Kildysart gave an impressive performance today in North Clare as they overcame Ballyvaughan/Fanore 4-17 to 1-9 to advance to the Quarter Finals of the new look O’Gorman Cup, to be held next week-end. The first quarter was a tidy affair with points from Diarmuid O’Donnell, Conor Hasset x2 and Mikey Donnellan giving Kildysart a 4 points to 3 lead. Kildysart started to pull away in the 20th minute when a high ball, well-caught by Luke McGrath in Ballyvaughan’s half, was worked up the field and rifled to the net by Hasset, Kildysart 1-4, Ballyvaughan 0-3. Three more scores from Donnellan, Hassett and O’Donnell gave Kildysart a 1-7 to 0-4 lead at the short whistle.

With the wind to come in the second half, Kildysart made three half time substitutions with Ger Kelly, Kieran Eyres and Damien Murtagh replacing Conor Cusack, Diarmuid O’Donnell & John Murtagh. Kieran O’Brien started off the scoring at the restart and the team went from strength to strength. John McCormack’s goal in the 35th minute brought the North Clare side to within a goal (Kildysart 1-8, Ballyvaughan 1-5), but a strong defensive showing by Conor Moloney, Stevie Sheehan and Shane McNelis put paid to any further resurgence. A point from Kieran Eyres, followed by a brace from Ger Kelly & Hasset had the Estuary men ahead 1-13 to 1-7 with 7 minutes left on the clock. A hat-trick of goals from Donnellan, Kelly & Keith O’Connor then put an end to the contest at the 60 minute mark (Kildysart 4-15 to Ballyvaughan 1-9). Kelly added number 5 to his tally before corner back Stevie Sheehan rounded off the scoring with a lovely run up the field. With 8 shooters getting their names on the scorecard and 1-6 coming off the bench, Kildysart displayed a fine balance of youth/experience and strength/agility in their first competitive match since the Covid break. Final score: Kildysart 4-17, Ballyvaughan 1-9.

Due to Covid-19, the O’Gorman Cup will be played as a knockout competition. Winners of the preliminary round, Kildysart & Ennistymon (who had an easy win over Miltown) will join titleholders Lissycasey, Naomh Eoin, Doonbeg, Cooraclare, Kilrush and O’Curry’s in the quarter finals to be played next weekend (18/19th July) with the semi-finals and final to be played after Championship.

Kildysart: Robert Eyres, John Ginnane, Brian Eyres, Stevie Sheehan (0-1), Conor Moloney, Keith O’Connor (1-0), Oisin Coyle, Kieran O’Brien (0-1), Conor Cusack, Mikey Donnellan (1-2), Shane McNelis, Luke McGrath, Diarmuid O’Donnell (0-2), John Murtagh, Conor Hasset (1-5, 4f). Subs: Ger Kelly (1-5) for Cusack (HT), Damien Murtagh for J. Murtagh (HT), Kieran Eyres (0-1) for O’Donnell (HT), Michael Eustace for McGrath (41 min), Seamus Casey for O’Brien (56 min).

Referee: Rory Harte