13/09/2023: Kildysart/Coolmeen’s hard-fought win this evening over Doonbeg 3-12 to 3-7 lands them in 4th place in group 2 and secures their Division 2 Shield Semi-final spot v the third place team in group 1 (where results aren’t all in yet). With 15 teams between both groups of Division 2-3, this is a great achievement, so well done to the team and management.

Kildysart started strongly and were 3 points to the good inside the first 5 minutes with two from Liam Casey and one from Dylan Cooney. Doonbeg however drew level a few minutes later with a tidy goal to the top right-hand corner. Kildysart/Coolmeen then pulled down a Doonbeg forward in the penalty area and were reduced to 14 men with a black card. The penalty was converted and Kildysart/Coolmeen found themselves 3 points adrift. The response from Kildysart/Coolmeen was immediate when Liam Casey found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and made no mistake – the sides level again 1-3 to 2-0, with 12 minutes gone. The sides were level again in the 20th minute when Jamie Sheehan’s point after a long run was canceled out by a Doonbeg score. With 2 minutes remaining on the first black card, Kildysart/Coolmeen were dealt a blow when another player was blackcarded. This time Doonbeg took full advantage and scored 1-1 in the remaining minutes and Kildysart/Coolmeen were four points in arrears at the half, Kildysart/Coolmeen 1-4, Doonbeg 3-2.

A blistering start from the Estuary men drew the sides level again by the 34th minute with 2 from play from Casey and 2 frees from the boot of Jamie Sheehan. Kildysart/Coolmeen inched ahead with another Sheehan free only for Doonbeg to claw it back to parity again. Kildysart/Coolmeen were lucky then in the 39th minute when a short kick out went astray and Doonbeg, faced with an open goal, misfired and the shot went over the bar, Doonbeg up by 1, Kildysart/Coolmeen 1-10, Doonbeg 3-5 with 40 minutes on the clock. It was a game-changing third quarter as Liam Casey struck for his second major and was heading for his third, only to be thwarted by the Doonbeg goalie. However, the quick response of Conal Casey to scoop up the rebound and fire to the net put Kildysart/Coolmeen ahead by 5, Kildysart/Coolmeen 3-10, Doonbeg 3-5. Doonbeg closed the gap to 3 but that was the closest they came as two more scores from Sheehan closed out the 5-point win. Kildysart/Coolmeen 3-12, Doonbeg 3-7.

Kildysart: Ben Sheehan, Quin Collins, James Casey, Darragh Murtagh, Reuben Garry, Cillian Kelly, Harrison Scanlon, Daniel Moloney, Jamie Sheehan (0-7, 4f), Michael Kennedy, Conal Casey-captain (1-0), Michael Kennedy, Liam Casey (2-4), Jack Hanrahan, Dylan Cooney (0-1). Subs: Jessie Collins for Cooney (HT), Shane Casey for Murtagh (54 min)