The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
AN early second-half penalty, scored by Cathal McConigley, proved pivotal in securing victory for Ennistymon in last Sunday’s Division 5 Football League final played at the Éire Óg grounds. That in addition to points from Michael Houlihan and Alan Horan helped the winners into a 2-8 to 0-3 lead with just five minutes gone in the second half.
From there until the end of the half, Shannon Gaels played well and outscored their opponents 0-6 to 0-3 but missed goal chances cost them any chance of putting sustained pressure on Ennistymon.
Micheál Lorigan’s penalty was saved by Noel Sexton five minutes from time, while the Ennistymon goalkeeper also saved well from Mike O’Shea prior to the penalty.
Second-half points from Declan Power, Mike O’Shea and Alan Behan kept the Gaels competitive but Ennistymon were never seriously threatened.
They had made a tonic start when Cathal McConigley goaled in the third minute of the opening half and come the interval, they led 1-6 to 0-3 having played some slick football.
Cathal McConigley excelled for the winners as did Brian Houlihan, Michael Houlihan and Michael O’Dwyer. David Foley made a number of excellent saves between the posts for the Gaels for whom Eugene O’Neill, Alan Behan and substitute Kieran Kennedy played well.
Both teams will compete in the Division 4 league in 2013.
Ennistymon: Noel Sexton; Ryan Doyle, Enda Ralph, Michael Rouine; Pádraig Brennan, Brian McDonagh, Michael O’Dwyer; Ciaran Devitt, Michael Houlihan; Ciarán Monaghan, Alan Horan, Cathal McConigley; Michael McConigley, Brian Houlihan, Eoin Brennan.
Subs used: Darragh Ralph, Ciarán Vaughan, Cathal McDonagh, Joe Queally, Declan Rynne.
Shannon Gaels: David Foley; Declan Pyne, Brian O’Shea, Michael McMahon; Micheál Lorigan, Eugene O’Neill, Damien O’Connell; Martin Tubridy, Fergal O’Neill; Declan O’Connell, Liam O’Neill, Mark Bohannon; Alan Behan, Declan Power, Mike O’Shea.
Subs: Kieran Kennedy for Liam O’Neill, Eoin Galvin for Declan O’Connell, Caimin McMahon for Mark Bohannon.
