Lissycasey minors make history

Lissycasey 0-11  Ennistymon 1-7

Having waited since the club’s foundation in 1964 to win their first ever minor A football title, 25 minutes might seem like an inconsequential time span.

Leading 0-11 to 0-3 five minutes into the second half, it appeared certain that Lissycasey would coast into the history books. Yet Enda Finnucane’s fifth minute free, won by John Cabey, was their last score.
Aided by a reasonably strong wind and led by the inspirational Brian Houlihan, Ennistymon fought until the end, hitting the new champions for 1-4 without reply.
However, Cathal McConigley’s goal, five minutes into injury time, seconds after David Davenport had struck the crossbar, came too late to save the North Clare team, who also lost the 2008 final.
Although they had played some sublime football for most of the first 35 minutes, Lissycasey tensed up a bit for the remaining 25. Therefore relief, as much as elation, was their initial emotion, when they heard Fergal O’Shea’s game-ending whistle. In fact, the referee’s whistle rang around Kilmihil at least once a minute as the game produced 62 frees, 36 of which were won by Lissycasey, 10 more than Ennistymon’s final total.
Lissycasey were much sharper for most of the opening half and, once Kevin Hanrahan placed John Cabey for their opening score, they were on their way. They led 0-6 to 0-0 after just 10 minutes and it seemed that Ennistymon were in for a hammering. Danny Clohessy set up Seán Hayes for a fisted point, with the excellent Michael O’Neill nailing their third from play.
An incisive Cathal Malone run ended when the Ennistymon midfielder was nabbed for bouncing twice, while at the far end, Kevin Hanrahan pointed after John Cabey had been fouled.
Two Enda Finnucane frees later, Lissycasey had established a six-point lead, while Ennistymon introduced Ryan O’Halloran for Karl Ryan. This resulted in wing-forward Seán O’Driscoll being relocated to corner-back in an attempt to curb Michael O’Neill.
David Davenport kicked Ennistymon’s first point in the 15th minute after Cyril Sheehan conceded the free. Enda Finnucane, however, responded with three pointed frees, while Eoin Enright nearly goaled five minutes before half-time, when a Kevin Hanrahan free spilled in front of the Ennistymon goalmouth.
Davenport’s free just before the interval, left Ennistymon 0-9 to 0-2 adrift as the rain began to burst from the darkening clouds.
Resuming with Ronan Linnane partnered by Oisín Vaughan in midfield, Ennistymon needed to start well. Daire Ralph kicked a wide though, while Eoin Fitzgerald and Finnuane pointed Lissycasey’s last brace of scores.
Slowly yet forcibly, Ennistymon ground their way back into the game. Brian Houlihan was especially prominent, when moved from full-back outfield, while Kieran Monaghan also threw everything he had at Lissycasey.
Seán O’Driscoll, Davenport twice from frees, Joey Rouine and Cathal Malone kicked Ennistymon’s points as Lissycasey had trouble winning possession, either cleanly or from breaks, around the middle of the field. Finnucane shot wide from a free, while Seán Hayes hit the post with another fisted effort.
0-11 to 0-7 down as the game entered injury time, Ennistymon refused to give up and eventually Cathal McConigley goaled. However, it was a minute or so too late as the final whistle sounded shortly after the resultant kick-out.
Despite their admirable fight back, Ennistymon were beaten by an excellent Lissycasey side, which played an attractive brand of football, when they were in the ascendancy.
Martin O’Connor played very solidly at full-back, while Tom Collins impressed at wing-back. Enda Finnuane’s free taking was important to Lissycasey, while Seán Hayes, John Cabey and Michael O’Neill in particular, looked the part in the winners full-forward line, when hit with quality ball.
Having waited 45 years before annexing their first minor A title, the last 25 minutes of that period must have seemed interminable. Yet two years after the club won their first senior title, the young men in maroon and white have added another historic chapter to their clubs annals.

Lissycasey: Kevin Moran, Cathal Doohan, Martin O’Connor (captain), Michael Pyne; Tom Collins, Cyril Sheehan, Eoin Fitzgerald; Kevin Hanrahan, Matthew O’Shea; Danny Clohessy, Enda Finnucane, Eoin Enright, Seán Hayes, John Cabey, Michael O’Neill.
Subs: Ronan McCarthy for Eoin Enright (40) and Alan Pyne for John Cabey (56). 
Scorers: Enda Finnucane 0-6f, John Cabey, Seán Hayes, Michael O’Neill, Kevin Hanrahan (f) and Eoin Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
Wides: 10    Frees won: 36
Yellow cards: Enda Finnucane

Ennistymon: Liam Slattery, Enda Ralph, Brian Houlihan, Karl Ryan; Michael Rouine, Oisín Vaughan, Kieran Monaghan; Ronan Linnane,
Cathal Malone; Seán O’Driscoll (captain), Daire Ralph, Darragh Slattery, Ian White, David Davenport, Joey Rouine.
Subs: Ryan O’Halloran for Karl Ryan (8), Cathal McConigley for Ian White (25), Shane Coughlan for Darragh Slattery ((48) and Liam Grant for Ryan O’Halloran (60).
Scorers: David Davenport 0-4f, Cathal McConigley 1-0, Seán O’Driscoll (f), Joey Rouine and Cathal Malone 0-1 each.
Wides: 7    Frees won: 26
Yellow cards: Daire Ralph, Enda Ralph, Brian Houlihan and Kieran Monaghan.
Referee: Fergal O’Shea (Shannon Gaels).