High-scoring semi yields results for Feakle/ Killanena

Feakle/Killanena 5-12 Sixmilebridge 3-9

FEAKLE/Killanena qualified for the U-21C final after a hard-fought 5-12 to 3-9 victory over Sixmilebridge at Gurteen on Saturday evening.
Two goals shortly before half-time proved vital and helped them to a nine-point lead at the break.
Shortly after the break, a Gary Guilfoyle goal sent them further ahead and from here on, there was no way back for the ’Bridge. The eventual victors had a number of positional changes from the side that defeated Ennistymon in the quarter-final, while Sixmilebridge had one change to their line-up with David Murphy coming in for Brian Carey, who earlier in the day lined out with the U-21A side.
The East Clare amalgamation got off the mark first with scores from Gary Guilfoyle (free) and Ronan McGuinness before Sean Lynch opened Sixmilebridge’s account.
The ’Bridge took the lead when Michael Reddan raced through the East Clare side’s defence to give Eibhear Quilligan no chance. However, this lead was short lived with McGuinness levelling matters in the 15th minute before Pádraig Brady split the posts soon after to edge his side ahead.
At half-time, it was 3-8 to 1-5 in favour of the combination.
Two minutes into the half, the ’Bridge were further behind when Gary Guilfoyle soloed in from halfway before lashing the ball to Freeman’s net for goal number four.
Cathal O’Connor had a Sixmilebridge goal to keep their hopes alive and they had a third goal from David Murphy, which suggested a lively final quarter. However, Feakle-Killanena held firm and ran out deserving winners.

Feakle/Killanena: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle); Killian Bane (Feakle), Martin Glynn (Killanena); Henry Purcell (Feakle), Colin Nelson (Feakle), Michael Noonan (Killanena); Colin McNamara (Killanena), Shane McGrath (Feakle); Declan Noonan (Killanena), Gary Guilfoyle (Feakle), Pádraig Brady (Killanena); Paul McArthur (Killanena), Ronan McGuinness (Feakle).
Subs: Eoin McMahon (Killanena) for McArthur; Eoin McGuinness for Ronan McGuinness and Paul McArthur for Brady.
Scorers: Pádraig Brady (4-2), Gary Guilfoyle (1-2, 1f), Ronan McGuinness (0-3), Colin McNamara (0-2), Colin Nelson, Declan Noonan and Eoin McGuinness (0-1 each).
Sixmilebridge: Pa Freeman; Darragh McNamara, Evan McInerney; Aidan Hyland, Eoin Hogan, Dylan Fleming; David Murphy, Darragh O’Connor; Barry Corbett, Michael Reddan, Eoin Loughnane (captain); Cathal O’Connor, Sean Lynch.
Subs: Robert McNamara for Corbett (half-time) and Darragh Fitzgerald for Loughnane (half-time), Kieran Quinlan.
Scorers: Cathal O’Connor (1-2, 1f), Sean Lynch (0-4, 2f), Michael Reddan (1-1), David Murphy (1-0) and Darragh O’Connor (0-2).
Referee: Fergie McDonagh (St Joseph’s).

Parteen 5-16 Newmarket 0-10

FIVE first-half goals sent Parteen on the way to a comfortable win over Newmarket in the first of the semi-finals played on Friday evening at Sixmilebridge.
Noel Bridgeman (3), James Long and Brian McSweeney were the goalscorers and the South East Clare side were well on their way to the final by the halfway stage.
It was 5-6 to 0-5 at the halfway stage and Bridgeman had contributed 3-1.
Newmarket, to their credit, tried to get back into the contest after the break but the Parteen defence held firm and they went on to add some excellent points to their tally.
Martin Moroney, Jason Smith and Noel Bridgeman stood out for the winners.

Parteen: Owen Kelly; Philip Lavin, Jason Smith; Gerard Cox, Martin Moroney, Mattie McSweeney; Dara Yelverton, Padraic O’Connor; Brian McSweeney, James Long, Sean Quinn; Noel Bridgeman, David Fawl.
Subs: Stephen Flanagan, Craig McCarthy, Adrian Ahern, Barry O’Donnell and Paul McDonald.
Newmarket: Eoin Frawley; Eanna McInerney, James McNamara; Brian O’Connor, Paudie Hayes, Evan Keogh; Colm McCaul, Sean Quinlivan; James Warren, Peadar McInerney, Kieran O’Connor; Oisín Pender, Cillian Pender.
Sub: Kieran Fleming.
Referee: Flan O’Reilly (Cratloe).