Tubber 0-13 Newmaret 1-9
Veteran Eamonn Taaffe got what could well prove to be a truly memorable weekend for himself and his club Tubber, off to a great start this Saturday afternoon when he landed the winning point as they captured the junior B championship title at the expense of Newmarket at Gurteen.
Clare’s All-Ireland winning medallist from 1995 was his side’s top scorer with 0-6 to his credit, his winning point having come in the first minute of injury time, a score which gave his side the lead for the first time in the tie.
Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half, Newmarket made the better start and raced three points clear inside the opening five minutes. The game was ten minutes old before Tubber opened their account through midfielder Cyril Cunningham and by this time the eventual winners had missed a number of scoring chances from placed balls. As the game progressed Tubber improved but when the half time whistle sounded they were behind by three points, 0-5 to 0-8.
the tempo of the game improved on the changeover but when Newmarket got through for what proved to be the game’s only goal, scored by Oisin Pender seven minutes into the second half, it looked like it would be their day.
At the three quarter stage Newmarket led by four points, 1-9 to 0-8 but they failed to score after this and with each passing minute Tubber grew in confidence. Points from a Taaffe free and from substitute Cillian Droney had Newmarket’s lead down to two with five minutes remaining. Then wing back Shane Naughton landed a superb score to leve the minimum between the sides before Justin McMahon landed the leveller from an 85 yard free in the final minute of normal time. A minute later they landed what proved to be the winner and it was fitting that it was Eamonn Taaffe who scored, converting a 20m free.
Taaffe, Justin McMahon, Ger Brohan, Cyril Cunningham and Shane Naughton were amongst those to shine for the winners.
After the game Clare GAA’s assistant secretary Rosaleen Monahan, a staunch member of the Tubber club, presented the cup to the winning captain David Fogarty
Breakthrough for Banner
After a number of disappointments in recent years Banner finally got over the line when they captured the junior C title with a comprehensive 1-20 to 0-6 victory over Clonbony at Corofin.
The winners led from the outset and were 1-10 to 0-4 ahead at half time, the goal coming from full forward Fiachra Hayes who emerged as the game’s top scorer with 1-5.
After the final Clare GAA chairman Joe Cooney presented the cup to the winners.
By Seamus Hayes