*Keith Murphy. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
Kildysart comfortably booked their place in the intermediate football championship final when they overcame the challenge of Kilfenora.
Kildysart 0-14
Kilfenora 0-4
Venue: Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown Malbay
Dominant in most areas throughout, Kildysart led from the outset and had their passage to the final sealed long before the final whistle advancing to the final for the second time in the space of three years.
Kildysart started lively and quickly opened a three point lead through Diarmuid O’Donnell, Emmett and Rory McMahon. The game was eleven minutes old before Micheál Duffy opened Kilfenora’s account but Kildysart hit back for points from O’Donnell and a McMahon free on their way to a 0-5 to 0-2 lead at the first waterbreak.
Kildysart added two points in the second quarter to lead by five at half time and they took up where they had left off when the second half got underway, adding three without reply before their opponents hits the target eleven minutes into the second moiety, Paudie Ireland pointing when a goal looked to be on the cards.
The second half was a needly affair with referee Barry Kelly issuing a lot of yellow cards while Kildysart substitute Ryan Casey saw black a few minutes afters his introduction which led to ten minutes in the sin bin.
In total, the St Josephs Miltown official dished out eleven yellow cards, five to the winners and six to their opponents in a game which produced a stop start second half.
Kilfenora captain Cian O’Dea played his heart out for the North Clare outfit but when in possession, Kildysart quickly closed down his attempts to get in on goal.
Inter county man Emmet McMahon caused huge problems for Kilfenora throughout and he emerged as the game’s top scorer with 0-7 to his credit while Diarmuid O’Donnell landed 0-4 for the winners who have a number of injury concerns as they turn their attentions to the final.
Seamus Casey, Luke McGrath and Rory McMahon all picked up injuries which forced them to leave the field.
In addition to McMahon and O’Donnell, the winners had impressive performances from captain Keith O’Connor, Shane McNeilis and Kieran Leahy
Scorers Kildysart: Emmett McMahon (0-7 4f), Diarmuid O’Donnell (0-4, 2f), Robert Eyers (0-1 1‘45), Rory McMahon (0-1), Conor Hassett (0-1).
Scorers Kilfenora: Micheál Duffy (0-2, 1f); Paudie Ireland (0-1), Cian O’Dea (0-1).
Kildysart:
1: Rob Eyers
2: Brian Eyers
6: Shane McNeilis
4: Stephen Sheehan
12: Mikey Donnellan
3: Kieran Leahy
5: Rory McMahon
8: Keith O’Connor
7: Fergal Guinnane
9: Luke McGrath
15: Emmett McMahon
17: Ian Flanagan
11: Diarmuid O’Donnell
10: Seamus Casey
14: Keith Murphy
Subs:
13: Conor Hassett for S. Casey (24) (inj)
18: Michael Eustsce for L. McGrath (25) (inj)
21: Ryan Casey for R. McMahon (35) (inj)
19: John Guinnane for Murphy (56)
20: Damian Hill for B. Eyers (59)
Kilfenora:
1: Liam Keane
2: Niall Hegarty
3: Paul Carkill
4: Cronan Howley
5: Shane Long
6: Daniel Egan
7: Gearoid Howley
8: Jack O’Dea
9: Cian O’Dea
11: Aidan Malone
13: Micheál Duffy
10: Paudie Ireland
12: Matthew Egan
14: Pat Connole
15: Declan Brennan
Subs:
23: Michael Theasby for M. Egan (inj)
20: Martin Flanagan for Theasby (36)
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Josephs Miltown)
