Doonbeg end Kilmurry reign

KILMURRY-IBRICKANE, the Clare and Munster football champions relinquished their titles as they lost to rivals Doonbeg in Saturday’s county semi-final in Cooraclare (1-6 to 0-8).

The Magpies led Kilmurry-Ibrickane (0-4 to 0-2) at the break and increased their lead to three points on the restart. But the champions stormed back and kicked six unanswered points by the 47th minute to edge ahead 0-8 to 0-5.

But a David Tubridy goal for the challengers, two minutes later levelled matters. It took until the third minute of injury-time for the outcome to be decided when half-forward Enda Doyle pointed to send Doonbeg into the final.

In the second replayed quarter-final at Lissycasey yesterday, Cooraclare eventually overcame Éire Óg, Ennis after 210 minutes of football. But only just.

The West Clare outfit emerged 1-3 to 0-5 winners to secure a semi-final against Liscannor. Ger Tubridy grabbed the game’s only goal in the opening half that saw Cooraclare lead by 1-1 to 0-2.

The winning score came from Michael McMahon who eventually edged his side into the last four.