Clondegad fail to show for semi-final

Ennistymon qualified for the minor A football final last weekend but it’s the manner in which they got through their semi-final, rather than their achievement of reaching a fourth successive decider in this grade, which is a major talking point this week.
The North Clare side’s opponents in the semi-final were Clondegad and the game was scheduled for Quilty at noon last Sunday. However, Clondegad failed to show for the fixture and when referee Gerry Corry threw in the ball, there was only one team, Ennistymon, on the pitch.
Clondegad had sought a postponement of the game but their request was not successful.
“We had requested to be free on the weekend that the club was playing the intermediate final as there were seven players on both panels. Several alternative dates, one within the four-day rule, were suggested but none were accepted.
“Eighteen hours between two major games is not enough. We have to consider the welfare and the health and safety of the players and get away from technicalities. These players have given unbelievable service and deserve better. We fulfilled every fixture this year and players had to play a few games a week as they are involved in both codes. The result should be decided on the field of play and that is what we want,” Clondegad team manager Martin Power said this week.
Ennistymon minor club secretary Gerry Murphy told The Clare Champion this week that his club “followed the rules of the board and we are delighted to be in the final”.
Clondegad had informed their opponents in advance of last week’s fixture that they would not be turning up for the game and they had also informed Bord na nÓg of their position.
A large number of the players who make up the Clondegad panel are also part of the Ballyea minor hurling squad which will play the minor A hurling semi-final on Sunday.
Bord na nÓg secretary Anne Hayes confirmed this week that the officers of Bord na nÓg will meet this week “when we receive the referee’s report”.
At the time of writing, there was speculation that representatives from both clubs were being invited to a meeting with county board chairman Michael O’Neill in an effort to have the game played.
The likelihood is that Clondegad will, if agreement to play the game isn’t reached, lodge an appeal.

Teams must meet again

Doora-Barefield 0-11 Kilmurry-Ibrickane 2-5

Doora-Barefield and Kilmurry-Ibrickane will meet again
this Sunday after extra time failed to separate them in the first of the semi-finals played on Saturday last in Lissycasey. The replay
goes ahead at the same venue at noon.
Kilmurry-Ibrickane took an early lead with points from senior panelist Niall Hickey and Seamus Lynch but Doora-Barefield responded with like scores from Cathal Duggan and Conor Lyons.
A Seamus Lynch goal seemed to give the West Clare side a grip on the game but Cathal Duggan hit two more points for Doora-Barefield to keep his side in the hunt.
Doora-Barefield enjoyed the better of the exchanges after half time and four unanswered points saw them turn a two point deficit into a two point lead.
Back came Kilmurry and a Niall Hickey goal saw them go back in front but a superb effort from a free by Cathal Duggan who was outstanding on the day, levelled the game and sent the tie into extra time.
Points were exchanged and Kilmurry went to the break in the extra period a point in front.
In the second period, Doora-Barefield deservingly levelled and followers of both clubs are now looking forward to Sunday’s replay.

Doora-Barefield: Shane Collins; Paudie Nugent, Eamonn Clohessy, Darragh Murphy; Stephen Barron, Leo Duggan, Donal O’Halloran; Conor O’Reilly, Alan O’Neill; Jarlath Colleran, Niall DeLoughrey, Conor Lyons; Luke Brannock, Patrick McKiernan, Cathal Duggan.
Kilmurry-Ibrickane: Michael O’Kelly; Ciarán O’Neill, Graham Johnson, Shane Kavanagh; Ciarán Morrissey, Padraig Lynch, John McNamara; Daragh Sexton, Niall Hickey; Darragh Pender, Ryan O’Neill, Robbie Power; Adrian Murrihy, Seamus Lynch, Niall Hehir.
Referee: Michael Fitzgerald, Clondegad.