St Joseph’s roar back to shock Doonbeg

2010 CHAMPIONS Doonbeg were sensationally knocked out of this year’s Clare senior football championship, when they lost by a point, 0-7 to 0-6, to St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield in Saturday’s quarter-final at Lissycasey.

The ‘Magpies’ were chasing a 19th title and were warm favourites to be in contention for another crown. Playing with a strong breeze at their backs, Doonbeg led 0-4 to 0-2 at the break. Further points within ten minutes of the restart by David Tubridy and Colm Dillon appeared to ease the holders’ half-time worries.

But a tremendously spirited performance by St Joseph’s for the remainder of the tie produced six unanswered scores. Substitute Colm Mullen grabbed the winner in the 59th minute to create the biggest shock of the campaign.

St Joseph’s will have to wait a while to know who their semi-final opponents will be, as St. Senan’s Kilkee and Wolfe Tones na Sionna drew. With Tones leading by 2-6 to 0-8 and only minutes left, the ‘Seasiders’ manufactured a late comeback that saw three pointed frees by Micheál O’Shea and a 64th minute equaliser by Barry Harte. Senan’s draw was all the more remarkable given that they played with 14 men for the last quarter, after Micheál Keane was sent off.

Cratloe and Kilmurry-Ibrickane will contest the other semi-final. At Cusack Park, Cratloe put Lissycasey to the sword, outclassing them 2-7 to 0-6, having led 1-2 to 0-3 at the interval.

2009 champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane claimed local bragging rights with a West Clare derby win over Cooraclare at Kilmihil. In a low scoring tie, marred by the weather, they won 0-7 to 1-3, having led 0-3 to 0-2 at half-time.