No net(t) gain for Corofin

The eagerly awaited First Division clash of league leaders Corofin Harps and Bridge Celtic, who are challenging strongly for the title, did not go ahead on Sunday, much to the annoyance and disappointment of the travelling team.

The eagerly awaited First Division clash of league leaders Corofin Harps and Bridge Celtic, who are challenging strongly for the title, did not go ahead on Sunday, much to the annoyance and disappointment of the travelling team.

Celtic had made the 40-mile journey from O’Briensbridge to Corofin for an 11am kick-off and were all set for action when it was discovered that one of the goal nets was missing.

“The nets were put up on the previous evening as we always do and the pitch was lined and ready for action. We arrived for the game and were in the hall togging out when one of the lads came in and asked where was the net for the upper goal. It was only then that we discovered that one of the goal nets was missing,” Corofin manager, Gerry Halpin explained to The Clare Champion.

“You can imagine how we felt when we heard this after travelling from O’Briensbridge. Most of our lads were in Corofin at 10am to prepare for the game. We offered to wait until 12 noon to allow them time to get a replacement net. We know that the referee also indicated that he was prepared to wait while the sourced a net,” Bridge Celtic’s manager Joe Aherne told The Clare Champion.

It is understood that a number of suggestions were put to the home club as to where they could find a net, including asking the local GAA club for one.

“Where would we get a net at that time on a Sunday morning. Ruan were down to play a game and there just wasn’t any place to get a net. We have underage nets but these would not fit the adult posts. We had 14 players present. We want to play the games and get them over because of the hurling and football,” stressed the Corofin boss, Halpin.

Without the net, referee Michael Rock had no choice but to call it off, leaving Bridge Celtic to face a return trip and complete their 80-mile round journey.

Clare league fixtures secretary, Michael Lydon noted, “This will be discussed at next week’s committee meeting when a decision will be made”.

It is unknown if Corofin will lose home advantage in the event of the game being re-fixed. The fact that they were unable to host the game may result in the loss of venue if the league order a replay.

Avenue United B 3   Bunratty/Cratloe 2

Avenue United B returned to winning ways at Lees Road on Sunday when they defeated Bunratty-Cratloe.

Two Neil Slattery goals gave them an early lead but the visitors fought back with goals from Barry Gleeson from a penalty and Trevor Twomey to go to the break on level terms

Goals from Neil Slattery (2) ansd David Monaghan (winner) – went 2 up and they leveled – winner with 15 mins to go.

Avenue United: Killian Culligan; Sean Dobbins, Keith Dormer, Kaylen O’Loughlin, Shane Browne; Neil Slattery, Michael Shannon, Liam Corry, Eoghan O’Loughlin Sean Corry, David Monaghan.
Sub: John Waters.
Bunratty-Cratloe: Paul Clancy; Philip Counihan, Mike Hayes, Stuart Cahill, Davy Quinn; Pat O’Halloran, Barry Gleeson, Dave Kerins, Danny Hanson; Trevor Twomey, Andre Shevrin.
Sub: Fintan Ward.

Inch Crusaders 4   Moher Celtic 1

Inch Crusaders put in their best performance of the season to date when scoring a good victory over Moher Celtic at Lees Road on Sunday. Moher had the first chance of the game on five minutes when a shot from Johnnie Daly from the edge of the box hit the post.

Inch took the lead on 12 minutes when Padraig Talty scored with a well-struck volley after good work from James Rynne and Mark Connellan created the opening.

A good through ball from Conor Neylon created a chance for Rory Killeen on 20 minutes and Killeen calmly slotted home from the edge of the box to give Inch a two-goal advantage. Moher pulled a goal back before half time when Mike Hohey scored with a powerful header from a corner to leave it 2-1 at the break.

Moher put a lot of pressure on early in the second half but Conor Clancy in goals and the back four of John Earls, Thomas O’Doherty, Brendan and Sean Talty dealt well with everything Moher threw at them. On 65 minutes a good passing move found Eamonn Bracken at the back post and from a tight angle he finished well to the top right corner to restore a two-goal advantage for Inch.

Padraig Talty finished off the scoring with his second of the game on 80 minutes with another good finish after rounding the Moher keeper afer good work from Neylon and Bracken put Talty through on goal.

Inch Crusaders: Conor Clancy; John Earls, Sean Talty, Brendan Talty, Thomas O’Doherty, James Rynne, Mark Connellan, Conor Neylon, Eamonn Bracken, Padraig Talty, Rory Killeen.
Sub: Gareth Bowe for Killeen.
Moher Celtic: Shane Keane; Declan Fawl, Donogh Fawl, Alan Horan, Brian Conway; Aidan Davidson, Kevin Scales, Mike Hohey, Sean Cullinan; Johnnie Daly Paul Cagney.
Subs: Sean Noonan for Daly (inj); Cohen Phillipson for Culliann. Denis Murphy for Fawl.

Bridge United A 4   Shannon Olympic A 0

Bridge United A were comfortable winners over Shannon Olympic A in this league tie played at Sixmilebidge
Two goals from John Keogh gave them a 2-0 half time lead. Midway through the second half the winners introduced a number of subs, one of whom was Kieran Quinlan, who scored their third goal, while Jason White scored their fourth.

Bridge United A: John Mulready; Jason White, Darren Murphy, Christy Griffin, Alex Cole; Trevor Maxwell, Darragh Fitzgerald, Adrian White, Eric Carr, Michael McNamara, John Keogh.
Subs: Alan Mulready, Kieran Quinlan, Brian Monaghan.
Shannon Olympic A: Damian Casey; Ray Quigley, Darren Duggan, David Collins, Mickey O’Connell; Eamonn O’Neill, Jason Regan, Dean Power, Steve Dolan; Gavin Lundy, Declan McDonald.
Sub: Darren McMahon.