Sharkey goal proves too much for tired Clonoe

ULSTER CLUB FOOTBALL - St Eunan's 2-10 Clonoe 1-8: ST EUNAN'S, the Donegal champions, set up a semi-final clash with Crossmaglen…

ULSTER CLUB FOOTBALL - St Eunan's 2-10 Clonoe 1-8:ST EUNAN'S, the Donegal champions, set up a semi-final clash with Crossmaglen or Donagh by seeing off Tyrone champions Clonoe at Coalisland yesterday. David McGinley and Kieran Sharkey scored the vital goals.

Sharkey's second-half penalty effectively ended the challenge of a Clonoe side suffering from fatigue in the latter stages of their fourth game on successive weekends. They were boosted by the inclusion of Emmet Teague and Colm Doris, who were declared eligible pending appeal of their suspensions following the brawl that marred last week's county final.

St Eunan's started brightly, with Brendan Devenney shooting them into a two-point lead. But Clonoe's Ryan O'Neill landed a goal in the 11th minute and added a point to give his side a 1-3 to 0-3 lead. The Letterkenny side hit back with a goal in the 16th minute by David McGinley. A Doris gem put Clonoe in front by two points, but late frees from Devenney left just a point between the sides at half-time, Clonoe ahead by 1-6 to 1-5.

Clonoe tired, scoring just two points. Letterkenny, with Adrian McClafferty excelling at the back and Conal Dunne in defence, got themselves into a position of supremacy. Dunne eased them ahead with a superb point, and won the penalty which Sharkey netted in the 53rd minute. There was no way back for Clonoe

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ST EUNAN'S:D Martin; J Bradley, K Ryan, D McClafferty; M McGowan, E Doherty, A McClafferty; J Haran, K Rafferty (0-1, free); K Sharkey (1-1, 1-0 pen), C Dunne (0-1), R Wherity (0-2); D McGinley (1-0), R Kavanagh (0-1), B Devenney (0-4, three frees). Sub: P McGowan for Bradley.

CLONOE:M O'Neill; C Lynch, A Brady, S McCann; E Teague, D Burke (0-1), G Coney; S O'Hagan, S McNulty (0-2, one 45); RT O'Neill (0-3), C Doris (0-1), P Doris; C Donnelly, E Hughes, RR O'Neill (1-1). Subs: J McClure for Burke, S Coney for Hughes, PJ Lavery for P Doris, Burke for McCann.

Referee:J McKee (Armagh).