*Fergal Kenny. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Shannon Gaels secured their intermediate status for 2024 when they accounted for Kilfenora at Coolmeen on Sunday but they were made fight all the way by their North Clare opponents.
Shannon Gaels 0-15
Kilfenora 2-05
Venue: Coolmeen
The game was postponed from Saturday due to inclement weather.
Kilfenora made the better start and helped by a goal from Micheal Duffy they registered 1-2 in the opening quarter.
Although they struggled to cope with the powerful running of inter county man Cian O’Dea, the Gaels finished the half strongly with four unanswered points to trail by the minimum at half time when the score was 1-3 to 0-5.
An early second half goal from Cian O’Dea kept Kilfenora in front up to the three quarter stage.
An excellent point from centre back Michael O’Malley sparked a strong finish from Shannon Gaels who landed six unanswered points with Thomas Kelly, Niall Ellis, Dylan Kenny and Darren Crehan amongst the scorers.
Once they were in front the winners set up defensively and they held their opponents scoreless in the closing stages to secure a merited win and their intermediate status for next season.
Shannon Gaels: David Neylon; Eoin Keane, Jack Reidy, Fergal Kenny; Damian Downes, Michael O’Malley, Tadhg Kelly; Darragh Bohannon, Dylan Kenny; Thomas Kenny, Thomas Kelly, Jack McCarthy; Niall Ellis, Michael O’Donoghue, Barry Crehan;
Subs: Darren Crehan for Downes; Kieran Kennedy for McCarthy
Kilfenora; Declan Brennan; Niall Hegarty, Cathal O’Halloran Paul Carkill; David Nagle, Cronan Howley, Eoghan O’Leary; Cian O’Dea, Pat Connole; Cian O Conchuir, John Nea, Peter Collins; Patrick Collins, Micheal Duffy, Matthew Egan.
Subs: Paudie Ireland for O’Conchuir; Gearoid Howley for Carkill (inj); Shane Long for P. Collins
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
