Championships get underway at Cusack Park

The first of the finals in this year’s Clare Champion-sponsored Cumann na mBunscoil an Chláir primary schools hurling and camogie championships were played at Cusack Park on Wednesday afternoon.

The Division 5 camogie and hurling finals got this year’s programme of finals underway. Bridgetown were involved in both finals but despite strong displays, they had to be content with the runners-up spot in both.

Smith O’Brien’s  4-0   Bridgetown  0-0
A brace of goals from Rebecca Halpin and one each from Heather Loughnane and Amanda Madden helped St Senan’s to win the Division 5 camogie title.
The winners led by two goals at half-time and despite the best efforts of Moya Ryan and Anna Spaight for Bridgetown, Senan’s held on for victory.
On their way to the final St Senan’s beat Cloughleigh, Doora, Meelick, St Tólas and Killaloe while Bridgetown had accountred for Mountshannon and St Tólas while they drew with Killaloe.
St Senan’s: Rachel Lynch (captain), Laura Buckley, Lisa O’Shea, Heather Loughnane, Amanda Madden, Rebecca Halpin, Louise Hehir, Kara Kirby, Eva O’Brien, Kath McGrath, Ciara Carrig, Kerri Loughnane.
Bridgetown: Ashling Conlon, Moya Ryan, Sadhbh Fennessy, Katie Moloney, Áine O’Grady, Anna Spaight, Caitlin Tighe, Nicole Kelly, Kate Gleeson, Sorcha McLoughlin, Amy English, Mary O’Shaughnessy, Mia Scanlan, Aoibheann Noonan, Katie Shaughnessy.

Quin  5-7   Bridgetown  6-2
This Division 5 hurling final produced some great hurling and the result was in doubt right to the final whistle.
An outstanding performance from Alan Culligan who scored 3-4 inspired Quin to this victory on a day when Tadhg Shanahan (1-2), Douglas Reddan (1-0) and Patrick Duggan (0-1) also got on the scoresheet. Goalkeeper Conor O’Brien made a number of impressive saves in this nine-a-side final.
Michael O’Shea excelled for the losers scoring all but a goal of their final tally, Stephen Howard was the other scorer on a day when David O’Shea excelled for the South East Clare side.
Quin: Conor O’Brien, Conor Ryan, Patrick Duggan, Douglas Reddan, Harry McCarthy, Luke McCarthy, Eimhin Dunne, Tadhg Shanahan, Alan Culligan, Michael Culligan, Bran Meaney, Stephen Frain, Aaron Fitzpatrick, Cathal Browne, Conor Cregan, Brendan Dolan, David Rochford, Daragh Ryan, Donal O’Criodain, Hugh Black, Killian O’Donovan, Gary Murray, Gareth Dupper, Eoin O’Brien, Mark McCarthy.
Bridgetown: James Pearse, Niall Moloney, Shane Reddy, David O’Shea, Michael O’Shea, Oisín Maloney, Aaron Conlon, Gearóid Reddy, Strephen Howard, Dean O’Connor, Moya Ryan, Wayne Conway, Micheál Hogan, David Casey, Cathal Walsh, James Crotty, Michael Doherty.

The competitions continue this Thursday when there will be seven finals, commencing at 10am.
The programme kicks off with the Division 2 hurling final between Tulla and Knockanean and this will be followed by Division 3 camogie (Corofin or Kilmaley v Knockanean or Scariff); Division 2 camogie (Kilnamona v Ballyea); Division 6 hurling (Kilmurry v Doora); Division 3 hurling (Kilnamona v Cratloe); Division 4 camogie (Kilmurry v Bodyke/Tuamgraney) and Division 4 hurling (Broadford v Flagmount/Drumindoora).