Doora/Barefield get date with destiny after reaching first Clare SFC final since 2012

*Joe Rafferty, Cian McDonough and James Curran celebrate at the final whistle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

ST JOSEPH’S Doora/Barefield have advanced to a first Clare SFC final since 2012 after deservedly beating Cratloe.

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 3-11
Cratloe 1-14
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis

The Clare Echo’s online coverage of the Clare SFC is with thanks to The Shannon Springs Hotel.

Having taken the scalps of Kilmurry Ibrickane and Cratloe in the knockout stages, St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield find themselves within sixty minutes of lifting the Jack Daly but they’ll face the almighty force of Éire Óg on the big day.

Before they turn their focus to that they will savour a well-earned semi-final victory over Cratloe. They led for the majority of the first half, Podge Collins equalising with the last score before the interval and they only trailed for a small period between the third and final quarter before steadying themselves.

Goals were important in the tie, equally so the moments at which they arrived. Odhran O’Connell on the seventh minute, Joe Rafferty on the thirty fourth and Tom Curran on the fifty fifth minute helped to propel The Parish into the county final.

Fionn Kelleher’s absence was felt from the Doora/Barefield side but it didn’t stop them from emerging victorious. Two weeks will be vital in his recovery from a minor hamstring strain.

On the other side, Jamie Moylan’s loss from the middle third was greatly felt by Cratloe. He was very influential in their extra time win over Ennistymon, his power and energy was sorely missed, they were also without Eoin Carey but welcomed back David Collins to their starting team.

For all but Conor O’Brien on the Doora/Barefield side, it was a first Clare SFC semi-final appearance, they started well to remove any doubt that unfamiliarity with the occasion would be a barrier. Joe Rafferty kicked over a free inside four minutes before O’Connell hit their first goal following a brilliant run from captain and full-back Darragh O’Shea.

Tom Curran who was exceptional throughout, kicked a two pointer on nine minutes to put them 1-4 0-1 ahead.

Cratloe needed to respond and they did with Mike Brennan getting a rare championship goal after a precision Podge Collins pass put him through on goal. With the next two points from Sean Collins and Rian Considine, it was suddenly a one point game with fourteen minutes gone.

White flags from Tom Curran and McDonald steadied Doora/Barefield before Cratloe finished the half with four of the final five scores to leave matters level.

Substitute Conal O’Hanlon put Cratloe in front on the restart but Joe Rafferty replied with a major following excellent work from Michael Nash, Liam Clune and Tom Curran.

Frees were swapped by Curran and Cathal McInerney before Cratloe put together a run of five points without reply to hold a two point advantage with forty two minutes played.

Crucially Cratloe were not as fruitful from here on when it came to scoring efficiency. They missed their next seven scoring opportunities, Tom O’Brien making saves from Rian Considine and Podge Collins while the upright denied Diarmuid Ryan.

At the other end, Doora/Barefield hit 1-3 on the bounce over the course of twelve minutes to build up a four point lead heading into the final stretch.

More chances fell Cratloe’s way and Doora/Barefield had a nervy finish as they kept out more shots on goal but their relief turned to joy when Fergal O’Brien sounded the final whistle.

Composed and smart in possession, Donagh Vaughan’s charges delivered their best overall performance of the championship, they were strong in stages against Kilmurry Ibrickane but that was more widespread across the course of the game. It was also a bigger collective effort with much more players coming to the fore. Liam Clune, Joe Rafferty, Tom O’Brien, Darragh O’Shea, Tom McDonald and Tom Curran all excelled for the winners.

For the second year running, Cratloe exit in the semi-finals. Missed chances and that nineteen minute window in the second half where they failed to score was their undoing. Colm Collins’ side had too many players that faded in and out of the game whereas Doora/Barefield produced a more consistent showing. They could have snuck a winner at the death but their radar was just that bit off. Diarmuid Ryan and Podge Collins were their standout performers.

Scorers St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: T Curran (1-5 1TP 1f), J Rafferty (1-2 1f), O O’Connell (1-0), T McDonald (0-3), P Bugler (0-1).

Scorers Cratloe: S Collins (0-3 1f), P Collins (0-3), M Brennan (1-0), C McInerney (0-2 1f), R Considine (0-1), L Markham (0-1), C O’Hanlon (0-1), T Lohan (0-1), D Ryan (0-1), D Collins (0-1)

St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield:
1: Tom O’Brien

11: Eoghan Thynne
3: Darragh O’Shea
24: Eoghan Boyle

9: Odhran O’Connell
6: Conor O’Brien
7: Cian McDonough

8: Michael Nash
5: James Curran

10: Liam Clune
13: Tom McDonald
14: Joseph Rafferty

20: Tom Curran
15: Paddy Bugler
12: Nicki Hardiman

Subs:
18: Charlie Hannan for Hardiman (HT)
19: Diarmuid Boyle for Hannan (55)
2: Samuel Costelloe for Bugler (62)

Cratloe:
1: Padraigh Chaplin

4: Riain McNamara
3: Kevin Harnett
7: Marc O’Brien

2: David Collins
6: Liam Markham
5: Enda Boyce

8: Diarmuid Ryan
17: Mike Brennan

14: Rian Considine
11: Seán Collins
18: Ryan Harkin