St Josephs Doora/Barefield have been knocked out of the Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship losing out in extra time to Limerick champions Monaleen.
Monaleen 2-21
St Josephs Doora/Barefield 3-13
Venue: Gaelic Grounds
Doora/Barefield paid the price for failing to keep the scoreboard ticking over as Monaleen came good at a crucial time to send the tie to extra time and from there exerted their influence on the game.
A tally of 2-03 from minor Tom Hannan had the Parish ahead in the opening thirty minutes as they led 2-05 0-08 at the end of the first half. Neither side scored in the closing ten minutes of the opening half with Hannan’s contribution crucial.
Andrew La Touche Cosgrave raised a green flag for Monaleen on the thirty ninth minute. Doora/Barefield responded in the best possible fashion as a penalty from Alan O’Neill hit the back of the net at the other end.
The Limerick club hit the last five scores of the second half to send the game to extra time with La Touche Cosgrave slotting over three of those points.
Monaleen powered on in extra time as Doora/Barefield ended a thirty two minute period without a score when Alan O’Neill and then David Conroy pointed to reduce the gap to two points as the first half of extra time concluded.
Ger Collins added a crucial score twenty seven seconds in to the second half of extra time when he struck a low shot past Paul Madden who had little chance in saving his effort. From here both sides added a further two points each but it is the Limerick Intermediate champions that advance to the last four where they will take on Kerry’s Kilmoyley under the guidance of Clarecastle man Fergie O’Loughlin.
While they failed to see out this game in normal time The Parish achieved their main goal in returning to the senior ranks, a long run in Munster would have been ideal preparation for the 2017 Clare SHC but they will be content nonetheless to be back in top grade.