Junior cup returns to Magpies’ nest

Clarecastle   0-6     Michael Cusack’s   0-5
THE Clare junior football title rests in Clarecastle for the first time in 30 years after the Magpies recorded a one-point win over Michael Cusack’s at Corofin on Bank holiday Monday. Four points in a five-minute spell at the end of the third quarter proved decisive.

In a game dominated by defences, both teams operated with an extra defender, the sides went to the break level at 0-2 each. Seven minutes into the second half, Michael Cusack’s hit the front when Hugh Kelly pointed but this sparked a strong response from Clarecastle and points from Adam Healy (2), substitute Jason Considine and Eamonn Callinan saw them take a three-point lead going into the final quarter.

They failed to score after this but they limited the Carron outfit to just two points, both coming from defenders.

Before as good crowd, the game started at a lively pace and five minutes had elapsed before Adam Healy pointed for the winners when he converted a 35m free. Eamonn Callinan doubled their advantage with the side’s first score from play which came in the 11th minute.

The game was 22 minutes old before Pat Hynes opened the scoring for the North Clare outfit when he converted a 20m free. The same player scored from play in the second minute of injury time to tie up the teams at 0-2 each.

Clarecastle returned with Donogh Murphy in their line-up at corner-forward in place of Ciarán Lynch. Seven minutes into the half, Hugh Kelly gave Cusack’s the lead for the only time in the game. This scored sparked a strong response from the Magpies.

A good run from Jonathon Clancy ended with Adam Healy pointing in the 11th minute and the Clarecastle midfielder followed with a point from play a minute later. Substitute Jason Considine signalled his arrival with a converted free in the 14th minute before Eamonn Callinan had his second at the turn of the final quarter.
A minute later, Patrick O’Connor came up from defence to kick a good score for Cusack’s who were then forced into a change when Colm Davoran hobbled off the pitch to be replaced by Seaghan Brosnan.

Seven minutes from time, the Cusack’s supporters were in full voice as their full-back Oliver Conway kicked a good point, cutting the margin to the minimum again.

Three minutes from time, Clarecastle followers thought they had scored a goal when a Jason Considine 45’ was added to by Adam Healy but the ball went inches wide of the target. Cusack’s battled to the end but they just could not find a way through for an equalising score.

Clarecastle’s half-back trio of Seanie Moloney, Kieran O’Dwyer and especially Jonathon Clancy caused a lot of problems for Cusack’s, while elsewhere, Adam Healy, Danny Scanlon and John Reidy got through a lot of good work.

Minor players, Rohan Rafferty together with Oliver Conway, Niall Hehir, Patrick and Michael O’Connor and Patrick Hynes did well for Cusack’s whose supporters were critical of referee Fergal Gray’s handling of the game.

After the game, Clare GAA treasurer Bernard Keane presented the Michael Toner Memorial Cup to the winning captain Barry Lynch.

Clarecastle: Andrew Page; John Reidy, Jamie O’Connor, Barry Lynch (captain); Seanie Moloney, Kieran O’Dwyer, Jonathon Clancy; Patrick Kelly, Adam Healy; Danny Scanlon, Cathal Lynch, Kevin Clohessy; Eamonn Callinan, Alan Considine, Pakie Healy.
Subs: Donogh Murphy for C Lynch (half-time); Jason Considine for A Considine (40 minutes); Briain Lynch for P Healy (58 minutes).
Scorers: Adam Healy (0-3, 2f); Eamonn Callinan (0-2); Jason Considine (0-1, 1f).
Frees for: 25; Wides: 5; 45s:1.
Bookings: None.
Michael Cusack’s: Eoin Farrell; Justin Linnane, Oliver Conway, Enda Hehir; Rohan Rafferty, Niall Hehir, Patrick O’Connor (captain); James Hynes, Mark Shannon; Eoin Kelly, Seamus O’Conghaile, Colm Davoran; Michael O’Connor, Patrick Hynes, Hugh Kelly.
Subs: Seaghan Brosnan for Davoran (inj 50 minutes); Fintan Conway for E Kelly (55 mins).
Scorers: Patrick Hynes (0-2, 1f); Eoin Kelly, Patrick O’Connor, Oliver Conway (0-1 each).
Frees for: 20; wides: 4.
Bookings: Rohan Rafferty (4 mins), Mark Shannon (20 mins); Justin Linnane (50 mins)
Referee: Fergal Gray, Feakle.