This article is from page 61 of the 2011-08-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 61 JPG
Doonbeg 3-7 – Ennistymon 1-9 at Pairc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
WITH an immaculate, carpet-like pitch and a full stand in Pairc Naomh Mhuire on Saturday evening, the stage was set for this top of the table decider between the respective Magpies of north and west Clare.
After all, Doonbeg are defending champions and Cusack Cup finalists while Ennistymon are Garry Cup and Under 21A holders that suggested it would be just as close as the first game of the double header.
As often as is the case however, it is the most anticipated championship matches that fail to ingite and so it proved on this occasion also as Doonbeg kicked two first half goals to quell the early Ennistymon rebellion and always looked like winning the game without ever making it comfortable for themselves on the scoreboard.
Ennistymon appeared to have expended most of their energy in the pre-match ‘introduction’ on their way to the field as aside from an early Sean McConigley goal, they displayed scarcely any of the determined, fighting qualities that saw them snatch victory from the clutches of last year’s finalists Liscannor last time out.
Instead, Doonbeg brushed off the early 1-1 to 0-1 deficit and hit back by playing to their strengths, with midfielders Enda Doyle and Colm Dillon working tirelessly to feed the quality of David Tubridy and Shane Ryan up front.
Tubridy as ever was the focal point of the attack, scoring points from both feet as well as setting up Frank O’Dea for their opening goal in the tenth minute. Ten minutes later, they regained full control when a Shane Ryan free was floated towards the square and Colm Dillon rose unmarked to punch to the net and give the Magpies a 2-4 to 1-3 lead.
It was a lead that they would never relenquish, despite making much harder work of it than was entirely necessary. Another Tubridy free had them 2-5 to 1-4 clear by the break while they would only score thrice more in the game, thanks in the main to seven second half wides.
Unfortunately for Ennistymon, they just couldn’t muster up enough grit to take advantage as the management made several alterations and substitutes but to little avail. They did get to within a goal of the lead- ers by the 47th minute after points from Joe Dowling and Brian Conway but it always seemed as if Doonbeg could pull away if needed and sure enough, it came to pass in the 56th minute when David Tubridy cleverly punched a Colm Dillon break into the net to give them some breathing space once more.
Ennistymon hit back with late points from Willie Murphy and Brian Conway but again Doonbeg upped the ante before the finish with Paul Dillon’s goalbound shot saved before Tubridy put the rebound over the bar to maintain Doonbeg’s perfect start.
Doonbeg
Nigel Dillon (7), RichieVaughan (7), Padraig Gallagher (7), Conor Whelan (7), Brian Dillon (7), Paraic Aherne (8), Shane O’Brien (7), ColmDillon (8) (1-1), Enda Doyle (9), Shane Ryan (7), Shane Killeen (6), Frank O’Dea (7) (1-0), Paul Dillon (7), Kevin Nugent (6), DavidTubridy (8) (1-5 2f)
Subs
EamonTubridy (6) for Nugent (14 mins, inj), Conor Downes for E.Tubridy (55 mins)
Ennistymon
David McInerney (7), Michael Hohey (6), Laurence Healy (8), Michael Anthony Devitt (7),Willie Murphy (7) (0-1), Micheál
O’Loughlin (8), OisinVaughan (7), Ronan Linnane (6), Sean O’Driscoll (7) (0-1 ’45), Robert McDonagh (7) (0-1), Kevin Scales (6), Joe Dowling (7) (0-2 1f), Joey Rouine (7), Brian Conway (7) (04 3f 1 lineball), Sean McConigley (7) (1-0)
Subs
Cathal Malone (7) for Linnane (38 mins), Michael McDonagh (6) for Scales (38 mins), Brian McDonagh (6) for R. McDonagh (49 mins), Michael Houlihan for Rouine (55 mins)
Man of the Match
Enda Doyle (Doonbeg) Referee Rory Hickey (Éire Óg)