Sports

All-Ireland Football Qualifier Round 3 Clare 2-15 Roscommon 1-16 HISTORY repeats itself. Roscommon once more the vanquished. Those who bemoaned travelling to Croke Park were not those who were present to see history being witnessed as one of the greatest successes in Clare football was secured and a place in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals in two weeks’ time, writes Michael O’Connor. Memories of a glorious Saturday in Pearse Stadium and an emphatic six-point win all of six years ago were rekindled as Clare once more took on Roscommon in a qualifier with a place in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals at stake. Six starters from the Salthill encounter started this latest instalment at GAA headquarters. The opening score went to Cathal O’Connor after a five man move ended with the Coolmeen man pointing. Roscommon rallied with Eddie Nolan going close with a goal chance before Cathal O’Connor with Clare’s second effort was off target after being set up by Podge Collins as Clare …

U14A League final Fergus Rovers 4-9 Kilrush 3-9 (AET) Extra time was required to separate Fergus Rovers and Kilrush in the U-14A League Final at Kilmihil on Monday last before Fergus Rovers emerged to claim a thrilling contest by a goal. In a first half that produced five goals it was Fergus Rovers that had the brighter start kicking the first three points, two from Sarah Hickey while dominating possession in the opening quarter. Kilrush equalised with a goal from Avamay Broderick while Ali Talty put Fergus Rovers back in front with her first goal. Kilrush goals from Jessica O’Sullivan and Caoimhe Griffin, a good save from Rovers goalie Kate Griffin and a second Ali Talty goal left the half time score Fergus Rovers 2-05 Kilrush 3-01. In the second half Fergus Rovers Maeve Clancy kicked a goal and a point adding to her first half tally of two points while the impressive Kilrush full forward kicked five points and …

A devastating finish of four final quarter goals saw Clonlara sink Clarecastle in truly dramatic fashion on their way to the U-15B title in Cratloe. The interval switch of centre-back Harry Hodgins would ultimately be decisive as trailing by five nearing the turn of the final quarter, he would dramatically fire two goals in the space of just four minutes to completely flip this decider on its head. Now soaring in confidence, further goals through Dan and Mark Hogan would remarkably complete a late 14 point turnaround which did certainly skew the final scoreline. Along with the impact of Hodgins, the lively Darragh Dillon, who scored the opening goal and set up two more, along with Ciaran Howard were Clonlara’s main protagonists in an unprecedented final win. And yet it was arguably Clarecastle midfielder Harry Doherty’s almost incredulous powers of fielding, especially from puck-outs that will live longest in the memory bank from this seesaw final. Doherty and excellent chief …

Clare may never have won a championship match in Croke Park but they do have a perfect record against Roscommon after seeing off the Connacht side in a qualifier in Salthill in 2016. Coincidentally, that victory qualified the Banner for their last Croke Park appearance, an All-Ireland Quarter-Final against Kerry that didn’t quite live up to its heightened all-Munster rematch billing. Indeed, throughout their 28 match qualifier record (12 victories and 16 defeats), the biggest scalp Clare have taken over that 22 year span was against Roscommon in that sole clash that saw them comfortably prevail by 2-12 to 1-9. After all, Roscommon were just off the back of contesting the National League Division 1 Semi-Final against Kerry and had only been edged out of provincial honours after a final replay against Galway. Six years on and Clare only possess seven survivors from that memorable day and pitch invasion (Cian O’Dea, Cathal O’Connor, Jamie Malone, Keelan Sexton, Pearse Lillis, David …

Clare certainly like to give their supporters value for money. I mean it would have been very boring had the Banner only built upon their seven point first half cushion and running out comprehensive winners with the wind at their backs for the second period. Manager Colm Collins could see also see the humorous side to getting over the line for what was their first ever championship victory over Meath. “We’ve had a bad time with them haven’t we?” quipped the Cratloe clubman immediately afterwards. “I think we played them five times since I’ve got involved and hadn’t won but the last day we played them here in Cusack Park during the league I thought we were a lot closer. So I was optimistic today but by God did we make hard work of it. “Listen, the bottom line is that it’s great to be in the hat on Monday, that’s the most important thing but overall I don’t think …

Avenue United manager David Russell has lauded his charges for securing the club’s first League and Clare Cup double since 2010. The Clarecastle native credited his side’s commitment and appetite to improve for helping them end Newmarket Celtic’s stranglehold on both competitions. “It’s great. It’s our first double in about 10 years. To do it against Newmarket who’ve dominated Clare soccer for so long makes it better. It’s a great achievement by a great bunch of players there. They put their shoulder to the wheel for the whole season and they got what they deserved.” In what was a demanding campaign for Avenue with runs to the Last 16 of the FAI and Munster Junior Cups, a final appearance in the League Cup and victories in the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup and Moloney Hardware Premier Division, Russell insists himself nor the players ever felt that any part of the season was a slog. “The lads never baulked at …

Sporting Ennistymon have spoken out on the controversy surrounding the registration of a Ukrainian refugee. The club have published a statement in which they outline their grievances with the process. The controversy arises over the need for the player in question to obtain an International Transfer Clearance (ITC) with the club believing they did not need to obtain one for the player to line out with them. However, they did and due to the confusion, Sporting were docked five points which subsequently meant they needed to play a Promotion/Relegation Play Off. Had they not received the penalty, the club would be guaranteed Premier Division football next season. In the club’s statement, they argue that a lack of information and clarity was provided by the FAI surrounding the rules with regards to registering a Ukrainian refugee. They also contend that the website used to register players, FAInet, is inadequate while also stating their belief that the FIFA rule in relation to …

Under 15A hurling shield final Sixmilebridge 6-22 St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 1-6 Meeting for yet another occasion this season in various U15 competitions and with a keen rivalry developing the end result of this game played in Sixmilebridge on Wednesday evening was all the more surprising at first glance. Yet delving deeper, the skeleton squad provided by St Joseph’s on the evening was the overriding factor in the result. This should not take in any way from the complete performance displayed by a determined home side who in the Féile had led for a long stretch of the game only to be caught by a late late St Joseph’s rally. Missing players such as Leon Talty, Darragh and Graham Ball to name a few diluted the intensity of the contest from a visitor’s perspective as Dylan Keogh attacked the St Joseph’s goal with single mindedness intent from the throw in. His first two efforts were over the bar before the ultra-accurate …