Clare SFC: Mark McInerney excels as Éire Óg march into semi-finals

Éire Óg will play Miltown Malbay and Kilmurry Ibrickane will take on Kildysart in the semi-finals

Mark McInerney scored 1-9 for Eire Óg Ennis in their Clare SFC quarter-final victory over St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Éire Óg took another major step closer to completing a first three-in-a-row of Clare SFC titles in 115 years with a statement 3-20 to 2-11 quarter-final victory over neighbours St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg.

In what was a repeat of last year’s decider, the Ennis side doubled the dose in style as three goals in the space of five minutes either side of the break actually powered the holders as much as 20 points clear nearing the end of the third quarter at 3-18 to 0-07.

Clare’s chief marksman Mark McInerney excelled with 1-9, 1-8 of which stemmed from play, including three successive two-pointers midway through the opening period to catapult Éire Óg 0-10 to 0-00 clear.

It took a stunned Doora/Barefield 19 minutes before newcomer John Sheanon opened their account. However, even a mini revival would be emphatically quashed in injury-time when a swift counter-attack allowed Oran Cahill to bear down on goal before passing across the square for Danny Lyne to flick to the net at 1-13 to 0-03.

Any murmurings of a second half revolt were quickly stamped out too as within five minutes of the resumption, Shane Daniels’ clinical side had raided for two further goals through Mark McInerney and Darren O’Brien at 3-15 to 0-04.

That 20-point chasm remained between the teams nearing the turn of the final quarter and could have been worse only for Parish goalkeeper Tom O’Brien to deny Ciaran Russell a fourth major.

To their credit, St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield did put some respectability on the final scoreline with a 2-2 blitz in just four minutes entering the final ten minutes, highlighted by overturning successive kick-outs to see substitutes Liam Clune and Tom Curran billow the net. However, the champions still eased into a last four showdown with 2018 and ’19 winners St. Joseph’s Miltown in a fortnight’s time.

2020 champions Kilmurry Ibrickane will take on Kildysart in the other penultimate stage clash after the ‘Bricks finally shook off arch-rivals Doonbeg in an inch-tight last eight showdown by 1-15 to 0-16 in Cooraclare.

Super sub Daryn Callinan proved the hero for Kilmurry Ibrickane to prevail to their ninth semi-final since 2016 when scoring a goal with his first touch in the 40th minute before finally downing their obstinate neighbours with a spectacular injury-time two-pointer.

The Magpies were defiant throughout and typifying their first quarter-final appearance in seven seasons, were not about to pass up this glorious opportunity without an almighty fight.

Goalkeeper Eamon Tubridy excelled with three timely saves and even though they trailed by 0-7 to 0-6 by the break despite having the aid of the conditions, Doonbeg defiantly snatched the whip hand for the new half.

A David Tubridy two-point free provided the belief before Darragh Burns and Cathal Talty traded double pointers but the tide seemed to shift when Daryn Callinan’s introduction was accentuated by a much-needed goal for the ‘Bricks following good work from Talty.

It seemed a release as Enda Coughlan’s side ended up kicking 1-4 without reply to move six in front entering the final quarter but it still wasn’t sufficient to deter Doonbeg.

Eoin Killeen, Cathal Killeen, Tadhg Lillis, Darragh Burns and a brace from talisman David Tubridy actually regained full parity by the 56th minute, only to see their comeback subsequently dashed by that Callinan special.

The senior relegation decider will be between St. Breckan’s and Kilmihil in a fortnight’s time after the former were edged closer to the trapdoor by Cratloe in a repeat of the 2023 county senior final in Gurteen on Sunday afternoon.

Three timely goals through the returning Cathal McInerney, Jamie Moylan and Ryan Harkin powered Colm Collins’ side 3-10 to 0-11 clear by the two-thirds mark before the game descended into a tempestuous affair that saw five players and officials issued five straight reds.

On the scoreboard, Cathal McInerney’s second goal subsequently ensured a 4-14 to 1-16 to consolidate Cratloe’s senior status in manager Colm Collins’ 20th season in charge.