Injury hold-up mars easy St Flannan’s win

St Flannan’s College  4-12

West Clare Colleges  0-5

A 38-minute hold-up, while West Clare Gaels substitute, David Killeen lay prone on the field with a suspected broken leg, marred the all-Clare Frewan Cup (U/16½) Munster colleges first-round game in Ryan’s Field, Clarecastle on Wednesday afternoon.
The St Michael’s, Kilmihil pupil sustained the injury following a clash with St Flannan’s wing-back David Clancy, who competed for a breaking ball with his opponent.
Kilmurry Ibrickane referee Michael Talty immediately reached for a red card and sent the St Joseph’s, Doora-Barefield man to the line.
An ambulance was called and arrived accompanied by an advanced paramedic vehicle. Unfortunately, the ambulance didn’t make it to the injured player. Shortly after entering the field on the Ennis Road sideline, the ambulance’s wheels started to spin and eventually got stuck.
In a bizarre turn of events, the entire West Clare Colleges panel attempted to push the ambulance but it wouldn’t budge. Eventually, a tractor arrived on the scene and pulled the ambulance to firmer ground and back towards the Ryan’s Field car park.
The smaller paramedic vehicle did reach the player and he was treated and eventually stretchered to the ambulance, which was by then located about 100 yards away.
At that juncture, 14 minutes into the second half, St Flannan’s led 2-10 to 0-5 and there was no disguising their superiority.
Following the mammoth hold-up, they pulled even further ahead, adding 2-2 in the closing 16-minute period, during which West Clare Colleges failed to add to their total.
The first half was more competitive, with St Flannan’s leading 1-6 to 0-4 at half-time. Brian Cahill scored what was a soft 15th minute goal after his shot evaded West Clare Colleges goalkeeper Eamon O’Dea, as St Flannan’s corner-forward Padraig McNamara ran in to put pressure on the net minder.
Fergus Killeen, Cian Moloney, Evan Courtney, with three points, and Liam Corbett scored the winners’ first-half points. Liam Madigan put over three first-half frees for the amalgamation, with Fergal Pyne and Caoimhín Donnellan scoring from play. Despite showing some promise in the opening half, they didn’t manage a single score in the second half.
Early in the second half, Eoin Davoren netted with Padraig McNamara again hovering. Brian Cahill and Evan Courtney (two) added points prior to the injury hold-up.
Once play resumed, Evan Courtney added 1-2, the goal from a penalty, while midfielder Eoin Hanrahan slotted St Flannan’s fourth goal.
The winners were well balanced and played some lovely football with Evan Courtney, Eoin Clancy, Oisín Hanrahan, Eoin Hanrahan, Padraig McNamara and Brian Cahill all playing well.
Liam Madigan, Jack Browne and the Pyne brothers, Fergal and Colm, were best for West Clare Colleges, who must consider examining their structures to ensure they will become more competitive at Frewan Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí levels.

St Flannan’s: Killian Normoyle; Eoin Clancy, Kieran Malone, James Woods; Cian Moloney, Oisín Hanrahan, David Clancy; Eoin Hanrahan, Dara Walsh; Fergus Killeen, Evan Courtney, Aonghus Keane; Pádraig McNamara, Liam Corbett, Brian Cahill.
Subs: Eoin Davoren for Aonghus Keane, Dylan Broderick for Evan Courtney, Kevin Meaney for Dara Walsh, Brendan O’Leary for Cian Moloney and Liam O’Donovan for Fergus Killeen.
Scorers: Evan Courtney (1-7, 1f), Brian Cahill (1-1), Eoin Davoren and Eoin Hanrahan (1-0 each), Liam Corbett (0-2), Fergus Killeen and Cian Moloney (0-1 each).
Wides: 9; frees won: 11; 45s: 1
Yellow cards: Liam Corbett and Eoin Hanrahan.
Red card: David Clancy.

West Clare Colleges: Eamon O’Dea; Conor Flaherty, Fergal Pyne, Colin Crowley; Jack Browne, Levi Howard, Keelan Cunningham; Colm Pyne, Cathal Downes; Pierce Lillis, Niall Bonfil, Gary Meaney; David Downes, Caoimhín Donnellan, Liam Madigan.
Subs: David Killeen for David Downes and David Downes for David Killeen (inj).
Scorers: Liam Madigan (0-3f), Fergal Pyne and Caoimhín Donnellan (0-1 each).
Wides: 5; frees won: 23; 45s: 1
Yellow cards: 0.
Referee: Michael Talty (Kilmurry Ibrickane).