Sports

THE sprint for this year’s Cusack Cup is still wide open following the weekend’s action as half of the contenders are locked together at the summit of the table, reports Eoin Brennan. Without their county contingents, there have been some erratic results thus far but fundamentally no perfect record remains in the top flight after two rounds. An eagerly-anticipated derby clash of opening round victors St Josephs Miltown and Ennistymon perhaps failed to live up to its heightened billing but still possessed a compelling finale. Following a toothless first half in which the sides struggled to trouble the umpires too often, Ennistymon appeared to snatch the whip hand on the restart and turned a 0-3 to 0-2 half-time deficit into a two point lead entering the final quarter. However, as the clock ticked inexorably down, a Darragh McDonagh solo goal dramatically nudged the home side in front only to see it wiped out in the next passage of play when …

FEAKLE and Clonlara have set the early pace in the Clare Cup following the completion of back-to-back victories over the weekend, reports Eoin Brennan. 2016 champions Clonlara, a week on from overcoming last finalists Inagh-Kilnamona, managed to add the scalp of their nearest neighbours and reigning champions Kilmaley on home soil on Sunday afternoon. Leading from start to finish, a fortunate Dylan McMahon goal from distance provided the clear daylight that Clonlara needed to build up a nine point half-time advantage. And with Cian Moriarty excelling around the centre, that six point cushion would be maintained into the final quarter. Kilmaley inevitably rallied predominantly through Daire Keane and Mikey O’Malley. However, three points was as close as the visitors would come to Clonlara who deservedly held on for a 1-16 to 0-15 win. The previous evening, a strong finish to both halves saw Feakle lower home side Crusheen by 1-18 to 1-14 in another first round winners clash. Having been …

Munster Senior Camogie Championship Preliminary Round Limerick 2-11 Clare 1-09 THE gap had considerably narrowed, but the result remained the same as the Shannonside honours once more went to Limerick in Clarina on Saturday afternoon, reports Eoin Brennan. A six point margin definitely flattered a vanquished Clare in a one-sided National League contest four weeks earlier in Fr McNamara Park. However, this time, it was Limerick who found it difficult to justify a five point win as this was a much more evenly-matched derby throughout. A succession of Caoimhe Costelloe placed balls allied to a sucker-punch goal right before the opening water break provided a cushion that the home side were able to cling to for the remainder. In contrast, Clare started confidently but after Becky Foley’s opportunist goal in the third minute, five subsequent goal chances were passed up including a final quarter penalty that was sent wide. Indeed, both sides could only muster 1-4 apiece from play as …

While it’s a rare weekend of inter-county calm before the storm, the competitive action has contrastingly rapidly mushroomed at club level, with a first bumper weekend of football and hurling leagues to come over a hectic three day span. That zero to a hundred fixture hike is in one way a welcome world away from the bleak lockdown longing that greeted the first five months of the year. However, with a large chunk of players still seeking match sharpness, it’s perhaps not ideal to be a dual player that in the absence of county contingents could be called upon to fulfill up to four fixtures over the coming days. Clare Cup Division 1A Round 2 Crusheen v Feakle at Crusheen, Saturday, 7.30pm (C Maguire) After opening round victories, this should present a welcome barometer for both this Saturday. Feakle’s opening round triumph over county champions Sixmilebridge will have given them a significant shot in the arm whereas the most encouraging …

The weekend starts here for the footballing fraternity who embark on a frantic Friday of Cusack and Garry Cup action. The opening round didn’t exactly go according to script so it’s probably best to expect the unexpected once more. Consequently tasked with the futile exercise of predicting those second round winners is Eoin Brennan. Cusack Cup Round 2 Éire Óg v Kilmurry Ibrickane at Éire Óg, Friday, 7.30pm (J Donnellan) Normally a box office annual meeting, neither a full complement of supporters or players will be present in Ennis on Friday evening. Without county players in both codes, inevitably Éire Óg and Kilmurry Ibrickane lost their opening ties albeit that the Townies will be much the happier in defeat due to a battling display against Ennistymon which was in doubt right up until the final whistle. In Pairc Naomh Mhuire however, the final whistle couldn’t come soon enough in a derby demolition at the hands of their nearest neighbours St …

Under 13 Division 1 Football Championship Round 1 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 8-15 Lissycasey 0-10 THERE’S no doubting the clear merits of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s opening victory but the scoreline is certainly misleading as this was a competitive tie for the majority in Lissycasey, reports Eoin Brennan. Indeed, Lissycasey were arguably the better side in the opening period but while they kicked nine scores to DooraBarefield’s seven, crucially four of The Parish’s were goals at 4-3 to 0-9. The second half rather petered out to its inevitable conclusion but not before another four goal burst from a very powerful and balanced visiting side. Overall, it was clear to see that size will count for a lot in this inaugural Under 13 Championship. So with all but two of their squad to the age, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s superior physicality did ultimately show against their younger opponents who will have more than half of their starting team eligible for next year’s Under 13 …

ON Thursday morning, Donal Tuohy announced he would be stepping down from the Clare senior hurling panel for the rest of the 2021 season. Tuohy, who has been on the Clare panel since the autumn of 2009, cited increased work commitments and a number of recent injuries, which made it difficult to maintain a consistent effort in training. While he has not been first choice goalkeeper over the last year, he had many memorable days with Clare, including the 2018 run to the All Ireland semi final, in which Clare were pipped by Galway. One of his most notable performances was in the 2009 All Ireland under 21 final against Kilkenny, when he made a last minute wonder save preventing a certain Richie Hogan goal, something that sealed the victory and saw the title come to Clare for the first time ever. In a statement on the Crusheen GAA facebook page, Tuohy said, “I would like to take this opportunity …

KILMALEY made a successful defence of their Clare Cup title on home soil on Saturday evening when holding off neighbours Ballyea by 1-20 to 1-15, reports Eoin Brennan. Daire Keane’s trademark surge and finish to the net in the ninth minute would be a decisive score in catapulting Kilmaley into the ascendancy at 1-3 to 0-3. And with all of Kilmaley’s front six getting on the scoreboard from play in the opening period, they would ease into an 1-11 to 0-08 interval advantage. Newcomers Ballyea were far from full strength but could rely on the scoring prowess of Niall Deasy who finish with all but five points of his side’s total. Indeed, having fallen eight behind entering the final ten minutes, the former county senior rallied with 1-3, but eventually had to concede second best to a more balanced home side. Other teams to make home advantage count on the opening weekend were Clonlara and Feakle. Senior B holders Clonlara …