Clare SFC: Third final meeting in six years for ‘Bricks and Éire Óg

Keelan Sexton. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

There's no doubt about the makeup of this year’s Clare SFC Final, as Éire Óg Ennis and Kilmurry Ibrickane surged into their third decider in six years after comprehensive penultimate-stage triumphs on Sunday.

The Ennis side are bidding for a first three-in-a-row of Jack Daly Cups for the first time in 115 years after holding off 2018 and ’19 winners St. Joseph’s Miltown by 1-20 to 0-11. 

However, it was the ‘Bricks' 25-point ruthless pummeling of newcomers Kildysart that proved the real statement of intent from this novel Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg double header.

After all, Kildysart carried real momentum into their first semi-final in 39 years following a four-match unbeaten run that included the dramatic dismissal of nearest neighbours Lissycasey at the last eight stage.

Enda Coughlan’s Kilmurry Ibrickane side were in no mood for romance though, patently targeting an end to any Kildysart buoyancy from the start to lead from start to finish.

Despite facing into a stiff breeze, the West Clare side kicked the first four points through attacking quadrumvirate Keelan Sexton, Cathal Talty, Conor Burke and Caoilfhionn O’Dea. Even when Kildysart finally got off the map with a 12th minute Seamus Casey point and a subsequent two-pointer from talisman Emmet McMahon, Kilmurry Ibrickane had answers each time.

Indeed, the crucial score of the game came in the 24th minute when teenager Conor Burke started and finished a slick move involving Dermot Coughlan and Keelan Sexton with a cool low finish beyond goalkeeper Conor Cusack, a six-point margin that the ‘Bricks would hold until the break at 1-8 to 0-5.

Half-time couldn’t come soon enough for Kildysart to regroup but it was the 2020 champions that picked up where they left off with Burke, in only his first season at adult level, taking his championship tally to 3-12 in five matches with an immediate two-pointer on the resumption.

Burke did have a subsequent goal chance just clear the crossbar but it wouldn’t take long for the clinching blow as in only the 37th minute, Cathal Talty finished to the net at the second attempt following an initial point-blank save from Conor Cusack at 2-13 to 0-07.

With Kildysart’s spirit broken, Kilmurry Ibrickane incrementally turned the screw, outscoring their flagging opponents by 2-7 to 0-0 in the final quarter to canter into the final. Cathal Talty and Conor Burke both doubled their goal bounty while Keelan Sexton took his final tally to six points with a two-pointer on the hour mark to reach their second final in three years at 4-22 to 0-09.

Éire Óg had already set a scorching early tone by extending their winning record to 17 championship matches thanks to another Mark McInerney scoring masterclass. The current championship’s chief marksman excelled once more with a metronomic ten-point haul to accentuate his overall total to 3-42.

Miltown only led once in the contest and that for only 30 seconds after a brace of opening Eoin Cleary points inched the West Clare side 0-2 to 0-1 clear after eight minutes. 

Éire Óg centre-back responded with a point from either foot to inch in front and in truth the champions never looked back from that juncture as Mark McInerney tacked on three points including his first two-point free of the campaign, before defender Ciaran Russell ensured clear daylight between the sides entering the second quarter at 0-7 to 0-2.

Miltown’s best shot at a reprieve arrived in the 20th minute when Oisin Looney’s high delivery broke inside for Cormac Murray but he snatched at the chance that just cleared the crossbar.

Shane Daniels’ side only held a 0-9 to 0-5 half-the edge, with St. Joseph’s only father testing the holders’ resolve with the first two points of the new half through Micheál Murray and Eoin Cleary.

It only seemed to anger Éire Óg who hit back with a vengeance, with a Mark McInerney free bolstered by a 34th-minute goal for Ikem Ugwueru after Darren O’Brien had intercepted a Miltown clearance at 1-10 to 0-07.

If things weren’t difficult enough for Sean O’Brien’s team, the introduction of Jack Joyce off the bench put the result beyond doubt as he immediately kicked a brace of two-pointers to put the result beyond doubt and catapult Éire Óg into their fifth final in six seasons back in Clare HQ in a fortnight’s time.