05/06/2023: Kildysart and KIB both suffered defeats in today’s Cusack Cup round 7 and Kildysart was awaiting the result between Corofin and Ennistymon to determine their fate. Kildysart’s hopes were buoyed by what was posted as an Ennistymon two-point win on the Corofin GAA Twitter account – meaning Ennistymon and Kildysart were level on points difference (+5) and Kildysart was to go through on a higher “Total Points For”. But unfortunately, the true result was Ennistymon 1-12, Corofin 0-10 and Kildysart dropped to fourth place and out of the business end of the competition. It is Ennistymon who will meet Clondegad in the semi-final in two weeks’ time, with the winner facing St. Breckan’s, who’ve secured their second consecutive final spot.
Kildysart was slow to get started in the first half of today’s match and was stunned by a soft Doonbeg goal in the first minute. Doonbeg came raiding again but a quick fist-up from Damien Hill sent the ball wide for a 45, which was duly converted. It took until the 12th minute for Kildysart to open their account when a point from Kieran O’Brien settled things. Then Keith Murphy gathered a high ball off the post, turned and fed Rory McMahon, who passed to the on-running Mikey Donnellan, who slotted to the back of the net. Seventeen minutes on the clock and only 1 point between the sides, Doonbeg 1-2, Kildysart 1-1. But Doonbeg dominated the 4th quarter and with 4 points on the trot, led by 5 at the break: Kildysart 1-1, Doonbeg 1-6.
Conor Hassett started the second half by scoring Kildysart’s only free of the game, but Doonbeg soon retaliated in kind to put 5 between them once more. Kildysart was given a lifeline when Mikey Donnellan was pulled down in the square only for the resulting penalty to be sent wide. The return of Emmet McMahon was immediately felt and combined with his brother Rory, who made a key interception in midfield, Emmet fired a rocket passed the goalkeeper to leave two points between the sides, Kildysart 2-2, Doonbeg 1-7. Another fine point from Emmet kept the margin to the minimum, with the 4th quarter to come. However, Doonbeg entered a purple patch and scored 5 unanswered points, before Rory McMahon raised Kildysart's third green flag to leave just a single score between the sides, deep into injury time. And that was how it ended, Kildysart 3-3, Doonbeg 1-12, (6 frees). Referee: Michael Talty.
Doonbeg and Corofin are relegated to the Garry Cup next year, while in the Garry Cup, Miltown awaits the semi-final winner between Doora Barefield and Cooraclare.
Kildysart: Damien Hill, Michael Eustace, Brian Eyres, Stevie Sheehan, Conor Moloney, Kieran Leahy, Ian Flanagan, Keith O’Connor, Kieran O’Brien (0-1), Mikey Donnellan (1-0), Luke McGrath, Rory McMahon (1-0), Seamus Casey, Keith Murphy, Conor Hassett (0-1, 1f). Subs: Emmet McMahon (1-1) for Hassett (39th min), Fergal Ginnane for Flanagan (43 min), Diarmuid O’Donnell for Donnellan (53rd min), Ian Flanagan for Sheehan (54th min).
