Sports

Munster Minor B ladies football final Clare 3-7 – Tipperary 1-6 Whilst the eyes of the county were 30 miles further down the N20 to leeside for a tiny parcel of GAA followers Mallow GAA complex was the centrepoint of their sporting existence last Sunday and success too was the end result as a stronger Clare side overcame Tipperary. In the near future a west of Ireland semi final will take centre stage against Connacht opposition for a place in the Al- Ireland decider. Following on 24 after the U14 side won Munster C honours and the U16s also successful there was a need for the minor side to maintain a high level of consistency at representative level. Intended or not the Clare girls had the start one can dream of in a final as Aine McNamara blasted the ball past Sarah Smith in the Tipperary goal with just 30 seconds gone in the game. This was a huge boost …

Munster Under 14 ladies C football final Clare 2-18 – Limerick 2-12 Clare’s second Under 14 ladies football side took the laurels in Mallow on Saturday afternoon with a six-point win that was far from comfortable despite the impression one may derive from the final scoreline. Irrespective of the scoreline or results the level of football training, preparation and games allied to a strong school’s competition at this age group within the county does suggest that the coming seasons will offer a strong level of playing staff for Clare underage development squads. It was a surprise of some delight for those involved with the Under 14 squads that this team was to the fore at their level. It was Limerick who struck first courtesy of Ellie May Kelly before the game’s top scorer Ailish McNamara kicked (1-1) in two minutes to allow Clare to seize the lead. Limerick did not hold back and responded with (1-2) in the 6th minute …

Clare Senior C ladies football post primary final St John Bosco CC Kildysart 5-10 – St Michael’s Kilmihil 2-5 A harvest of medals for St John Bosco in springtime as the Senior C schools title joins the First year A title annexed less than a month ago. For St Michael’s Kilmihil it was somewhat of a below par performance when one considers that the sides drew in the Munster championship earlier in the season. There was no such drama in Frure, Lissycasey as the Estuary school buoyed by their ability to score goal when needed. A number of girls from both sides were in county action the previous two weeks at minor and under 16 level. The shooting ability of the winners forwards proved the difference in the end. Hazel Conway delivered well from first half free hitting three successful efforts. Kate Lees was instrumental in creating the foundation for the St John Bosco CC win with two first half …

Under 18C league final Crusheen/Tubber 1-11 – Parteen/Meelick 1-8 The first of many finals in Clare GAA for 2024 took place in Meelick on Tuesday evening as the home side hosted Crusheen/Tubber in the U18 C league final. The winners operated Osgar Dunford and Sean Hanrahan effectively as a two-man full forward line initially but moved Dunford out as the game matured. Roan Ketelaar was missing the game for the North Clare side which led to Oisin McNamara rerouting to the full back line. Parteen/Meelick will be a strong threat in the minor hurling championship when it reverts to Under 17 later in the season. The game started with Parteen/Meelick hitting the net after three minutes as Luke Tobin raced clear and set up by full forward Mike Cahill and he gave Oscar Brigdale no chance. Sean Hanrahan hit back with a free before Osgar Dunford had the only Crusheen/Tubber goal after 10 minutes. Dylan O’ Connell and Hanrahan traded …

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 …

Clare senior football captain, Cillian Brennan, who is a Physical education lecturer in DCU is honoured to be leading the Banner out on the field on Sunday but he doesn’t want that to be the only honour. ” There’s only one thing sweeter than leading this team out and that would be winning it. It didn’t go to plan twelve months ago in the Gaelic grounds but there’s huge learnings from last year. We didn’t do ourselves justice on the day. Had we gone out, given everything we could have and performed to the level we can and still ended up being beaten you’d be somewhat more heartened from it but we just didn’t perform but thankfully we now have another opportunity to show what we are really made of.” The Clondegad clubman who has had his fair share of injury setbacks is raring to go and feels it’s an advantage that the management team have extensive knowledge of Kerry …

Clare Ladies’ Football Post-Primary A final St Joseph’s Spanish Point 2-9 – Coláiste Muire 1-7 From one bus to another, from Mallow to Cusack Park for many of the girls in action Monday lunchtime. The Munster B minor final Sunday afternoon to Clare schools senior A final, the only difference was team mates became rivals once more when wearing the school kit. The close on 40 girls who saw action on Monday are without question some of the busiest GAA players in the county representing both codes at minor plus U-16 as well as for school and county in 2024. Tired legs for all involved began to tell in the latter stages but indeed a physical encounter ended with success for St Joseph’s who also captured honours at provincial level. Kayla Talty Darcy struck for a 5th minute goal for the opening score as she raced through to give the perfect start for the West Clare outfit. Ria Meaney responded …

Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 2 Clare 3-26 Cork 3-24   It wasn’t good for the heart but crucially Clare secured their first ever championship victory in Páirc Uí Chaoimh the hard way after completing a nine point second half turnaround. In front of 36, 814 at Cork headquarters, the sides were level seven times in an inch-tight opening half by the half hour mark, writes Eoin Brennan. However, Cork finished with three of the last four points to edge 0-14 to 0-12 in front before responding to Mark Rodgers’ opener with a 1-3 blitz in just two minutes as a Patrick Horgan lob just trickled over the line before Rory Hayes could clear while a Shane Barrett shot was also deflected for a ’65 that Horgan converted to see the Rebels soar 1-17 to 0-13 clear. While things looked bleak for Clare at that stage, there was no panic on the field as points from Aidan McCarthy and Diarmuid Ryan …