Tag Archives: Kilmallock

Dr Harty Cup Quarter-Final St Joseph’s Tulla 1-17  Christian Brothers College Cork 1-15  at Kilmallock ON a historic day in Kilmallock, St Joseph’s Tulla reached their maiden Dr Harty Cup semi-final after an incredible comeback victory over Christian Brothers College, reports Jamesy McConigley. A dramatic late goal from corner-back Dara Ryan broke the hearts of the Cork school and sent Tulla fans into raptures. In typical January weather, a sizeable crowd travelled from East Clare for the tie. The opening action was evenly balanced with Seán Withycombe (3) and Eoin O’Leary (2) converting frees for their respective sides with Fionn Hickey raising a white flag in between two Christian Brothers College points. For the next five minutes, the game ebbed and flowed with free takers on both sides finding their range. However, the Cork team controlled the second quarter, outscoring St Joseph’s Tulla 1-5 to 0-1. The sucker puncher came deep into added time with Daire Burke grabbing the first goal of the game, concluding the opening …

Wolfe Tones 1-12 Bruree, Limerick 0-11 Wolfe Tones from Shannon will play Newcestown from Cork in the final of the Munster intermediate club hurling championship in two weeks time. At Kilmallock earlier today (Sunday), the Clare champions proved too strong for their Limerick counterparts, Bruree and emerged with a four point victory, 1-12 to 0-11. The game’s only goal came nine minutes into the second half and it proved to be a crucial score, Rory Hayes getting the final touch after the experienced Brian O’Connell had created the opportunity. After playing with the aid of the wind, the Shannon club led by five points, 0-9 to 0-4, at half time. Bruree had the first two points of the second half but then the visitors struck for an Aron Shanagher point followed by goal from Hayes. Bruree piled on the pressure and outscored their opponents, 0-5 to 0-1 in the next twenty minutes to trail by a goal with the full …

By Seamus Hayes Kilmallock 1-32 Cratloe 3-18 In a cracking Munster club senior hurling championship final at the Gaelic grounds in Limerick on Sunday, a physically stronger Kilmallock dominated extra time to claim the title at the expense of Clare champions, Cratloe. Before an attendance of 6,365, the champions of the neighbouring Shannonside counties produced a truly marvellous contest, recording some magnificent scores in the process. It was anybody’s game in normal time as play switched from end to end with both sides looking like winners at different times. In extra time, Kilmallock dominated and deservingly captured the honours but an eight point winning margin is rather flattering. The Limerick side’s captain Graeme Mulcahy gave his side the lead after just ten seconds but Cratloe dominated the next ten minutes, scoring 1-2 without reply and they could have had another two goals and a couple of points in that period. Kilmallock grew in confidence as the half progressed and when …

LAST weekend, Gavin O’Mahony was in Cheltenham, as Kilmallock was gripped by hurling fever. JP McManus paid for a weekend break for the Limerick hurlers, taking in the autumn festival in the Cotswolds. They flew out on Friday and the Kilmallock contingent were back on Sunday morning to resume preparations. O’Mahony said it was great to have even a very short break from the Munster final build-up. “Definitely, it’s gone a bit hurling mad here. It was nice to switch off for a day or two, turn the phone off and relax.” It’s been a long year for O’Mahony who, as well as the highs of a county final victory, also experienced a Munster final defeat to Cork and another defeat against Kilkenny in Croke Park. While the break after Sunday’s game (barring a draw) will be welcome, he isn’t complaining. “There are friends of mine on the county panel who’d love to be still going and to still have …

CRATLOE are “a shining example to all clubs because of how much they value the club scene” is the view of Kilmallock manager and former Clare hurler, Ger O’Loughlin. “I have the utmost respect for the lads from Clare. When I needed lads to answer the call during my time at Clare manager, they responded and they were still in their teens. They have come on so well. “It will be a huge task for us to overcome the game they play, as there are so many areas they could beat you in. It will be a huge obstacle for us,” said the Clarecastle man, who helped his club win the Munster title in 1997. O’Loughlin continued, “When we set out this year, the primary target was to win the Limerick title. It’s not easy to get out of Limerick, as there are four or five strong contenders. We were absolutely delighted to get through that campaign and we had …

THE presence of Brian Lohan on the Cratloe training field, dressing room and sideline is one that adds solidity and steel to the Clare champions’ set-up. You get the feeling that when Lohan talks, his words are taken on board. That’s simply because of what he achieved on the hurling field and how he went about it. Many of the Cratloe players won’t remember 1995 or 1997 but what happened and Lohan’s role in that will be well known to them. More pertinently, Lohan, along with fellow coach, Alan Neville, has what everyone in Cratloe wants on Sunday, a Munster club medal.That’s a medal the Shannon man, who lives in Cratloe, says he values more now than he did in 1996, when Wolfe Tones ruled Munster. “As you live longer, it gets more important. It wasn’t that big a deal when you were playing but the longer you’re retired, the more important it becomes. It was the same when we …

Most GAA clubs feature families who have been involved as players or administrators for generations. Cratloe have some of that type of influence but most of their active GAA families are not originally from the parish. Cratloe native and former Kilmallock senior hurling manager, Tony Considine feels this is in fact a huge advantage to Cratloe and adds freshness to the club. Generational baggage handed down is not a factor. “Management-wise everyone they have is inside but remember they’re not from Cratloe. Maybe if there was an insider, they mightn’t be as successful. Somebody didn’t buy the right pig from a fella or stole his hen,” Considine suggested. “In a club where someone local is involved, everyone knows you and, more importantly, they know everyone belonging to you. Your great uncle might have hit a slap at some fella in a pub or told him he was useless years ago. That’s the same everywhere. “I think this is why Cratloe …