U-14 Division 3 title for Clooney-Quin

Clooney-Quin  2-10

Doora-Barefield  1-3

CLOONEY-Quin U-14 footballers secured the Bord Na nÓg Division 3 football title on Wednesday evening at Clareabbey when they overcame Doora-Barefield in an entertaining final.      
This is Doora-Barefield’s second U-14 team and the first time any club’s second team has reached a major county final at underage level. Their first team had already reached the semi-final of the U-14 Division 1 Championship, which reflects the excellent work done at this level by former county player, Kilrush native Peader McMahon.
After captain Killian Donovan won the toss and elected to play with the wind, the Clooney-Quin boys swept up the field from the throw-in and released full-forward Darragh Ryan who found the net. Stephen Frain quickly added a point from play. Hard-working Harry McCarthy was next to raise a white flag and he was joined on the scoresheet by wing-back Daniel Griffin, who kicked over the crossbar from distance.
The other first-half scores for the winners came from frees by Alan Culligan and Darragh Ryan, while Conor O’Brien pointed from play. Doora-Barefield were not out of it by any means and replied with a pointed free from Conor Kearns and a Fintan O’Halloran goal to leave just five points between the sides at the short whistle 1-6 to 1-1.
Unfortunately for Doora-Barefield, the wind all but disappeared at the start of the second half and Clooney-Quin were on the attack again. Conor Sheehy, who was introduced at the break along with Sean Hehir, was first off the mark with a point from play. There seemed little doubt about the destination of the title soon after when Killian Donovan found the net for his side’s second goal. Conor Sheehy, Barry Loughnane and Darragh Ryan all added further points from play in the remaining period, while Doora-Barefield hit two points in reply from Conor Kearns and Nathan Coote.
This was a very committed and determined display by the Clooney-Quin boys with all six defenders dominating their positions and giving good cover to their net minder Tadhg Shanahan. Barry Loughnane was a tower of strength at midfield.