1990 Cusack Cup

Kilmihil met Kilmurry Ibrickane in the semi-final of the Cusack Cup at Lissycasey on Saturday 4th August 1990.

Kilmihil were first to score with points from Michael Keating and Gerry O’Grady from a free before John Hickey replied with a point from a free. Kevin Coughlan added two more from frees to put them ahead.

With fifteen minutes gone Kilmurry Ibrickane corner forward John Hickey was awarded a penalty which was taken by Declan Cussen however his shot was high and wide. Leonard Collins scored 2 points, one from a free and Kevin Coughlan replied to leave the sides level at 0-4 each at half time.

Kilmihil opened a four point lead in the second half but Kilmurry Ibrickane responded with four points to level matters once again. A goal from Leonard Collins proved to be the decisive score. Dermot Burke replied with a point from a free but Leonard Collins and Gerry O’Grady scored from frees to put Kilmihil 4 points clear. With three minutes remaining Kilmurry Ibrickane were awarded their second penalty which was taken by Martin Mc Carthy. His shot was low and hard but was well saved by Declan O’Halloran.

The final score was:  Kilmihil 1-10 V Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-9

 

Best for Kilmihil: Declan O’Halloran, Alan Daly, Stan Lineen, Noel Normoyle, Michael Keating, Gerry Downes, Brendan Browne, James Pender & Leonard Collins.

 

Team lineout: Declan O’Halloran, Stan Lineen, Alan Daly, Pat Garry, Paddy Downes,

Noel Normoyle, John Hayes, Michael Keating (0-1), Gerry Hayes, Gerry Downes, Brendan Browne (0-1), Kieran Browne, James Pender, Gerry O’Grady (0-3) frees,

Leonard Collins (1-4) 2 frees. Subs: Kieran Normoyle for Gerry Hayes, Colm Collins for Kieran Browne.

1990 Cusack Cup Final – replay

The Cusack Cup replay was played in Cusack Park on 8th October 1990.

The game was played in very windy conditions with Kilmihil having wind advantage in the first half. Leonard Collins opened the score with a point from 45 meters and he followed this with two further points from frees. Don Garrahie opened Breckan’s account and he added another in the 11th minute. Kilmihil’s first goal came in the 13th minute when Brendan Browne laid off a fine pass to Leonard Collins whose powerful shot evaded the best efforts of a Breckan’s defender.

A great move involving Noel Normoyle and Brendan Browne was rounded off with a great point from Michael Keating in the 15th minute to put Kilmihil 1-4 to 0-2 ahead.

A foul on Noel Normoyle resulted in a penalty for Kilmihil in the 22nd minute. Leonard Collins had little difficulty in converting the penalty.

A further point from Collins left the half time score at 2-5 to 0-2.

Pat Vaughan scored a point from a 45 just after half time. After a steady build up Brendan Browne won possession and passed to Gerry Hayes who was on the edge of the square and he turned and blasted the ball to the net. What proved to be Kilmihil’s final score came in the 10th minute when Brendan Browne pointed from play.

Pat Vaughan had a point for Breckan’s a minute later. But for the brilliant goalkeeping in the part of Declan O’Halloran, Ger Conole would have had a goal in the 14th minute. However Pat Vaughan did convert the resultant 45 to leave them trailing by ten points.

Despite fighting hard to get back into contention, Breckan’s were unable to swing the game in their favour. Kilmihil had their tails up and were playing the better football, but they failed to register further scores.

Final Score: Kilmihil 3-6                          St. Breackan’s 0-8

Best for Kilmihil: John Hayes, Michael Keating, Noel Normoyle, Gerry Downes, Brendan Browne, Gerry Hayes & Leonard Collins.

Team Lineout: Declan O’Halloran, Pat Garry, Alan Daly, Mick Egan, John Hayes, Paddy Downes, Colm Collins, Michael Keating (0-1), Noel Normoyle, Gerry Downes, Brendan Browne (0-1), Kieran Browne, James Downes, Gerry Hayes (1-0),

Leonard Collins (2-4) penalty & 2 frees.

Subs: Andrew Johnston for Colm Collins, Michael Lineen for Gerry Downes and John Dalton for Michael Keating (injured).

Senior Championship Semi Final 1990.

Kilmihil met the reigning champions Kilkee in the Semi-Final of the Senior Championship at Cooraclare on 11th August 1990.

James Pender opened the scoring for Kilmihil with a point in the 9th minute after getting a good pass from Noel Normoyle. Terence O’Neill replied for Kilkee and John Murray put them ahead. Colm Collins levelled the score with a point from a 45 and  Leonard Collins added a point. John Murray scored a free to tie up matters once again. Kilmihil opened a two point lead with scores from Leonard Collins & Brendan Browne. However Kilkee replied with a goal from John Garvey followed by a point from Terence O’Neill to leave the half time score at 1-4 to 0-5.

Kilmihil started the second half with a point from Kieran Browne and Leonard Collins got the equalizer from a free. Kilkee were back in front within a minute after a John Murray free and Murray provided the pass for a Terence O’Neill score on 13th minute. Leonard Collins reduced the lead with a point from a free. Murray & Garvey scored for Kilkee to put them three points clear. Leonard Collins cut the lead with a point from a free before Gerry Hayes rocked the champions with a goal. Sensing victory was within their grasp Kilmihil increased the pressure and an attack by Gerry Downes resulted in a penalty. Stan Lineen’s shot was well saved by Willie Mc Grath but in the goalmouth scramble which followed, Gerry Hayes got the vital touch to score his second goal. Colm Collins and Michael Lineen added two points to leave the final score:

                                       Kilmihil 2-11 V  Kilkee 1-8   

Best for Kilmihil were wing back Paddy Downes, midfielder Michael Keating, Colm Collins, Brendan Browne, Gerry Downes, Leonard Collins and substitute Gerry Hayes.

Team lineout: Declan O’Halloran, Mick Egan, Alan Daly, Stan Lineen, Paddy Downes, Pat Garry, John Hayes, Noel Normoyle, Michael Keating, Colm Collins (0-2), Brendan Browne (0-1), Gerry Downes, James Pender (0-1), Gerry O’Grady & Leonard Collins.

Subs: Kieran Browne (0-1) for Gerry O’Grady, Gerry Hayes (2-0) for Pat Garry and Michael Lineen (0-1) for James Pender.

Path to County Final

First round – bye

Kilmihil     5-8  V  Shannon Gaels 0-7

Kilmihil   2-11  V  Kilkee  (Holders) 1-8

County Final

 “St. Joseph’s Miltown Malbay, after a lapse of five years, regained the Clare Senior Football Championship title at Cusack Park when they had just two points to spare over luckless Kilmihil in a tough, tension charged low scoring final. As Miltown celebrated their twelfth championship victory, Kilmihil were left to ponder on what might have been as they suffered their ninth defeat in a senior county final. Kilmihil had every opportunity to claim the 1990 title, to add to their previous win a decade ago, but unlike Miltown, they failed to make the best of what chances came their way and so paid the penalty.

It was a final which will be remembered not for its abundance of skilful football, but for the outstanding displays by players in both defences-particularly Miltown captain and full-back Gerry Curtin and Kilmihil centre-back, Brendan Browne- and this is reflected in the tight scoreline.

Kilmihil were superior in terms of fitness and enjoyed plenty of possession but the Miltown full-back line was the rock on which their championship hopes were cruelly dashed In fact with the exception of Gerry Downes and second half substitute Michael Lineen, the Kilmihil attack failed miserably in their efforts to cut a path through the tight marking, hard hitting Miltown defence.

Miltown on the other hand, managed to overcome their problems of having to carry a number of injured players by slowing down the pace of the game to suit themselves. This was achieved by the half backs, especially Anthony Kearin, either holding the ball for a couple of seconds or soloing in order to give the forwards a chance to move into position. While the backs played inspirational stuff, the midfield and forward players made good use of the ball and capitalised on limited scoring chances.

The losers will also reflect on being denied two goals by marvellous goalkeeping on the part of Carl Walshe and another miss from close range by Michael Lineen, while Miltown count their blessings that centre forward, Burke snapped up a half chance  eighteen minutes into the game to fist the ball to the roof of the Kilmihil net for the all important goal.

Both teams fielded with a couple of changes from the sides which came through the semi-finals. Kilmihil had to play without team captain Pat Garry and his place at centre back  was filled by Brendan Browne. The vacant centre forward spot went to Gerry Hayes who got the crucial goals against Kilkee.

Paudie Clancy failed to make the Miltown side and Charles Coughlan was moved into corner forward to accommodate J.J. Ruine.

From the throw in Noel Normoyle won possession and was fouled. The free kick came to nothing as the Miltown defence cleared the first of many balls.

The honour of opening the score in the 1990 final fell to Miltown full forward, Martin Flynn who pointed from a 20 metres free after 3 ½ minutes.

Kilmihil wing forward, Gerry Downes broke from his marker in the fifth minute to level the score with a lovely point from play. During the early stages Downes looked  very dangerous and one felt that he could cause a lot of damage. After ten minutes he put Kilmihil ahead with a superb point after a good pass from Gerry Hayes.

Picking the ball off the ground in front of his goal proved a costly error for a Kilmihil defender when Martin Flynn converted the free in the 11th minute. Immediately after  Flynn had a good chance of a score from play after hard work by Charles O’Loughlin but he kicked wide.

At this stage Miltown moved Joe Cullen to centre forward and put Sean Burke into the corner. It was a move that proved very fruitful as Burke, carrying an injury and unable to move about with any great fluency, got the score which put Miltown on the road to glory.

It was in the eighteenth minute that J.J. Ruine burst forward and sent a high ball towards the Kilmihil goal. From a group of backs and forward, Sean Burke rose highest to connect with his right fist and sent the ball just under the bar to the net. Miltown were in front again (1-2 to 0-2) and it was a lead that they were not to surrender.

While it was a tonic goal from Miltown’s point of view, it was a terrible blow to the Kilmihil defence for failing to curb Ruine far out from goal and for allowing Burke score in such a manner.

By the 20th minute Ger O’Grady had a chance to reduce the lead with a close range free but his kick was poor and danger was averted. A bad pass by a Miltown defender led to a Kilmihil break from midfield which was rounded off with a fine point from James Pender in the 22nd minute.

During this phase Kilmihil put a lot of pressure on Miltown and Brendan Browne, Michael Keating and Gerry Downes kept the ball on the move constantly. However the Miltown defence refused to yield and Gerry Curtin seemed to be under every dropping ball. Miltown centre-back Sean Cleary also excelled under pressure and there was great understanding among the defenders as they worked their way out of trouble with short passes from hand to foot.

With three minutes to the break Kilmihil introduced James Downes for Gerry Hayes, who I thought had been doing quite a lot of work trying to create space and gave a few good passes although he failed to register a score.

A super passing movement involving Sean Burke, Martin Flynn and J.J. Ruine might well have yielded better results for Miltown in the 28th minute but Ruine could only force a 45. Nothing came of the free, however.

Gerry Downes had a chance of a point for Kilmihil a minute from the break but his long range shot was wide. Then twice in under a minute, Carl Walshe was Miltown’s hero.

First he dived low to make a stop from James Downes and as Kilmihil continued to pile on the pressure he saved brilliantly from Gerry O’Grady.

On the resumption of play after half time, Kilmihil had Michael Lineen on in place of James Pender. He lined out at full forward and Gerry O’Grady moved to the corner.

A splendidly kicked point in the opening minute from Martin Flynn gave Miltown a three points advantage. At this stage they brought on Martin Killeen for O’Loughlin, Flynn moved to centre forward, Cullen to full forward and Burke to the wing.

Miltown began to look the stronger side  and Martin Flynn, roving between  the half forward  line and midfield, won a lot of ball. J.J. Ruine and Tony Keavey also came more into the game,

Kilmihil, however, with Brendan Browne and Paddy Downes in the half-back line showing tremendous determination, countered well but the forwards continued to meet strong resistance. Michael Lineen did make quite a difference in the full forward line but he wasn’t allowed any great room to create scores. Michael Keating at midfield along with his partner Noel Normoyle and Gerry Downes worked hard but they never got close enough to score.

A free in the 10th minute allowed Martin Flynn to extend the lead but two minutes later Leonard Collins replied with a point from a close range free.

John Dalton, who replaced Gerry O’Grady, joined Keating at midfield and Normoyle moved to centre forward as Kilmihil tried to crack the Miltown rearguard. A couple of minutes later Normoyle went to centre back to allow Brendan Browne shift to his more familiar centre-forward berth.  Still Miltown held out.

Two quick points in the 15th minute from Tony Keavey and Martin Flynn put Miltown five points clear (1-6 to 0-4) and it looked as if they were about to sneak away from Kilmihil.

However, Kilmihil had other ideas and came storming back with a great point from Brendan Browne after linking with Michael Lineen. They pressed hard but precious chances were wasted. Leonard Collins kicked wide from a good position in the 19th minute and then had a 20 metre free saved on the line. In the 20th minute Miltown veteran Joe Cullen was replaced by John Jones.

With six minutes remaining Michael Lineen had a great opportunity to get Kilmihil back on coarse for the title. However he shot wide from point blank range but credit must also go to Carl Walshe for narrowing the angle.

Leonard Collins with two minutes to play, converted a free from 30 metres out to leave a three point deficit. Miltown responded by making a tactical substitution to slow down the play. Paudie Clancy replaced Sean Burke.

Kilmihil weren’t knocked off their stride by this, however, and another attack earned them a 13 metre free as the Miltown backs defended with a little too much fervour. After looking towards the sideline for directions, Collins took the point.

A minute into injury time Kilmihil won a free 40 meters from the Miltown goal and Collins floated the ball to the edge of the square in the hope that one of his team-mates might manufacture a match winning score. This was not to be as Miltown midfielder, Pat Murray made the vital catch under pressure and was then awarded a free out after being fouled.

Final Score: Miltown Malbay 1-6  Kilmihil 0-7

Brendan Browne at centre-back was by far the best of the Kilmihil team and he also did well in the forwards late in the game. Paddy Downes worked hard at wing-back as did midfielder Michael Keating. Gerry Downes played his heart out in the half-forward line and the only other forward to make an impression was Michael Lineen.”

Lineout: Declan O’Halloran, Michael Egan, Alan Daly, Stan Lineen, Capt., John Hayes, Brendan Browne (0-1), Paddy Downes, Michael Keating, Noel Normoyle, Gerry Downes (0-2), Gerry Hayes, Colm Collins, James Pender, Gerard O’Grady & Leonard Collins (0-3) frees.

Subs. Michael Lineen for James Pender, James Downes for Gerry Hayes and John Dalton for Gerard O’Grady.