This article is from page 103 of the 2009-05-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 103 JPG
A GOAL, one minute into injury time, from Damien Kennedy sealed a dramatic first league victory for St Joseph’s Doora Barefield on Sat- WIKOE AYA
In an exciting and incident-packed final quarter, Joseph’s were reduced to 14 men and then saw their three point lead wiped out.
Paddy Meaney’s goal gave Crush- een a 1-13 to 1-12 lead before Joe Meaney’s point in the 29th minute looked to have capped a stirring comeback from the men in red.
But there was still final one final twist to come. And it arrived when the Crusheen defence failed to clear Michael Cullinan’s highball and Kennedy pounced to bury the match- BUON Coe
Kennedy’s first goal in the 40th minute had put Barefield five points clear and firmly in the driving seat.
While not’ totally dominant, Joseph’s were still the better team for much of the game, leading by two points at half time and playing with evident hunger and determination.
Crusheen looked a few yards off the pace throughout but did enough to stay in touch when Niall White was sent off for Barefield and the momentum of the game shifted in the visitor’s favour.
Fergus Kennedy scored the first point of the game in the 2nd minute. Three well taken points from Conor Hassett swept Joseph’s into the lead before David Hoey launched an ex- cellent strike over the bar in the 15th minute.
Crusheen were struggling to gain a foothold but hit back with two points from Joe Meaney and Cian Dillon.
Points from Hassett, Diulleen, Kennedy and Enda Lyons were just reward for Barefield’s dominance. Three superb points, into a strong breeze, from Gearoid O’Donnell kept Crusheen within striking dis- tance and left the half time score 0-8 to 0-6, in Joseph’s favour.
It was tit for tat after the break be- fore Barefield really took control.
Full forward Declan Malone helped on Greg Lyons’ pass before Damien Kennedy nipped in and made just enough contact to force the sliotar over the line from two yards, despite the best efforts of Alan Brigdale.
Crusheen hit back with points from Ciaran O’Doherty and Paddy Meaney before White’s dismissal in the 47th minute.
Joe Meaney added another point before Hassett converted a free in the 55th minute. A free from O’Doherty left Crusheen trailing O-13 to 1-12 before Paddy Vaughan breached Joseph’s defence and teed up Paddy Meaney to finish well from close range.
Paddy Meaney passed up two further goal chances but Crusheen still looked set for victory after Joe Meaney’s free.
The fat lady was warming up but there was no song. Joseph’s and Kennedy had other ideas.