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*Michael Nash of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
WITH one point from two games, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield must secure the right result against Kilmihil on Saturday to stay in the Clare SFC.
An opening round five point loss to Ennistymon was followed by a second round draw with Kildysart. It leaves Doora/Barefield and Kilmihil facing off this Saturday (17:00) in Páirc na Muinitre, Lissycasey with the winner likely to advance to the preliminary quarter-finals.
At the same time in Cooraclare, it’s a top of the table tie between Ennistymon and Kildysart. Should Doora/Barefield overcome Kilmihil then they could potentially bypass Kildysart if they lose to Ennistymon. Scoring difference is currently favourable to Kildysart (+6) compared to Doora/Barefield (-5).
Ties against Kilmihil are never easy, Doora/Barefield manager, Donagh Vaughan outlined. “Kilmihil are a seasoned club, they are as tough as nails to keep going with their limited players. Kilmihil will bring it and they bring it every day, we’re very aware of that and we have to win to progress anywhere, that is where it is”.
Down a point at half time against Kildysart, second half goals from John Sheanon and Joe Rafferty had Doora/Barefield on top. With fifty nine minutes played, they were up by six but conceded two goals in ninety seconds and had to rely on Tom McDonald to force an equaliser. “It is our third year in a row facing off, we’re happy to get a draw the way it finished but we’re disappointed that we didn’t hold onto our lead in the second half”.
Scores came off when Doora/Barefield moved the ball quickly, Donagh maintained. “We started quite well in the game, then Kildysart got to grips with us in the middle of the field but I thought Tom McDonald had a super game in the second half, he got on a lot of ball in the middle of the field and that made a difference to us because once we got quick ball into the forwards we managed to get a few scores”.
Michael Nash made a welcome return, scoring two points in the first three minutes after a summer spent in Chicago. On his debut for the club, John Sheanon formerly of Cuala also popped up with a goal. “You want all your players on the field at all times, Michael was back today, John Sheanon made his debut for us and did very well, the bigger the panel and the more players we get back the better because we need everyone”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Donagh admitted they were gutted to end up having to settle for a draw but are determined to kick on versus Kilmihil. “We’re disappointed because we were five points up going down the straight and I was hoping we would hold on, we conceded two goals so we wouldn’t be happy with that, we should have held onto the lead. We’re disappointed but we’re still in it, we have Kilmihil to play, we have one point and we’ll see where it brings us, Kilmihil is our focus now and we’ll let the other results take care of themselves”.
