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*Alan Sweeney of St Breckan’s. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A timely return to form for St Breckan’s as they brushed aside the disappointing challenge of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield to finally get off the mark in Páirc Finne Corofin on Saturday evening.
St Breckan’s 1-15
Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 0-8
Venue: Páirc Finne, Corofin
Having just come up short against Kilmurry Ibrickane last time out, nothing but victory would suffice for the Lisdoonvarna based side to get back on track in Group 1, with that extra motivation providing a response that was full of perspiration and determination.
In the absence of talisman Joe McGann, Jamie Stack moped up the scoring responsibilities up front alongside a powerful opening half from Shane Fitzpatrick while Alan Sweeney, Colm O’Brien, Paudie Kelly and Rowan Danaher were equally as impactful in a relentless hour.
In contrast, a gritty opening victory for the Parish made way for a flooringly lacklustre second outing that had all the hallmarks of a side that were beaten before the ball was thrown in. In truth, there were very few redeeming features in a forgettable evening that saw Doora/Barefield supporters long for the final whistle long before it was due.
Indeed, Shane Fitzpatrick’s 28th minute goal seemed to be the clinching score as if St Joseph’s had gotten to half-time only trailing by four, they could well have regrouped and at least had a realistic chance of altering the narrative.
As it was, they trailed by 1-8 to 0-4 and were duly sunk when a Jamie Stack inspired third quarter saw St Breckan’s outscore their opponents by 0-5 to 0-1 to soar eleven clear.
Substitute Cian Barron did have a glorious opportunity to raid for a lifeline goal after a great catch from a Dara Nagle delivery at the edge of the square but typifying their evening, he was pressurised into kicking wide, the last resistance to their inevitable fate.
Alan Sweeney who excelled with three points from centre-back, should have been celebrating a goal of his own after racing clear with an overlapping run from defence. However, after picking out Colm O’Brien, the return pass across the square was overhit and the county senior had to settle for a point.
Sweeney was also to the fore as St Breckan’s hit the ground running to power 0-6 to 0-1 clear by the end of the opening quarter. His brace was matched by Shane Fitzpatrick before being joined by Paudie Kelly and Jamie Stack who both doubled their bounty by the 22nd minute to extended the gap to six.
Tom Curran’s 40 metre free did lessen the damage to five, only to be rocked back on their heels from the kick-out as Jack Sheedy offloaded to Sweeney to unleash a shot on goal that was parried by Tom O’Brien for the waiting Shane Fitzpatrick to finish to the net.
With three teams to emerge to the quarter-finals from Group 1, it’s still all to play for in the final round as the Parish need a response against an equally high-flying Kilmurry Ibrickane will undoubtedly be surpassed in terms of profile by a juicy must-win North Clare derby between St Breckan’s and Corofin.
Scorers for St Breckan’s: Jamie Stack 0-6 (3f), Shane Fitzpatrick 1-2 (1m), Alan Sweeney 0-3, Paudie Kelly 0-2 (1f), Rowan Danaher 0-2
Scorers for St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Tom Curran 0-3 (2f), Tom McDonald 0-2, Eoghan Thynne 0-2 (1f), James Curran 0-1
St Breckan’s
23: Mark O’Donnell
2: Conor Burke
6: Cian Burke
19: Padraig O’Dwyer
4; Paddy Doherty
12: Alan Sweeney
7: Jack Sheedy
8: Paudie Kelly
9: Denis O’Callaghan
10: Maccon Byrne
5: Colm O’Brien
17: Conor Shannon
13: Jamie Stack
14: Shane Fitzpatrick
15: Rowan Danaher
Subs
20: Eoin Guerin for Shannon (40)
3: Raphael Considine for Byrne (45, inj)
Byrne for O’Callaghan (48, inj)
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield
1: Tom O’Brien
2: Sam Costelloe
3: Conor O’Brien
4: Conal Morgan
15: Dara Nagle
6: Darragh O’Shea
5: Jack Hannan
8: James Curran
9: Tom McDonald
10: Cian McDonough
20: Oisin O’Donnell
13: Nicki Hardiman
17: Tom Curran
14: Joe Rafferty
11: Eoghan Thynne
Subs
30: Cian Barron for O’Donnell (HT)
28: Davie Conroy for Hardiman (HT)
18: Conal Kelleher for Rafferty (43)
21: Peter Collins for Costelloe (54)
26: Fionn Kelleher for Curran (58)
Referee: Barry Keating (Lissycasey)
