19/06/2023: Kildysart/Coolmeen were full value for their win today and have earned their spot in the Division 2 Final after a 2-8 to 0-5 victory over Clarecastle. The first half was a tame affair but Kildysart/Coolmeen were all guns blazing in the second half and outscored the home side by 2-5 to 0-1. Kildysart/Coolmeen will face St. Breckan’s who had a big win over KIB 6-17 to 1-4 in the other semi-final. Throw in for the final is at 7pm on Monday 26th June.

Clarecastle started well and jumped into the lead with two scores in the first 5 minutes. Ben Sheehan opened the Kildysart/Coolmeen account in the 11th minute but the Magpies responded in kind. A free from Liam Casey and another from play from Sheehan drew the sides level at three points a piece. In the 20th minute, Clarecastle had a shot on goal but this was fisted back out by goalie TJ O’Donoghue. Clarecastle recycled the ball and another 3 attempts were made at goal but either the shot was blocked or the pass intercepted until finally Siney Neenan cleared the ball out the wing. Clarecastle converted a free to go up by a point and then came threatening on goal again. However, a well-timed shoulder by James Casey, only inches out from goal, caused the Clarecastle effort to go wide. Score at the first whistle: Kildysart/Coolmeen 0-3, Clarecastle 0-4.

Kildysart/Coolmeen started strongly with points from Sheehan and Danny Moloney to take the lead for the first time, and once they got their hands on it – they didn’t let go. Sheehan, who was on fire this evening, bagged the first goal for Kildysart/Coolmeen. Taking a pass from Rueben Ginnane in the mid-field area – he advanced on goal and fired off a rocket from about 30 metres out. Kildysart/Coolmeen 1-5, Clarecastle 0-4. Clarecastle got their last point of the match in the 42nd minute but that didn’t stop them from attacking. They made 5 goal attempts in the second half but were unable to raise the green flag: Their first effort in the opening minute of the restart was shot into the side netting. O’Donohue blocked their second attempt in the 34th minute, their third stab saw the ball careen off the upright and go wide in the 53rd minute, their fourth try was wide and in the 58th minute, O’Donoghue made his third and final save to preserve his clean sheet.

Meanwhile, Kildysart/Coolmeen kept up the pressure and after a point from Liam Casey, Jamie Eyres got his fists to the end of a lovely cross from Mark Kennedy to make it Kildysart/Coolmeen 2-6, Clarecastle 0-5. Two more scores from the boot of Liam Casey finished off the scoring but Kildysart/Coolmeen still had to dig deep to stave off the persistent attacks from Clarecastle. The team showed great strength and determination and is well positioned to take on Breckan's in the final. Final score: Kildysart/Coolmeen 2-8, Clarecastle 0-5. Referee: Noel Quinn

Kildysart/Coolmeen: TJ O’Donoghue, Ryan Keane, James Casey-captain, Oisin Garry, Siney Neenan, Darragh Murtagh, Shane Casey, Rueben Ginnane, Ben Sheehan (1-3), Aidan Murrihy, Liam Casey (04, 2f), Keelan Casey, Oran Meaney, Danny Moloney (0-1), Mark Kennedy. Subs: Jamie Eyres (1-0) for Meaney (43 min), Alex Garry for Keane (50 min), William Neenan for Moloney (52 min), Andrew Watson for Garry (55 min).