Doonbeg booked their place in the last eight of the Clare SFC as they accounted for the challenge of St Senan’s Kilkee on Sunday afternoon.
Doonbeg 1-15
St Senan’s Kilkee 0-10
Venue: Kilrush
Shane Ryan kicked the all-important goal for Doonbeg as they had eight points to spare over St Senan’s Kilkee in what was a tense encounter.
Kilkee started the brighter and were 0-05 0-03 ahead in the second quarter. The Magpies fought back and outscored the Saints 3-1 towards the end of the half to lead by the minimum at the break with Colm Dillon kicking the decisive point.
David Tubridy and Michael O’Shea traded scores following the resumption. Substitute Michael Tubridy added his name to the scoresheet not long after his introduction to put Doonbeg three points ahead.
With forty four minutes on the clock Shane Ryan fired to the back of Kevin Harte’s net. Kilkee replied with two pointed frees from Michael O’Shea only for David Tubridy to kick over one free at the other end.
The Dillon brothers linked up superbly for Doonbeg’s next score as great fielding by Colm was finished off with a point by Paul to extend their advantage to six points. Darragh Kelly and O’Shea added further scores for the Saints. However Brian Shanahan’s side closed out the contest with scores from David Tubridy on the treble and one from Joe Blake.
Colm Dillon was awarded a black card before the final whistle. Referee Pat Cosgrove dismissed Kilkee’s Chris Williamson for a late tackle on Doonbeg netminder Eamonn Tubridy who was still receiving treatment at the sounding of the final whistle.
What a difference twelve months makes, Doonbeg are now preparing for a quarter-final clash whereas last year they were in a relegation dogfight. Kilkee must now regroup for Round Three and they will discover their opponents tomorrow evening.