Boost for Clare football

CLARE football received a tremendous boost this week when both St Flannan’s College, Ennis and Rice College, Ennis recorded important wins in Munster competitions.

St Flannan’s won a place in the quarter-finals of Corn Uí Mhuiri, Munster Colleges Senior A Football Championship, when they accounted for Clonmel High School at Sean Treacy Park in Tipperary.
At the same time in Ballyhea, Rice College captured the Corn Mhic Craith U-15C title with a comfortable win over Hamilton High School, Bandon.

St Flannan’s   5-8    Clonmel High School   1-6
A POWERFUL first-half performance laid the foundations for St Flannan’s victory in the Corn Uí Mhuiri tie, which was postponed from last week, due to the inclement weather conditions.
Unlucky to lose by a point to Coláiste na Sceilge from Kerry in the opening round, the Ennis side dominated from the start in this week’s tie.
They got off to a dream start with a goal from Luke Brannock after just a minute and went on to dictate matters.
Full-forward Cathal Doohan caused all sorts of problems for the Tipperary side and he hit 3-1 in the opening half as St Flannan’s built up a half-time lead of 14 points, 4-4 to 0-2.
They maintained that margin throughout the second half when they had their final goal from Tony Kelly, who is joint captain of the team, along with Jarlath Colleran.
The winners’ defence was solid throughout with Gearóid Ryan and Jarlath Colleran leading the way. Tony Kelly dictated the play from midfield while up front, the outstanding Doohan received most support from Conor Cleary and Luke Brannock.
The quarter-final draw will be made early in the new year and St Flannan’s opponents in the quarter-finals, which are scheduled for January 26, will be either St Brendan’s, Killarney; Tralee CBS or De La Salle, Macroom.
St Flannan’s: Joe Nealon (Clondegad); Manus Malone (Corofin), Gearóid Ryan (Clarecastle), Brian Clancy (Doora-Barefield); Gearóid O’Connell (Ballyea), Jarlath Colleran (Doora-Barefield), Eoin Enright (Kilmaley); Alan O’Neill (Doora-Barefield), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); Luke Brannock (Doora-Barefield), Conor O’Gorman (Clarecastle), Conor Cleary (Miltown, St Joseph’s); Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil), Cathal Doohan (Lissycasey), Jamie Malone (Corofin).
Subs: Anthony Downes (Kilmihil) for O’Gorman, Enda Boyce (Cratloe) for O’Neill, Jack Browne (Ballyea) for M Malone, David Nealon (Éire Óg) for J Malone and Paul Kennedy (Kilmaley) for Brannock.