A SEVEN-year gap was bridged at Lahinch on Wednesday afternoon when Simon Ward captured the South of Ireland amateur golf title. Victory over Kilkenny’s Paul O’Hara at the first tie hole saw the Louth clubman win back a title he previously held in 2006.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane 0-12   Éire Óg 0-11 DISPLAYING a grim determination to hold on to The Clare Champion-sponsored Cusack Cup for the third successive year, Kilmurry-Ibrickane ground out their latest win in Kilmihil last Saturday evening. They withstood a gutsy Éire Óg team, which features a young spine, augmented by a few still able veterans. While Kilmurry didn’t play with the fluency evident in some of their performances in recent seasons, their calmness in adversity steered them to an eighth Cusack Cup title, including three won by Quilty in the mid 1930s. Although the Kilmihil pitch was in excellent condition, a series of thunder showers led to a slippery surface where players found it hard to keep their feet. The result turned on an Éire Óg penalty six minutes into the first half of extra time in what was a replayed final. Danny Russell floated a diagonal ball in the direction of full forward Stephen Hickey who was impeded by Kilmurry goalkeeper …

Feakle 5-23   Sixmilebridge 0-12 OUTSTANDING performances from full-forward Colin Nelson, who hit 3-5 from play, and centre-back Eoin Tuohy inspired Feakle to a convincing win over Sixmilebridge in the Division 2 hurling league final at Gurteen on Saturday evening.

In the Premier Shield (Junior A) semi-final on Sunday, Lough Derg were 5-3 winners over Sallypark FCA. Damien McCarthy opened the scoring in the very first minute after brilliant play from Jason Comley had created the opening. The Lakers’ early pressure created chance after chance but these weren’t converted. Level at the interval at 1-1, LDFC immediately regained the lead from the tip-off with skilful one-touch football leading to another Damien McCarthy goal.

Ballyea 1-9   Sixmilebridge 0-11 A LAST-minute goal from substitute David Coughlan gave Ballyea an exciting victory over Sixmilebridge in the Junior B Hurling Championship second round at Newmarket on Saturday.

Clondegad 3-8   Kilrush 0-13Both Clondegad and Kilrush were short some regulars when they clashed in the final of the Garry Cup (Division 2) football league at Cooraclare on Saturday evening. As reported in last week, Clondegad were without Clare captain Gary Brennan due to injury and  also without his brother, Shane, who is in the US. Kenneth Kelly is ruled out due to injury while Eoin Griffin wasn’t available for Saturday’s final. Inter-county defender John Hayes was absent from the Kilrush line-up while they also lined out without free-scoring Jim Young. On the credit side, they welcomed back veteran Donal O’Sullivan for his first game of the season. Goals win games and Clondegad scored three in this tie and these proved decisive. The first came as early as the second minute when full-forward Colm Quinlivan won possession from a Ciaran Browne delivery before blasting to the net. Eoin Donlon had opened the scoring in the first minute when he pointed …

Clare 3-17   Kildare 1-22 THERE is a beauty, a certain mystique even, attached to championship knockout football whether it is in the men or the ladies’ game. The backdoor system employed of late was designed to offer perceived weaker counties a second bite at a cherry that, in reality, mightbe well beyond their reach.

MONDAY’S All-Ireland minor B ladies football final against Laois in Nenagh is a pivotal game for county underage football.