Clare Derby win for Scariff

Scariff  13   Kilrush  10

SCARIFF came out victors 13-10 in this local derby match against Kilrush. This was never going to be a high-scoring event and the tight scoreline at the finish shows this.

Scariff, however, had their chances to score tries but poor handling on the last pass led to errors.
Kilrush were gifted the lead with a defensive error from Scariff allowing Dave Hartley to score under the posts and Paul Conway converted. This was followed by a penalty from the same player, which left the score 10-0 after half an hour for the West Clare side who will have Killorglin as visitors on this Sunday at the earlier time of 1.30p.m.
Scariff, who travel to play Castleisland on Sunday, could have felt hard done by as they were making a lot of forward attacks but failed to finish them off. Their pressure was rewarded with a great try from Colin Bugler, after a great break from Kenny Mason. This left the score 10-5 at the break.
The second half started much as the first with Scariff putting themselves under pressure but again, they fought themselves out of trouble for Robert Drealin to score leaving the score tied. Scariff piled on the pressure in the last quarter looking for the winning score and were unlucky on a few occasions not to get a try.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Scariff had a great attacking position, when Robbie Madden sat back in the pocket and called for the ball and he duly slotted the drop goal leaving the score to ensure at 13-10 for Scariff.
Scariff: Joe McGrath, Colin Bugler, Paul McTiernan, Dara McNamara, Marcus O’Neill, Henry Mooney, Robbie Madden (captain), Darren McNamara, Tryone Elliot, Michael Madden, Trevor Kelly, Steve Madden, Kenny Mason, Robert Drealin, Barry Gibbons.
Replacements used: David Harte, Rory Slattery, Ger Maguire, Niall Bugler.
Kilrush: Dave Smith; Mark Magner, Padraic O’Malley, Martin Griffin, David O’Grady, Dave Hartley John Conway, Matthew Flanagan, Ray Conway, Paul Conway, Rory McLoughlin, Pat Cussen, David Brew, David Egan, Michael Maguire.

Ennis ease relegation worries
Ennis  13   St Mary’s  11
ENNIS eased their relegation worries with this narrow victory over St Mary’s on Sunday. This was a refixture after inclement weather over the Christmas resulted in a postponement.
A David Murphy penalty gave the Ennis side the lead but the visitors hit back to slot two penalties and take a 6-3 lead, which they held until half-time.
Early in the second half, Murphy landed another penalty for the home side to tie up the game.
The decisive score came soon after this when Jason Considine got through for a try after great play by the Ennis forwards. Murphy added the points and the winners were seven points clear.
With time ticking away, St Mary’s got through for a try in the corner but they failed to add the points and seconds later, it was all over and Ennis had moved out of the relegation zone.
This week, they will entertain Old Christians and a win here would go a long way to seeing the Ennis side hold on to their Division 2 status.
Ennis: Mike McInerney, Joe Moloney, Brian Farrell; Jason Considine, Pa Harding; Gary Duggan, Rory Murphy, Damian Forde; Bryan Dolan, Barry Malone; Mark O’Halloran, Niall Nevin, Shaun O’Flanagan Niall McMahon, David Murphy.
Subs: Liam Ryan, Ross McLoughlin, John Queally, Roy Duggan, Noel Downes and Mark Kelly.

Fixtures
ST Senan’s will have home advantage against Crosshaven in the Division 1 league this Sunday when the kick off will be at 2.30pm.