Clare GAA discussion thread

littlesthobo

User Friendly wrote: »

Well done St Breckans on your q final victory today in Munster.

this was my first time viewing the facilities in Lisdoonvarna and i was mightly impressed. well done to everybody concerned for putting on a great show.

Breckans have some beautiful footballers and will be hard to beat.

Beaten today in the final 1.11 to 0.7. Hard luck to the lads, but a great achievement to get that far

eroo

http://www.hoganstand.com/Clare/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=140097

Vaughan to skipper Banner
04 January 2011


Pat Vaughan will captain the Clare hurlers in the coming season.

The Crusheen clubman is expected to skipper the side for the first time in a challenge match against Wexford this weekend ahead of the Waterford Crystal Cup opening round clash against IT Tralee on January 16. Vaughan takes over the captaincy from Brian O'Connell, who is currently travelling. Last year's under 21 captain, John Conlon, has been appointed vice-captain.



Banner County boss Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin is without 14 players, who are committed to their college sides, for the Waterford Crystal Cup, while Mark Flaherty, Alan Markham, Michael Scanlon and Martin Murphy are among those who haven't been included in his 2011 squad.

Must say I didn't expect Alan Markham not to be in the squad! I think Vaughan is a good choice, with Conlon providing a link between the senior and junior players in the squad.

Anyone know where the challenge match is being played? Would like to see it!

eroo

Good start to the season for the Clare footballers. Close game I heard.

McGrath Cup - Clare 1-13 UCC 0-13

Evil_Clown

Good start to the year for Clare football, hope it continues....

Clohessy to the fore as Banner boys fight back
Clare 1-13
UCC 0-13

Monday January 10 2011

Clare put in an impressive second-half performance to see off University College Cork at Cooraclare yesterday.

A little ring rusty in the opening half, the Banner boys upped the ante considerably in the second and outscored their opponents by eight points to two.

UCC were reliant in the main on free-taker Daithi Casey for scores.

The Kerry native landed eight of their 11-point first-half tally and he added another after the break, before being surprisingly replaced 14 minutes into the second period.

At the break the students led by 0-11 to 1-5, with big full-forward Timmy Ryan striking Clare's goal in the 17th minute, after he was set up by Rory Donnelly.

Improved

The students failed to build on their first-half showing, however, as Clare significantly upped their performance after the restart -- a point from Diarmuid Daly levelled the scores in the 56th minute.

Alan Clohessy then gave them the lead for the first time before a Mark Collins score for the Cork college levelled matters once more on 59 minutes.

But it was to be UCC's last score, as Clare forged ahead and clinched victory with scores by Clohessy once more and a brace of points by midfielder Gary Brennan.

The winners now face an away quarter-final against Cork Institute of Technology on Sunday.

Scorers -- Clare: A Clohessy 0-7 (0-4 f), T Ryan 1-1, G Brennan 0-2 (0-1f), D O'Brien, R Donnelly, D Daly 0-1 each. UCC: D Casey 0-9f, M Collins 0-2, K O'Driscoll, P Honohan 0-1 each.

Clare -- Joe Hayes; N White, Healy, Gordon Kelly (capt); M McMahon, S McNeilis, Graham Kelly; G Brennan, C Ryan; C O'Connor,D O'Brien, D Daly; R Donnelly, T Ryan, A Clohessy.

Subs: John Hayes for Graham Kelly (43), M Foran for O'Brien (45), E Lyons for Donnelly (59), D O'Neill for Ryan (62).

UCC -- D Farry; D Og O Donovan, E O'Mahon,L Jennings; P Crowley, A Greany (capt), M Daly; J Buckley, K O'Driscoll; M Collins, D Casey, JB Spillane; P Honohan, S Hannifin, S O'Brien. Subs: M Griffin for Casey (49), P Galvin for O'Donovan (55), S Beston for Hannafin (60).

Ref -- P O'Sullivan (Kerry)

Irish Independent

eroo

Emigration is seriously effecting the football panel it seems. Not to mention it's effect on hurling with previous team captain Brian O' Connell having left to go to Australia for the foreseeable future.

Clare hoping for green light on 'parentage rule'



Michael McDermott is hoping that his Clare side will get the go ahead to use the 'parentage rule', which allows weaker counties to recruit players from outside their borders.

McDermott has claimed that they "need every help we can get" and has already recruited three forwards in Kildare pair Niall Browne and Adrian Cahill and Dublin native David O'Connor, whose parents are from Clare and are willing to line-out with the Banner County.



Clare, who had their squad badly hit by emigration, are not included in the 'weaker' counties Park at present, which could prevent McDermott from strengthening his panel, and will need the management committee - who meet this weekend - to add them to the list

"There were five or six other fellas who did well in the club championships last summer that I was really hopeful of bringing into the panel, but they have all emigrated since too, so we've lost a lot more than it looked initially," McDermott told the Irish Independent.

Clare defeated UCC 1-13 to 0-13 in their McGrath Cup opener last Sunday and are hoping to have ace forward David Tubridy back fit from a groin injury to face Cork IT this weekend.

eroo

Waterford Crystal Cup

Clare v IT Tralee @ Sixmilebridge 2.00pm

McGrath Cup

Clare v CIT @ Cooraclare 2.00pm

User Friendly

Anyone attend the game in cooraclare last week? how much were they charging at the gate? i assume they were charging

Clareman

They normally charge a couple of euros for the game, usually goes to the local club I think, not usually more that €5 I think

Gael85

Clare played NUIG in challenge game last week

NUIG 1-12 Clare 0-12
In a senior football challenge at Tubber on Sunday, a strong first-half performance laid the foundations for a victory for the John Maughan -managed NUI Galway side.
With their competitive season set to start this week when they take on UCC in the first round of the McGrath Cup, Clare manager Micheál McDermott availed of the opportunity to give a run out to the majority of the squad.
The visitors, who are in training for the Sigerson Cup, which will be staged in Dublin at the end of February, dominated the opening half and led at the interval on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-3.
The winners' half-back and half-forward lines were prominent, particularly in the opening half and this led to a number of their scores.
Clare re-organised their outfit for the second half and did much better but a goal for the students, 10 minutes from time, proved decisive.
Among the regulars who were unavailable for Clare on the day were Gary Brennan, David Tubridy, Rory Donnelly and Ger Quinlan, who is presently on honeymoon. David O'Brien from St Joseph's kicked four points in the second half.

Clare: Joe Hayes; Niall White, Lawrence Healy, Dean Ryan; Graham Kelly, Gordon Kelly, John Hayes; Cathal O'Connor, Niall Browne; Diarmuid Daly, Michael Foran, Kevin Harnett; Alan Clohessy, Timmy Ryan, Shane Brennan.
Subs: Martin McMahon, David O'Connor, Barry Duggan, Ogie Murphy, Conor Ryan, David O'Brien, Enda Lyons, Keith Ryan, Darren O'Neill, Barry Hartnett and Ger Fannin.

Gael85

Although the Clare senior footballers were beaten by NUIG last Sunday in an early season challenge game played in Tubber, their league preparations will ratchet up a few notches in Cooraclare this weekend.
Clare will play UCC in the first round of the McGrath Cup on Sunday at 2pm. The winners will play Cork IT a week later in the quarter-final. Clare will be without David Tubridy (injury), Ger Quinlan, who is on honeymoon and Kevin Hartnett who will be playing with Tralee IT in the same tournament. They will also be minus Adrian Cahill, Niall Browne and David O’Connor, all of whom are attempting to declare for Clare although they are not from the county.
Their eligibility has yet to be confirmed though as Clare have to be designated as a weaker county by central council. That is due to happen in the coming weeks.
“It would have been ideal to have them for this weekend,” Clare manager Micheál McDermott, who is starting his second year managing the senior county team, said.
Enda Coughlan, Michael O’Shea and David Russell, all of whom were part of the 2010 squad, are not on the panel and it looks unlikely that they will return.
“They are not part of it at the moment,” McDermott confirmed.
Ger Quinlan is away for six weeks so he will be missing the first two matches in the national league. But he has been training hard himself in the gym over the last two months and is in good shape,” the former Kilmurry-Ibrickane manager added.
Despite the absence of a number of experienced players, McDermott feels that the 2011 squad is an improvement on last year’s.
“We feel we have a stronger panel this year, than we had last year and there’s going to be an opportunity for lads to step up to the plate and put their marker down this Sunday to maybe get a place on the team going into the national league,” he suggested.
The winter training ban means that county teams should not have been training collectively until January 1. McDermott feels that this ensures a lack of sharpness amongst county teams early in the season.
“The football side of it probably wouldn’t be as sharp as it should be but they’ve done a good gym programme themselves over the last two months. I’d be expecting a good performance despite not having played a lot of football,” he maintained.
UCC face a particularly long trip from Cork to Cooraclare and it’s questionable why the game wasn’t fixed for Shannon, Cratloe or Sixmilebridge, which would have considerably cut the ­journey from the southern capital. Still Micheál McDermott expects UCC to provide Clare with a strenuous early season test.
“From what I believe with UCC I think they’re in the final of the college league against NUIG. That was supposed to be played before Christmas but it wasn’t because of the weather. But the fact that they are coming into Sigerson, they are going to be in good shape and their pace probably would be ahead of us at the moment,” he said.
Twelve months ago, Clare were knocked out of the McGrath Cup in the opening round by UCC on a 0-12 to 0-9 scoreline. Clare led 0-4 to 0-0 after just nine minutes but were eventually well beaten by the students.
“We have to worry about our own game and play the type of football that we’re hoping to play.
“That’s based around a fast moving, high-intensity game. That’s what we’re looking to do this year and build on last year,” McDermott said.
“We’ve a strong panel of 30 players at the moment and I think we’ll have a strong 15 on Sunday,” he believes.
Clare will start their Division 4 NFL campaign on Sunday, February 6 when they play Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon. The McGrath Cup will help them to warm up for the league and if Clare are to mount a meaningful bid to escape from Division 4, they should be making progress in the McGrath Cup.
Games in that tournament would be significantly more ­helpful than playing challenge games.
The management team of Micheál McDermott, Liam McHale and James Foran are now in year two of their tenure and know their players well. Their immediate objective will be to start the league campaign with a win in Leitrim but a decent run in the McGrath Cup would be a big help towards preparing for a concerted cut at the league.

conno16

I'd like to see McHale take full control of the team.
according to a number of players in the current panel he is the man pulling the strings and can take the credit for the improvement shown this season already

eroo

Does anyone know if the hurling squads training sessions are open to the public?

eroo

Waterford Crystal Cup
Clare 1-19 IT Tralee 2-13

We played well in the first half with the wind behind our backs, but when we came back out we were shocking. Most of the 2nd half Tralee were consistenly beating us to the ball, but a resurgence saved us. Very close. Waterford will be a challenge, and Davy was not impressed today!

McGrath Cup

Clare 0-10 CIT 0-9

Clare footballers face Waterford next week.

Clare v Waterford double header!!

Evil_Clown

Match reports from both games..... 2 wins good stuff

Footballers

Wasteful Banner find finishing kick
Clare 0-10
Cork IT 0-9

Monday January 17 2011

Clare overcame some wayward shooting to see off CIT at Cooraclare yesterday and book their place in the semi-final.

Having defeated UCC in the opening round a week earlier at the same venue, Clare were lucky their opponents failed to convert their chances as the students hit seven wides after the break. Clare themselves were guilty of some poor shooting, particularly in the first half when they had eight wides.

The sides were level, 0-4 each, at half-time but a better return after the break from the hosts saw them through.

Clare led 0-6 to 0-4 by the 47th minute before Donal Og Hodnett and sub Andy O'Brien drew CIT level. But Clare scores by Alan Clohessy and Darren O'Neill kept their side ahead and when David Tubridy pointed a long-range free with five minutes remaining, he put the home team 0-10 to 0-7 in front. CIT's O'Brien then hit two late frees but Clare held on.

Scorers -- Clare: D Tubridy (1f), A Clohessy (2f) 0-3 each, R Donnelly 0-2, D O'Brien (f), D O'Neill 0-1 each.

CIT: A O'Brien 0-4 (2f), BJ Walsh (1f), D Og Hodnett (2f) 0-2 each, P O'Driscoll 0-1.

Clare -- Joe Hayes; N White, L Healy, M McMahon; Graham Kelly, Gordon Kelly (capt) John Hayes; G Brennan, C O'Connor; D Daly, S McNeilis, D O'Brien; R Donnelly, T Ryan, A Clohessy. Subs: D Tubridy for G Brennan (inj, 13), S Brennan for O'Brien (h-t), D O'Neill for McNeilis (43).

CIT -- B Walsh; B McGuire, S O'Donoghue, R O'Dwyer; P Minihane, B Russell, C O'Driscoll; P Daly, S O'Hare; P O'Driscoll, BJ Walsh, R Power; J Dinneen, H Curran, D Óg Hodnett. Subs: A Walsh for Daly (inj, 8), B O'Regan for McGuire (h-t), S Kelleher for P O'Driscoll (40), A O'Brien for Dinneen (50), W O'Mahony for Hodnett (inj, 56).

Ref -- K O'Brien (Tipperary).

Hurlers

Morey denies plucky Tralee

Clare 1-19
IT Tralee 2-13


Monday January 17 2011

Clare were fortunate to make a winning start to their season when a strong finish accounted for IT Tralee at Sixmilebridge.

Five minutes from time, Tralee held a three-point lead but a late surge by Clare saw them score 1-3 without reply to secure the victory.

Clare led by just two points -- 0-11 to 1-6 -- at the break and failed to score in the third quarter, by which time the students were leading 2-9 to 0-11. Clare outscored IT Tralee 0-5 to 0-1 to draw level but three points from Eoin Ryan had Tralee three clear.

Sub Caimin Morey then picked off some good points for the winners and he also scored their goal, kicking home after Tralee goalie Gary Murphy had made a save from Conor Tierney.

Scorers -- Clare: C Morey 1-5, C Ryan 0-5, C Tierney 0-3, N

O'Connell 0-2, C O'Donovan, F Lynch, D McMahon, J Conlon 0-1 each. IT Tralee: E Ryan 1-9, N Quaid 1-0, C Goode, T Downes, M Kiely, B Maxwell 0-1 each.

Clare -- K Brennan; M Earley, J McInerney, C O'Doherty; B

Donnellan, G Quinn, C Chaplin; N O'Connell, C O'Donovan; C Tierney, F Lynch, C Ryan; D Morey, D McMahon, E Hayes. Subs: J Gunning for O'Doherty, C Morey for Hayes, J O'Connor for D Morey, J Conlon for McMahon, C Dillon for Donnellan.

IT Tralee -- G Murphy; S Guilfoyle, O Gately, P Moriarty; B

Murphy, M Deegan, M Cleary; N Quaid, J Leahy; C Goode, E Ryan, T Downes; M Kiely, F Kennedy, J Riordan. Subs: K Maher for Murphy, B Maxwell for Leahy.

Ref -- C Lyons (Cork).

LuckyGent88

More good news for Clare Football in 2011 with the addition of the 3 players through the GAA'S parentage rule.

2 Kildare players: Niall Browne and Adrian Cahill and 1 from Dublin in David O'Connor.

Central council has approved the transfers but it is now up to there own counties to ratify the transfer.

Michael McDermott states that they will definitely strengthen his panel.

eroo

Change to above fixtures: Waterford Crystal Cup, Clare v LIT @ Sixmilebridge Sat 1.00pm

Gael85

Clare Football Panel 2011-judging by who featured in McGrath Cup and challenge games

Joe Hayes-Lissycasey
Keith Ryan-Shannon Gaels
Niall White-Doora-Barefield
Laurence Healy-Ennistymon
Gordon Kelly-Milltown
Graham Kelly-Milltown
John Hayes-Kilrush
Martin McMahon-Kilmurray Ibrickane
Shane McNeilis-Kildysart
Dean Ryan-Eire Og
Barry Duggan-Cratloe
Ogie Murphy-Cratloe
Darren ONeill-Eire Og
Barry Hartnett-Meelick
Kevin Harnett-Meelick
Gary Brennan-Clondegad
Ger Quinlan-OCurrys
Conor Ryan-Cratloe
Niall Browne-Two Mile House
Michael Foran-OCurrys
Cathal OConnor-Coolmeen
David OBrien-Doora-Barefield
Rory Donnelly-Cooraclare
Diarmuid Daly-Corofin
Alan Clohessy-Liscannor
David Tubridy-Doonbeg
Enda Lyons-Doora-Barefield
David OConnor-St Brigids
Adrian Cahill-Celbridge
Timmy Ryan-Kilmihill
Shane Brennan-Clondegad
Ger Fannin-Doora-Barefield

pity to see only one player each from Doonbeg and Kilmurray Ibrickane featuring so far.Would like see Colm Dillon,Shane Ryan,Shane OBrien,Frank ODea(Doonbeg),Enda Coughlan,Noel Downes,Mark McCarthy,Darren Hickey(Kilmurray Ibrickane) on panel

eroo

Clare beat LIT at a very cold Sixmilebridge! 2-16 to 0-15 I think.. was too cold to work it out!

We were playing catch up with LIT for first half and 10 minutes of 2nd half but we got a burst of energy after the first goal. Won it out well; but a worrying trend is a lack of catching high balls. In fairness though, in that cold I wouldn't have caught a sliothar either!!

LuckyGent88

eroo wrote: »

Clare beat LIT at a very cold Sixmilebridge! 2-16 to 0-15 I think.. was too cold to work it out!

We were playing catch up with LIT for first half and 10 minutes of 2nd half but we got a burst of energy after the first goal. Won it out well; but a worrying trend is a lack of catching high balls. In fairness though, in that cold I wouldn't have caught a sliothar either!!

It was 3-14 to 15 points. Thats a pretty good victory over a solid college side.

eroo

McGrath Cup: Clare 1-10 Waterford 0-10

This means we face Kerry in the McGrath Cup final. I would love to see this but a
I'm working unfortunately.

Waterford Crystal Cup: Clare 3-14 LIT 0-15

We now face Waterford in the quarter final.

A good week for Clare GAA.

LuckyGent88

When was the last time clare footballers won 3 games in row? Lets hope they keep it up for the league and then into the championship.

User Friendly

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

When was the last time clare footballers won 3 games in row?.

Not that long ago...........
last year id guess.

i think they won 4 league games in a row.

LuckyGent88

User Friendly wrote: »

Not that long ago...........
last year id guess.

i think they won 4 league games in a row.

Fair eneogh. Probably right. Should have put a bit more thought into that question.

PARKHEAD67

User Friendly wrote: »

Not that long ago...........
last year id guess.

i think they won 4 league games in a row.

correct, and stayed in division 4.Lets not get carried away just yet shall we?:D

Gael85

23 January 2011


Clare 1-10
Waterford 0-10

David O'Connor made an instant impact for Clare as Michael McDermott's side got the better of Waterford in the semi-finals of the McGrath Cup at Ardmore.



O'Connor, on as a substitute after the break, scored the decisive goal eight minutes into the second half to turn the tide Clare's way.

The forward's journey to become a Clare player has garnered plenty of attention in recent weeks, and his clearance under the GAA parentage rule - he is Dublin-born to Clare parents - only came through two days before this game.

Another of Clare's new faces, Kildare man Niall Browne, also made a contribution to the victory, registered his side's opening score of the game, while established Banner players David Tubridy and Alan Clohessy hit three points apiece.

Waterford, who got the better of Clare in both League and Championship in 2010, led by a point (0-6 to 0-5) at the break but O'Connor's goal proved the turning point.

Clare will now take on Kerry, victors over All-Ireland champions Cork on Sunday, in the final of the competition in Tralee next Saturday evening.

Clare: Joe Hayes; L Healy, B Duggan, M McMahon; Graham Kelly, Gordon Kelly, John Hayes; C Ryan, C O'Connor (0-1); D Daly, D Tubridy (0-3), N Browne (0-1); R Donnelly (0-1), T Ryan, A Clohessy (0-3). Subs: G Fannin (0-1) for Graham Kelly; D O'Connor (1-0) for C Ryan; D O'Brien for T Ryan; D O'Neill for Browne.

Waterford: T Wall; J Hurney, T O'Gorman, K Connery; E Walsh, S Briggs, J Phelan; B Phelan, T Prendergast; M Donnelly (0-3), K Power (0-1), B Wall; JJ Hutchinson, P Hurney (0-3), P White (0-1). Subs: S Fleming (0-2) for Hutchinson; M Ahern for Power; M O'Gorman for Prendergast.

Referee: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary).

LuckyGent88

Stronger Clare dominate second half as LIT falter
Waterford crystal cup quarter final
CLARE........3-14
LIT.......0-15
By Michael O Connor.
Following a display in round 1 of the Crystal cup that could have ended horribly against IT Tralee the banner men rebounded to secure a place in the semi finals at the expense of a LIT side that never looked like troubling Clare despite a spirited display by Willie Hyland.
Clare showed one change from the programme line up with Ciaran O Doherty coming in for Gerry Quinn who suffered a tragic family loss early in the day. LIT showed up with a strong Clare representation in their line up as Eamonn Glynn, Conor Cooney, Patrick Donnellan, Bernard Gaffney and Mark Flaherty made the starting 15.
Fergal Lynch who has showed up well in the early season games opened the scoring and indeed hit a hat trick of scores in the first half. Stephen Lambert from Kilbecanty in South Galway responded for the Limerick college managed once more by Davy Fitzgerald as the bitter cold was a hostile and unwelcome guest to Sixmilebridge as the game scheduled initially for 1pm was delayed for three hours to allow a thaw in the ground. Conor McGrath and Bernard Gaffney exchanged scores as indeed Gaffney should have had the ball in the Clare net after five minutes only to see his effort when one on one with Philip Brennan receive a deflection for a 65 that Gaffney sent over. Mark Flaherty, and Gaffney (2) left LIT on five points after 19 minutes with Colin Ryan and Lynch keeping the home side in touch and two points in arrears. Gaffney who at this stage was the LIT side’s sole avenue for scores hit three wides from scorable frees to let Clare off the hook. After 26 minutes parity was the case in the scoring stakes as Colin Ryan and Danny Morey hit fine efforts from play. Gaffney who was now at centre forward rounded off the first half scoring with two further scores, one from play as Clare took the lead in the final minutes of the first half courtesy of Fergal Lynch, Diarmuid McMahon after a smart handpass from Ryan and Cathal McInerney as they ran to the warmth of the dressingrooms with Clare (0-8) to (0-7) ahead.
Missing the services of NUIG quartet Donal Touhy, Caimin Morey, John Conlon and Domhnall O Donovan Clare had entered the game as outsiders in the bookies eyes but LIT looked far from the finished article without key senior players Canning and Callanan to name but a few for the side who will have a major say in the destination of the Fitzgibbon cup which commences next Thursday.
Conor McGrath who is not on the UL senior panel opened the second half scoring with a smart effort to send Clare two clear before Willie Hyland who had been moved into full forward caused Cian Dillon some trouble scoring three points between the 36th and 40th minutes to send the Limerick college a point clear (0-10) to (0-9) as the lights were now shining brightly in O Garney park. Unfortunately for the Bridge executive who had their pitch and surroundings in pristine condition the scoreboard once again was not working leading Tom Sheehan to announce the score a number of times during the game.
To counteract the Hyland threat Cian Dillon and James McInerney switched roles and it proved a match winner for Ger O Loughlin’s men as McInerney stifled the Laois dangerman and Dillon hurled better at number 6 setting up attacks with his pace. Paul Browne stretched LIT two clear after 46 minutes. Colin Ryan who got through some smart play at midfield and added a number of points was on target in the 47th minute moments before Cian Dillon and COnor McGrath set up Diarmuid McMahon for the game’s first goal as Clare retook the lead. Adrian Donovan replaced Conor Tierney as Cormac O Donovan had entered the fray for Danny Morey at the break. Another solo upfield by Dillon opened the LIT rearguard with the ball getting to McMahon once more as he attempt for a point ended up in the net and Clare now were five clear with twenty minutes remaining after being a point in arrears only three minutes previously.
Willie Hyland (3) and Colin Ryan (2) shared five points between the 50th and 60th minutes to keep frozen spectators somewhat interested as this game was indeed a worthwhile effort for both sides especially Clare who had thrown off the cobwebs of the ITTralee game only 6 days previous. Martin Duggan just introduced forced a great double save from Philip Brennan in the 62nd minute as Brian Glynn from Inagh/Kilnamona joined his elder brother Eamonn on the LIT replacing Sean Tobin. LIT kept in contact with a Paudie O Brien score to leave just a goal in the game with five minutes remaining just before Adrian Donovan secured the win with Clare’s third goal squeezed in between late scores from Colin Ryan and Conor McGrath as Clare were safely into the semi finals of the competition last won in 2009 when they defeated Tipperary in Ogonnelloe.
Clare had solid displays from Mark Earley who impressed, Cian Dillon , Ciaran O Doherty, Liam Markham, James McInerney when moved to the edge of the square. Colin Ryan and Nicky O Connell got through some intelligent play with Fergal Lynch early on, Diarmuid McMahon and Conor McGrath showing up well. Once again Clare look as if the forward play will concern them most once again this season. LIT were served well by Eamonn Glynn, Conor Cooney, Patrick Donnellan, John O Keeffe, Paudie O Brien, Willie Hyland who impressed and Bernard Gaffney who missed and scored with regularity.
CLARE: Philip Brennan, Mark Earley, Cian Dillon, James Gunning, Ciaran O Doherty, James McInerney, Liam Markham, Colin Ryan (0-5), Nicky O Connell, Fergal Lynch (0-3), Diarmuid McMahon (2-1), Conor Tierney, Conor McGrath (0-3), Danny Morey (0-1), Cathal McInerney (0-1). Subs: Cormac O Donovan for Morey, Adrian Donovan 1-0 for Tierney
LIT: Matthew Ryan, Eamonn Glynn, Ciaran Cowen, Conor Cooney, Jason Hayes, Patrick Donnellan, John O Keeffe, Paul Browne (0-1), Paudie O Brien (0-1), Stephen Lambert (0-1), Willie Hyland (0-6), Sean Tobin, Padraig Landers, Bernard Gaffney (0-5), Mark Flaherty (0-1). Subs: Martin Duggan for Landers, Donie Reale for Gaffney, Brian Glynn for Tobin
REFEREE: Michael O Connor (Limerick).

eroo

McGrath Cup Final v Kerry has changed to Killarney with throw in at 3pm Saturday.

Waterford Crystal Cup Quarter Final v Waterford has changed back to 2pm at Sixmilebridge on Sunday.

LuckyGent88

What a shocker of a second half from the Clare Hurlers today. :(

eroo

Momentum went right out the window. Very dissapointing.. and f1ck that ref!

Deise Tom

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Stronger Clare dominate second half as LIT falter
Waterford crystal cup quarter final
CLARE........3-14
LIT.......0-15
By Michael O Connor.
Following a display in round 1 of the Crystal cup that could have ended horribly against IT Tralee the banner men rebounded to secure a place in the semi finals at the expense of a LIT side that never looked like troubling Clare despite a spirited display by Willie Hyland.
Clare showed one change from the programme line up with Ciaran O Doherty coming in for Gerry Quinn who suffered a tragic family loss early in the day. LIT showed up with a strong Clare representation in their line up as Eamonn Glynn, Conor Cooney, Patrick Donnellan, Bernard Gaffney and Mark Flaherty made the starting 15.
Fergal Lynch who has showed up well in the early season games opened the scoring and indeed hit a hat trick of scores in the first half. Stephen Lambert from Kilbecanty in South Galway responded for the Limerick college managed once more by Davy Fitzgerald as the bitter cold was a hostile and unwelcome guest to Sixmilebridge as the game scheduled initially for 1pm was delayed for three hours to allow a thaw in the ground. Conor McGrath and Bernard Gaffney exchanged scores as indeed Gaffney should have had the ball in the Clare net after five minutes only to see his effort when one on one with Philip Brennan receive a deflection for a 65 that Gaffney sent over. Mark Flaherty, and Gaffney (2) left LIT on five points after 19 minutes with Colin Ryan and Lynch keeping the home side in touch and two points in arrears. Gaffney who at this stage was the LIT side’s sole avenue for scores hit three wides from scorable frees to let Clare off the hook. After 26 minutes parity was the case in the scoring stakes as Colin Ryan and Danny Morey hit fine efforts from play. Gaffney who was now at centre forward rounded off the first half scoring with two further scores, one from play as Clare took the lead in the final minutes of the first half courtesy of Fergal Lynch, Diarmuid McMahon after a smart handpass from Ryan and Cathal McInerney as they ran to the warmth of the dressingrooms with Clare (0-8) to (0-7) ahead.
Missing the services of NUIG quartet Donal Touhy, Caimin Morey, John Conlon and Domhnall O Donovan Clare had entered the game as outsiders in the bookies eyes but LIT looked far from the finished article without key senior players Canning and Callanan to name but a few for the side who will have a major say in the destination of the Fitzgibbon cup which commences next Thursday.
Conor McGrath who is not on the UL senior panel opened the second half scoring with a smart effort to send Clare two clear before Willie Hyland who had been moved into full forward caused Cian Dillon some trouble scoring three points between the 36th and 40th minutes to send the Limerick college a point clear (0-10) to (0-9) as the lights were now shining brightly in O Garney park. Unfortunately for the Bridge executive who had their pitch and surroundings in pristine condition the scoreboard once again was not working leading Tom Sheehan to announce the score a number of times during the game.
To counteract the Hyland threat Cian Dillon and James McInerney switched roles and it proved a match winner for Ger O Loughlin’s men as McInerney stifled the Laois dangerman and Dillon hurled better at number 6 setting up attacks with his pace. Paul Browne stretched LIT two clear after 46 minutes. Colin Ryan who got through some smart play at midfield and added a number of points was on target in the 47th minute moments before Cian Dillon and COnor McGrath set up Diarmuid McMahon for the game’s first goal as Clare retook the lead. Adrian Donovan replaced Conor Tierney as Cormac O Donovan had entered the fray for Danny Morey at the break. Another solo upfield by Dillon opened the LIT rearguard with the ball getting to McMahon once more as he attempt for a point ended up in the net and Clare now were five clear with twenty minutes remaining after being a point in arrears only three minutes previously.
Willie Hyland (3) and Colin Ryan (2) shared five points between the 50th and 60th minutes to keep frozen spectators somewhat interested as this game was indeed a worthwhile effort for both sides especially Clare who had thrown off the cobwebs of the ITTralee game only 6 days previous. Martin Duggan just introduced forced a great double save from Philip Brennan in the 62nd minute as Brian Glynn from Inagh/Kilnamona joined his elder brother Eamonn on the LIT replacing Sean Tobin. LIT kept in contact with a Paudie O Brien score to leave just a goal in the game with five minutes remaining just before Adrian Donovan secured the win with Clare’s third goal squeezed in between late scores from Colin Ryan and Conor McGrath as Clare were safely into the semi finals of the competition last won in 2009 when they defeated Tipperary in Ogonnelloe.
Clare had solid displays from Mark Earley who impressed, Cian Dillon , Ciaran O Doherty, Liam Markham, James McInerney when moved to the edge of the square. Colin Ryan and Nicky O Connell got through some intelligent play with Fergal Lynch early on, Diarmuid McMahon and Conor McGrath showing up well. Once again Clare look as if the forward play will concern them most once again this season. LIT were served well by Eamonn Glynn, Conor Cooney, Patrick Donnellan, John O Keeffe, Paudie O Brien, Willie Hyland who impressed and Bernard Gaffney who missed and scored with regularity.
CLARE: Philip Brennan, Mark Earley, Cian Dillon, James Gunning, Ciaran O Doherty, James McInerney, Liam Markham, Colin Ryan (0-5), Nicky O Connell, Fergal Lynch (0-3), Diarmuid McMahon (2-1), Conor Tierney, Conor McGrath (0-3), Danny Morey (0-1), Cathal McInerney (0-1). Subs: Cormac O Donovan for Morey, Adrian Donovan 1-0 for Tierney
LIT: Matthew Ryan, Eamonn Glynn, Ciaran Cowen, Conor Cooney, Jason Hayes, Patrick Donnellan, John O Keeffe, Paul Browne (0-1), Paudie O Brien (0-1), Stephen Lambert (0-1), Willie Hyland (0-6), Sean Tobin, Padraig Landers, Bernard Gaffney (0-5), Mark Flaherty (0-1). Subs: Martin Duggan for Landers, Donie Reale for Gaffney, Brian Glynn for Tobin
REFEREE: Michael O Connor (Limerick).

Can anyone report on todays game.

LuckyGent88

Deise Tom wrote: »

Can anyone report on todays game.

Full one tomorrow but here are the teams as per programme.

Clare Team
Philip Brennan
Mark Early
Cian Dillion
James Gunning
Ciarain O'Doherty
James McInerney
Liam Markham
Nicky O'Connell
Domhnall O'Donovan
Colin Ryan
Diarmuid McMahon
John Conlon
Conor McGrath
Fergal Lynch
Cathal McInerney

1.Clinton Hennessy
2.Frank McGrath
3.Jerome Mahe
4.Darragh Fives
5.Shane O'Sullivan
6.Michael Walsh
7.Jamie Nagle
8.Stephen Molumphy
9.Eoin McGrath
10.Seamus Prendergast
11.Richie Foley
12.Paudie Mahony
13.Brian O'Halloran
14.Shane Walsh
15.Shane Casey

LuckyGent88

Waterford overturned an 11-point deficit to edge out their hosts in yesterday’s Waterford Crystal senior hurling semi-final at Sixmilebridge.
A Richie Foley free in injury time sealed victory at the end of an entertaining contest to the delight of his manager Davy Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald admitted: "It’s great to be back in a final again. The most important thing for our guys is to be winning games. We were missing 17 or 18 guys who will be in contention for championship places but there had to be positives out of today for Clare as well. They were also missing a few guys."

After a relatively even opening quarter, the hosts took the initiative and hit a purple patch before the break.

With the sides level (five points apiece after 18 minutes), Clare hit 2-7 before the break for a 2-12 to 0-7 interval advantage. The first of their goals came in the 21st minute when impressive corner-forward Cathal McInerney collected a Domhnall O’Donovan delivery. Waterford keeper Clinton Hennessy got a touch to this strike but couldn’t prevent it crossing the line. Five minutes later O’Donovan and McInerney were again involved before Fergal Lynch beat Hennessy.

Waterford regrouped after the restart and with Seamus Prendergast at full-forward, they set about narrowing the gap.

Richie Foley’s accuracy from placed balls was crucial to their cause, especially in the 40th minute when he smashed a 20-yard free to the Clare net after Banner full-back Cian Dillon had fouled Prendergast. The visitors took the lead in the 56th minute after Shane Casey’s goal edged them 2-16 to 2-14 ahead.

In a tight and tense final quarter, the visitors held all the aces. Clare had goal chance with four minutes remaining but James McInerney’s penalty flew over the bar. A late long-range point from Colin Ryan looked to have given Clare the win but two frees in added time by Foley won it for Waterford.

Clare boss Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin admitted: "After 35 minutes of tremendous hurling in the first half, where Waterford had no answer to us, we took our foot off the pedal in the second half, instead of pushing it on and winning by ten or 11 points. We need to start learning to win."

Scorers – Waterford: R Foley (1-11) 1-8 f’s, 2 ‘65’s, S Casey (1-3), S Molumphy (0-2), S Walsh, G Crotty, S Prendergast (0-3).

Scorers – Clare: N O’Connell (0-6) 3 f’s, 1 ‘65, C McGrath (0-6) 3 f’s, C McInerney (1-1), F Lynch (1-0), J Conlon (0-2), D McMahon, C Ryan, J McInerney (f) (0-1) each.

WATERFORD: C Hennessy, F McGrath, J Maher, D Fives, S O’Sullivan, M Walsh, J Nagle, S Molumphy, E McGrath, S Prendergast, R Foley, P Mahony, B O’Halloran, S Walsh, S Casey.

Subs: G Crotty for E McGrath inj. (35), C Ryan for F McGrath (ht).

CLARE: P Brennan, M Earley, C Dillon, J Gunning, C O’Doherty, J McInerney, L Markham, N O’Connell, D O’Donovan, F Lynch, J Conlon, C Ryan, C McGrath, D McMahon, C McInerney.

Subs: C Morey for Markham (59), C Chaplin for Gunning (65), G Quinn for O’Doherty (67).

Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).

eroo

NHL Div 2

Clare 0-6 Limerick 2-9

What a poor game this was, weather aside! Sparrow needs to work them on contesting the high ball, ground work and seriously on accuracy. Too many wides yet again, and this is a problem we've had for years but it has to be sorted now.

Limerick won it and were much better at gaining possesion than we were, but take their two goals away and their point scoring from play was almost identical to ours. All in all a disappointing display by our lads.

Antrim will be a real test next week.

NFL Div 4

Clare 5-17 Kilkenny 1-1

Nothing new here, Kilkenny leave me speechless!:D Carlow in 2 weeks time should be a good game.

LuckyGent88

eroo wrote: »

NHL Div 2

Clare 0-6 Limerick 2-9

What a poor game this was, weather aside! Sparrow needs to work them on contesting the high ball, ground work and seriously on accuracy. Too many wides yet again, and this is a problem we've had for years but it has to be sorted now.

Limerick won it and were much better at gaining possesion than we were, but take their two goals away and their point scoring from play was almost identical to ours. All in all a disappointing display by our lads.

Antrim will be a real test next week.

NFL Div 4

Clare 5-17 Kilkenny 1-1

Nothing new here, Kilkenny leave me speechless!:D Carlow in 2 weeks time should be a good game.

God we were pathetic today..1 point from play :mad:...there is no way we are actually that bad surely!!!!!!!!

eroo

Unfortunately so. We can only get better I hope. Antrim away next weekend could be our toughest game.

LuckyGent88

eroo wrote: »

Unfortunately so. We can only get better I hope. Antrim away next weekend could be our toughest game.

Went to see LIT V NUIG game today in Fitzgibbon and there were at least 10 Clare players in action. James McInerney was superb at center back and thats where his place is for Clare...somewhere in the half back line. Morey got no ball, D O'Donovan was cleaned by that Paul Browne from Limerick again, Cooney and Glynn were solid in defence but were under little pressure as was Pa Donnellan

Clareman

I was in the park on Sunday and I've been trying to think of any positives I could take from it, I still can't.

eroo

Our result against Antrim will determine if anything was learned from the match on Sunday.

LuckyGent88

Clareman wrote: »

I was in the park on Sunday and I've been trying to think of any positives I could take from it, I still can't.

Only a few hundred supporters had to witness the performance

LuckyGent88

Pretty good win in the circumstances today. 2-15 to 2-14.
By all accounts the ref and one of the linesmen(Derry Officials) were brutal and totally favoured Antrim.
James McInerney was sent off for two Yellow's and the Clare management were raging with the decision.
Hopefully pulling out that result with everything going against this young team will stand to them in future.
Clare Team:
Tuohy
Earley
Cooney
O'Donovan
McInerney
Dillon
Bugler
O'Connell
Vaughan
O'Connor
Conlon
McMahon
Honan
McInerney
McGrath

eroo

NHL Div 2

Clare 2-14 Antrim 2-13

A good, tough match for this young team. Down to 14 men with backs against the wall.. situations like this build character for a team. The performance will stand to them, and is a big boost for morale after last week.

2 weeks to prepare for Westmeath. This would be expected to be a win, but at the moment who know? Every game should be treated the same this year.

eroo

NFL Div 4

Clare v Carlow @ Dr.Cullen Park

This is a must win for the footballers or else they can kiss goodbye any real chance of promotion. Will be tough without Kelly and Tubridy. Regardless it will be a close game!!

eroo

Clare 1-10 Carlow 1-11

Vaery disappointing to say the least. Supposed to be a very good game and down to the wire.

LuckyGent88

eroo wrote: »

NFL Div 4

Clare v Carlow @ Dr.Cullen Park

This is a must win for the footballers or else they can kiss goodbye any real chance of promotion. Will be tough without Kelly and Tubridy. Regardless it will be a close game!!

Another 2 men sent off in a match :rolleyes: and only loose by a point. stupid stuff

eroo

Ridiculous like. That has probably cost them any chance of promotion now.

Stevecw

I was at that game today. Hard to know how to sum it up, it was a bit of a crazy game.

But was 2 very poor sides involved, as Pat Spillane said on Sunday World today, 2 sides going nowhere fast and he is right for once even if he got his prediction of who'd win wrong!!

Obviously both sides were missing their best players. That Tubridy guy always seems to score a lot, basically bet us on his own last year when ye won by a point..so he was a big loss. And for us Brendan Murphy by far our best player is injured so we were also down our main man.

Clare started well, knocked over 2 points, then we got a handy goal when a simple enough move resulted in Foley clean thru and stuck it away well. Carlow took over for a bit and went 1-3 to 0-3 up. Start messing around with the ball then all over the place and Clare took complete control. Kicked over some great long points albeit playing with a strong wind. Also got a couple of handy frees thanks to stupid tackles.

Start of 2nd half Clare straight away got a good goal to push 1-8 to 1-4 ahead. The no 7 for Clare (no idea of any names) got sent off for stamping on a Carlow player. Finally Carlow made a good sub and Mullins who was brought on kicked over 2 great pts and we also scored another few to go 1-9 to 1-8 ahead. Kicked some bad wides too, while Clare seriously lacked a good free taker. The lad taking them for Clare today was very bad and missed a few and barely got 2 45s off the ground.

It was very even at that stage and even with few mins left when another Clare guy struck off the ball stupidly & rightly got sent off Clare went up and levelled it up at 1-10 each.

Then our full forward was put clean thru in last minute and instead of fisting over the bar, tried to get a goal which was well saved. I was sure that was chance gone, but luckily enough we still had time for a good move started by Thomas Walsh who was best player on view. Move ended with Smith same guy who'd messed up last chance but this time he fisted it over the bar to give Carlow a badly needed win.

Poor standard overall, but delighted to get a win. Clare need forwards badly looking at todays game, and full back line is dodgy too.

Strangely entertaining game tho, always something happening. Was surprised to see Clare had a decent sized crowd who travelled, almost outnumbered us home support.

See ye in Ennis in April for last game of Hurling league!

Orichalcum93

New beginnings?? I don't think so, I think it'll be a few years again before we see another win like the one in the 90's but all I can say to the lads is prove me wrong.

eroo

Nice to see you have some hope Orichalcum 93!

NHL Div 2 Clare v Westmeath 06/03/11
Clare hurlers face Westmeath on Sunday in Mullingar. This is a match they should win but somehow I don't think it will be easy. Our hurlers should be looking at every match as a serious challenge or we could be staying put in Div 2. We really can't afford another loss so a big win is needed on Sunday.

NFL Div 4 Clare v London 12/03/11
Clare footballers have a weekend off and their next opponents are London. They should be looking to put London away well. But it will do little at this stage as we look set to spend another season in Div 4. We need to work on discipline judging on the last 2 matches.

Orichalcum93

eroo wrote: »

Nice to see you have some hope Orichalcum 93!

NHL Div 2 Clare v Westmeath 06/03/11
Clare hurlers face Westmeath on Sunday in Mullingar. This is a match they should win but somehow I don't think it will be easy. Our hurlers should be looking at every match as a serious challenge or we could be staying put in Div 2. We really can't afford another loss so a big win is needed on Sunday.

NFL Div 4 Clare v London 12/03/11
Clare footballers have a weekend off and their next opponents are London. They should be looking to put London away well. But it will do little at this stage as we look set to spend another season in Div 4. We need to work on discipline judging on the last 2 matches.

ha ha I'm not saying I don't have any hope, I'm just saying the odds seem to be against them! But like I said prove me wrong lads!

eroo

Clare 1-27 Westmeath 2-17

Team: D.Touhy; P.Vaughan, C.Cooney, D.O'Donovan; B.Bugler, C.Dillon, P.Donnellan; N.O'Connell, J.McInerney; F.Lynch, J.Conlon, J.Clancy; C.Ryan, C.McInerney, D.Honan

An expected, but nonetheless important, win today for the hurlers in Mullingar. This spells further disaster for Westmeath as they now surely face relegation, after what has been a distrasturous opening to their season. Their next game against Kerry is a must win if they want any chance of surviving.

We have Down next week at home in what will be a good game I imagine, as Down will want another win to try stay out of relegation zone. For us, it is a matter of keeping close to Limerick who are already well on the way to Div 2 final. Laois and Carlow are their only real threats left. Provided we beat Down, we then face Kerry, Laois and Carlow. Kerry should be a win for us, but Carlow and Laois will really put it up to us as we will be fighting for a place v Limerick in the final.

However, it is early days yet!