Emmet’s exhibition & McGrath’s winner sends Kildysart into first Clare SFC semi-final in 139 years

*Emmet McMahon on the attack for Kildysart. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

CAPTAIN Luke McGrath kicked the winning score to see Kildysart overcome neighbours Lissycasey to claim the first of the Clare SFC semi-final places.

Kildysart 0-21
Lissycasey 1-17
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis

Emmet McMahon delivered an exhibition of scoring, kicking six two pointers as Kildysart qualified for a first senior championship semi-final since 1887. His first half display helped the wind-assisted Kildysart to a ten point lead.

Their wait of 139 years ended when captain McGrath stepped up to land a two pointer in additional time, local speculation that club stalwart Noel McMahon is able to recall details from the class of 87 are understood to be wide of the mark.

Shooting for Lissycasey fell wide of the mark on too many occasions in the second half as they mounted a comeback. They kicked nine wides over the hour, five in the second half which drained some energy.

Despite the misses, Lissycasey still put themselves in a position to win the game, Shane Griffin kicking them in front for the second time in the contest with sixty minutes played.

McGrath’s crucial orange flag arrived on sixty two minutes, referee Barry Kelly playing the three minutes additional as signalled.

Discipline also proved costly for Lissycasey with two frees brought forward for mouthing in the opening half.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Scorers Kildysart: E McMahon (0-14 5TPf 1TP), L Casey (0-3 1TP), L McGrath (0-2 1TP), K O’Brien (0-1), O Coyle (0-1).

Scorers Lissycasey: D Culligan (1-3 1TP), C Finnucane (0-5 2TPf 1f), S Griffin (0-3), Connor Meaney (0-2 1TP), Cian Meaney (0-1), D Killeen (0-1), D Keane (0-1), A Griffin (0-1)

All photographs by Gerard O’Neill.