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Féile triumph powers U14's to semi's
There's something about the Féile competition that seems to inspire the Magpies as for the second year in a row, some hugely encouraging results have given the Under 14 camogie squad the perfect boost.
Last year, the Under 14's battled to the Division 3 title before the Under 13 and 14's went onto claim championship honours.
So after a rousing championship comeback against St Joseph's last week, Clarecastle would reach new heights in Éire Óg on Thursday evening when edging out Kilmaley by the minimum before also taking down the hosts to top their group and qualify for the A semi-finals tomorrow afternoon.
With communion taking place in Clarecastle tomorrow, unfortunately a clash with the semi-final was unavoidable but that last four tie will take place against Feakle/Killanena in CLARECASTLE at 4pm. St Joseph's and Truagh Clonlara play in the other semi-final, with placings all important in the race to represent the county on the national stage.
The final and third/fourth place play-off will also take place in Clarecastle afterwards.
We wish the girls the very best of luck! #magpieandproud |
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Murphy's law as Magpies reach league final
Clarecastle's adult ladies footballers set up a final meeting with Fergus Rovers in three week's time after overcoming Crusheen on home soil last Saturday.
Division 4 League Semi-Final
Clarecastle 2-14 Crusheen 1-08
at Clarecastle
Clarecastle advanced to the Division 4 League decider on Saturday evening after a five star scoring display from Doireann Murphy overcame Crusheen.
In all, the dual star scored 1-10 of the Magpie's total to guide her side over the line against a stubborn Crusheen challenge.
The game was a tight affair all the way with only a point separated the teams at half-time. Doireann Murphy opened the scoring for Clarecastle with an assertive point within the first two minutes and soon after her colleague Laura Mullen sent in a high-lobbing ball which placed itself nicely in the top left hand corner of the net.
Crusheen got on the board on eight minutes when Marie O’Grady pointed a 20 metre free and in a period of sustained Crusheen pressure, pushed from the back by Louise McNamara, Jacinta O’Grady and Marie O’Grady, the visitors earned two scorable frees which went abegging.
With Marie O’Grady controlling the midfield in this spell, she ended up converting another free to cut the arrears to just two at 1-1 to 0-2. 15 minutes after Clarecastle’s last score, Doireann Murphy was back with her second point of the half in the 20th minute to push the Magpies into a three point advantage.
However, while Murphy would add her third point before the break, singles from Sinead Mullins (2) and O’Grady ensured that Crusheen would be only the minimum in arrears at 1-3 to 0-5.
On the resumption, some solid Clarecastle defence from Elaine Lyons, Rachel Collins and captain Mary Kate Moloney propelled forwards Emma O’Connell, Sharon Quinn and Laura Mullen before captain Moloney opened the scoring in the first minute.
Doireann Murphy took two additional frees and Elaine Lyons also pointed extending the Clarecastle lead to five points at 1-7 to 0-5. When Crusheen’s Laura Neilon scored their first point of the second half in the 40th minute, their captain Marie O’Grady leading from the front, both pointed from a free and goaled to level the account on 12 minutes gone at 1-7 each.
However, Clarecastle were to dominate the remainder of the game thanks to a concerted team effort with Doireann Murphy stealing the show as she scored 1-4 in this spell to ensure that her side progressed to the decider against the winners of Doora/Barefield (2) and Fergus Rovers (2).
Clarecastle: Sinead Reidy, Sarah mcGuane, Hannah Dinan, Katie McEldowney, Ellen Barry, Ally Flemming, Maria Lyons, Mary-Kate Moloney (Capt) (0-1), Rachel Collins, Emma O’Connell, Sharon Quinn, Laura Mullen (1-2), Doireann Murphy (1-10, 1-6f), Elaine Lyons (0-1), Kelsey Farmer, Rosemary Corry, Emma O’Donoghue
Crusheen: Norah Fogarty, Hannah Leonard, Louise McNamara, Aoife McClane, Edel O’Brien, Jacinta O’Grady, Triona McGrath, Marie O’Grady (Capt) (1-5), Laura Neilon (0-1), Aishlinn Mullins, Molly Copley, Aoife Stankard, Niamh O’Brien, Sinead Mullins (0-2), Orla O’Brien, Molly McNamara, Carol O’Brien
Referee: Michael Fitzgerald (Fergus Rovers) |
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Adult hurlers look to bounce back in league ties
After home losses in both the Clare Cup and Division 2 hurling leagues last Saturday, the Magpies will be determined to bounce back this weekend when facing familiar championship opposition.
Tomorrow in Newmarket at 3pm, the intermediates will contest a derby with Newmarket-on-Fergus in what is a repeat of last year's Intermediate Championship Round 3 clash that the Magpies won by 2-12 to 2-10 on their way to the last eight. With both sides scrambling for points in what is a tough division for second string sides, this could yet be an important fixture in consolidating Division 2 league status for another year.
Then on Sunday in Tubber at 12pm, the seniors will hope to get their Clare Cup Division 1B promotion charge back on track when facing hosts Tubber.
Of course, their last meeting was a pivotal one for both clubs in last year's Senior Championship relegation clash that saw the Magpies take the honours to demote their opponents to intermediate.
Manager Conor Dolan has since crossed the divide to Clarecastle but with the north Clare side matching the Magpies record of two wins from three games after both lost to Clooney-Quin, it promises to be a tough assignment.
We wish both sides the best of luck! |
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Clare blitz Cats to set up Deise final
What a breath of fresh air last Sunday proved for the Clare senior hurlers who were simply superb in blowing Kilkenny away in a 4-22 to 2-19 victory to set up a final meeting with Waterford on Sunday week back in Semple Stadium at 3.30pm.
With Clare not winning a National League title since 1978, this is a great opportunity for the Banner's new-look side that saw Bobby Duggan come on as a late substitute.
Waterford are the defending champions but with the sides to meet again five weeks later in the Munster Senior Championship Semi-Final at the same venue on Sunday, June 5th at 4pm, this promises to be an intriguing double header.
Meanwhile, also on the May Bank Holiday Sunday, Patrick Kelly and Kerry commence their Leinster Senior Championship campaign following last year's Christy Ring Cup success.
Part of a round robin series with Offaly, Westmeath and Carlow, Kerry host the latter in Austin Stack Park on Sunday week at 1pm.
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U16's through to quarter-finals despite defeat
A narrow defeat to Wolfe Tones on Monday was offset by the fact that the Under 16 footballers advance to the quarter-finals of the Division 2 Championship but with placings all important, their final round against fellow last eight side Cratloe on away soil on Monday at 7pm could yet be crucial.
Under 16 Division 2 Football Championship Round 6
Wolfe Tones 4-8 Clarecastle 3-6
Wolfe Tones made the best possible start to this game played in Shannon on Monday as they raced into an early 1-3 to 0-0 advantage. Fergus Garvey finally opened the Clarecastle scoring with a point but the response from Wolfe Tones was another goal as the Clarecastle defence struggled to come to terms with the quick passing movements of the Shannon forwards.
Josh Brack (pictured above) pulled back a goal back before half-time but Wolfe Tones in the meantime had added a point from a free and a goal to lead by 3-6 to 1-1. On the resumption and playing into the breeze, Clarecastle dominated the next 20 minutes to reel in the 11 point deficit and amazingly level the game at 3-6 each. Josh Brack and Darragh Healy fired the goals while Liam Halpin, Eoghan Wallace, Darragh Healy and two frees from Josh Brack gained parity.
Clarecastle missed the chance to take the lead and Wolfe Tones lifted the siege to go up the field and score a point to lead by one. With 5 minutes remaining they took back control of the match when they scored a goal. Clarecastle had a chance to get the goal back but Darragh Healy's first time shot went the wrong side of the upright. Clarecastle had one other goal chance when a pass across the square from Josh Brack eluded two incoming forwards before Wolfe Tones scored the final point of the game to win by 4-8 to 3-6.
Sean Dolan, Cillian Casey and Ronan Donnelly played well in defence and Ricky Mulcaire was defiant in carrying the attack where he was assisted by Darragh Healy who despite being closely marked was a constant threat. Liam Halpin worked hard until forced off through injury while Fergus Garvey, Eoghan Wallace and Jack Hanrahan worked hard through midfield. Clarecastle travel to Cratloe for the final round on Monday at 7pm where both teams will be hoping to finish the group stages on a winning note and secure a more favourable quarter-final position.
Clarecastle: Dylan Brown; Sean Dolan, Cillian Casey, Harry Ward; David Tuohy, Ronan Donnelly, Sean Potter; Jack Hanrahan, Eoghan Wallace (0-1); Ricky Mulcaire, Fergus Garvey (0-1), Darragh Healy (1-1); Josh Brack (2-2), Liam Halpin (0-1), Oisin McMahon
Subs: Luke McDermott, Aidan Ryan, Cillian Hamil, Leo Corcoran, Eoin Dinan |
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The next generation of Magpies need you!
Pictured above the Under 8 hurlers!
With almost 100 Under 6 & 8 boys and girls training each Monday and Wednesday from 6.30-7.30pm, there is an urgent appeal for more mentors to give a hand so we appeal to parents/mentors to come forward and help our next generation of stars in what is a crucial development stage.
Some parents are shy in helping out as they feel that they do not have any prior experience or have not played the game themselves but everyone's contribution would be greatly appreciated whether that is just monitoring the children, putting down cones or helping out with the coaching itself.
So please make a special effort to come along next week and offer the coach a hand in some capacity! |
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Club Shop opening hours
The Club Shop will be open this evening (Friday) from 5-6.30pm and next Wednesday from 6-7.30pm in the clubhouse for anyone wishing to purchase gear for the new season. There is also a clearance sale on old stock as we prepare for an upgrade of the facilities.
Please spread the word. |
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Junior draws made for hurling & football
The draws for the Junior B Hurling and Football Championships were made in Clareabbey on Monday evening, with Clarecastle pooled with Whitegate and Scariff's second teams and Wolfe Tones third team in the hurling while Wolfe Tones, O’Curry’s, Clonbony and St Breckan’s are the Magpies group opponents in the football equivalent.
No dates have yet been confirmed for the start of these championships.
Junior B Hurling Championship
(15 teams divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to quarter-finals)
Group 1
Wolfe Tones (2)
Whitegate
Clarecastle
Scariff
Group 2
Tubber
Feakle
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield
Kilmaley
Group 3
Smith O’Brien’s
Wolfe Tones (1)
Parteen
Inagh-Kilnamona
Group 4
Clooney-Quin
Tulla
Newmarket-on-Fergus
Junior B Football Championship
(Nine teams divided into two groups, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for semi-finals)
Group 1
Wolfe Tones
O’Curry’s
Clonbony
Clarecastle
St Breckan’s
Group 2
Coolmeen
Cratloe
Banner
Shannon Gaels |
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In other news...
It was a good week for our boys and girls Under 12 Football sides who both had encouraging victories in their respective leagues.
Yesterday, the Under 12 ladies footballers (pictured above) produced a derby victory over Éire Óg in Greg's Field after leading from start to finish while last Sunday in Kilfenora, the Under 12 boys edged out multi-amalgamation Clann Lir (Liscannor/Ballyvaughan/Kilfenora/Ml Cusacks) by 1-4 to 1-3. In a tough outing, the Magpies battled hard against the conditions to only trail by 0-3 to 0-1 at the break before resuming with a great second half display led by Aaron Hayes (0-2) and James Doherty (1-1) in midfield, some inspirational defending by Conor Griffin and Rhian Sheridan and the attacking prowess of Niall Óg Tuohy (0-1) and Luke Aherne. |
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Fixtures/Results Round Up
Results
Saturday, April 16th
Hurling - Clare Cup Division 1B Round 3
Clooney-Quin 0-19 Clarecastle 0-16
Ladies Football - Division 4 League Semi-Final
Clarecastle 2-8 Crusheen 1-7
Hurling - Division 2 League Round 3
Smith O'Brien's 1-17 Clarecastle 0-12
Monday, April 18th
Football - Under 16 Division 2 Championship Round 6
Wolfe Tones 4-8 Clarecastle 3-6
Camogie - Division 3 & 4 League
Clarecastle/Ballyea 2-8 Kilmaley 3-3
Wednesday, April 20th
Camogie - Division 3 & 4 League
Broadford 4-13 Clarecastle/Ballyea 0-03
Thursday, April 21st
Camogie - Féile na nGael Group Stages
Clarecastle 0-1 Kilmaley 0-0
Clarecastle 0-3 Éire Óg 0-1
Fixtures
Friday, April 22nd
Hurling - Under 14A Championship Round 4
Corofin v Clarecastle @ Corofin, 6.30pm (Damien Fox, Clooney-Quin)
Saturday, April 23rd
Hurling - Division 2 League Round 4
Newmarket-on-Fergus v Clarecastle @ Newmarket, 3pm (Joe Mullins, Clarecastle)
Camogie - Féile na nGael A Semi-Final
Clarecastle v Feakle/Killanena @ Clarecastle, 4pm
Sunday, April 24th
Hurling - Clare Cup Division 1B Round 4
Tubber v Clarecastle @ Tubber, 12pm (Ambrose Heagney, Corofin)
Ladies Football - Under 16 Division Division 3 Championship Round 2
Kilmurry Ibrickane v Clarecastle @ Quilty, 5pm
Camogie - Minor B & C Championship
Kilmaley v Clarecastle @ Kilmaley 6.30pm
Monday, April 25th
Camogie - Under 14B Championship Round 4
Broadford v Clarecastle @ Broadford, 6pm
Football - Under 12 Brian O'Reilly League Round 3
Clarecastle v Cratloe @ Clarecastle, 6.30pm
Football - Under 12 Georgie Fitzpatrick League Round 3
Clarecastle v Cratloe @ Clarecastle, 6.30pm
Football - Under 16 Division 2 Championship Round 7
Cratloe v Clarecastle @ Cratloe, 7pm (Jarlath Donnellan, Wolfe Tones)
Thursday, April 28th
Ladies Football - Under 16 Division 3 Championship Round 3 (TBC)
Clarecastle v Doonbeg @ Clarecastle, 6.30pm
Friday, April 29th
Hurling - Féile na nGael A Quarter-Final (20 mins per half, with ten mins of extra-time if necessary)
Ballyea v Clarecastle @ Ballyea
Sunday, May 1st
Hurling - Division 2 League Round 5
Clarecastle v Ruan @ Clarecastle
Monday, May 2nd
Hurling - Féile na nGael an Chláir A Semi-Final (15 mins per half, with ten mins of extra-time if necessary)
Sixmilebridge or Clooney-Quin v Ballyea or Clarecastle
Hurling - Féile na nGael an Chláir A Third/Fourth Place Play-Off (Monday) (15 mins per half, with ten mins of extra-time if necessary)
Hurling - Féile na nGael an Chláir A Final (Monday) (20 mins per half, with ten mins of extra-time if necessary)
Hurling - Clare Cup Division 1B Round 5
Parteen v Clarecastle @ Parteen |
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