Broadford shock the champions

 

Minor hurling

Broadford         1-12
Sixmilebridge         1-11

Broadford had a shock win over defending county minor A champions Sixmilebridge at O’Garney Park on Friday evening. The ’Bridge, many people favourites to retain the title, now face a battle to secure a top four slot to reach the semi-finals. There are no quarter-finals in this year’s competition.
County minor, Jamie Shannahan was deemed not fit to start for the ’Bridge and they also were without long-term injury victim Brian Corry. The Broadford were full value for their victory as they were the more clinical and disciplined side on the night.
Referee Jack Chaplin has his hands full issuing two red cards and numerous yellows in this lively contest.
Broadford were three points up inside the first five minutes, with the excellent Shane Taylor pointing two frees and Donie Whelan finding his range from play.
’Bridge full-forward, Alex Morey had a great shot excellently saved by Broadford keeper, Sean Phelan but Paul Finan was on hand to first time the rebound to the net. This score seemed to bring the champions to life and they added points from Conor Deasy, Alex Morey and a great score from play from Brain Carey before the break. Broadford were keeping in touch with Taylor and Whelan scoring some nice points. The half-time score was 1-6 to 0-6 in favour of the home team. Paul Finan (Sixmilebridge) and Shane Keniry (Broadford) were sent for an early shower following a bust up on the Broadford end line.
The ’Bridge increased their lead to four on the resumption when Conor Deasy pointed. Broadford, got the next five points through Stiofan McMahon, Donie Whelan, Shane Taylor and Diarmuid Maloney (2) to take the lead by the minimum margin at the three quarter stage.
When Broadford substitute Diarmuid Ryan found the net in the 17th minute, it was clear the home team were in trouble. Jamie Shanahan was introduced at this stage and immediately pointed from play. Conor Deasy scored two points to leave Broadford ahead by the minimum with five minutes to play. The ’Bridge were dealt a cruel blow with Jamie Shanahan was forced out of the game due to a hamstring injury.
Sean Phelan denied the ’Bridge what looked like a certain goal in the 28th minute. Donie Whelan and Stephen Mulready swapped scores as the game entered injury time, with Broadford still one point to the good. Despite the best efforts of the titleholders, Broadford held on for a great victory.

Broadford: Sean Phelan; Jack Kelleher, Paul O’Connell, Shane Keniry; Eoin Mason, Brian Taylor, Damian Keniry; Shane Taylor, John O’Brien; Stiofán McMahon, Michael McInerney, Paul Maloney; Darren Chaplin, Diarmuid Maloney, Donnie Whelan.
Sub: Diarmuid Ryan.
Sixmilebridge: Jason Loughanne; Michael Lynch, Barry Fitzpatrick, Darragh McNamara; Dylan Fleming, John Mulready, Stephen Mulready; Brian Carey, Kevin Fennessy; David Murphy, Conor Deasy, Mark Hehir; Paul Finan, Alex Morey, Shane McInerney.
Sub: Jamie Shannahan, Eoin Flynn, Conor Cahill.

Éire Óg         3-10
Kilmaley         0-14

Éire Óg continued their run of good form with a hard fought but, deserved win over Kilmaley in the Minor A Championship on Friday evening.
Both teams were slow to settle and points were exchanged in the early stages until a goal from Éire Óg’s Shane O’Donnell put daylight between the sides. A further exchange of points gave the Ennis side a four-point lead at the break.
A second Shane O’Donnell goal in the opening minutes of the second half put Éire Óg ahead by 2-7 to 0-6. This score, however, came at a cost, with O’Donnell having to withdraw due to a knee injury.
Kilmaley got to grips with matters at midfield and Conor Cleary drove them on. With only a point between the sides, the Éire Óg back-line, led by Liam Corry, held firm and a breakaway move ended with a cracking goal from Kieran Malone to put four points between the teams. Kilmaley battled hard for a goal but a late point from Nicky Twumasi sealed this victory for Éire Óg.

Éire Óg: Sean Smyth; Jack Keating, David Neylon, Cian O’Ceallaigh; Conor Brennan, Liam Corry, Dara Walsh; Kieran Malone (1-1), Cian Darcy (0-3); Michael Moloney (0-1), Nicky Twumasi (0-1), Dean d’Auria; Shane O’Donnell (2-3), Paddy O’Malley (0-1), Eimhin Courtney.
Subs: Eoghan Flynn, Lee Quirke.
Kilmaley: Eoin Meehan; Shane O’Malley, Daragh McMahon, Shane Lynch; Aidan McGuane, Conor Cleary, Conor Finucane; Brian Cahill, Barry Lynch; Daragh Gregan (0-1), Tolagh Coote, Eamonn Bracken (0-2); Michael O’Malley (0-1), Cian Moloney (0-7), Paraic McNamara (0-3).

Feakle-Killanena     2-13
Newmarket         1-9

Feakle-Killanena got off to a great start with a well taken goal from Todd Kelsey inside the first five minutes. Another goal and two points from Justin Nelson after had the East Clare outfit well in control after 20 minutes.
Points from Evan Keogh (3) and Oisin Pender (2) kept Newmarket in contention. Newmarket were awarded a penalty just before half time which was well saved by Eibhar Quilligan, before Shane Kelliher collected the rebound and drove it to the net to leave the score 2-7 to 1-7 at the halfway point.
The winners started the second half strongly with well-taken points from Colin McNamara, Eoin Touhy (2) and the score of the game from wing-back Con Smith.
Newmarket only scored two points from Eoin McCarthy and a free from Evan Keogh in the second half.

U-16 win for Wolfe Tones

Wolfe Tones         5-13
Inagh-Kilnamona     2-5

In this final round U-16 match played in Shannon on Sunday morning, the home side recorded an easy win over an under-strength Inagh-Kilnamona.
The game was a dead rubber in any case as both teams could not influence the table to make the final six qualifying places in the championship proper and were playing out this game for shield placing.
Wolfe Tones played into the teeth of a stiff breeze in the first half and with their talisman forward Aaron Shanagher back from injury, they scored the opening goal in the tenth minute with a second soon after from Philip Leahy.
Three more goals from the rampant Shanagher left the Shannon men leading at the short whistle by 5-4 to 1-2.
Inagh/Kilnamona to their credit refused to wilt and a goal from a penalty and a few excellent points kept them ticking over.
Wolfe Tones had solid performances from Ben O’Gorman, Rory Hayes and Aaron Shanagher.