Sports

Meelick 0-11   Kilrush Shamrocks 2-4 A cliff hanger in Corofin? Not really. The Shamrocks’ two late goals, one of them with the second last kick of the game, five minutes into injury time, meant the scoreline flattered the West Clare men.Throughout, Meelick looked the better side and had a bit more class, best epitomised by centre-forward Patrick Finucane and man of the match Kevin Hartnett, who directed operations from the middle of the field. While Meelick were deserved winners, the Shamrocks did show a lot of character, literally not giving up until the final whistle. Indeed if there had been a little more time they might have snuck an unlikely draw.The South East Clare side started well and their forwards had already created a goal chance and dropped a ball into the goalkeeper’s hands, before Finucane had the first point of the day after four minutes. After combining with Kevin Hartnett, Finucane doubled the lead in the eighth.Throughout the first …

There is a noticeable lack of a coaching structure within the football clubs of Clare as well as a lack of interaction between clubs and both primary and secondary schools.That was one of the findings at last week’s forum on underage football in the county, an outcome that is to be forwarded to the clubs of the county, the county board and Bord na nÓg football this Friday.Shannon Gaels club member, Eamonn Keane, who chaired the forum, told The Clare Champion this week that the organisers were pleased with the response. “About three-quarters of the clubs in the county were represented while there were some apologies.”The forum was also attended by members of the county committee including chairman, Michael O’Neill; secretary, Pat Fitzgerald; treasurer, Bernard Keane and coaching officer, Eamonn Fennessy.The forum found that within most clubs in the county there is an absence of any coaching structure and the report will strongly recommend to clubs the importance of developing …

As the GAA playing season draws to a close, attention switches to indoor activities and the upcoming conventions of the various boards.Bord na nÓg football will have a new chairman for 2012 as Billy Archbold from St Breckan’s has completed five years in the post and is obliged by rule to step down. All other members of the executives in this board, Bord na nÓg Iomaint and the county committee are eligible to continue for another term, if re-appointed.County convention will not be electing a youth officer at this year’s gathering. Sandra Reynolds, who is the secretary of the underage hurling board, currently fills the post. Instead of a youth officer, each board will have a children’s officer who will be selected as opposed to elected.The annual convention of the county committee will take place in mid-December and if discussions and board meetings in recent months are any indication, then there should be plenty of debate at this gathering.It’s likely …

Newmarket 2-18   Kilmaley 0-9 FROM an early stage in Saturday’s Clare Champion Cup (Senior Hurling League) semi-final at Clarecastle, it was evident it would take a huge effort to stop Newmarket from qualifying for their second successive final.Eight points ahead as the end of the first quarter approached, they had added a further two before Kilmaley got through for their first score and by half-time, they had opened a margin of 11 points.Eleven points adrift clearly left Kilmaley with a huge task and this was made far greater when they were reduced to 14 men when Diarmuid McMahon was red-carded seconds before the half-time whistle.Adding to Kilmaley’s woes, Conor McMahon was unable to return for the second half due to injury.Midway through the second half, the slim hopes, which Kilmaley followers entertained of winning this tie were killed off when Newmarket struck for a brace of goals. Colin Ryan and Sean O’Connor got in the vital strikes, which ensured their …

Newmarket 4-21   Bruff (Limerick) 0-0 NEWMARKET-on-Fergus progressed to the Munster Intermediate Club Championship semi-final after a comprehensive 4-21 to 0-0 win over Limerick side Bruff on Saturday in Clarecastle.Niki Kaiser got the home side on the scoreboard with a pointed free in the first minute. The youngster added three more points in the next seven minutes and set the tone of play for Newmarket for the remainder of the game. Newmarket were denied an opening goal in the 10th minute when Bruff keeper Stephanie Kelliher brought off a great save from a Jenny Kelly shot. Kaiser added two more points and with Kelly getting on the scoreboard, Newmarket had a seven-point advantage by the end of the opening quarter. Newmarket were dominant throughout the pitch and when Deirdre Cassidy sent a short pass to Sharon McMahon, the Clare champions had the opening goal of the game. By half-time, Newmarket had 1-14 on the scoreboard and were well on their way …

Tipperary 1-11   Clare 0-8 LEADING by three points with 10 minutes remaining, Clare looked to be on the way to a surprise win over favourites Tipperary in the Darl Darcy U-17 Football Cup final at Páirc na nGael in Limerick on Monday. However, a strong finish by the Premier outfit saw them score 1-6 in the last 10 minutes to justify favouritism and take the title.Tipperary’s superior fitness allied to their greater physical presence proved decisive in this final but Clare will be pleased with the improvement they showed throughout the competition. When the sides met in an earlier round, Tipperary were comfortable winners on a 2-15 to 2-4 scoreline.With a number of their All-Ireland winning minor outfit available, the Premier County showed their determination to win the title from an early stage in the campaign.Trailing by a point at half-time on Monday, the decision to introduce Philip Quirke proved vital. He was a thorn in the Clare defence throughout …

Clondegad 0-13  Corofin 1-7 CLONDEGAD moved a step closer to a second adult championship in 2011 when they qualified for the Junior B final and a date with Clonlara by beating Corofin in this semi-final replay at Miltown on Sunday.Extra time was needed to separate the sides with Clondegad coming through by three points after the teams had been level on six occasions.Corofin got off to a dream start with veteran Colm Clancy goaling in the third minute. Clondegad fought their way back and points from Charlie McCarthy, Colm Quinlivan and Barry Coffey had the sides level by the 22nd minute. Dermot Gavin then put the winners in front but a Colm Clancy effort levelled with two minutes to play in the half.Clondegad substitute Declan Keane put his side in front but Clancy again replied leaving the sides level at 0-5 to 1-2 when the half-time whistle sounded.Full-forward Quinlivan put Clondegad back in front at the start of the second …

Inagh (Clare) 1-13   An Rinn (Waterford) 1-2 INAGH’s superior second-half performance over Waterford side An Rinn in Bansha on Saturday afternoon, secured them the Munster Junior Club Championship title on a final score 1-13 to 1-2.Played in Bansha, An Rinn from the Gaeltacht area of Waterford had the aid of a stiff breeze in the opening half, however, it was Inagh’s Fiona Lafferty who opened the scoring with a pointed free inside the opening minute of play. An Rinn launched an attack having won possession of their own puck-out, Deirdre Ní Fhathaigh gathering the ball on the wing. Her effort was batted out by Bríd McCarthy but it was Lorraine Ní Fhaoleán who got to the dropping sliotar first and her shot flew past McCarthy for the game’s opening goal. Inagh’s response was another point, this time from Helen Hehir, who won possession from a Patricia O’Loughlin delivery.Ní Fhathaigh pointed from a free to extend the Waterford side’s lead to …