Unbeaten Clare reach Celtic Challenge quarter-finals

Celtic Challenge round 3
Clare 3-15 – Limerick 2-14

If mid term reports were applicable to Underage development squads it would be a case of “all going well as we prepare for the exam” for the celtic challenge panel. Three game and three wins. Second half goals required to sneak past Cork, a strong first half against Galway and a consistent scoring performance in both halves to repel a late Limerick showing send’s Damian Powers boys into a home quarter final on Saturday week.

How good were the group opponents will be known when the quarter final is half over. Averaging just over 20 points a game may need to improve as standards and opponents rise in ability and pressure. Sixmilebridge on Saturday lunchtime housed the local derby that was deferred due to inclement weather a month ago.

Consistency from Cillian Murphy has been central to the Clare wins to date and by the 10th minute had three points registered including two frees but more importantly Calum Henchy hit the Limerick net to give Clare a (1-3) to (0-1) advantage after 11 minutes. Cian Barrett was on hand for Limerick’s first scorer as he ended the game as top scorer. Darragh Dillon who has developed a niche for important scores opened his account in the 12th minute. Barrett (2), James Smith and Barrett once more by the 27th minute had increased the Limerick tally to half a dozen scores. Yet, it was only less than half the Clare effort as Darragh Dillon had hit goal number two in the 22nd minute as Murphy, Dillon and Howard were also point scorers. A late first half bright spark from Conor O’ Brien and midfielder Gary Donegan narrowed the Limerick deficit to six points, (2-8) to (0-8) facing the second half.

Limerick were indeed struggling despite working hard to make scores as Cian Barrett opened the second half scoring and added another immediately after Cillian Murphy was on the mark for Clare. The winners hit four scores between the 37th and 45th minute to open up a (2-13) to (0-10) lead. Limerick went 10 minutes without a score before Barrett was on hand once more. Shane Dowling also hit a score for the Shannonsiders. A further mini scoring spree from Limerick resulted in (1-2) and now Clare were beginning to fall back somewhat as they held a nervous two point lead as the game entered a long period of injury time. Cillian Murphy once more held his nerve with frees in the 61st and 62nd minute before who else but Cian Barrett goaled and now it was one point between the sides and the game in the 65th minute. It was time for one last cameo from Clare and it came from substitute Zach Treacy who hit the match winning goal and send Clare top of the group and preparing for knockout fare.

Clare scorers: Cillian Murphy (0-11), Darragh Dillon (1-2), Calum Henchy, Zach Treacy (1-0), Ciaran Howard, Ronan Bowes (0-1)

Clare: Micheal O’Coileain (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), Sean Cassidy (Clooney/Quin), Mark Mullins (Sixmilebridge), Rian Clohessy (Éire Óg), Joe Mannion (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield), John Deasy (Sixmilebridge), Jamie Ryan (Ruan), Ruaidhri Nolan (Parteen/Meelick), Calum Henchy (Banner), Aaron Moloney, Cillian Murphy (Sixmilebridge), Conor Geraghty (Smith O Briens), Ronan Bowes (Killanena), Darragh Dillon (Clonlara), Ciaran Howard. (Clonlara) Subs: Damian Lynne (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Ryan Andrew Cleary (Parteen/Meelick) for Henchy, Michael Cotter (Inagh/Kilnamona) for Moloney, Zach Treacy (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Bowes, Scott O’Loughlin Kelly (Banner) for Howard.

Limerick scorers: Cian Barrett (1-9), Conor O’ Brien (1-2), James Smith, Gary Donegan, Darragh Coughlan (0-1) each

Limerick: Tiernan Ryan (Garryspillane), Oran Crowley (Staker Wallace), Alex Burchill (Blackrock), Eoghan Sheehan (St Kierans), Odran Kelliher (Killeedy), Danny Doherty (Feohanagh/Castlemahon), Adam Fitzsimmon (Na Piarsaigh), Gary Donegan (Feenagh Kilmeedy), Diarmuid Mullaney (Killeedy), Michael Ryan (Doon), Conor O’ Brien (Killmallock), Niall Conheady (Crecora/Mainister), Cian Barrett (Killmallock), James Smith (Ballybrown), Dale McDonagh (Patrickswell). Subs: Darragh Coughlan (Doon), Mark Doolin (Ballybrown), Shane Dowling (Killmallock), Alfie Fitzpatrick (Adare), Cian Guinnane (Kildimo Pallaskenry), Conor Gilligan (Blackrock), David O’ Brien (Bruree), Joe Teefy (Ballybricken/Bohermore), Cathal Guerin (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan).