Tones and Magpies to clash in Féile final

WOLFE Tones and Clarecastle will contest the Clare Féile na nGael hurling final following wins over Kilmaley and Sixmilebridge respectively last weekend.

Clarecastle had to pull out all the stops to overcome the Sixmilebridge challenge on Monday evening, while a strong second-half performance from Wolfe Tones proved too much for Kilmaley 24 hours later in Clarecastle.
HOLDING a five-point advantage at half-time, Kilmaley faced into a stiff wind in the second half.
They scored first when play resumed and they made things difficult for the Shannon side throughout the third quarter.
But an Aaron Shanagher goal for the winners closed the gap and when the Kilmaley defence fumbled for the winners’ second goal, Wolfe Tones were on their way.
Kevin Justice at centre-back, Dean Devanney at midfield and Aaron Shanagher at centre-forward dominated in these vital areas for the winners while Jack Cunningham and Robbie Meaney also impressed.
Padraic McNamara, Sean and Aidan Kennedy, Sean Malone and Joseph Carmody did well for Kilmaley but they were unable to match the all-round strength of Wolfe Tones.

Wolfe Tones 4-11
Kilmaley 1-9
Wolfe Tones: Sean Collopy; Sean Costello, Daniel Clair, Michael Hayes; Robbie Meaney, Kevin Justice, Ross O’Connor; Dean Devanney, Cian Pettigrue; Dara McMahon, Aaron Shanagher, Brian Conway; Jack Cunningham, Brian O’Connor, Evan O’Gorman.
Subs: Aaron Russell for Conway.
Kilmaley: Killian Gregan; Ronan Grace, Jack Lynch, David Lynch; Aidan Kennedy, Anthony Kelly, Aidan Griffin; Sean Kennedy, Padraic McNamara; Joseph Carmody, Sean Malone, Colin Hehir; Cathal Fitzgerald, Ralph Queally, Sean O’Loughlin.

Clarecastle 3-6
Sixmilebridge 2-8
CLARECASTLE qualified for their second Féile na nGael final in three years with a merited but hard-earned one-point victory over Sixmilebridge in a titanic struggle in Newmarket on Thursday evening.
Sixmilebridge almost snatched victory in the final minute. Trailing by two points, full-forward Charlie Carmody tried for goal from close range only to find Clarecastle goalie Jake Kearney equal to the attempt. He made a tremendous save, deflecting the ball over the bar to ensure a one-point win for the Magpies.
In a match played in perfect conditions, both sides showed great commitment and skill. Clarecastle made a great start when, in the second minute, Mark McAuliffe first-timed the sliotar to the net but it was ruled out for a square ball infringement.
Jack Murphy opened the Magpies’ account with a point from play a minute later.
Despite the loss of midfielder and team captain Darren Crowe through illness, Clarecastle shaded matters at midfield thanks to the efforts of Adam Cassidy and Daire Crimmins.
A pass by Kevin Hartigan set up man-of-the-match Paul Dolan for Clarecastle’s first goal in the sixth minute. A minute later, Cathal Lynch opened Sixmilebridge’s account only for Dolan to quickly respond with a fine point from play. A lovely move involving Brain O’Sullivan and Cathal Lynch set up Charlie Carmody for a cracking goal for the ’Bridge in the ninth minute and they piled on the pressure after this.
A pointed free in the 20th had the ’Bridge level and they went ahead from an excellent Robert Halpin effort in the 24th minute. In a hectic final five minutes, Ruairi Crimmins scored a great goal and in the 30th minute, Paul Dolan blasted in Clarecastle’s third goal from a 20m free. When the half-time whistle sounded, it was 3-2 to 1-3 in favour of the winners.
Sixmilebridge were aided by the strong breeze in the second half and by the 35th minute, they had drawn level 3-2 to 2-5, thanks to two Lynch points and a well-worked Halpin goal.
Jason Loughnane in the ’Bridge goal made a great save from a Paul Dolan effort, before Clarecastle were back in front through a Jack Murphy free.
Lynch levelled the game when his shot flashed over the crossbar. Dolan pointed Clarecastle in front following a clever handpass by Jack Hayes and a 50m free by Jack Murphy had them leading by two points. Dolan and Ronan Tuohy traded points to set up a nail-biting finale.
In that final play, a great Jake Kearney save that ensured Clarecastle’s one-point victory and qualification for the final.
Cusack Park will be the venue this Friday evening for the Féile hurling final. On the evidence of the semi-final games, Wolfe Tones will wear the favourites’ tag in a tie that will get underway at 6.15pm with Rory Hickey in charge.
Clarecastle: Jake Kearney, Kevin Mulcaire, Jack Hayes, Mark McCabe, Josh Kelly, Hayden Starr, Fiacra Cooney, Daire Crimmins, Adam Cassidy, Jack Murphy (0-3), Paul Dolan (2-3), Ruairi Crimmins (1-0), Kevin Hartigan, Dean O’Hara, Mark McAuliffe.
Sub: Tiernan McDermott for McCabe.
Sixmilebridge: Jason Loughnane, Jack O’Grady, Niall Hogan, Oisín Fitzgearld, Ronan Tuohy, Cathal Kinnane,
Aidan Whelan, Robert Halpin, Patrick Mulready, Brian O’Sullivan, Cathal Lynch, Cathaoir Agnew, Shane Flynn, Charlie Carmody, Gerard Mullins.
Referee: Joe O’Donnell (Cratloe).