McMahon sets the way as Kildysart beat Shannon Gaels again

*Emmet McMahon kicked 1-04 as Kildysart qualified for the Clare IFC semi-finals. Photograph: Natasha Barton

KILDYSART have defeated Shannon Gaels in the Clare IFC quarter-finals for the second time this year, recording a four point winning margin in their fixture.

Kildysart 1-11
Shannon Gaels 1-7
Venue: Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg

A local derby always provides drama fuelled entertainment, none more so than the meeting two weeks ago which went all the way to a penalty shootout.

Bearing in mind how close that contest was and the fact that Kildysart used more than the amount of required substitutes, patrons were eagerly anticipating more high octane drama in the refixture.

What we got was an electrifying start by the Gaels men raiding for 1-1 inside the opening two minutes when firstly Dylan Kenny pointed from a free and then Darragh Bohannon showed great strength cutting in from the sideline after a poor Kildysart kick out before blasting home from close range.

Kildysart settled though kicking the next four scores with two from Emmet McMahon, one from Kieran O’Brien and a fisted effort from Conor Hassett. McMahon’s point was the pick of the bunch being a terrific touchline score from thirty five yards.

We then had a mini scuffle involving four players in the middle of the field but strangely referee Brian Shanahsn took no action.

Shannon Gaels were really struggling on the restarts and another poor kickout resulted in a Kieran O’Brien point giving the Kildysart the lead for the first time.

Another poor kickout with Shannon Gaels fouling O’Brien as he secured possession. Showing great awareness O’Brien popped a lovely pass to McMahon who dropped the shoulder sold a dummy beat the defender before blasting low to the bottom corner for a terrific goal and suddenly there was daylight between the teams.

Barry Crehan kicked a fee for the Gaels, their first score in 26 minutes before a Seamus Casey point saw Kildysart head to the dressing room leading by four on a 1-6 to 1-2 scoreline.

The second half was all about game management for an Emmet McMahon inspired Kildysart as they controlled proceedings throughout with the result never looking in doubt. McMahon kicked two further incredible scores, the first an audacious effort off the left peg from under the stand, the second, a monster effort from out on the far touchline with McMahon pumping the fists straight after.

The Gaels could never really land a blow and two late Bohannon frees only added respectability as it is Kildysart who advance to a semi final showdown with O’Currys on a full time scoreline of 1-11 to 1-7

Scorers for Kildysart: Emmet McMahon 1-4, Conor Hassett 0-3, Kieran O’Brien 0-2, Seamus Casey, Fergal Ginnane 0-1 each

Scorers for Shannon Gaels: Darragh Bohannon 1-2(2f), Barry Crehan 0-3(3f), Dylan Kenny 0-1(f), Thomas Kelly 0-1

Kildysart
1: Conor Cusack

20: Mikey Eustace
2: Brian Eyres
4: Stephen Sheehan

10: Fergal Ginnane
6: Kieran Leahy
7: Rory McMahon

8: Keith O’Connor
11: Kieran O’Brien

27: Conor Moloney
13: Seamus Casey
12: Luke McGrath

9: Emmet McMahon
14: Jamie Evans
19: Conor Hassett

Subs:
18: Mikey Donnellan for Moloney (50)
17: Oisin Coyle for Hassett (60)
21: Ryan Casey for S Casey (60)

Shannon Gaels
1: David Neylon

2: Tadgh Kelly
3: Jack Reidy
4: Eoin Keane

5: Tomás Cleary
6: Matthew Reidy
7: Aaron Malone-Smyth