Doon lay down a marker

Doon CBS 1-18 Douglas CS 1-10

Doon, who reached the semi-final last season, held all the aces and on this evidence are sure to go close for ultimate honours.

Impressive performances from centre back Edward Kiely, centre forward Michael Fitzgerald, who scored seven points, and full-forward Tommy O'Donoghue, who hit three, laid the foundations for Doon's triumph.

All three were sparkling as Doon kept Douglas in check in the first-half when the Cork boys played with a strong wind.

Douglas, with three pointed frees from the promising Stephen Moylan, stayed in touch early on and were level at five points apiece at the end of the first quarter.

Doon showed their potential when wing forward James Bradshaw set up corner forward Brian Fenton for a real peach of a goal. But Douglas stormed back and Moylan's goal was a superb strike.

But with Limerick minor Fitzgerald shooting two points from frees, Doon led by 1-8 to 1-5 at half time and turning to play with the wind the outcome looked inevitable.

With Fitzgerald, Bradshaw, Ciaran Ryan and Fenton scoring at will Doon stretched their lead to 1-18 to 1-6 entering the closing quarter, scoring 10 points to Douglas's solitary reply, another pointed free from Moylan.

There were two brief flare-ups and seven yellow cards were issued by referee Mike Sexton.

Douglas finished strongly and four points from Ronan Griffen, Fintan O'Leary, Stephen Bermingham and Moylan put a more respectable look on the scoreboard.

Scorers for Doon CBS: B Fenton 1-2; M Fitzgerald 0-7 (0-4 from frees); T O'Donoghue 0-3; C Ryan 0-2; J Bradshaw 0-2; D Maloney and E Kiely (65) 0-1 each.

Douglas CS: S Moylan 1-5 (0-4 from frees); S Bermingham 0-3; R Griffen and F O'Leary 0-1 each.

DOON CBS: B Byrne; M Fenton, R Dunne, J Butler; Mick Fitzgerald, E Kiely, A Hickey; G Allis, D Moloney; J Bradshaw, Michael Fitzgerald, C Cronin; B Fenton, T O'Donoghgue, C Ryan.

Substitutes: K McCarthy for Cronin (injured); S White for Mick Fitzgerald (injured); M Ryan for Allis; T Ryan for Fenton.

DOUGLAS CS: D O'Riordan; P Carroll, K O'Donovan, D Olden; R Griffen, C Lahive, K Murphy; M O'Callaghan, A Barry; B O'Connor, S Bermingham, R O'Keeffe; S Moylan, F O'Leary, F O'Donovan.

Referee: M Sexton (Bruree).