Under 13 Division 1 Football Championship Round 1
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 8-15 Lissycasey 0-10
THERE’S no doubting the clear merits of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s opening victory but the scoreline is certainly misleading as this was a competitive tie for the majority in Lissycasey, reports Eoin Brennan.
Indeed, Lissycasey were arguably the better side in the opening period but while they kicked nine scores to DooraBarefield’s seven, crucially four of The Parish’s were goals at 4-3 to 0-9.
The second half rather petered out to its inevitable conclusion but not before another four goal burst from a very powerful and balanced visiting side.
Overall, it was clear to see that size will count for a lot in this inaugural Under 13 Championship. So with all but two of their squad to the age, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s superior physicality did ultimately show against their younger opponents who will have more than half of their starting team eligible for next year’s Under 13 Championship again.
While Lissycasey began with the conditions, it was Doora/Barefield that struck the first blow when Colm Daly was on hand to flick the ball over the line after Lissycasey goalkeeper David King had made an outstanding point blank save from the hugely impressive Cian Breslin after only 30 seconds.
Lissycasey’s chief threat Kris O’Callaghan opened the home side’s account in the third minute, only to be rocked by a second St Joseph’s goal, this time the towering Leon Talty playing in Sean Corry to fire a rocket that was almost kept out by the defiant King once more.
Those goals would remain the difference by the water break at 2-3 to 0-3 but a backlash was imminent from Lissycasey as Kris O’Callaghan scored two and was fouled for a third point that Shane Cotter converted to halve the arrears to just three by the 25th minute.
Seanie Connellan and the very skilful Cailean Rynne also took the game to the Parish in their best period of the game.
Then came the killer blows as the lethal Colm Daly completed a superb first half hat-trick with two goals in the space of 30 seconds at 4-3 to 0-6 while another for Ben Talty was denied by the resilient King.
So while Lissycasey valiantly responded with the last three points of the half through Cotter (2) and centre-back Evan Cleary, an O’Callaghan goal chance would be thwarted by the body of Liam McAllister at 4-3 to 0-9.
With the wind to come, St Joseph’s only extended their margin in the third quarter with six unanswered points including excellent braces for Cian Breslin and Colm Daly at 4-9 to 0-9 by the two-thirds mark.
Realising that the match was slipping from their grasp, Lissycasey did understandably drop their heads slightly and it would allow the leaders to tack on another four goals before the finish through lively substitute Adam Tariq (2) and dominant pair Leon Talty and Graham Ball.
The stylish Liam Keane kept up the fight for Lissycasey but they could only muster a consolation score as St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield set an early scorching championship pace.
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Ciaran Sheehan; Colin Frawley, Sean McMahon, Liam McAllister; Martin Daly (0-1), James Rafferty, Cillian Thornton; TJ Moore, Leon Talty (1-0); Cian Breslin (0-5, 1f), Graham Ball (1-3, 2f), Sean Corry (1-0); Conor Price (0-3), Colm Daly (3-2, 1f), Ben Talty Subs: Adam Tariq (2-1), Jack Dilleen, Leon Guerin, Oscar O’Gara, Brian Corkery
Lissycasey: David King; Caelum Killeen, Josh Marrinan, Dylan Griffin; Alex Griffin, Evan Cleary (0-1), Seanie Connellan; Liam Keane (0-2), Tom McMahon; Cathal Finucane, Shane Cotter (0-4f), Odhran Murphy; Cailean Rynne, Diarmuid McGuane, Kris O’Callaghan (0-3) Subs: Cillian Feeney, Padraig Healy, Dale Coughlan, Jack Sexton, Jack Earle
Referee: Gerry Wallace (Kilrush Shamrocks)
Clondegad 5-7 Éire Óg 3-8
A blistering second quarter catapulted Clondegad on the way to a rousing first win against neighbours Éire Óg on away soil on Friday evening.
The hosts had previously settled faster with Paddy O’Reilly grabbing a goal while centre-forward Luke Vaughan converted three points on their way to a 1-3 to 0-2 lead by the water break.
Clondegad took time to hone their radar but once they did, Dara Kennedy unleashed a devastating trail of destruction with a quick fire hat-trick of goals along with one for Harry Keane as the visitors went in at half-time 4-2 to 1-5 clear.
The second half turned out to be very evenly-matched but the damage was already done as any inroads that the Townies made was quickly equally at the other end, evidenced most by Harry Keane’s second goal.
In addition to the dynamic attacking duo Dara Kennedy and Harry Keane, best for Clondegad were Eoin O’Connor, who gave an excellent performance at midfield, together with fine defensive displays from Sean O’Malley, Cian McAllister and Fiacc Corey.
Aidan O Connell, Niall Doyle, James Rochford, Cian O Connor, Luke Vaughan and Kieran Doyle performed best for the home side who will only benefit from this good test going forward.
Éire Óg: Cian O’Connor; Aidan O’Connell, Brian Lynch, Jack O’Halloran; Cormac Mann, Tadhg Conway, James Rochford; Niall Doyle, Kieran Doyle; Oran Considine, Luke Vaughan, Odhran O’Farrell; Michael Cleary, Dylan Tierney, Paddy O’Reilly Subs: Conor Guerin, Kalum Daniels, Atiful Bashar, Tommy Flynn
Clondegad: Shane Gavin; Fiacc Corey, Cian McAllister, Oisin Vaughan; Sean O’Malley, Mark Kennedy, Sean O’Sullivan; Tom Egan, Eoin O’Connor (0-1); Tony Devereux, Dara Kennedy (3-4), Thomas Hehir (0-1); Thomas O’Dea, Harry Keane (2-1), Cian Turner Subs: Blake Erwin, Michael Harnett, Conal Clancy
Referee: Pat Keane
St Breckan’s 4-11 Ennistymon 3-07
An always keen derby that really caught fire in the second period with seven goals before St Breckan’s took the opening spoils in Lisdoonvarna on Friday evening.
The home side always seemed to be able to keep their noses in front of their neighbours and by half-time had carved out a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage.
However, the second half really opened up into a breath-taking end-to-end wrestle for supremacy that saw St Breckan’s Cathal McNamara excel with 4-3 while Cian Griffin did likewise for Ennistymon with 2-2.
Others to impress for the hosts who were notably physically stronger around the middle third were Darren Fitzpatrick, Tristan O’Loughlin, Michael Normyle, Ronan Garrihy and Adam Howley. While along with the versatile Griffin, Ennistymon, who managed to get the deficit back to the minimum at one stage of a thrilling second half, were best served by Luke Fitzgerald, John Barry and Aidan Hogan.
St Breckan’s: Paddy Lawless; Darragh O’Dwyer, Noah Nibbering, Darren Fitzpatrick; Tristan O’Loughlin, Rian O’Neill, Alfie Whelan; Jack O’Loughlin (0-1), Donnacha O’Dwyer (0-1); Michael Normyle, Cathal McNamara (4-3), Ronan Garrihy (0-1); John McDonnell, Adam Howley (0-4), Jamie Refka
Subs: Rory McNamara (0-1), Jack Collins, Donnacha O’Driscoll
Ennistymon: Eoin Kerins; Nathan Ahern, Fionn McMahon, James Barry; Colin Griffin, Cian Griffin, Luke Fitzgerald; John Barry, Gavin Fitzgerald; Jody McMahon, Tadgh Hassett, Liam Marrinan; Cathal Shannon, Barry McInerney, Darren O’Brien. Subs: Cian Gannon, Aidan Hogan, Dara Hogan, Jack Lavin
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Under 13 Division 2&3 Championship Round 1
The tie of the opening round in Division 2 was undoubtedly the inch-tight opener in Lee’s Road between the Banner and Clooney-Quin that finished 2-15 to 2-14 in the Ennis side’s favour on Friday evening,
There was nothing between the sides throughout despite four goals being shared in the first quarter alone that saw Sean Hegarty and Thomas Mattias-Williams find the net for the Banner on their way to a 2-7 to 2-6 interval lead.
That blow-for-blow pattern would be maintained on the restart but the home side held their nerve to eventually shade matters by the minimum, thanks in no small part to captain Hegarty who finished the evening with a handsome personal tally of 1-10.
Other than that, it was a goalfest in Division 2, with Clarecastle, Cratloe and Parteen all proficient in finding the net in Group 2 while it was similar high-scoring pattern in Group 1.
A brace of goals in each half ensured that Cooraclare kept St Joseph’s Miltown at arm’s length in a 4-10 to 2-07 win. Naomh Eoin/O’Curry’s/St Senan’s Kilkee shared 11 goals with Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil to prevail by 7-6 to 4-4 while Doonbeg had a big win to start their campaign on the front foot.
It’s the turn of the Under 13 hurlers this week as 40 teams begin their quest for five separate trophies over the next four months. With a maximum of 11 matches in the Under 13A Championship, ten teams will compete for four semi-final spots while the next four contest the shield and the final two face-off in the plate final.
A juicy derby between Éire Óg and Clarecastle this evening (6.30pm) commences the A Championship that throws up two rounds within the space of five days.
Round 1 also sees neighbours St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Ballyea lock horns. Clonlara host Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge welcome Kilmaley while Inagh-Kilnamona travel to Dr. Daly Memorial Park to take on Tulla.
The Under 13B Championship comprises of nine teams (Broadford, Clooney-Quin, Corofin/Ruan, Cratloe, Cratloe, Crusheen/Tubber, Feakle/Killanena, O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke, Scariff/Ogonnelloe, Smith O’Brien’s) which similarly sees the top four advance to the semi-finals and the remaining five consisting the shield following the nine rounds of matches.
With the Banner, Ennistymon, Parteen, Whitegate and Wolfe Tones making up the Under 13C Championship, the sides will play each other home and away to see who finishes in the top two as finalists with the remainder battling it out for the shield.
Finally, the Academy A (Ballyea, Clarecastle, Clonlara, Éire Óg, Inagh-Kilnamona, Kilmaley, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) and B competitions (Clooney-Quin, Corofin/Ruan, Crusheen/Tubber, Kilkee/Bealaha, O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke, Scariff/Ogonnelloe, Tulla) will begin on Saturday to ensure that every player should receive plenty of game-time over the summer.
Under 15A Hurling Championship Round 2
Clonlara 2-22 Clarecastle 1-13
Clonlara got off the mark in this year’s championship after bouncing back from an opening reverse in determined fashion on home soil on Monday evening.
One will go a long way to finding a more complete performance than midfielder Michael Collins who covered every blade of grass and racked up a stunning total of 13 points over the hour. That masterclass in finishing was in contrast to a wasteful Clarecastle who could have actually won the tie had they been able to covert even have of their ten glorious goal chances.
A lot of that was thanks to some outstanding saves from goalkeeper Eoin O’Callaghan who along wit Darragh Dillon and Eoin Begley kept Clonlara on top.
Clarecastle were led by chief marksman Harry Doherty who will wonder what he had to do to bypass O’Callaghan while Conor Ralph, Evan Price and Paul O’Connell also kept up the battle over the hour.
Amidst Collins’ masterclass, there were early goal chances at either end as first O’Callaghan denied Doherty before Tom Williams found the net to give Clonlara a healthy 1-8 to 0-3 cushion by the first water break.
The H20 clearly had an effect as Clarecastle re-emerged with a purple patch of points for Conor Ralph (3) and Evan Price before Harry Doherty finally made the breakthrough after good work from Johnny Casey at 1-10 to 1-07.
Further efforts on goal for Doherty and John Sweeney were both denied as a resolute Clonlara took a 1-13 to 1-09 lead into the interval, seven of which stemmed from Collins.
The Magpies did have an opportunity to try the tide when Doherty weaved his way through once more but his powerful effort just cleared the crossbar.
Instead, Clonlara settled themselves once more, with Michael Collins raiding for three of a five point unanswered rally that essentially put the result out of reach at 1-19 to 1-10 by the two-thirds mark.
A clinching goal from Gearoid O’Brien was in contrast to Clarecastle’s ongoing frustrations in front of goal for what was clearly Clonlara’s and in particular Michael Collins’ day.
Clonlara: Eoin O’Callaghan; Conor Cahill, Killian Playon, Jack Begley; Darragh Dillon (0-2), Padraig Reddan, Cillian McGrath; Eoin Begley (0-2, 1’65), Michael Collins (0-13, 1f); Gearoid O’Brien (1-2), Ciaran Howard (0-1), Stephen Hodgins; Rory Meade, Tom Williams (1-1), Jack Hickey (0-1) Subs: Sean Fennessy, Sean Higgins, Mahon MacCarthy, Cillian Marren, Roan McMahon, Christopher McAlea, Jake O’Connor, Sean Reilly, Evan Sherry Freeman
Clarecastle: Cailean Hayes; Donnacha Cassidy, Liam McNamara, Liang Chen Yu; John Tuohy, Evan Price (0-3, 2f), Michael Sweeney; Paul O’Connell (0-1f), John Sweeney (0-1); Luke Slattery, Harry Doherty (1-4, 1f), Conor Ralph (0-3); Fionn O’Leary, Cian Enright (0-1), Johnny Casey Subs: Martin Sweeney, Darragh O’Callaghan, Milan McInerney, Nick Roos, Seanie McInerney, Charlie McFadden, Gavin McEnrery, Eoin Kearney
Inagh-Kilnamona 2-09 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-10
Unquestionably the tie of the round as these unbeaten sides went toe-to-toe before Inagh-Kilnamona prevailed by the minimum in Gurteen on Monday evening.
As expected, there was nothing between these heavyweights throughout Fred Hegarty was to the fore in the scoring stakes for Inagh-Kilnamona, matched by Mark O’Connor and Niall Talty for the Parish.
Inagh-Kilnamona, helped by defensive anchor Adam Leyden, held a 1-5 to 1-4 advantage by the break, with Jack Dillon netting for the hosts.
However, the decisive score arrived with ten minutes remaining when James Hegarty found the net to give Inagh-Kilnamona a timely impetus to get over the line.
Sixmilebridge 2-15 Éire Óg 0-03
The form guide was adhered to in O’Garney Park on Monday evening as last year’s Under 14A champions Sixmilebridge maintained their high-flying start to the new campaign.
Following a five goal haul in Round 1, Eamonn Breen again found the net in the first and final quarters which was important as the home side were far from their clinical best, with almost as many wides as scores.
Ben O’Connell also hit the crossbar as the ‘Bridge carved out a 1-6 to 0-2 half-time lead before flexing their muscles for the second period. In all, the hosts scored some great points through Cilian Murphy (6), Callum Phelan (3), Jack and Matthew O’Halloran and Finn Murphy.
Meanwhile, Rian Hickey (2) and Roan McDermott were again on target for a battling Éire Óg.
Under 15B&C Championships Round 2
There were no shortage of scores either in the Under 15B&C Championships as 43 goals were scored over the nine Round 2 matches.
In Group 1, first half strikes from Gareth Murphy, Keelan O’Donoghue and Ian O’Brien secured a 12 point half-time cushion that was needed as Broadford responded with four second half goals in a thrilling 3-21 to 6-08 encounter.
Only the minimum divided O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke and Ballyea at 4-13 to 1-21 for the amalgamation’s first win. Feakle/Killanena also got off the mark in the championship with a narrow 2-16 to 3-11 triumph over Corofin/Ruan.
Newmarket-on-Fergus kept up their perfect start with a 3-18 to 3-09 win over Tulla as scoring sensations Michael Power (2-9) and Sean Arthur (1-7) kept up their red hot form while Kilmaley also cemented back-to-back wins with a 2-15 to 1-09 success over Clooney-Quin.
In Group 2, Whitegate kept up their perfect start, this time scoring four timely goals in the opening three-quarters on their way to derby victory over Scariff/Ogonnelloe by 4-11 to 0-15. The Banner and Wolfe Tones join them at the top of the table after the Ennis side held off Ennistymon by 1-17 to 1-10 and the Tones hit four goals to overcome Parteen by 4-15 to 2-09.
Crusheen/Tubber got their first win, with Peter Farrell and Osgar Dunford to the fore as they shaded Smith O’Brien’s by 1-13 to 2-06 in Tubber on Monday evening.
Results
Hurling
Under 15A Championship Round 2
Clonlara 2-22 Clarecastle 1-13
Sixmilebridge 2-15 Éire Óg 0-3
Inagh-Kilnamona 2-09 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-10
Under 15B & C Championships Round 2
Group 1
O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke 4-13 Ballyea 1-21
Cratloe 3-21 Broadford 6-08
Feakle/Killanena 2-16 Corofin/Ruan 3-11
Kilmaley 2-15 Clooney-Quin 1-09
Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-18 Tulla 3-09
Group 2
Crusheen/Tubber 1-13 Smith O’Brien’s 2-06
Banner 1-17 Ennistymon 1-10
Wolfe Tones 4-15 Parteen 2-09
Whitegate 4-11 Scariff/Ogonnelloe 0-15
Under 15 Academy A Competition Round 1
Éire Óg 7-21 Inagh-Kilnamona 2-08
Sixmilebridge 5-17 Kilmaley 4-07
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 2-13 Ballyea 1-10
Under 15 Academy B Competition Round 1
Clooney-Quin 6-15 Ennistymon 0-03
Scariff/Ogonnelloe 5-17 Kilmaley 4-07
Kilkee/Bealaha a bye
Football
Under 13 Division 1 Championship Round 1
Clondegad 5-7 Éire Óg 3-8
St Breckan’s 4-11 Ennistymon 3-07
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 8-15 Lissycasey 0-10
Kilrush/Killimer a bye
Under 13 Division 2&3 Championship Round 1
Group 1
Cooraclare 4-10 St Joseph’s Miltown 2-07
Naomh Eoin/O’Curry’s/St Senan’s Kilkee 7-6 Shannon Gaels/Kilmihil 4-4
Doonbeg 10-15 Clann Lir (Kilfenora/Liscannor/Michael Cusack’s) 2-06
Kilmurry Ibrickane a bye
Group 2
Banner 2-15 Clooney-Quin 2-14
Clarecastle 7-19 Wolfe Tones 4-05
Cratloe 6-19 Corofin 6-01
Parteen 7-14 Kildysart Coolmeen 1-05
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.