Emmet’s exhibition & McGrath’s winner sends Kildysart into first Clare SFC semi-final in 39 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 1987. His first half display helped the wind-assisted Kildysart to a ten point lead.

Their wait of 39 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 clash 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 and with McMahon on song, they were duly punished.

Six two pointers from McMahon, all of which arrived in the opening half helped the Kildysart faithful to be at full voice. The Clare attacker fired over from all angles and distances, an asset that will only strengthen as autumn progresses.

With two minutes on the clock, Emmet converted his first free, from the 65m line. Lissycasey got level for the first time when Shane Griffin and Daire Culligan added scores. Griffin intercepted Kieran O’Brien before showing a clean pair of heels and steadying himself, he was also involved in teeing up Culligan when picking out a nice pass across goal as they worked a score.

Lissycasey went in front on ten minutes when Cian Meaney finished off a team move that saw Aaron Griffin and Diarmuid McMahon string together nice passes.

A brace of two pointers from Emmet restored the lead to Kildysart, his first from play would have frustrated the Lissycasey sideline as a player of his ability was left too loose and given a chance to score from play which he duly did.

Shane Griffin pulled one back for Lissycasey narrowing the gap to two on seventeen minutes but McMahon booted over another four points with two kicks, the latter which was moved forward for dissent.

Liam Casey got in on the scoring act when firing over a two pointer and they saw out the half with one more McMahon free, another two pointer which was moved up for mouthing leaving it 0-14 0-4 at the interval.

Within six minutes of the new half, Lissycasey had four chances but took only two, Darragh Killeen cutting the deficit forty three seconds into the half with Conor Finnucane landing a two pointer free.

Introduced initially as a blood sub, Darren Keane stayed on the field and pointed not long after his introduction. Prior to this Oisin Coyle and previously Kieran O’Brien had kept Kildysart’s account ticking over.

As the game entered the final quarter, Lissycasey had scores from Aaron Griffin, a Finnucane free and a Connor Meaney two pointer to make it a four point game. Emmet responded with a white flag for Kildysart stemming Lissycasey’s run of 0-4 without reply.

Daire Culligan raided for goal on fifty minutes, Diarmuid McMahon offloading the ball to his colleague, giving them a real lift at the perfect time.

Culligan then fired over a two pointer a minute later, levelling matters for only the second time.

Finnucane put them back in front, again for only the second time in the game and with seven to go there was a risk of doubts settling into the Kildysart side.

Instead, they put together two scores, McMahon involved in both, first as creator alongside Keith O’Connor to Liam Casey and then as finisher when Casey and Rory McMahon helped to put him through.

Darren Keane with a superbly timed flick pushed the ball away from Jamie Evans as he was about to put Kildysart ahead, it saw them win back possession and kick start the move that resulted in Shane Griffin pointing to give them a one point lead with sixty minutes on the clock.

There would be another chance and it arrived for Kildysart, they have plenty of players capable of kicking big scores, Luke McGrath is among them and with his first contribution to the scoreboard, he made it a memorable one to seal a sweet win.

A fourth quarter-final exit in five years sees Lissycasey remain a side with unfulfilled potential. The Cusack Cup champions were rightly among the contenders at the beginning of the campaign but it was obvious from the first two rounds that they would have considerable ground to make to lead the chasing pack never met set the pace for everyone else.

Primary possession and securing it off restarts has been an issue, they struggled against the elements in the opening half but more than broke even on Kildysart’s kickouts in the second half. The loss of Mikey O’Neill to hoover up breaks was felt but they will need to reorganise their middle third if they are to start tapping into their promise. Shane Griffin stood out for David Considine’s side and has had a very strong campaign overall, Michael Meaney impressed at corner back, making big blocks and winning turnovers while Cian Meaney and Darragh Killeen also did well.

Showing one big difference between the sides occurred with twenty minutes on the clock. Kildysart defender Rory McMahon threw Diarmuid McMahon to the ground, it showed which side was ready for battle and not give an inch while the failure of any Lissycasey player within the rules of the game to stand up for their teammate was telling.

Firepower will go a long way in the modern game and Kildysart have bucket loads of it. Emmet McMahon gave his performance of the campaign to lead by example, his older brother Rory also set the tone through his aggression and smart offloads. Keith O’Connor continues to be such an underrated asset while Luke McGrath and Liam Casey were also prominent for Niall Ginnane’s side.

Unbeaten and heading for a first semi-final since 89, Kildysart are growing in confidence. They have the right blend of experience and youth with an attack that can trouble any outfit.

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.