Kilmurry Ibrickane are champions for 15th time

Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-14 Clondegad 0-14

KILMURRY Ibrickane are Clare senior football champions for the 15^th time, following their victory over first time finalists, Clondegad in Cusack Park, on Sunday afternoon.

Played in front of an attendance of 4,916 the game was tactical and restricted in the first half, following which the Aidan Moloney managed two in a row champions led 0-6 to 0-4.

The game opened up considerably in the second half with the sides kicking 19 scores between them. However the crucial one was the green flag raised by Kilmurry substitute Peter O’Dwyer, who was put through by fellow substitute Noel Downes. O’Dwyer, who was later red carded, along with Clonegad’s Joe Neylon, slotted home the goal, which put Kilmurry into a 1-13 to 0-13 lead. O’Dwyer also scored the winning point in Kilmurry’s semi-final win over Cratloe.

Clondegad did not give up and in fact they pressed Kilmurry hard over the remaining 14 minutes, which included nine minutes of injury time.

Another significant contributor for Kilmurry was Downes, who kicked 0-2, laid on O’Dwyer’s goal and should have netted himself after that. However his shot hit the butt of the Clonegad post.

On an afternoon when Kilmurry’s bench contributed 1-3 from play, they had outstanding performers in corner back Mark Killeen, Enda Coughlan, who largely operated as sweeper, Steven Moloney and Keith King, who shadowed Gary Brennan throughout.

Clondegad suffered on their own kick outs, losing seven in total, including a number which directly led to scores, while Tony Kelly, with 0-3 was the games top point scorer from play.

Kilmurry Ibrickane will now play Dr Crokes, the reigning Kerry, Munster and All-Ireland club champions, who beat Clonmel Commericals, 1-14 to 0-8 in the provincial quarter-final on Sunday.

Kilmurry will travel to Killarney on Sunday week, November 12.

Kilmurry Ibrickane: Ian McInerney (0-3f); Evan Talty, Darren Hickey, Mark Killeen; Shane Hickey, Martin McMahon (captain), Darragh Sexton (0-1); Mark McCarthy, Keith King; Niall Hickey, Dermot Coughlan (0-1), Michael Hogan; Steven Moloney (0-2) Keelan Sexton (0-4, 2f), Enda Coughlan.

Subs: Thomas Lernihan for Evan Talty (21-inj), Michael O’Dwyer (0-1) for Michael Hogan (50), Noel Downes (0-2) for Niall Hickey (43), Peter O’Dwyer (1-0) for Mark McCarthy (53), Eamon Bracken for Steven Moloney (57), Darren Sexton for Keelan Sexton (66).

Clondegad: Liam Deasy; Brian Casey, Cillian Brennan, Cormac Ryan; Brian Murphy, Brian Carrigg, Conor Gavin; Gary Brennan (0-2, 1f), James Murphy; Podge McMahon (0-4, 3f), Gearóid O’Connell (0-1), Tony Kelly (0-3); Tadgh Lynch (0-1), Shane Brennan (0-1), Eoghan Donnellan (0-2).

Subs: Ryan Jennings for James Murphy (inj-half time), Joe Neylon for Tadhg Lynch (50), Niall Lynch for Brian Murphy (46), Niall Deasy for Cormac Ryan (53).

Referee: Pat Cosgrove (Corofin).