Catch up with all today’s local sports action below
National Hurling League Division 1 Group A: Clare 0-20 Waterford 1-16
Clare have made it two wins from two in the National Hurling League after a battling one point win over Waterford in Walsh Park.
The game marked a first appearance of the season for 2023 All Star John Conlon, who was one of five late changes to the starting line up for Clare, as Ian Galvin, Conor Leen, Patrick Crotty and Cian Galvin also came into the team.
Waterford began brightly with Sean Walsh’s goal in the 11th minute putting Davy Fitzgerald’s men 1-4 to 0-3 ahead.
Aidan McCarthy’s free-taking kept Clare in touch with the Banner producing a strong finish to the half as they outscored Waterford 0-4 to 0-1 to ensure parity by the break.
That trend repeated itself early in the second period as a brace of frees from McCarthy along with points from Patrick Crotty and Sean Rynne saw Clare lead by 0-16 to 1-9 after 45 minutes.
Waterford’s dominant scoring threat was through Stephen Bennett frees, with four of the Deise’s starting six forwards not scoring from play, including Bennett.
The home side in Walsh Park finished the game the stronger, but Clare held on to record a one point victory to keep them at the head of the group standings.
Up next for Brian Lohan’s outfit is another road trip as they go to Wexford on Sunday February 25th where a win would all but seal their top three finish to secure a place in Division One for 2025.
Elsewhere this weekend in Division 1 Group A, Wexford and Offaly shared the spoils while Kilkenny were one point winners over Cork
LIDL Ladies National Football League Division Three Round Three: Clare 1-7 Roscommon 1-7
Not for the first time, late heroics from Fidelma Marrinan helped Clare maintain their unbeaten start to Division Three of the National Ladies Football League.
The West Clare Gaels clubwoman angled over a long range effort to secure a deserved share of the spoils in Cusack Park.
Playing with the aid of a stiff wind in the opening period, Roscommon led 1-6 to 0-2 at the break with the goal coming from Aisling Hanly midway through the half.
It was a much improved Clare in the second period, limiting their visitors to just a single point, but that came in the dying stages and looked like it might be the winner when Laura Fleming punished indiscipline in the Clare defence to send over a free that put her side 1-7 to 1-6 ahead.
Clare’s fightback was sparked when Marrinan rattled home a brilliant goal to the top corner after good work from Ciara McCarthy and Chloe Moloney. Further points from Moloney and Marrinan, who shared Clare’s scoring between them, levelled the sides at 1-6 each inside the closing stages.
Clare had chances to hit the front but couldn’t convert, while Fleming’s free looked to have swung the tie back in favour of the Rossies. There was time for one last twist, as Marrinan sent over the levelling score to secure a deserved point for Wayne Freeman’s side.
Up next will be another home tie against Offaly next weekend, with a three way tie now developing at the top of the standings between Clare, Roscommon and Offaly.
SOCCER
Avenue United have booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Munster Junior Cup.
David Russell’s side beat Cork outfit Togher Celtic 5-2 to seal their last four spot.
Steven McGann got on the scoresheet twice while there were also goals for Ronan Kerin, Mark Roche and Philip Talty.
Up next is a semi-final against St Michael’s of Tipperary.
In the Banner Carpets Clare Cup, Newmarket Celtic had to work hard for a 5-2 win over Bunratty-Cratloe, while Tulla United overcame Coole FC 2-0.
Inch Crusaders secured parish bragging rights as they beat Connolly Celtic 3-0.
Weekend Results
Munster Youth Cup Round 4
Bridge Utd 4-0 Bohemians
_____________________
Clare U17 Cup Round 1
Tulla Utd B 5-3 Coole FC
Bunratty Cratloe 5-2 Corofin Harps
Tulla Utd A 11-0 Newmarket Celtic
St Pats 1-1 Avenue Utd (Avenue won on penalties)
_____________________
Sunday 11th February 2024
U17 FAI Cup Quarter Final
Knocknacarra FC 0-1 Bridge United
___________________
Munster Junior Cup Quarter-Final
Togher Celtic 2-5 Avenue Utd
______________________
Ennis Carpets Clare Cup Round 1
Mountshannon Celtic 3-4 Sporting Ennistymon AET
Coole FC 0-2 Tulla United A
_____________________
Ennis Carpets Clare Cup Round 2
Bridge Celtic 4-2 Hermitage A
Tulla United B 1-2 Fern Celtic AET
Shannon Olympic B P-P Shannon Town B
Newmarket Celtic C 0-9 Shannon Town A
Manus Celtic 0-3 Callan United
Newmarket Celtic A 5-2 Bunratty Cratloe
Ennis Dons 3-1 Hermitage B
Connolly Celtic 1-3 Inch Crusaders
_____________________
Maloney Hardware Premier Division
Lifford 3-2 Kilrush Rangers
Kilkishen Celtic P-P Bridge Utd
____________________
Banner Fire First Division
Shannon Olympic A P-P Moher Celtic
Rhine Rovers 0-2 Newmarket Celtic B
___________________
Brownies Barbershop Third Division
Corofin: Corofin Harps P-P Shannon Town C
______________________
Ladies League
Hermitage P-P Corofin Harps
St. Pats 2-5 Tulla United
CAMOGIE
Three Clare players got on the scoresheet as UL were crowned Ashbourne Cup champions for 2024.
Caoimhe Cahill, Zi Yan Spillane and Lorna McNamara all found the target as they beat TU Dublin by 6-11 to 1-12.
It is a first Ashbourne title for UL since 2020, and an 11th overall.
ATHLETICS
There was Clare success in the All Ireland Masters Cross Country championships in Dundalk.
Silver medals were secured by Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare’s Masters ladies team of Ann Marie Connellan, Geraldine Vahey, Michelle O’Mahony and Sue Garrahy
In the over 65’s men’s race, the Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare team of James Kenny, Tom Mackey, James Sexton and Conor Flynn won inter-club bronze medals.