Gaelic Games

Clare SFC Final: Gavin Cooney steers Éire Óg to back-to-back titles in Ennis

Waterford SFC Final: The Nire also make it two-in-a-row as they hold off Rathgormack

Sun Oct 30 2022 - 17:28

Éire Óg 0-9 Ennistymon 0-6

Éire Óg reaffirmed their kingpin status in the Clare football after retaining the title for the first time in 74 years at Cusack Park in Ennis on Sunday afternoon.

Having suffered a devastating late turnaround in the hurling version seven days previously, eight players featured once more to ensure that the Ennis club maintained their vice-like grip on the Jack Daly Cup.

One of those dual stars, captain Gavin Cooney, was unerring from six placed balls to steer his side to victory, in what was a difficult challenge against a cautious Ennistymon that were determined to defend in numbers and stifle a previously rampant Éire Óg.

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Leading from start to finish, a dour first half (0-3 to 0-1) did open up slightly on the restart when Éire Óg goalkeeper Shane Daniels denied Cillian Rouine an equalising goal. Éire Óg responded with three of the next four points, two from Cooney, to effectively seal their 10th successive championship victory.

ÉIRE ÓG: S Daniels; R Lanigan, A Fitzgerald, M Doherty; C Russell, A McGrath (0-1), E O’Connor; D O’Neill, D McNamara; N McMahon, I Ugwueru (0-1), O Cahill; M McInerney (0-1, mark), G Cooney (0-6, four frees, two marks), P Talty.

Subs: J Collins for Talty (44), C O’Halloran for McMahon (56), D Griffin for Cahill (63, inj).

ENNISTYMON: N Sexton; C McMahon, A Ralph, J Rouine; L Cotter, C Reilly, J Guyler; D McNamara, B Rouine (0-2, two frees); C Rouine (0-1), E Rouine, T Hogan; S Rynne (0-1), D Fitzgerald, S Rouine (0-2, one mark).

Subs: B McNamara for Hogan (h-t), D Fahy for Cotter (41), L Healy for Guyler (48), R Barry for E Rouine (53).

Referee: C Maguire (Wolfe Tones)

The Nire 0-10 Rathgormack 0-8

The Nire claimed back-to-back Waterford senior football titles for the first time since 1994 – and their 11th in total – following a deserved two-point win over Rathgormack at Walsh Park.

At the break, the sides were tied on five points apiece. Rathgormack made the better start, leading by three points after seven minutes thanks to conversions from Jason Curry, Conor Murray and Stephen Curry.

But The Nire soon found their footing and kicked five of the half’s remaining seven points through Conor Gleeson (two), Dermot Ryan (two frees) and Aaron Ryan.

Gleeson pointed in both the 35th and 37th minutes before Jason Curry’s 38th-minute point kept Rathgormack in touch. Jamie Barron doubled The Nire’s lead two minutes later, with Murray replying in the 45th minute.

Critically, the next point went The Nire’s way through Aaron Ryan following a short 45 by Dermot Ryan. In additional time, a free by Rathgormack’s Jason Gleeson left just the minimum between the sides only for Aaron Ryan to land The Nire’s insurance point in the 62nd minute.

THE NIRE: S Ryan; F Hallinan, S Boyce, J Mulcahy; T Barron, J McGrath, D Ryan (0-2, two frees); S Walsh, T Guiry; A Ryan (0-3), C Gleeson (0-4, one free), J Barron (0-1); C Walsh, D Guiry, K Cuddy.

Subs: C Guiry for C Walsh (48 mins), M Moore for C Gleeson (58).

RATHGORMACK: P Hunt; C Crowch, C Walsh, L Connolly; G Power (0-1), M Power, W Hahessy; D Hennebry, M Curry; B Power (0-1), C Murray (0-2), R Elliffe; J Power, S Curry (0-1), J Curry (0-2, one free).

Subs: J Gleeson for J Curry (Blood, 26-27 mins), J Gleeson (0-1, free) for R Elliffe (42) and R Flynn for G Power (48).

Referee: Tadhg Tobin (Brickey Rangers)