Mulvihill’s goal vital for Scariff

Scariff 1-12   Smith O’Brien’s 0-12

The introduction of Mark Mulvihill proved vital in this East Clare derby in the Senior B Hurling Championship at a well-appointed Bodyke on Saturday evening.

Five minutes into the second half Scariff manager Mike McNamara sent Mulvihill into the attack and with his first touch three minutes later he scored the game’s only goal which proved the crucial score.

The win maintains Scariff’s unbeaten run in the race for the senior B title.

Before the goal the teams were level at 0-7 each, the fifth time that they had been level in the game.
After the goal the winners added three points to open a six-point gap and while the Killaloe side fought back to within two, they were always chasing the game in the final quarter.

Scariff just about deserved their win on the evening but Smith O’Briens will rue a number of misses when they look back on this tie.

At the end of a very evenly contested first half, the winners led by the odd point in eleven. Both sides had enjoyed periods of dominance in a first half in which the winners had eight wides, three more than their opponents.

Smith O’Briens had the first two scores of the second half as the Killaloe side went back in front but then Mulvihill struck and his side quickly added points from Cathal Nash, Ross Horan (free) and Alphie Rodgers to open a six point margin.

To their credit, Smith O’Briens fought back and outscored the winners, 0-5 to 0-1, to leave two between the sides, 1-11 to 0-12, as the game went into injury time.

Substitute Anthony O’Sullivan scored their final point but it could have been a goal as is effort was deflected over the bar

Try at they did in the remaining time, they failed to add to their tally. They piled on the pressure and won a late free but Micheál Ryan’s effort for a goal was saved.

Darragh Kelly and the Nash brothers did well in defence for the winners while elsewhere Alphie Rodgers got through some good work.

For Smith O’Briens, Mark McInerney, Pat Vaughan, Micheal Ryan, and the Walsh brothers Liam and Kevin did well.

Scariff: Shane Mulvihill; Padraig Brody, Darragh Kelly, Jim Minogue; Cathal Nash (0-2), Diarmuid Nash, Matthew Horan; Alphie Rodgers (0-1), Michael Scanlan; Conor McNamara (0-1), Shane Corry, Kenny McNamara (0-1); John Scanlan (0-1), Ross Horan (0-5, 4f), Austin Madden (0-1).
Subs: Mark Mulvihill (1-0) for Corry; Michael Moroney for Minogue.
Smith O’Briens: Mark McInerney; David Gough, Seamus Gleeson, Brian McInerney; Mark Stritch, Pat Vaughan, Micheál Ryan (0-1); Trevor Howard, Liam Walsh (0-1); Shane O’Brien (0-5f), Dean Sinnott, Mark O’Halloran; Keith Stritch (0-2), John Cusack, Kevin Walsh (0-2).
Subs: Anthony O’Sullivan (0-1) for Sinnott.
Referee: Damian Fox.

 

Earley’s accuracy helps Tubber to win

Tubber  0-19   Wolfe Tones  1-9

Despite a lightning start that yielded 1-1 in the first two minutes, Wolfe Tones had to give best to Tubber in this Senior B Hurling Championship game at Clarecastle on Sunday evening.

They winners fought their way back to lead by three points at the interval, 0-9 to 1-3 before dominating the second half on the way to a comfortable win.

Blaine Earley was the winner’s top scorer hitting a total of 13 on the evening from ’65s, frees and play.
The Shannon side got off to a dream start with an Aaron Cunningham goal followed by a Gareth McPhillips point.

Blaine Earley, the winner’s top scorer, opened their account before Fergal O’Grady converted a sideline effort. Clive Earley and another effort from his brother Blaine levelled the game.

The Shannon outfit went back in front when Cunningham pointed and full-forward Gareth McPhillips converted a free but Tubber finished the half strongly keeping Wolfe Tones scoreless for the last 14 minutes.

They had points from Blaine Earley (two ’65s and one from play, Shane O’Connor and Clive Earley to open a three point lead at the mid point.

On the resumption the winners stretched their lead with two pointed frees from Blaine Earley before Gary O’Connell pulled one back for the Shannon club.

Tubber were now taking a grip on proceedings and followed with 0-3 from Glain Earley (’65, 0-1f, 0-1 from play) before Gareth McPhillips pulled one back for the losers.

The North Clare side stretched their lead with further points from the Earleys, Clive and Blaine. Bobby McPhillips kept his side’s fading hopes of victory alive with a point and Aaron Cunningham followed with another.

Blaine Earley and Cunningham exchanged points before Earley hit another. The final score of the game fell to Tubber substitute Tommy Lee

On the day Tubber had a total of six wides, two in the first half while Wolfe Tones had five in the first half and three in the second period for a total of eight.

Tubber: Ronan Taaffe; Paul Fogarty, Eoin Ruane, John O’Connor; Patrick O’Connor, Conor Earley, Fergal O’Grady; Gerard O’Connor Mark Earley; Justin McMahon, Shane O’Connor, Dara O’Connor; Clive Earley, Eamonn Taaffe, Blaine Earley.
Sub: Tommy Lee for Taaffe.
Wolfe Tones: Paul Hogan; John Guilfoyle, Brendan Hughes, Barry Loughnane; Brian O’Connell, Bobby McPhillips, Jamie Roughan; Kevin McCafferty, Stephen McInerney; Gary Leahy, Gary O’Connell, Alan Hehir; Aaron Cunningham, Gareth McPhillips, Daithi O’Connell.
Subs: Daniel Gallery for A Hehir; Davy Dunne for G McPhillips.