Kilmaley end a 19-year wait

Clare SHC final/Kilmaley 1-10 Doora Barefield 1-9: Winning only a second title, Kilmaley ended a 19-year wait, at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday,

This was sweet revenge, as the last time they appeared in a final St Joseph's Doora-Barefield had five points to spare over them in 1998. It took until almost the last puck of the game to decide this one, with corner forward Brian Healy providing the winner two minutes into injury-time at the end of a hard game in dreadful conditions.

Inclement weather made it well nigh impossible for fluid hurling but, to be fair to both sides, they served up an entertaining contest that had the teams level on five occasions.

Kilmaley had the better of exchanges in the first period, but could only manage to go in level (1-5 each) at the break. The first goal fell to the winners in the 15th minute when 16-year-old Conor Neylon batted past Christy O'Connor in the Doora-Barefield goal. With two minutes remaining in the half, Damien Kennedy, an early substitute for St Joseph's, goaled and an Eoin Conroy point levelled matters just before injury-time.

James O'Connor fired St Joseph's ahead after the break from a free but a bullish Kilmaley turned the tables in a tight second half and led by two points by the 50th minute. Colin Lynch's improved performance when moved to midfield had a big bearing on the outcome, as did the curbing of David Hoey, the St Joseph's wing back. Brian McMahon was moved from full forward to mark him and even though Hoey's performance was top notch, his influence waned.

O'Connor brought St Joseph's within a single point of Kilmaley with two minutes on the clock and when Seán McMahon hit the equaliser from a long-range free in injury-time, it appeared a second day would be needed. But up popped Healy and after winning a good ball he shot it between the posts for victory.

KILMALEY: K Dillon; C Murphy, A Cahill, C McMahon; E Burke, A Markham (0-1, free), E Slattery; D McMahon, C Sexton (0-1); C Lynch (0-1), C Clancy, K Kennedy (0-5, frees); B Healy (0-2), B McMahon, C Neylon (1-0). Sub: S Murphy for Neylon.

ST JOSEPH'S: C O'Connor; C O'Sullivan, K Kennedy, F O'Sullivan; D Hoey, S McMahon (0-2, frees), D O'Driscoll; O Baker, K Dilleen; E Conroy (0-1), J O'Connor (0-5, four frees), L Hassett (0-1); P Fahy, N Brodie, E Whelan. Subs: D Kennedy (1-0) for Fahy, G Baker for Conroy.

Referee: R Hickey (Éire Óg, Ennis).