40m effort. Senan’s got off to the worst possible start when trying to run the ball out of their 22. A dropped pass was pounced on by Skibbereen’s John O Sullivan who had a clear run in under the posts for the opening try and an easy conversion by David Shannon followed. Playing against the breeze and under severe pressure, the home side kept their shape and only conceded one more score. The Cork club were awarded a penalty when Senan’s backs were caught offside at a ruck and again David Shannon converted to leave the score at half-time at 10-0. With the breeze at their backs, Senan’s completely dominated the second half and …