St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 3-10
Shannon Gaels 0-11

Two goals within a minute in the closing minutes of the first half were crucial in securing a win for St Joseph’s and a place in the quarter-final of the Senior Football Championship.

Going into their third group game St Joseph’s had lost both opening games and were –10 on the scoring averages chart. They had to win by six points and hope that Miltown lost heavily to Cratloe if they were to somehow make it to the last eight. This is exactly what transpired and now St Joseph’s play Doonbeg in the next round in what will be a repeat of their Cusack Cup semi-final fixture.
If Shannon Gaels had lost by just five points they would have advanced to the quarter-final. However, if they had lost by nine points they would now be preparing for a relegation semi-final meeting with Liscannor. Miltown and Shannon Gaels finished level on points and scoring difference in their group. However, the Gaels scored a total of 0-33 in their three games, with Miltown kicking 0-22. It was this that separated the teams at the bottom of group 4.
Eleven minutes into the first half in Quilty on Saturday evening, Shannon Gaels led 0-4 to 0-0, following points from Michael Coughlan, David Neylon and John Paul O’Neill. The Gaels could also have netted at least twice, with Declan O’Keeffe saving from Brian O’Shea in the opening minute.
Lining out at centre-forward, Seán Flynn notched St Joseph’s first score before David O’Brien and Aidan O’Connor kicked successive points after David Neylon had landed a 45’ for Shannon Gaels.
Brian Cunningham and Coughlan from another free helped the Gaels into a 0-7 to 0-4 lead before Kevin Dilleen and Alan O’Neill struck for those crucial pre-half-time goals. Both were clinically struck and were followed by another David O’Brien point from play. This left St Joseph’s 2-5 to 0-7 up at half-time and Shannon Gaels reeling.
They responded positively on the resumption, with Michael Coughlan kicking two frees won by John Paul O’Neill, while a Brian O’Shea point left St Joseph’s just 2-5 to 0-10 up.
However, the Gaels only managed a single additional point in the closing 25 minutes, while St Joseph’s added 1-5. Keith Ryan saved smartly from Enda Lyons 15 minutes into the second half, although Declan O’Keeffe pointed the resultant 45’. Shortly afterwards, Declan O’Keeffe saved superbly from David Neylon, while Cathal O’Sullivan buried his side’s crucial third goal 10 minutes from time.
Seán Reynolds from a free scored the Gaels’ last point three minutes from time and in fact it was this score that ensured their place in the Senior B semi-final and not the relegation semi-final.
Late points from an O’Keeffe free and from Johnny O’Brien ensured an eight-point St Joseph’s win and a place in the knock-out stages. O’Keeffe was narrowly wide with another free, which would have consigned the Gaels to the bottom of the table.
St Joseph’s midfielders Alan O’Neill and Kevin Dilleen dominated that area, while Ger Fannin, David O’Brien, Enda Lyons and Seán Flynn, who set up a lot of play from centre-forward, all played very well.
John Paul O’Neill, David Neylon, Fergal Kenny and Brian Cunningham worked hardest for the Gaels on an evening when they badly missed the suspended Noel Kennedy at midfield.

St Joseph’s: Declan O’Keeffe; Ger Fannin, Declan O’Halloran, Stephen Collins; Gavin O’Sullivan, Damien Kennedy, Mark Rafferty; Alan O’Neill, Kevin Dilleen; David O’Brien, Seán Flynn, Greg Lyons; Enda Lyons, Cathal O’Sullivan, Aidan O’Connor.
Subs: Christopher O’Brien for Aidan O’Connor, Johnny O’Brien for Gavin O’Sullivan and Mark Hallinan for Greg Lyons.
Scorers: Cathal O’Sullivan (1-1), Alan O’Neill and Kevin Dilleen (1-0) each, David O’Brien (0-3), Aidan O’Connor (0-2f), Declan O’Keeffe (0-2, 1f, 1 45’), Seán Flynn and, Johnny O’Brien (0-1) each.
Wides: 8; 45s: 1
Yellow cards: Stephen Collins and Greg Lyons.
“We had to play to our ability at some stage. The last two games we had had opportunities and we didn’t take them. We got two goals at a vital stage. Other than that it was tight enough but it was the goals that won the game for us.” St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield manager, John Halpin.

Shannon Gaels: Keith Ryan; Frank Cleary, John Neylon, Fergal Kenny; Tomás Madigan, Brian Bermingham, Tomás Cleary; Michael O’Donoghue, Seán Reynolds; Brian Cunningham, John Paul O’Neill, John Bermingham; Michael Coughlan, David Neylon, Brian O’Shea.
Subs: Shane Tubridy for Brian O’Shea and Nigel Hehir for Michael Coughlan.
Scorers: Michael Coughlan (0-5, 4f), David Neylon (0-2, 1 45’), John Paul O’Neill, Brian Cunningham, Seán Reynolds (f) and Brian O’Shea (0-1) each.
Wides: 2; 45s: 1
Yellow cards: Frank Cleary.
“Doora-Barefield’s two goals just before half-time turned the game. They took their chances well, while we missed a couple of goal chances. They worked very hard and deserved their win.” Peter O’Connell, Shannon Gaels manager.

Referee: Michael Rock, Ennistymon.

 

Kilrush avoid relegation play-off

Kilrush 0-11
Kilmihil 0-8

BOTH teams were out of contention for the Jack Daly Trophy but there was still a lot at stake when Kilrush and Kilmihil met in their final group game at Cooraclare on Saturday.
Neither club wanted to be in the relegation play-off and both knew that defeat would put them into that particular battle. This was reflected in the play of both sides, as they showed a lot of urgency from the throw-in.
They were evenly matched in the opening half, at the end of which just the minimum separated the teams, with the eventual winners in front.
In the second half, the Shamrocks got a slight edge and, in the final analysis, this proved decisive as they outscored their opponents 0-4 to 0-2.
The win means Kilrush will go on to compete for the Senior B title, while Kilmihil, for the second year in succession, must go on and play in the relegation play-off.
Kilmihil were first to score when Shane Egan converted a free but Kilrush were quickly back on terms when Padjo McGrath kicked the equaliser, before Peadar McMahon converted a 13m free to put them ahead. Ruairi O’Connor stretched their advantage to two, before Shane Egan scored another for Kilmihil.
They continued to be evenly matched in the second quarter when both added four points to leave the half-time score at 0-7 to 0-6 in favour of Kilrush. Peadar McMahon (3) and Cathal Lyons were the other first-half scorers for the Shamrocks, while Kilmihil’s remaining first-half scores came from Shane Egan, Paul Reidy, Mark O’Connell and Eamonn Ryan.
It was still anyone’s game as the second half got underway but Kilrush showed that bit more determination, which saw them keep their noses in front. Their second-half points came from Peadar McMahon, Cathal Lyons and a brace from Jim Young.
Kilmihil’s second-half scores came from Paul Reidy, as their forwards struggled to break down a well marshalled Kilrush defence.
In the final analysis, a strong performance from the Kilrush defence laid the foundations for the victory. John Hayes, Donal O’Sullivan, Jim Young and Peadar McMahon were prominent for the winners, while Mark O’Connell, Timmy Ryan and Paul Reidy worked hard for a Kilmihil outfit whose forward line struggled.

Kilrush: Tony Burke; Seamus Bolton, James Hehir, Niall Gilbride; Niall Clancy, John Hayes, Matthew Moloney; Donal O’Sullivan, Jim Young; Padjo McGrath, Cathal Lyons, Dara Bolton; Ruairi O’Connor, Eoin Tarrant, Peadar McMahon.
Subs: Stephen Sweeney for McGrath and Alan Daly for Lyons.
Scorers: Peadar McMahon (0-5), Jim Young and Cathal Lyons (0-2) each, Padjo McGrath and Ruairi O’Connor (0-1) each.
Bookings: None.
“While I am disappointed that we are not in the play-offs, I am happy that we have a lot of good young players coming through. We held our Cusack Cup status and contested the semi-final of the O’Gorman Cup. The players responded well today after two defeats in the earlier group games.” Aidan Daly, Kilrush

Kilmihil: Keith Considine; Conor Crowley, Laurence Murray, Derek O’Connell; Stan Lineen, Mark O’Connell, Anthony Downes; Timmy Ryan, Paul Reidy; Eamonn Ryan, Mark Coughlan, Enda O’Halloran; Declan Downes, David Ryan, Shane Egan.
Subs: Colm Callinan for D Downes and Noel Downes for Egan.
Scorers: Paul Reidy and Shane Egan (0-3) each, Eamon Ryan and Mark O’Connell (0-1) each.
Bookings: Anthony Downes.
“We are very disappointed. We didn’t build on the performance against Kilmurry-Ibrickane in the opening round. That was the high point of our campaign but we didn’t capitalise. We must focus now on trying to save our senior status.” John Dalton, Kilmihil selector

Referee: Michael McGann, Michael Cusack’s.