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              Smith O'Brien’s Claim Junior B Football Crown

After many years of trying, Smith O'Brien’s finally captured the County JBFC title with a victory over St. Breckans,

at a sunny Eire Óg venue, on October 31st. While predominantly a hurling club, Smith O'Brien’s have entered a

football team at Junior 'B' grade for several years, and have been making steady progress in recent times. The team

was beaten by Ennistymon in a replay in last years final, so a determined effort was evident from the start of this

year to take the title.

The year got off to a winning start in mid July, when we accounted for Shannon Gaels in the first group game,

on a scoreline of 2-09 to 0-09. The second game against Moy was most noted for the comeback in

Smith O'Brien’s colours, of Munster and Ireland rugby star Anthony Foley. 'Axel' made an immediate impact,

scoring two goals in our 2-11 to 0-04 victory. Having received a walkover against Clonbony, our final group game

was against St. Senans of Kilkee, who we dispatched by 2-15 to 0-04.

This brought us to a quarter final date against Kilmurry-Ibrickane which proved to be a nail-biting affair. After being several points down late in the game, a last minute Paul McEvoy goal gave us a 2-07 to 0-11 win. Our semi-final against Kildysart was a dogged affair, which we eventually won by 1-10 to 1-05.

The final against St. Breckans was played in ideal conditions, if not in an ideally prepared pitch. Despite dominating possession, we were not converting enough chances, and led at half time by just 1-03 to 0-04. St. Breckans came back strongly early in the second half but we stepped up a gear and eventually pulled away to win by 3-07 to 0-06. On the day, the team was best served by Brian Scanlan, Trevor Howard and John Culhane in defence, Paul McKeogh at center field, and Kevin McCarthy and Shane Byrnes in attack.

After the game, Co. Board chairman Michael O'Neill presented the cup to team captain, John Cusack. The Club now looks forward to competing at Junior 'A' level, next year

Minor B Hurling

The minor hurlers had a good run in the minor ‘B’ hurling championship, only losing twice all year, including a semi final defeat to Balleya. The year started with a defeat to Tulla/Bodyke in Killaloe by a seven point margin. They then got their first victory in a toughly fought game against Wolfe Tones in Shannon, eventually pulling away to win by six points thanks to two goals by Keith Stritch.

A home game against Clooney was next and some vital scores from Kevin Walsh and Mark O’ Halloran helped Smith O’Brien’s to a 5 point victory. Neighbours Clonlara were next in an anticipated contest which finished with Smith O’Brien’s coming out on top in a very tight game. Winning by three points, scores came from Keith Stritch, Kevin Walsh and Cian Moloney on a night where Michael Ryan was brilliant throughout.

A comfortable win over Whitegate followed with Christopher Monaghan getting a couple of goals and Keith Stritch grabbing 1-15 in a very good team performance. Much of the same followed the next day against the Scariff/Ogonelloe/Feakle amalgamation. Keith Stritch maintained his scoring prowess with another 15 points while Mark O’ Halloran hit a couple of points. Mark McInerney and Mark Stritch also put in good performances.

An epic battle against Tubber/Killenena came next in the quarter finals. Smith O ‘Brien’s got off to a flying start against the strong amalgamation. Mark Stritch hit the opening point as Killaloe raced into a five point lead. Tubber/Killenna crawled back into the game with a lot of frees. A point separated the teams at half time. The second half was tit for tat with a great battle between Clare Under 21 All Ireland winner Pat O’Connor and Keith Stritch. A goal for Tubber seemed to end Killaloes’ championship but deep into injury time a Keith Stritch free sent the game to extra time.

In extra time 14 year olds Noel McInereny and David Gough proved the difference McInereny pointing near the sideline and Gough with a close range effort. Keith Stritch chipped in with two others to seal a four point win. Best on the day were Michael Ryan, Christopher Balfe, Mark McInerney, Keith and Mark Stritch and Noel McInerney.

The semi final was a disappointing end to a good year. Keith Stritch was a big loss due to a broken finger and a five point defeat to eventual championship winners Balleya followed. The game was always been chased by Smith O ‘Brien’s when they went four points to no score down. A second half comeback looked on when Noel McInerney goaled but time ran out and Smith O ‘Brien’s were out on a score line of 1-15 to 1-10. Kevin Walsh was brilliant throughout aided by Alan Lyons, Luke Hessian and Noel McInereny

Senior Hurling

The Senior hurling team had a mixed campaign through out the year. The two main objectives at the start of the year, to gain promotion in the league and qualify from their group to reach the county quarter final, were not successfully met.

The Clare Cup league campaign finished with a total of six wins and three losses. The losses came at the hands of Killanena, Broadford and Scarriff. The last game of the group stages was at home to Scarriff and the loss resulted in failure to remain in contention for promotion.

In the championship group stages defeats were suffered at the hands of Clooney-Quin, Crusheen & Kilmaley. A one point win over Corofin in Tulla, proved to be the highlight, a last minute Pat Vaughan goal sealed the win. A playoff loss against Corofin meant a dreaded relegation semi final versus Scariff. The team battled hard and John Cusack sent over a last minute 65’ to seal another tight one point win, and retain the clubs senior status for the coming year.