This article is from page 112 of the 2007-07-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 112 JPG
AS THE Quilty fairground stalls cranked up after the final whistle, you could forgive the supporters for not rushing down to queue for the rides. Both sets of fans remained in the stand, taking in what was an entralling game and wondering if it would be decided by extra time and as the teams warmed down out in the field, both sets of management seemed content with a draw.
One man who kicked every ball on the sideline was selector James Hea- ly, a former Clarecastle dual player who now puts all his efforts into top- pling the magpies (Doonbeg, that 1s) as part of the Lissycasey revolution.
“Well we were worried because Doonbeg had a very, very good first half. In the secod half we improved and got a lucky goal but we are lucky to get out of it with a draw in the end.”
Doonbeg’s midfield dominance was also on Healy’s mind and he re- flected on how well the magpies did in the middle of the field.
“They troubled us. Doonbeg have a
very, good midfield unit with Frank O’Dea and Conor Whelan, both county lads and you know we strug- gled in a lot of sections in the field but we got it together in the end and we were fortunate to get the draw.”
The main talking point from the game was definitely the Nigel Dil- lon save with ten minutes remaining. A suberb full length block which he scrambled to the side and while the umpires were certain that it was not a goal, there were several Lissyca- sey appeals that perhaps the ball had crossed the line.
“Well there was questions whether it was a goal or not and some people were Saying it wasn’t but at the end of the day, we are very happy with the draw after trailing for most of the match.”
Doonbeg manager Tommy Tubri- ChVMM I ccWoee exe [UE DORM KETsIBASECCLO MMU AONE BEls draw even thugh his side seemed to have the game wrapped up, only for a defensive mistake to let Lissycasey back into the game.
“The goal I suppose came late but they were unfortunate that they could have had a goal got before that but
we are delighted because it is great preparation for our championship fixture this weekend and that’s what we are now really focused on.”
Lissycasey’s fightback was a worry for the long serving manager but now that the Cusack cup has been settled until after the champonship, he is adament that the emphasis is now firmly on winning back the Jack Daly trophy after six famine years, a barren run which 1s alien to the high standards which they set themselves in Doonbeg.
“They got on top in the second half for a while but we got it together again. We had a few injuries coming into the game so we came through the game alright without them but hopefully they will be back for this weekend’s championship, starting with Ennistymon on Saturday.”
On this showing, you wouldn’t bet against a repeat of this fixture in the championship final come October.