*Dale Masterson. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
St Breckans remain on course to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Clare SFC for the second year in a row after recording back to back wins.
St Breckans 0-15
Kilrush Shamrocks 1-08
Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis
Far from their most impressive hour, Breckans didn’t over exert themselves but most importantly exited Cusack Park with the result they wanted to seal their place in the last eight.
Off the back of a disappointing six point defeat to Kilmihil in the opening round, Kilrush Shamrocks delivered a better showing and did so while also having had manager Aidan Daly resign in between the first and second round.
Level on four times inside the opening quarter, both sides were deadlocked at 0-04 apiece at the first water break. Padraig Kelly tapped over two placed balls with Aiden Davidson and Joe McGann also adding to St Breckans’ account while Gearoid O’Brien and Stephen Ryan were responsible for all of Kilrush’s tally.
A three point unanswered brace gave the men from Lisdoonvarna and Doolin the advantage they needed while Clare goalkeeper Stephen Ryan operating in the forward line for Kilrush clawed one back to see them 0-09 0-06 behind at the interval.
Kilrush would start the second half with the first two points via Dean Neary and Stephen Ryan’s third mark, St Breckans took until the fortieth minute to open their second half account with Davidson splitting the posts. Ross Phelan stepped up to stick the ball past Tristan O’Callaghan to give Kilrush reason to shout, his goal may yet prove vital if scoring difference comes into play at the end of round three.
When it came to their opening round win over St Josephs Doora/Barefield, St Breckans raided for three goals, all of which were impressive moves while on this occasion they failed to put together a goal chance of note. In either of their clashes, Donie Garrihy’s men have not had a full card yet have obtained a win, when they have their strongest team on the field and give the display they are capable of, they will match any side in Clare. On this day, Padraig Kelly, Cathal Guerin and Dale Masterson stood out for them.
All is not lost for Kilrush despite them being among the favourites to contest the relegation battle. To avoid the battle, they must cause an upset in the final round against The Parish and hope scoring difference stands in their favour. They competed well for large parts of this contest but tired as the game wore on, their second half return of 1-02 indicative of this. Sean Purtill was most impressive for the West Clare men.
Scorers St Breckans: P Kelly (0-08 6f), D Masterson (0-03), J McGann (0-02), A Davidson (0-02 1f).
Scorers Kilrush Shamrocks: S Ryan (0-04 3M 1f), G O’Brien (0-03 2f), R Phelan (1-00), D Neary (0-01).
St Breckans:
1: Tristan O’Callaghan
29: Diorrang McNamara
2: Evan Barrett
17: Raphael Considine
9: Dale Masterson
12: Alan Sweeney
7: Aaron O’Brien
6: Maccon Byrne
8: Liam Tierney
11: Padraig Kelly
15: Aiden Davidson
3: Jack Sheedy
10: Joseph McGann
14: Cathal Guerin
24: Shane Fitzpatrick
Subs:
4: Conor Burke for McNamara (HT)
5: Colm O’Brien for A O’Brien (41)
20: Eoin Guerin for Fitzpatrick (48)
23: Patrick Doherty for Considine (48)
18: Rowan Danaher for Davidson (55).
Kilrush Shamrocks:
1: Tomas Moloney
5: Billy Clancy
12: Niall Brennan
2: Sean Purtil
6: Gearoid O’Brien
14: Matthew Moloney
7: Ross Phelan
8: Ray Glynn
21: Jim Young
10: Cathal Carrig
9: Mark Shannon
4: Dean Neary
3: Keith Crowley
13: Stephen Ryan
15: Jamie Griffin
Subs:
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Josephs Miltown)
