This article is from page 67 of the 2011-03-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 67 JPG
St Joseph’s Doora- Barefield 0-08 Shannon Gaels 0-07 at Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown
ST JOSEPH’S Doora-Barefield are settling well into the rigours of Cusack Cup football – first day out they shared the spoils with bluebloods Kilmurry Ibrickane, while on this day they edged past Shannon Gaels by the minimum margin.
It was a dour affair throughout, with nothing between the sides until county senior panellist David O’Brien eventually popped over the winner for the visitors just as the game drifted into injury time.
It was hard luck on the Gaels, but just desserts for a St Joseph’s team that has certainly hit the ground running in Cusack Cup competition, the first time they’ve played in the premier division of the football league.
And, given that these two are also grouped with each other in the championship, St Joseph’s, who are remarkably on offer at 50 to 1 for Jack Daly, will gladly take the psychological advantage that goes with this dress rehearsal for championship.
The sides were locked at 0-3 apiece at half-time. John Bermingham and John Paul O’Neill were on the mark from play for the Gaels, while Bryan Cunningham hit a free. For St Joseph’s David O’Brien, Cathal Duggan and Johnny O’Brien scored points, while goalmouth action at both ends saw Declan O’Keeffe make a brilliant save from John Paul O’Neill and Keith Ryan foiled Cathal Duggan down the other end.
However, Duggan emerged as the game’s most influential figure in the second half, hitting three points, two of which were from play edged his side ahead entering the last ten minutes. The Gaels were restricted to scores from frees via Brian Cunningham and John Paul O’Neill (2) and an effort from play by O’Neill, but still looked set for a share of the spoils until David O’Brien landed the winner in the 59th minute.
St Joseph’s Doora- Barfield
Declan O’Keeffe, Ger Fannin, Mark Rafferty, Niall White, Eanna ÓBraonáin, Stephen Collins, KeithWhelan,
Mark Hallinan, Kevin Dilleen, David O’Brien (0-2), Cathal O’Sullivan, Christy O’Brien, Enda Lyons, Johnny O’Brien (0-1), Cathal Duggan (0-4, 2f).
Subs
Gavin O’Sullivan for Chirsty O’Brien, Don Barron for ÓBraonáin
Shannon Gaels
Keith Ryan, John Neylon, Fergal Kenny, John Bermingham(0-1),Tomás Madigan, Francis Cleary, Fergal O’Neill, Noel Kennedy, John Paul O’Neill (0-4, 2f), Michael O’Donoghue, Stephen O’Shea, Bryan Cunningham(0-2f), Sean Reynolds.
Subs
Declan Power for O’Shea, Shane Tubridy for Reynolds.
Man of the Match
Cathal Duggan (Doora- Barefield) Referee Damian Fox (WolfeTones)