Kilmurry Ibrickane edge past Lissycasey to seal return to Clare SFC final

*Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Darragh Sexton. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

In a high scoring Clare senior football championship semi-final, Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s greater calmness under pressure proved decisive as they edged a most entertaining contest with Lissycasey.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane 1-18
Lissycasey 3-11
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

In a tie in which the sides were level on six occasions, Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s ability to punish mistakes was a key ingredient in their victory.

Points were exchanged twice in the opening five minutes before the winners opened a two point lead by the tenth minute.

Three points in as many minutes helped Lissycasey to lead by the odd point in nine at the first water break.

Lissycasey could have been further ahead at this stage as they had created a great goal chance just before the end of the quarter but Niall McCarthy’s effort went over the bar.

That break seemed to break their momentum and from here to half time Kilmurry had slightly the better of matters. At the end of a first half in which the sides were level on five occasions Kilmurry-Ibrickane led by two, 0-9 to 0-7

David Sexton denied Lissycasey a goal at the start of the second half when he saved on the line from substitute Shane Griffin and the favourites then went down field and in space of two minutes hit 1-2 to open a seven point lead.

Keelan Sexton was their goalscorer and with a 1-11 to 0-7 lead things looked good for the Bricks.

Lissycasey with Seamus Collins excelling at centre back, stormed back and substitute Shane Griffin rounded off a great move when he flicked the ball to the net seven minutes into this half.

Two minutes later Lissycasey struck again and this time Aaron Griffin rattled the Kilmurry-Ib net and now there was just a point between the teams.

Ciaran Morrissey responded for the winners but a Killian Normoyle ‘45 followed by a Brian Cahill effort had the sides level at 1-12 to 2-9 when referee Niall Quinn signalled the second water break which again appeared to disrupt Lissycasey’s momentum.

When play resumed Kilmurry hit six unanswered points but, again, Lissycasey came storming back. Conor Finnucane pointed before the end of normal time and two minutes into the additional five Shane Griffin struck for his second goal. Conor Finnucane pointed and the game was back to the minimum.

Time wasn’t on Lissycasey’s side and Kilmurry held out for a merited victrory.

Aidan McCarthy excelled for the winners while Daniel Walsh, Ciaran Morrissey, Dermot Coughlan and Keelan Sexton played key roles.

Seamus Collins was superb for Lissycasey for whom Ryan Griffin, , Conor Finnucane and substitute Shane Griffin did well.

Scorers Kilmurry Ibrickane: Keelan Sexton (1-5), 3 f);Dermot Coughlan (0-3) Shane Hickey Noel Downes, Aidan McCarthy (0-2) each; Daniel Walsh, Ciaran Morrissey, Darragh Sexton, Daryn Callinan (free) 0-1 each.

Scorers Lissycasey: Conor Finnucane (0-6, 2f);Shane Griffin (2-0), Aaron Griffin (1-1) Killian Normoyle (free), Francis Hayes, Niall McCarthy, Brian Cahill (0-1) each

Kilmurry-Ibrickane:
1: David Sexton

2: Shane Hickey
3: Darren Hickey
4: Mark Killeen

5: Daniel Walsh
6: Ciaran Morrissey
7: Darragh Sexton

17: Andrew Shannon
9: Aidan McCarthy

10: Michael Hogan
11: Enda Coughlan
12: Dermot Coughlan

13: Keelan Sexton
18: Noel Downes
19: Diarmuid King;

Subs:
14: Daryn Callinan for Hogan (40)
15: Ian McInerney for Downes(60)
21: Keith King for S. Hickey (60);

Lissycasey:
1: Killian Normoyle

2: Martin Moran
3: Ryan Griffin
4:: Paraic McNamara

7: Oisin Hanrahan
6: Seamus Collins
10: Brian Cahill

8: Francis Hayes
18: Matt O’Shea

17: Michael O’Neill
11: Niall McCarthy
12: Enda Finnucane