'That goal was very debatable' — Clon question crucial Barrs score after semi-final heartache 

FEELING FLAT: Dan Peet holds possession for Clonakilty under pressure from Brian Hayes, St Finbarr’s. Pic: Larry Cummins

St Finbarr’s heralded their defence for carrying them through a Cork PSFC semi-final onslaught, while Clonakilty left convinced the dominant team had lost.

It was an evening where the Barrs took 21 shots and won, while Clonakilty launched 34 efforts and lost. Their conversion rate of 38% simply wasn’t enough.

Despite those stats, the double-chasers led from Rickey Barrett’s eighth-minute goal until the finish.

“We were always probably able to come up and respond,” said Barrs selector Ian Keeler.

“Defensively, I thought we were very good. We pressured their shots a lot, didn't give up a huge amount, and didn't give up a goal which is massive in a game like this.

“When you're getting two goals and you don't concede any, it puts the other team under a lot of pressure. They have to kick six or seven points more than you.

“Clon had a lot of shots, but I thought our defensive work around the arc and man-to-man inside, the boys were outstanding.” 

The Clon perspective focused on their own misses. Darragh Newman saved a Darragh Gough penalty onto the post and tipped Seán White's stoppage-time attempt onto the crossbar.

The West Cork men booted 12 wides and dropped a half-dozen more efforts short.

“It's terribly disappointing. A game we completely dominated everywhere except the scoreboard. That's the reality of it,” said selector Eoin Ryan. “Our conversion rate was awful. We just didn't fire.

“We were unlucky. We hit the post, hit the crossbar. It just wasn't our night. But we gave it everything we had and that's the way it is.

“It's a tough one to take. You wouldn't mind being beaten if you were beaten by a better team. But I don't think we were to be fair.

“Now, they were clinical. When they came up with the ball, they seemed to score. We missed a lot.” Ryan questioned the legitimacy of the Barrs' second goal with Thomas Egan ending up in possession after Mark White had gone up to claim a high ball.

“That goal was very debatable,” said Ryan. “Mark had the ball in his hands and your man came in and the ball finished up in the back of the net. That's very questionable.

“I don't know, I'd have to watch it back, but I thought it was a free out myself.

“We missed a penalty then. Whatever we did or didn't do, we had plenty of chances to win the game. We didn't take them.

“There was only two points in it at the end. We kicked 16 points. I think we’d 30 shots at the goal, so that ain't good. That's just the way it is.” For the Barrs, Keeler felt that losing their full-back and centre-back, Alan O’Connor and Dylan Quinn, in the first half were big setbacks, but hailed Jamie Burns for an “outstanding” performance.

The injuries, he added, were categorised as “nothing major, just contact. Hopefully they'll be fine.” ENDS