League leaders battle back

Shannon Olympic A 1
Bridge United B 1

Shannon Olympic continued their unbeaten run in the first division with an entertaining draw against near neighbours Bridge United B in Shannon on Sunday.
Played on a cold but bright afternoon, the league leaders had to come from behind to secure a point that maintained their position at the top of the league against a spirited Sixmilebridge who, based on this performance, do not deserve to be bottom of the league.
The away side started the game brightly with impressive front man Gavin Downes and pacy winger, Brendan Murphy causing the Olympic back four plenty of problems. At the back, veteran Albert Finnan organised the defence expertly, Barry Deasy also impressed in goal.
The sides exchanged chances early on with Gavin and Barry Downes having chances for the Bridge, while for Olympic, Jimmy Houlihan, Ray Quigley and Karl Scott should have done better.
In the 15th minute Gavin Downes controlled the ball in the Olympic box and was brought to the ground by Gareth McPhilips. Referee Frank Coote had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Downes calmly stroked the ball home from the spot-kick.
This gave the Bridge a great boost as they went in search of a second goal. Gavin Downes was unlucky not to double his tally just a minute after his penalty, when he headed over from a great cross from Brendan Murphy. Murphy himself was also unlucky a minute later when McGettrick in goal saved well at the expense of corner.
In the 21st minute a great defence splitting pass from left-full Ian Hogan was controlled brilliantly by Jimmy Houlihan but he shot tamely wide. On 23 minutes captain Jason Regan was fouled just outside the box on one of his trademark runs but Houlihan again failed to hit the target.
Olympic continued to cause problems for the Bridge defence with Karl Fogarty, Ray Quigley and Jay Regan all going close.
On 38 minutes there was a piece of magic from right-full David Collins when he collected the ball midway into the ‘Bridge half. His first touch caused the ball to sit up perfectly for him to drive an unstoppable shot from 30 yards into the far corner of the net for a most impressive score.
Despite this boost, Olympic allowed the away side to come back at them and it took a brilliant McGettrick point blank save from Paul Corbett on the stroke of halftime to prevent them from going behind again.
The second half was a close affair with both teams having several chances. Olympic’s back four got to grips with the Bridge front men but their own attacking players weren’t firing on all cylinders and spurned several chances to take the lead.
Best for Olympic on the day were goalkeeper Gary McGettrick and the central defensive pairing of James Fitzgerald and Karl Fogarty.

Shannon Olympic A: Gary McGettrick, David Collins, Ian Hogan, James Fitzgerald, Karl Fogarty, Gareth McPhilips, Jimmy Houlihan, Jason Regan, Karl Scott, Ray Quigley, Alan Casey.
Subs: Eamonn O’Neill, George Justice.
Bridge United B: Barry Deasy, Dan Larkin, Kevin Meehan, Albert Finnan, Dominic Murphy, Barry Downes, Damien Murray, Geoffrey Flynn, Paul Corbett, Gavin Downes, Brendan Murphy.
Subs: Barry Halloran, Trevor Kearney, Tom Liddy, Jamie Gorman, Alan McCauley, Mark Lonergan.

Sporting Ennistymon 0
Turnpike Rovers 3

Turnpike Rovers made the journey to Lisdoonvarna on Sunday and returned home victorious.
The ‘Pike led at half time through a Dermot Gannon effort after 25 minutes.
Ten minutes into the second half the home side had a great chance to get back on terms when they were awarded a penalty but Pike goalkeeper Keith Ryan saved from Thierry Bouton.
On the hour mark, Gannon doubled his side’s lead while 15 minutes later Chris Shannon struck for their third.

Sporting Ennistymon: Shane Keane; Colm Donnellan, Robbie McInerney, Mark Burke, Graham Johnson, Abdel Ennaoui, Thierry Bouton, Joe Dowling, Alan Sexton; John McInerney, Karl Ryan.
Subs: Sean McConigley; David Lyons, Gearóid White.
Turnpike Rovers: Keith Ryan; Donnacda Hassett, Dermot Gannon, Ethan Considine, Ian McMahon; tommy Cronin, Dermot McMahon, Noel Frawley, Dean O’Grady, Jason Hayes, Christopher Shannon.
Subs: Danny Russell, Marc O’Donnell, William O’Keeffe.

Burren United 2
Corofin Harps  2

Title chasing North Clare neighbours, Burren United and Corofin Harps shared the spoils in this first division league tie played at Lisdoonvarna on Sunday.
Visitors Corofin Harps led 1-0 at half time after Jason Tierney scored. Stephen Keane won a long kick out from Mike Heith and created the chance for Tierney just before the half time whistle.
The home side stepped up a gear on the resumption and levelled when Evan Talty scored from the penalty spot after Martin McDonagh had been fouled. They went in front when Ghat Marine fired home after an Ian McInerney cross.
Corofin Harps weren’t to be denied and they levelled through Jason O’Connor. The visitors dominated the final quarter but failed to get a winner.

Burren Utd: Craig Flanagan; Enda Coughlan, Michael Keating, Mark McCarthy; Ghat Marine, Danny Burke, Evan Talty, Liam Keane; Ian McInerney, Martin McDonagh, Patrick Darcy.
Subs: John McDonagh for Keane; John McCormack for Burke.
Corofin Harps: Mike Heith; Ronnie Meere, Michael Concannon, John Keane, Stephen Quinn; Paul Linnane, James Keane, Damian Ryan, Jason O’Connor; Jason Tierney, Stephen Keane.
Subs: Brendan Keane for Linnane (inj) Mark Gleeson for S Keane.