Sports

St Joseph’s, Miltown 1-6   Kilmurry-Ibrickane 0-4 Perhaps in the end there was something in the result for both neighbouring clubs. Miltown needed a win to get their Cusack Cup campaign up and running following two defeats, while Kilmurry probably needed a wake-up call.Losing to their neighbours ensures that they got just that. Remember though, the same clubs meet in the group stage of the championship. Kilmurry will definitely remember but Miltown will take solace from the fact that if they hadn’t beaten Kilmurry on Monday, they wouldn’t believe that they could do so come championship. Last year’s Clare minor Micheál Malone netted Miltown’s first-half goal, while Kilmurry missed several chances at the other end. Michael Neylon’s team led 1-1 to 0-3 at half time, having played into the wind. Only Stephen Moloney managed a score for the Munster champions on the resumption, while Malone, Eoin Curtin, Kevin Keavey and Eoin Curtin added Miltown points. This was just Kilmurry’s second defeat …

Sports editor Seamus Hayes reports on all the action from the U-21 A, B and C hurling championship semi-finals Despite the fact that the programme was disrupted due to the inclement weather conditions, the U-21 hurling championship semi-finals went ahead on Good Friday.Sixmilebridge, as predicted, remain on course to retain the A title and also to win the C crown after both teams were victorious.Éire Óg made it to the A final when they accounted for Clonlara but their hopes of a double ended when their C team went down to Sixmilebridge.Wolfe Tones moved into the B final but they will have to wait a while longer to learn who will provide the opposition in the decider after Kilmaley and Smith O’Brien’s played out a draw in an exciting tie.Sixmilebridge’s opponents in the C final will be Ennistymon, who accounted for Parteen at Sixmilebridge.The heavy rain on Thursday night resulted in venue changes for a number of the U-21 games. …

The Carl O’Callaghan-trained Kinsale King has been sent back to California following his win in the $2 million Golden Shaheen in Dubai last week.

The games of hurling and football are not flourishing in the town of Ennis. This has led to a decision by Éire Óg to set up an academy, which is taking in boys and girls from six upwards.

THE 40th anniversary of the Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare Athletic Club and the Michael Egan Memorial four-mile road race and fun walk attracted a huge turnout of athletes from all over Ireland and the world, along with a fine number of walkers to Quilty.In the senior men’s event a star-studded field of athletes went to the start and a four and a half minute first mile from Galway City Harriers’ athlete Garry Staunton saw the Irish international athlete beat Rory Chesser, Ennis Track, in a very fast time of 19mins.10secs with Jason Fahy, Olympic Harriers, coming third. The team title and the Michael Egan Shield went to Ennis Track ahead of Galway City Harriers, Craughwell and last year’s title-holders West Limerick.First time visitor to Quilty, Andrea Viger from Boulder Express Colorado, USA, recorded a big win in the senior ladies race in a time of 24mins.13secs she had just 20 seconds to spare over Eimear Martin, Sportsworld, with Tracy Guilfoyle third. …

  Newmarket Celtic A 4 Lifford 3 IN a high-scoring tie, Newmarket Celtic defeated Lifford by a single goal in this premier league tie at McDonough Park on Sunday.Newmarket raced into an early 2-0 lead with goals from Eoin O’Brien and Eoin Hayes. Lifford were reduced to 10 men when Niall White was sent off but they pulled one back when Ryan Boyle scored from the penalty spot before Fabrice Baptista hit the equaliser from a free-kick.Newmarket were back in front at the break following another goal from Eoin Hayes. Entering the final quarter, Lifford were reduced to nine men when Roberto Pinto picked up a second yellow card. With ten minutes to go they levelled through  Gary McNaboe.Newmarket came back when Eoin O’Brien struck for what proved to be the winning  goal. Newmarket Celtic A: Seamus Lawlor; Mark O’Malley, David O’Grady, Michael Devitt, Mark Donnellan, Eoin O’Brien, Mike O’Malley, Gary Browne, John Paul Healy, Eoin Hayes, Kieran Devitt.Sub: Gary …

THIS Sunday sees the All-Ireland 40×20 juvenile handball championship finals take place. Tuamgraney will play host to five finals, all featuring Clare players. The event starts at 11am.

TUBBER jockey Derek O’Connor proved the man to follow at last Sunday’s County Clare Hunt meeting at Quakerstown, Boston, where the local favourite thrilled his huge home following when riding four winners.