O’Callaghan’s Mills 1-11     Ruan 0-7

O’Callaghan's Mills maintained their 100% record when they overcame the challenge of Ruan in a hard-fought tie at Hamilton Park in Kilkishen on Monday.
There was little between the sides in the opening half and they went to the break on level terms, 1-6 to 0-9 with the goal coming from Conor ‘Rocky’ Cooney.

The second half remained close throughout but the more experienced home side got the vital breaks to pick off the vital scores and keep their winning run alive.
Ten minutes from the end, at a time when the teams were level, Ruan were dealt a big blow when Aidan Lynch suffered an ankle injury, which ended his involvement in the game. The injury is likely to keep him out of action for a few weeks.

Ruan: Pakie Roughan; Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Dara Roughan; Eoin Hanrahan, Jonathon Clohessy, Damian McDonnell; Tadhg Hanrahan, Killian Ryan; Brendan Lyons, Michael Vaughan, John Punch; Patrick Keegan, Colin Donoghue, Aidan Lynch.
Subs: Liam O’Donovan for Colin Donoghue; Sean Cullinan for Lynch (inj).

O’Callaghan’s Mills: John Cooney; Sean O’Gorman, Diarmuid Hehir, Gerry Cooney; Kevin O’Callaghan, Aidan O’Gorman, Michael McGrath; Bryan Donnellan, Niall Donovan; Adrian Flaherty, Conor Cooney (Ermhill), Eoin McInerney; Gary Neville, Conor ‘Rocky’ Cooney, Colin Crehan.
Subs: Ger Fawl for A O’Gorman; Jamie Lynch for E McInerney; Eoin McGrath for Cooney (Ermhill).

Ruan  3-14   St Joseph's  1-13

RUAN had their first win of the Clare Champion Cup Division 1B campaign when they accounted for St Joseph’s at Ruan on Monday.

Chasing their fourth successive win, St Joseph’s fielded five of the U-21 side that had lost the previous evening’s semi-final replay to Clarecastle and certainly the exertions of two games reduced their impact. 
Playing against the stiff breeze, St Joseph’s had a great start when Rory O’Connor finished to the net after hard work by the Duggans, Leo and Alan. 

Ruan responded with 0-3 from play by Caimin Howard, Jonathan Clohessy and full-forward Aidan Lynch. Donal O’Halloran and Lynch exchanged points and St Joseph’s led  after 15 minutes by 1-5 to 0-4 thanks to points from Alan Duggan and 0-3 from Ivor Whyte. St Joseph’s were struggling at midfield and Ruan were level when Brendan Lyons scored a fine goal and followed by a point from Killian Ryan. Whyte added 0-2 matched by points from Lynch and Tadgh Hanrahan to leave it 1-7 each after 23 minutes. Michael Vaughan had Ruan in front with a point before Lynch rounded Ken Kennedy to put a well-struck shot past Paul Madden. A Whyte point made the half-time score Ruan 2-8 to St Joseph’s 1-8. 

Lynch opened the second half with two excellent points but Whyte and Mark Hallinan responded with similar scores. The St Joseph’s effort was seriously damaged when Kevin Dilleen and Ken Kennedy were forced to retire and were replaced by Sean Flynn and Conor Lyons.
Lynch had added another goal to put Ruan in a strong position. Whyte and Punch exchanged points to leave it 3-11 t0 1-11 at the three-quarter stage.
Ruan added further points from Caimin Howard, Punch and Killian Ryan to 0-2 from Whyte. 

Ruan: Pakie Roughan; Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke; Eoin Hanrahan, Jonathon Clohessy, Damian McDonnell; Killian Ryan, Tadhg Hanrahan; John Punch, Michael Vaughan, Brendan Lyons; Caimin Howard, Aidan Lynch, Patrick Keegan.
Sub: Damian Brohan for Lynch (inj).
St Joseph’s: Paul Madden, Cathal O’Sullivan, Ken Kennedy, Kevin Meaney, Eamonn Clohessy, Kevin Dilleen, Mark Hanrahan, Mark Hallinan, Jarlath Colleran, Gary Hassett, Ivor Whyte, Donal O’Halloran, Rory O’Connor, Leo Duggan, Alan Duggan. 
Subs: Conor Lyons for Ken Kennedy, Sean Flynn for Kevin Dilleen and Mikey Rosengrave for Donal O’Halloran.

Silvermines  1-15  Ruan 0-6    

Just seven days after a hard-fought county final win, Ruan were soundly beaten at Sixmilebridge on Sunday, the outcome all but certain with half an hour to go.
Having reached a goal they’d been working towards for years, it was always going to be a big ask for Ruan to focus on a Munster Championship and the 12-point gap was in no way flattering to the Silvermines.

Speaking to The Champion after the game, Ruan’s manager Pat Meaney didn’t blame the relatively short turnaround saying it wasn’t the reason for the comprehensive defeat. “It was too short a time alright but that always seems to happen here in Clare. But it made no difference today, that was a super team.

“Their pattern of play is unreal and they played their centre-field back deep in the first half and it caused us awful problems. Our half-forward line couldn’t win the ball and we struggled to get scores.”

Meaney said the game showed Ruan have work to do before next year’s championship. “Lads will have to knuckle down over the winter months, they know what to expect next year. That was senior hurling there today and we’re a bit off it. That showed what they have to get up to.”

The Tipperary champions dominated the first quarter and went into a lead of 1-3 to 0-0, the goal coming from the outstanding Jason Forde. Donal Keogh fed him with a lovely cross-field ball, which found him in space to the right of the goal and he drove the ball to the left hand corner of the net.

Forde had also scored two of the three points, before John Punch finally opened the Ruan account in the 17th minute. A short puck-out from Pakie Roughan found the excellent Jonathan Clohessy but he then miscontrolled the ball, before pulling on it one handed. He got a fair bit of distance on the clearance and by pure chance, it fell well for Punch and he opened the Clare champion’ account from around 45m.

Just over a minute later, Caimin Howard cut in from the right wing and pointed and Ruan looked to be settling.

However, the Silvermines weren’t at all rattled and would dominate the rest of the half, finishing it with a lead of 1-8 to 0-3. Ruan’s final point of the half came from a free from Punch, after Aidan Lynch, who had moved to wing-forward, was fouled.

Ruan started the second half better than the first, Lynch pointing in the first minute but it would take them until the 48th minute to add another, through a Clohessy free. During that time, Daniel Keogh, Orrie Quirke, Jason Forde and David Boland all pointed for the Silvermines.

On 51 minutes, Aidan Lynch picked up his second yellow, while the game petered out a little in the closing minutes, with no hope of a Ruan comeback.

While it was a disappointing showing by Ruan, they were well served by Killian Ryan and Jonathan Clohessy, who was at his best in the first half. The Silvermines were dominant in most positions and their better performers included Ronan Sherlock, Daniel Keogh and the outstanding Jason Forde.

Silvermines: Cathal Sherlock; Maurice Leamy, Brendan Timmons, Damien Boland; Donal Keogh, Ronan Sherlock, Noel Quirke; Cathal Gleeson, Orrie Quirke; Jason Forde, David Boland, Sean Quirke; William Keogh, Daniel Keogh, David Keogh.
Subs: Paudie Fogarty for William Keogh, Gary Toohey for Cathal Gleeson, Alan Ryan for Brendan Timmons, Willie Powell for David Boland, Peter Kennedy for Sean Quirke.
Scorers: Jason Forde (1-7, 0-4f), Daniel Keogh (0-4), William Keogh, Cathal Gleeson, Orrie Quirke and David Boland (all 0-1).

Ruan: Pakie Roughan; Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke; Killian Ryan, Jonathan Clohessy, Darragh Roughan; Tadhg Hanrahan, Eoin Hanrahan; John Punch, Caimin Howard, Michael Vaughan; Patrick Keegan, Aidan Lynch, Brendan Lyons.
Subs: Colin O’Donoghue for Patrick Keegan, Damien Brohan for John Punch, Alan Bell for Michael Vaughan, Damien McDonnell for Eoin Hanrahan.
Scorers: John Punch (0-2, 1f), Caimin Howard (0-1), Aidan Lynch (0-1), Jonathan Clohessy (0-1, 1f), Killian Ryan (0-1).

Referee: Shane Hourigan (Limerick).

Ruan 2-13  Crusheen 1-12

    When Crusheen drew level with favourites Ruan at the turn of the final quarter in Sunday’s ­Intermediate Hurling Championship final at O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge, Ruan supporters in the big attendance had a few worrying moments

However, their favourites responded impressively and they had the better of matters in the last 10 minutes when they scored four unanswered points, to claim the title amidst great scenes of celebration.
The win bridged a 34-year gap to their last success at this level and helped ease the pain of having tasted defeat in the last two finals.
This was a most entertaining game, which produced plenty of excitement and some great scores. Crusheen certainly made their more fancied opponents fight all the way for victory and while Ruan merited their success, Crusheen played their part in providing the big crowd with plenty to cheer about.
    A good start is half the battle, it is said, and this certainly proved to be the case on Sunday. The game was only in the second minute when full-forward Aidan Lynch, the game’s top scorer, won possession from an Eoin Hanrahan delivery. He turned past his marker, Brendan McMahon, before drilling a powerful effort to the net. He added a point in the fifth minute and Ruan were on their way.
By the 10th minute it was 1-3 to 0-3 after Crusheen had hit back with good points from Dara O’Doherty and Niall Fitzgibbon. Lynch was causing a lot of problems for the Crusheen defence and, in the 19th minute, he played a huge part in his team’s second goal when he won possession and laid the ball off to Brendan Lyons, who found the net. This was the signal for Crusheen to switch Shaun Dillon from centre to full-back in an effort to curb Lynch. 
    It was now 2-4 to 0-3 but Crusheen didn’t panic and they hit back for the next five scores with points from O’Doherty (two frees), Niall Fitzgibbon, Rory Halpin and Patrick O’Grady to leave two between the sides as half-time approached. Crusheen had the final score of the half when Tadhg Hanrahan pointed to leave the score at 2-5 to 0-8.
For the second half, Ruan introduced Caimin Howard and he moved to full-forward with Aidan Lynch on the 40’ in place of Colin Donoghue. They again made a lively start and had points from Lynch, Michael Vaughan and substitute Howard to stretch their lead to six points, 2-8 to 0-8.
As in the first half, Crusheen hit back and ­following points from Dara O’Doherty (two frees) and Thomas Vaughan, they struck for a goal from Alan Tuohy to cut Ruan’s lead to the minimum. At the turn of the final quarter, O’Doherty ­converted a 30m free to tie up the game, 2-9 to 1-12 and the vociferous Ruan support was silenced temporarily. When Aidan Lynch’s effort from a 35m free was blocked, there were some anxious faces in the crowd but a minute later the new champions were back in front when Jonathon Clohessy converted a 65’. Caimin Howard quickly followed with a good point and the Ruan following were in full voice again.
    The game was still in the melting pot but Crusheen just could not find a way through a powerful Ruan defence in which Leon Quirke at corner-back and the half-backs of Killian Ryan, Jonathon Clohessy and Darragh Roughan were outstanding. Six minutes from the end, Brendan Lyons put three points between the teams but Ruan followers didn’t relax until Lyons made the margin four in the second minute of injury time.
Seconds later, they were jumping for joy as the final whistle sparked off wild celebrations as Ruan returned to senior ranks.
This was a great team effort from Ruan in which Jonathon Clohessy, Killian Ryan, Leon Quirke, the Hanrahan brothers, Aidan Lynch, Brendan Lyons and Caimin Howard played key roles.
Tony McMahon, Shaun Dillon, Alan Tuohy, Niall Fitzgibbon and Dara O’Doherty were prominent for Crusheen. Adding to Ruan’s enjoyment, their centre-back, Jonathon Clohessy, was named man of the match.
After the game, Clare GAA chairman Michael O’Neill presented the cup to Ruan captain, goalkeeper Pakie Roughan.

Ruan: Pakie Roughan (captain); Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke; Killian Ryan, Jonathon Clohessy, Darragh Roughan; Tadhg Hanrahan, Eoin Hanrahan; John Punch, Colin Donoghue, Michael Vaughan; Patrick Keegan, Aidan Lynch, Brendan Lyons.
Subs: Caimin Howard for Donoghue (half-time) and Damian Brohan for Punch (55 minutes).
Scorers: Aidan Lynch (1-4, 0-2f), Brendan Lyons (1-3), Tadhg Hanrahan, Caimin Howard (0-2) each, Jonathon Clohessy (0-1 65’).

Crusheen: David McMahon; Donal Dillon (captain), Brendan McMahon, Tony McMahon; Eddie Fogarty, Shaun Dillon, Briain Dillon; Alan Tuohy, Thomas Vaughan; Philip O’Donnell, Niall Fitzgibbon, Rory Halpin; Darragh O’Doherty, Patrick O’Grady, Niall Kearney.
Subs: Conor Hayes for B McMahon (35 minutes) and Youen Horner for O’Donnell (39 minutes). 
Scorers: Darragh O’Doherty (0-6, 5f); Alan Tuohy (1-0); Niall Fitzgibbon (0-3); Thomas Vaughan, Rory Halpin, Patrick O’Grady (0-1 each).

Referee: Jim Hickey, Cratloe.

Ruan 2-17   Feakle 1-10

It might yet be third time lucky for Ruan as they reached another intermediate final with a deserved and ultimately comprehensive victory over Feakle on Sunday.

The decisive score arrived midway through the second half after Caimin Howard mishit the ball towards goal. Although his effort dropped short, it fell nicely for John Punch, who caught it and drove it to the net, sealing his former club’s fate.

The goal put Ruan seven points ahead and it was very hard to see any way back into the game for the East Clare side.

Ruan always looked the better side and were never less than three points ahead after the 14th minute. Their defence was comfortable throughout, while further forward, they had good performances from Patrick Keegan, Michael Vaughan and particularly Aidan Lynch, who was the best player on view.

While Feakle were the poorer side, Shane McGrath, Colin Nelson and Gary Guilfoyle had their moments.
Ruan manager Pat Meaney felt that getting on top early had been crucial. “The most important thing was to get the start, which we needed. I’ve known Feakle for years and they’ll dog it out and if you’re not leading by five or six points, they’ll come back and catch you.”

He paid tribute to his side’s defence, who he said were “super”, while he was also effusive in his praise of sub, Caimin Howard, and of Lynch. “We lost Colin Donoghue and Caimin came on and won a lot of ball which was vital but there’s no doubt Aidan Lynch was the man of the match.”

Feakle were hit by the loss of goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan before the game, with Stephen Moloney filling in between the posts.

Patrick Keegan got Ruan off to a great start with a fine point after just 33 seconds, while he fed Aidan Lynch for their second point in the third minute.

Gary Guilfoyle was the only scorer for Feakle in the first 30 minutes, hitting six points. They were clearly short of other scoring options and this was exacerbated when defender Ger Hanrahan was given a straight red for a striking offence after 20 minutes, which forced a reshuffling of the pack.

With Lynch the scorer in chief, the winners had a three-point lead, 0-09 to 0-6, at the break.
When the second period began, Lynch pointed a free after 55 seconds, while Colin Nelson became the second Feakle player to score a point, with a good score in the third minute.

Ruan were moving along nicely and had stretched their lead to five points when a lifeline was thrown to Feakle in the 43rd minute. Referee Jim Hickey had no choice but to dismiss Tadhg Hanrahan on a second yellow, after a foul on Shane McGrath, who had been going well for the East Clare side.

With Ruan’s numerical advantage gone, there was some hope of Feakle clawing back the five-point deficit but there was no real fightback.

Although Colin Nelson cut the gap to four, after 17 minutes, Punch had the ball in the net at the other end seconds later.

Sub Caimin Howard, who got on a lot of ball and grew in confidence throughout the half, had a point in the 24th minute, while Eoin Tuohy make it 1-16 to 0-10 with five and half minutes to go.
Some confusion in the Ruan defence was exploited by Killian Bane in the 58th minute as he tapped the ball to the net for his side’s goal.

However, Lynch replied with a point almost immediately and in injury time, he capped a fine display with a goal after a powerful run through the Feakle defence.

Ruan: Pakie Roughan; Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke; Killian Ryan, Jonathan Clohessy, Darragh Roughan; Tadhg Hanrahan, Owen Hanrahan; John Punch, Colin Donoghue, Michael Vaughan; Patrick Keegan, Aidan Lynch, Brendan Lyons.
Subs: Caimin Howard for Colin Donoghue (half-time), Damien Brohan for Owen Hanrahan (57 mins), Declan O’Regan for Niall O’Connor (60 mins). 
Wides: 8; frees for: 10; 65s: 1.

Scorers: Aidan Lynch (1-10, 7f), Patrick Keegan (0-3), John Punch (1-0), Jonathan Clohessy (0-1, 1 65), Brendan Lyons, Caimin Howard,  Michael Vaughan (0-1). 

Feakle: Stephen Moloney; Francis O’Grady, Henry Hayes, Alan Hogan; Ger Hanrahan, Colm Naughton, Colin Nelson; Killian Bane,                    Shane McGrath; Cathal Collins, Raymond Bane, Tomas Moroney; Oisín Donnellan, Gary Guilfoyle, Kenneth Collins.

Subs: Eoin Tuohy for Colin Nelson (21 mins), Pádraig Hogan for Oisín Donnellan (half-time).

Scorers: Gary Guilfoyle (0-7, 6f), Killian Bane (1-0), Colin Nelson (0-2), Raymond Bane (0-1).

Referee: Jim Hickey.

Aidan Lynch was their goalscorer while Bodyke’s goals came from Kieran Walsh from a 20m free and Brian O’Grady.

Ruan: Pakie Roughan; Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke; Killian Ryan, Jonathon Clohessy, Darragh Roughan; Tadhg Hanrahan, Eoin Hanrahan; Alan Bell, Colin Donoghue, Caimin Howard; Patrick Keegan, Aidan Lynch, Brendan Lyons.
Subs: Robbie O’Loughlin for A Bell; John Punch for Keegan.

Bodyke: Seamus Ryan; Keith O’Donnell, Caimin Treacy, Gavin Moroney; Colin Molloy, Kieran Walsh, Oisín Molloy; PJ Kelleher, Stephen Madden; Brian O’Grady, Colm Madden, Ivan McNamara; Patrick Fitzgerald, Fergus Slattery, Shane Walsh.
Sub: Eanna Doyle for Slattery.

Sixmilebridge were without a few regulars on the day due to exams and injury but nevertheless put in a strong performance with David O’Connor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick, Cyril Crowe, Thomas Liddy and Sam O’Sullivan all getting on the score sheet.

Those who performed best for the winners were Pa Freeman, Kevin Phelan, Ger Quilligan, Tommy Morey and David O’Connor.

Sixmilebridge: Pa Freeman; Cathal Walsh, Kevin Phelan, Ger Quilligan; Sean Stack, Tommy Morey, Jonathan Downes; Sam O’Sullivan, Anthony Liddane; Darragh O’Connor, Noel Purcell, David O’Connor; Thomas Liddy, Stiofain Fitzpatrick, Errol Tuohy.
Subs: Cyril Crowe and Alan Mulready.

Ruan: Pakie Roughan; Gary Bell, Niall O’Connor, Leon Quirke; Killian Ryan, Jonathon Clohessy, Dara Roughan; Michael Vaughan, Tadhg Hanrahan, Robbie O’Loughlin; Colin Donoghue, John Punch; Patrick Keegan, Aidan Lynch, Eoin Hanrahan.
Subs: Brendan Lyons for O’Loughlin; Damian Brohan for Donoghue; Padraig Brennan for Fahy.