Tag Archives: Newmarket

Ballyea’s reign as Clare senior hurling champions ended at Cusack Park this evening when they were stripped of the title by Newmarket who had four points to spare at the final whistle. A strong final five minutes to the opening half proved decisive in this one as Newmarket scored 1-4 in that period while conceding just a point. While Ballyea boss Fergal Hegarty was fullsome in his praise for Newmarket, it must be pointed out that the title holders went into this game with key players Tony Kelly and Gearoid O’Connell carrying injuries which clearly hampered their play. The holders made the better start and at the end of a low scoring opening quarter they led on a scoreline of 1-2 to 0-1, the goal having come from Niall Deasy following a defensive blunder by the eventual winners. Gradually, however, Newmarket got a grip on proceedings and the switch of Ronan Goode to the full forward line paid dividends. Three …

Newmarket Celtic A 2 Bridge United A 1 Two goals in a minute midway through the second half helped Newmarket to an historic sixth Clare junior cup title in a row when they overcame Bridge United at sun splashed Frank Healy park in Doora this Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless first half, the defending champions found themselves in arrears five minutes after the break when Terry Lenihan got the vital touch and his looping header beat Rob Shire in the Newmarket goal. They had a chance to double their advantage seven minutes later but Derek Fahy’s effort flew wide of the target. While there was a touch of luck about Newmarket’s equaliser when Bridge defender Darren Murphy saw his attempted headed clearance end up in the net over the advancing Paul Tuohy, credit must go to Newmarket substitute Cathal Hayes who pressurised their defence The cheering had barely died down when the holders hit the front. They won a free …

TWO club hurlers remain in hospital this week following injuries sustained in matches on Sunday. Kilmaley’s Diarmuid McMahon is in hospital in Galway, having suffered a serious head injury while playing for his club in a challenge game against Ardrahan. The principal teacher at Stonehall National School in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Diarmuid has been a key figure in Kilmaley’s senior team for more than a decade. Speaking on behalf of the club, secretary Patrick O’Malley wished Diarmuid “a speedy and full recovery”. Teenager James McMahon, meanwhile, was also removed to hospital in Limerick, after helping Newmarket to victory over Sixmilebridge in the U-21 A championship quarter-final at Gurteen. A student at St Caimin’s in Shannon, James is understood to have picked up an injury midway through the first half but played on until near the end of normal time. “It’s unfortunate that James picked up this injury and, on behalf of the club, I wish him well and we hope to see …

  Newmarket Celtic 1 Avenue United 1 (after extra time) Avenue won 3-1 on penalties Beaten finalists last season, Newmarket Celtic are out of the Munster junior cup at the first hurdle this year. At McDonough Park in Newmarket this Sunday morning, they had to give best to Avenue United who proved too strong in a penalty shoot out after the teams had endedon level terms at 1-1. By their own standards, the past couple of seasons have been disappointing for Avenue United but they were clearly determined to do well in this one and from the word go they took the game to the favourites. With Dylan Casey in their line up having returned to his home club in midweek after a a few seasons in England, they created the greater number of chances in the opening half. After Davy O’Halloran had seen his effort narrowily miss the target, Newmarket launched a counter attack which ended with the awarding …

Newmarket 2-11 Kilmaley 0-13 A contribution of 1-7 from inter county man Colin Ryan played a key role in Newmarket retaining their senior hurling status when they accounted for Kilmaley in this replay at Sixmilebridge this afternoon. Played before an attendance that was much smaller than anticipated, Newmarket’s superior physical strength was a crucial ingredient in their win but Kilmaley have good reason to be disappointed with the end result. At the end of the first half in which they had the better of matters their lead was just two points. They would not have been flattered had they been at least six points to the good. They continued to hold the upperhand in the opening ten minutes of the second half but again failed to turn that dominance into scores. From here on Newmarket got a grip on proceedings and the switch of Stephen Kelly to the half forward line helped them win more possession. Eleven minutes from the …

EIGHT teams set out this week in search of the Clare Senior Camogie Championship title and between now and the final, on the weekend of October 15/16, some lively contests are expected. Newmarket are the defending champions and they start the campaign as the favourites but Inagh-Kilnamona, Clooney-Quin and Kilmaley are all expected to challenge strongly for the title. The competition is divided into two groups of four and at the end of the group stage, the top two teams in each will qualify for the semi-finals, with the remaining two in each group going on to play for the shield. The intermediate championship title race also gets underway this weekend, with seven teams taking part. They are divided into two groups, one of four and one of three. As with the senior, the top two in each group will contest the semi-finals with the remaining teams competing for the shield. There will be four teams in the Junior A …

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins recalled his boyhood days in Clare, when a group from Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus were among his garden party guests at Áras an Uachtaráin last Sunday. The President mingled with his former neighbours, exchanging stories of their formative years in Ballycar National School. Talk also came around to many events that made their way into the parish history books and he even recalled enjoying playing handball in the local alley. President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, welcomed the 80-strong Ballycar group, part of a gathering of nearly 500 people, at a marquee on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin. The afternoon programme included a tour of the stately residence, viewing the gardens and even a respite to watch the Ireland-France soccer game on a large screen. President Higgins’ one-time neighbour, Kathleen O’Leary, presented him with a hollowed vessel made from Ballycar ash by local man Ray Walsh. Each year, President Higgins and Mrs Higgins open …