*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
ST JOSEPH’S DOORA/Barefield are Clare U21A football champions.
St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-12
Lissycasey 0-14
(after extra time)
Venue: Clareabbey
Extra time was required at Clareabbey on Saturday afternoon before St Josephs, Doora-Barefield overcame Lissycasey in the under 21 A final played before a big attendance.
The game’s only goal which came ten minutes from the end of normal time, proved to be a crucial score. It came from the penalty spot with Joe Rafferty dispatching the ball to the net.
The teams were evenly matched for the most part and while Lissycasey can point to some missed chances at vital times, particularly in the first period of extra time, Doora/Barefield were the physically stronger and more evenly balanced side which proved decisive on the day.
Lissycasey had first use of a strong wind but the winners were first to score, Tom Curran pointing in the second medal.
It was level at 0-2 each as the first quarter drew to a close but with Darragh Culligan leading the way, Lissycasey had the better of the second half exchanges and they went to the break with a five point advantage, 0-9 to 0-4.
In the opening minutes of the second half Charlin Hannan pointed twice for the eventual winners and very the end of the third quarter they had cut Lissycasey’s lead to two points.
Culligan and Tom Curran exchanged points before Rafferty’s goal put Doora-Barefield into a one point lead.
With the full time whistle approaching Diarmuid McMahon ties up the game for the third time before substitute Cian Neylon kicked what looked like being the winner for Lissycasey a minute into ‘added time’.
From the resumption of play, Doora-Barefield attacked and Tom Curran converted a 20m free to sent the game into extra time.
Joe Rafferty gave the winner the lead in the first period when they had the assistance of the breeze but Lissycasey will be disappointed to have recorded three wides when in good positions in this period,
In the second period of extra time Liam Clune doubled his side’s led but Lissycasey kept their hopes alive with another from Culligan with five minutes remaining.
Try as they did, however, they were unable to level the tie and St. Josephs held on for victory on a day when centre back, Fionn Kelleher played a key role while Charlie Hannan, James and Tom Curran, and Joe Rafferty also made valuable contributions.
Thomas Collins, Daire Hill, Connor Meaney, Darragh Killeen and, in particular, Daire Culligan were prominent for L|issycasey who missed midfielder Darren Keane who picked up an injury which forced him to retire after twenty minutes.
Clare GAA officer Bernard Keane presented the John Marrinan memorial cup to joint captains Fionn Kelleher and James Curran.
St. Josephs; Ben McDonagh; Charlie Hannan (0-2), Eoghan Boyle, Conal Dorgan; Diarmuid Boyle, Fionn Kelleher (0-1), Sam Costelloe; James Curran, Odhran O’Connell’ Conor Dsly, Joe Rafferty (1-3, 1-1 f), Eoin ‘Ogie’ Fanning; Nicki Hardiman, Michael Nash, Tom Curran (0-5, 3f);
Subs; Oisin O’Donnell for S. Costelloe (half time); Eoin Lahiffe for Fanning (39); Ian Williams for C. Daly(44);; Liam Clune (0-1) for Nash (extra time); Joe Keane for O. O’Donnell (extra time|); Conor Moloney for N. Hardiman(extra time)
Lissycasey; Thomas Collins (0-1, ‘45); Michael Kelly Daire |Hill, Ian Griffin; Aaron Killeen, Ewan Wrgg, Conor Hill; Darren Kene, Connor Meaney (0-1); Luke Griffin, Daire Culligan (0-6, 4f), Jack Cahill; Shane Culligan (0-2, 1 mark), Darragh Killeen, Diarmuid McMahon (0-3, 2f);
Subs; Aidan Weaver for D.Keane (inj. 20); Cian Neylon (0-1) for S. Culligan (46); Ben Skerritt for J Cahill (53); Michael Meaney for A. Weaver (extra time) Colin O’Shea for A. Killeen (extra time); Ben Wragg for D. McMahon(extra time)
Referee; Barry Kelly Miltown;
