Garry Cup joy for Lissycasey

Lissycasey  2-9

Liscannor  1-5

In winning the Garry Cup title (Division 2 football league) for the second time, Lissycasey bridged a seven-year gap at sun-splashed Cooraclare on Saturday evening. The club last won the title in 2005.

Already assured of Division 1 (Cusack Cup) football next season, both sides went into Saturday evening’s game chasing impressive performances ahead of important fixtures this coming week. Lissycasey battle for their senior status this Sunday when they face St Senan’s Kilkee while, on Wednesday next, Liscannor will take on Cratloe for a place in the last eight of the senior championship.
Lissycasey were dealt an early blow when they lost Alan Nagle to injury after only six minutes.
He was replaced by the experienced Cathal Hill, who went on to deliver another impressive performance.
Six minutes had elapsed before the opening score, which came from Lissycasey’s David Considine. The same player quickly added a like score from a free. Lissycasey should have extended their lead in the next few minutes but over elaboration proved costly.
As the end of the opening quarter approached, Liscannor launched a quick counter-attack, which ended with a goal from Clare captain Alan Clohessy, who quickly followed with a point.
Ten scoreless minutes followed before David Considine converted a 13m free for the winners and they drew level two minutes from the break when Niall Kelly found the target from a 35m free.
Just when it looked like the sides might go to the break on level terms, Lissycasey made an important breakthrough. Dermot Nagle’s delivery was fielded by Niall Kelly, who blasted to the net. The winners led at half-time on a 1-4 to 1-2 scoreline. Liscannor returned with two changes, Robert Lucas and Joe Considine in the team in place of David Commane and Gerry Considine. With full-forward Niall Kelly causing a lot of problems for Liscannor, the winners stretched their lead when David Considine converted another free, awarded for a foul on Kelly. Alan Clohessy kept Liscannor in contention with another free before Lissycasey goalie Joe Hayes came up to convert a 45m free. In the 11th minute of the half an excellent Lissycasey move led to a penalty, which Martin Moran expertly put away, opening a six-point margin.
There was never really a doubt about the result after this on a day when Martin O’Connor, Cathal Hill, Francis Hayes and Niall Kelly were always prominent for the winners. In the second minute of injury time Francis Hayes picked up a second yellow card, which led to the end of his involvement in the tie.
Niall Considine, Alan Flaherty and Alan Clohessy were best for Liscannor.
After the game, Clare GAA treasurer Bernard Keane paid tribute to both teams before calling on Joe Garry to present the cup that commemorates his later father, Michael, to Lissycasey captain Gerry Moran.
Lissycasey: Joe Hayes; Gerry Moran (capt), Matt O’Shea, Martin O’Connor; Dermot Nagle, Michael Melican, Alan Nagle; Francis Hayes, Danny Clohessy; Oisín Talty, Enda Finnucane (0-1), Martin Moran (1-0); David Considine (0-4, 3f); Niall Kelly (1-2,1f), Matt Kilroy (0-1).
Subs: Cathal Hill for Alan Nagle (inj, four minutes), Sean Hayes for Melican (45 minutes), Paul Nagle for Considine (47 minutes), Dereck McMahon for D Nagle (52 minutes) and Kevin Hanrahan for Talty (59 minutes).
Scorers: Niall Kelly (1-2, 1f), David Considine (0-4), Martin Moran (1-0), penalty, Joe Hayes (1f) Enda Finnucane, Matt Kilroy (0-1) each.
Frees for: 34; wides: 6.
Bookings: Michael Melican (17 minutes); Francis Hayes (46 minutes and 62 minutes).
Sent off: Francis Hayes
Liscannor: Noel Kilmartin; Shane Canavan, Michael Foley, Alan Canavan; Denis Murphy, Niall Considine, Ronan Slattery; Alan Flaherty, Brian Considine; Alan McDonagh, Alan Clohessy, Gerry Considine; David Commane, Johnnie Considine, Dara Blake.
Subs: Robert Lucas for Commane (half-time), Joe Considine for Gerry Considine (half-time), Padraic Haugh for A McDonagh (54 minutes) and Paul Guerin for Lucas (61 minutes).
Scorers: Alan Clohessy (1-5, 0-3f).
Frees for: 32; wides: 11.
Bookings: Alan Flaherty (26 minutes) and Michael Foley (62 minutes).
Referee: Pat Cosgrove, Corofin.