Sport

St Joseph's live up to favourites tag

For the first time in 40 years and for only the third time in their history, St Joseph's became hurling champions of Clare at…

Mon Nov 16 1998 - 00:00

For the first time in 40 years and for only the third time in their history, St Joseph's became hurling champions of Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.

Beaten finalists 12 months ago, they had worn the favourites tag from the outset this season and, while this game will not be remembered as a classic, there is little doubt that the achievement will be celebrated for some time to come in the Doora-Barefield parish.

The crucial score was their third goal which came in first-half injury time. It put them into a five-point lead and after this the Kilmaley side were always struggling to get back on level terms.

Earlier the winners had hit the net twice in a 30-second spell in the eighth minute. The first came when a Sean McMahon free from all of 80 yards deceived Kilmaley goalkeeper Kieran Dillon and ended up in the net. Seconds later, Andrew Whelan had the first of his two goals. Kilmaley fought back with a Pat Healy goal and, just a point behind as half-time approached, the winners hit that crucial 1-1.

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Again they fought back and a goal from midfielder Eamon Kennedy brought them within two points of St Joseph's with 19 minutes still remaining. St Joseph's were the better balanced side and points from Sean McMahon and Jamsie O'Connor sealed victory and a place in the Munster semi-final next week against Mount Sion of Waterford.

Scorers - St. Joseph's: A Whelan 2-1, S McMahon 1-3, J O'Connor 0-4, C Mullen 0-1. Kilmaley: A Markham 0-4, E Kennedy 1-1, P Healy 1-0, I Kennedy and M Murphy 0-1 each.

St Joseph's: C O'Connor; G Hoey, D Cahill, K Kennedy; D O'Driscoll, S McMahon, D Hoey; O Baker, J Considine; J O'Connor, N Brodie, L Hassett; G Baker, C O'Neill, A Whelan. Sub: C Mullen for O'Neill.

Kilmaley: K Dillon; D Nealon, D Pilkington, J O'Rourke; E Slattery, T Kennedy, G Hayes; F Kennedy, M Murphy; P Healy, C Clancy, J McMahon; D Healy, A Markham, B McMahon. Subs: N Romer for Nealon, D McMahon for P Healy.

Referee: S McMahon (Newmarket-on-Fergus).

Laois were too good for an experimental Limerick side in the Oireachtas Senior Hurling Cup at Doon. The visitors led by 0-9 to 0-4 at half time, but a goal by Declan O'Grady 13 minutes into the second half left only two points between the sides. However, Laois finished the stronger, David Cuddy and Fionan O'Sullian racking up the points.