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Strong second half from St Joseph’s

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 Ivor Whyte takes on Oliver O’Loughlin of Corofin. Photograph by John KellyDon’t be fooled by the final scoreline, which failed to reflect a lacklustre first-half display from St Joseph’s before their impressive second-half scoring spree eventually crushed Corofin’s spirited yet limited challenge.
Ten minutes into the second half of this tie in Shannon, St Joseph’s were only two points ahead and were still not firing on all cylinders.
The turning point came a minute later when Michael McNamara punished Corofin’s failure to make a lengthy clearance from a goalmouth scramble with a well-taken goal.
This kick-started a purple patch, where the Doora-Barefield outfit outscored their opponents by 4-6 to 0-2 in the closing 20 minutes.
The contest, which was played in scorching heat before a small crowd, was decided in the 14th minute of the second half when Declan Malone got past Corofin custodian Kevin Raftery and his hand pass across the goal was doubled into the empty net by Shane O’Connor.
A minute later Shane O’Connor beat two Corofin defenders with a slick overhead flick before crowning a great 30-metre solo run by blasting the sliothar to the roof of the net.
Corofin could only respond with two pointed frees from Gerry Quinn and Kevin Heagney before their misery was compounded when Damien Kennedy found the net after an Enda Lyons pass.
Three unanswered points from Enda Lyons and another from Michael McNamara copper-fastened an encouraging 18-point victory for St Joseph’s and a second successive demoralising reversal for Corofin, who face a fight for survival unless they win their remaining games.
A shrewd switch four minutes before the interval helped St Joseph’s to regain the initiative from Corofin, who actually led by 0-7 to 0-5 after 28 minutes.
St Joseph’s manager Fergal Hegarty moved Michael McNamara from corner to centre-forward, Noel Brodie went from centre to wing-forward, with Sean Flynn reverting from the wing to the corner.
The dominance of the Corofin half-back line, where Clare defender Gerry Quinn excelled in the opening 25 minutes with great back up from the hard-working Darragh Clancy and Darragh Shannon until he was forced to retire injured, limited the supply for the St Joseph’s attack.
Michael McNamara’s physical strength and speed reduced the influence of Gerry Quinn and the hard work of Ivor Whyte reaped dividends after the interval.
The opening half was very competitive, giving very little indication of the second-half rout.
However, the warning signs were there for Corofin, who relied far too much on long-range efforts from Gerry Quinn frees for scores.
The North Clare side were still in contention at the break, when they trailed by 0-9 to 0-7 after the switches helped St Joseph’s notch four points on the trot.
Michael McNamara should have scored a goal in the 12th minute when he only had Kevin Raftery to beat but he opted to hit the sliothar off the ground, which bounced kindly into the hands of the Corofin keeper.
Corofin’s lack of penetration up front and their failure to create or take goal chances became more apparent as the game wore on. Only four points of their final tally came from play and just three of their starting front six found the target.
If St Joseph’s can play with more consistency throughout the hour, they could emerge as serious championship contenders. Corofin need radical changes up front to avoid a relegation dogfight. 

St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield: Paul Madden; Marty O’Regan, Ken Kennedy, Cathal O’Sullivan; Michael Cullinan, Mark Hallinan, Daragh O’Driscoll; Ivor Whyte, Kevin Dilleen; Damien Kennedy, Noel Brodie, Sean Flynn (captain); Shane O’Connor, Declan Malone, Michael McNamara.
Subs: Enda Lyons, (34 mins) for Sean Flynn; Greg Lyons (17 mins for Declan Malone; Paul Dullaghan (55 mins) for Shane O’Connor and Gary Hassett (55 mins) for Marty O’Regan.
Scorers: Shane O’Connor (2-3, 0-2 frees and 0-1 65); Michael McNamara (1-4); Damien Kennedy (1-2); Ivor Whyte (0-3); Enda Lyons (0-3, 0-2 frees); Declan Malone (0-1) and Greg Lyons (0-1).
Frees: 18; Wides: 3; 65s:
Yellow card: Ken Kennedy (8 mins; Marty O’Regan (52 mins).
“After 20 minutes the game seemed to be slipping from us. Our second half was impressive and any time a team scores four goals is a good day.” ­Fergal Hegarty, St Joseph’s ­manager.

Corofin: Kevin Raftery; Pat Ryan, Luke O’Loughlin, Shane Neylon; Darragh Shannon, Gerry Quinn, Darragh Clancy; Damien Ryan, Oliver O’Loughlin; Stephen Heagney, Paudie Barry, Neil Killeen; Kevin Heagney, Kieran Carkill, Martin Tierney.
Subs: Darren Malone (19 mins) for Darragh Shannon, injured; Donnacha Kelliher, (28 mins) for Martin Tierney; Eamonn Dunne (42 mins) for Neil Killeen and Darragh Shannon (42 mins) for Shane Neylon.
Scorers: Gerry Quinn (0-4, all frees); Kevin Heagney (0-4, 0-3 frees); Stephen Heagney (0-1); Darragh Clancy (0-1) and Kieran Carkill (0-1).
Frees: 15; Wides: 8; 65s: 0  
Yellow cards: Oliver O’Loughlin (55 mins) and Darragh Clancy (61 mins).
“St Joseph’s were physically stronger all over the field. Their forwards were better then ours, they were able to take scores from out the field.” ­Ambrose Heagney, Corofin manager.

 

Referee: J Healy

 

Honours even with Kilmaley and Clarecastle

By Seamus Hayes

Kilmaley  1-12

Clarecastle   1-12

Both managers expressed satisfaction with the result after this senior hurling championship tie at Cusack Park on Sunday evening. It was a tie in which both teams enjoyed periods of dominance but the fact that Clarecastle hit 18 wides, 12 in the second half, meant their followers went away disappointed that the favourites hadn’t taken  both points in what was their first outing in the competition this season.
They got a dream start with a Dara Moloney goal after just 30 seconds but they conceded the next five scores as Kilmaley went two points clear with just six minutes played.
The points came from Dara Keane, Eoin O’Malley and Diarmuid McMahon to level before John Clohessy and Kenneth Kennedy (free).
On a day when the sides were level on six occasions, those second-half missed chances may yet prove costly for the Magpies, who brought goalkeeper John Casey upfield to take a 50m free in the first minute of injury time. Casey duly converted to give his side a point.
Kilmaley were three clear, 0-7 to 1-1, after 12 minutes but they weren’t to score for the next 10 minutes and during this period Clarecastle had points from Dara Moloney and Aaron Considine (2) to tie up the game at 0-7 to 1-4. Kenneth Kennedy put Kilmaley back in front but points from Danny Scanlan, Jonathon Clancy and Derek Quinn had the Magpies two clear when the half-time whistle sounded with the score at 1-7 to 0-8.
Ten minutes before the break Kilmaley brought minor Michael O’Neill into their attack in place of full-forward Seamus Hurley and this move resulted in Conor Clancy going to full-forward. At half-time Brian McMahon was introduced in place of Eoin O’Malley, while three minutes into the second half Eoin Enright replaced Conor Neylon.
The opening score of the second half fell to Tyrone Kearse, who landed a free in the fifth minute, but Kilmaley came storming back and a Diarmuid McMahon goal after  a Dara Keane effort had been saved, levelled the game.
Kilmaley captain Alan Markham, who was excellent throughout, converted a 90m free in the 10th minute of the half but they were level again five minutes later when Clarecastle goalkeeper John Casey found the target from a 100m free.
Kilmaley points from Markham, Diarmuid McMahon and Dara Keane saw them open a three-point lead with 11 minutes remaining and the advantage now looked to be with them.
At the other end, Clarecastle were struggling to find the target and some good chances went a begging.
Eight minutes from time they made a double change in attack when Alan O’Loughlin and Sean Talty were sent in in place of Jamie O’Connor and Fergus Ryan.
Just before O’Connor ended his involvement in this tie, his first-time effort was deflected behind for a 65, which Kearse converted to cut the lead to two points. A few minutes later Kieran Dillon in the Kilmaley goal made an excellent save at the expense of a 65 from Jonathon Clancy. However, Kearse failed to convert the 65 and he was also wide from a 55m free as time ticked away.
Substitute Sean Talty brought the margin back to the minimum when he pointed with three minutes remaining but another wide followed with Jonathon Clancy missing the target after a great run.
When the Magpies were awarded a 55m free in the first minute of  injury time, goalkeeper John Casey was given the task and he duly obliged to tie up the game.
Alan Markham excelled at centre-back and he was well supported by Sean Talty and Martin O’Connor, while elsewhere Diarmuid McMahon and Kenneth Kennedy got through a lot of work for Kilmaley.
Conor Plunkett and Stephen O’Halloran did well in defence for Clarecastle but they will be looking for improvement in attack if they are to be involved in the concluding stages of the competition

Kilmaley: Kieran Dillon; Martin O’Connor, Noel Casey, Sean Talty; Colin McGuane, Alan Markham, Eoin O’Malley; Kenneth Kennedy, John Clohessy; Dara Keane, Diarmuid McMahon, Conor Neylon; John Cabey, Seamus Hurley, Conor Clancy.
Subs: Michael O’Neill for Hurley (20 minutes); Brian McMahon for O’Malley (half-time); Eoin Enright for Neylon (33 minutes); Anthony Cahill for Cabey (54 minutes).
Scorers: Diarmuid McMahon (1-3); Alan Markham (2f); Kenneth Kennedy (2f); Dara Keane (0-2) and Eoin O’Malley, John Clohessy, John Cabey (0-1).
Frees:11; Wides: 8; 65s:1
Bookings: Conor Clancy (23 minutes); Alan Markham (34 minutes) and John Clohessy (36 minutes).
“We are making progress. We have another five weeks now and hopefully we will be stronger then,” John Carmody, Kilmaley manager.

Clarecastle: John Casey; Seanie Moloney, Mark McNamara, Ollie Plunkett; Kevin Clohessy, Conor Plunkett, Stephen O’Halloran; Tyrone Kearse, Jonathon Clancy; Derek Quinn, Jamie O’Connor, Fergus Ryan; Aaron Considine, Danny Scanlon, Dara Moloney.
Subs: Alan O’Loughlin for O’Connor (50 minutes) and Sean Talty for Ryan (50 minutes).
Scorers: Dara Moloney (1-1); Tyrone Kearse (0-3);  John Casey (2f); Aaron Considine (0-2);  Jonathon Clancy, Derek Quinn, Danny Scanlon and Sean Talty (0-1) each.
Frees: 9; Wides: 18; 65s: 2
Bookings: Kevin Clohessy (20 minutes).
“I am relieved that we got a draw first day out. The misses were terrible and we have a lot of work to do.” Ken Morrissey, Clarecastle manager.

Referee: Seanie McMahon, Newmarket.

 

All square for Cratloe and Sixmilebridge

BY Seamus Hayes

Cratloe  1-13

Sixmilebridge  1-13

When champions Cratloe raced into a five-point lead after 13 minutes of this tie at Cusack Park on Saturday evening, Sixmilebridge supporters must have feared the worst.
However, they scored the next four points and from here on it had all the makings of a game that would end all square.
Cratloe followers will probably be the more disappointed as they looked like winning on a number of occasions but the experience and cool head of veteran Niall Gilligan proved decisive for the Bridge.
With 1-7 to his credit, Gilligan landed the levelling point from a 20m free on the sideline in the second minute of injury time.
The champions started impressively and points from Damian Browne, Gearoid Ryan, Sean Chaplin, Conor McGrath and Sean Collins, all from play, appeared to put them into a strong position. They played superb hurling in this period and would not have been flattered had their lead been greater.
The game had reached the mid-point of the opening half before the ’Bridge opened their account, through Cyril Crowe pointing and scores from Caimin Morey (2) and Gilligan to leave just one between them after 21 minutes.
Cratloe, despite the fact that Barry Gleeson missed an excellent opportunity, regained the initiative and when the half-time whistle sounded they were 0-9 to 0-6 in front, with wind advantage to come.
Sixmilebridge returned for the second half with Pa Sheehan and Mark Culbert in their line-up in place of David O’Connor and Anthony Liddane but it was the champions who did the early attacking and they added to their lead with points from Conor Ryan and wing-back Cathal McInerney. Eighteen scoreless minutes followed for the champions as the ’Bridge clawed their way back into contention.
The margin was still three points at the three-quarter stage. Two minutes into the final quarter, Niall Gilligan blasted a 20m free to the net to tie up the scores but Cratloe, to their credit, hit back and Conor McGrath found the net three minutes later after a great defence-splitting run by Sean Collins.
Just before the Cratloe goal, Sixmilebridge had a great chance of a second goal. Cyril Crowe’s effort was well saved by Sean Hawes and the ball came into the path of Sixmilebridge substitute Pa Sheehan but his effort went wide of the target.
Sixmilebridge refused to yield and Gilligan landed three points in the next six minutes to tie up matters for only the second time.
A superb point from wing-back Cathal McInerney put the Cratloe side back in front with three minutes remaining but again Sixmilebridge captain Gilligan led by example and he levelled again a minute later.
A foul on Cratloe substitute Paudge Collins presented the champions with a 45m free, which Conor McGrath converted in the final minute of normal time. He had taken over the free-taking duties from Damian Browne, who missed a few chances in the second half.
The ’Bridge hit back again and Gilligan saved the day when he landed the final score in the second minute of injury time.
Barry Duggan, Cathal McInerney and David Ryan excelled in the Cratloe defence while elsewhere Sean Collins, Conor Ryan and Conor McGrath got through some great work.
Tadhg Keogh, Aidan Quilligan and Shane Golden gave most support to Sixmilebridge captain Niall Gilligan.

Cratloe: Sean Hawes; Philip Gleeson, Barry Duggan, David Ryan; Cathal McInerney, Michael Hawes, Liam Markham; Martin ‘Ogie’ Murphy, Sean Chaplin; Sean Collins, Conor Ryan, Damian Browne; Conor McGrath, Barry Gleeson, Gearóid Ryan.
Subs: Paudge Collins for B Gleeson (47 minutes) and James Enright for G Ryan (54 minutes).
Scorers: Conor McGrath (1-3); Conor Ryan (0-3); Cathal McInerney, Sean Collins (0-2) each; Sean Chaplin, Damian Browne and Gearoid Ryan (0-1) each.
Frees: 9; Wides: 18; 65s: 1
Bookings: David Ryan (42 minutes)
“You learn from days like today. At least we got a point out of it and we are still unbeaten.” Mike Deegan, Cratloe manager.

Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Ray McNamara, Tadhg Keogh, John Fennessy; Robert Conlon, Aidan Quilligan, Páidí Fitzpatrick; Anthony Liddane, Barry O’Connor; Caimin Morey, Niall Gilligan, Shane Golden; David O’Connor, Cyril Crowe, Trevor Purcell.
Subs: Pa Sheehan for D O’Connor (half time) and Mark Culbert for A Liddane.
Scorers: Niall Gilligan (1-7), 1-4 frees; Trevor Purcell, Caimin Morey (1f), 0-2 each; Cyril Crowe, Pa Sheehan (0-1) each;
Frees: 8; Wides: 12; 65s: 2.
“We have a lot of young fellas and we have work to do.  We have a few to come back into it and hopefully it will strengthen us up.” Christy Chaplin, Sixmilebridge manager.

Referee: Rory Hickey, Éire Óg.

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