One-score margin enough for Ennistymon

Ennistymon 1-7   Lissycasey 0-3

IN a low-scoring tie at Corofin on Sunday, Ennistymon managed a one-point victory over Lissycasey in the final of the Division 4 football league.

It was a disappointing contest, in which both sides were guilty of some very poor finishing.

Lissycasey looked to be in a strong position when they took a one-point lead to the break after playing against the wind.

However, they failed to score in the second period, which proved costly and led to the North Clare side capturing the title and repeating their earlier league win over the same opposition.

The winners made the better start and points from Brian Houlihan, Eoin Brennan (free) and Kevin Falvey had them three in front by the end of the first quarter,

A fine Lissycasey move ended with Paudie Carmody finding the net two minutes into the second quarter and they quickly took the lead when Levi Howard came up from wing-back to kick a good score.

The winners fought back and regained the lead with points from Eoin Brennan and Wayne Griffin but a Carmody free and a good score from Danny Lynch had Lissycasey 1-3 to 0-5 in front at the interval.

From the resumption of play, it was obvious that Ennistymon were determined to get back in front but despite their best efforts, they struggled to break down a solid Lissydacey defence.

In fact, the third quarter was scoreless, despite some good chances being created.

At the turn of the final quarter, Ennistymon substitute Patrick O’Dwyer tied up the game with a good score. Two minutes later, the North Clare side had the ball in the Lissycasey net but referee Jim Hickey disallowed the score because of a square infringement.

The winners were enjoying a good spell of dominance at this stage and a minute later, Kevin Falvey kicked what proved to be the winning score.

In the remaining 11 minutes of normal time and three minutes of injury time, Lissycasey certainly had chances to draw level but over-elaboration and poor finishing proved costly.

Jack Fitzgerald, Michael Leigh, Liam Driscoll, Brian Houlihan, Robert McDonagh and Kevin Falvey did well for the winners, while Lissycasey’s best players were Michael Nagle, Levi Howard, Derek McMahon and Paudie Carmody.

After the game, Clare GAA treasurer Bernard Keane presented the cup to the winners’ captain Sean Cullinan.

Ennistymon: Shane Keane; Jack Fitzgerald, Donagh Fawl, James Murphy; Michael Leigh, Wayne Griffin (0-1), Liam Driscoll; Brian McDonagh, Damian McNamara; Kevin Falvey (0-2), Brian Houlihan (0-1), Kieran Monaghan; Sean Cullinan, Eoin Brennan (0-2), Robert McDonagh.
Subs: Darragh Crowe for Murphy (inj, 32 minutes) and Patrick O’Dwyer (0-1) for Brennan (45 minutes).
Lissycasey: Killian Normoyle; Kevin Moran, Michael Nagle, Seamus Collins; Levi Howard (0-1), Derek McMahon, Dan Meaney; Noel Finnucane, Danny Lynch (0-1); Kevin Hanrahan, Paudie Carmody (1-1), David McMahon; Ciarán Doohan, Aaron Talty, Niall Meere.
Subs: Tom Collins for Doohan (24 minutes), Eoin O’Leary for Hanrahan (inj, 31 minutes), Sean Hill for Meere (42 minutes), Conor Talty for Meaney (50 minutes) and Doohan for A Talty (54 minutes).
Referee: Jim Hickey, Cratloe.