The Clare Senior Football Championship Round One has been completed.
St Josephs Doora Barefield booked their place in the winners round with a 0-9 to 0-6 win over Shannon Gaels in Lissycasey.
The men from the Parish led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break, and the Gaels fought back to level the game at 0-5 a piece. A late rally from the men in maroon sealed the win, and they had 3 points to spare at the full time whistle.
In Doonbeg, Miltown left it late to overcome 14 man O'Curry's. The score at half time was 0-3 to 0-1 in favour of Miltown, having played against the breeze. An early run of points in the second half from Ger Quinlan gave O'Currys the lead, but some brilliant long range efforts by Miltown steadied the ship, and they closed out the game to win by 0-9 to 0-5.
The second game in Doonbeg provided the first upset of 2014. St Senans Kilkee claimed a one point win over Kilmurry Ibrickane, taking victory by 0-10 to 0-9. The Blues made a blistering start to the game, and with Michael O'Shea in great form, they led by 0-5 to 0-0 midway through the half. Kilmurry fought back with four unanswered points to close the gap to the minimum at half time, 0-5 to 0-4.
Kilkee had the elements at their back in the second half, and when O'Shea landed his seventh point of the game, they led by 0-8 to 0-6. Kilmurry levelled once more with minutes to play, but Darragh Kelly was the hero landing a late score to seal the win.
Last years beaten finalists Doonbeg also got 2014 off to a winning start. They were comfortable 2-15 to 0-5 winners over Ennistymon in Miltown. At half time, they led by 0-5 to 0-3, but a storming second half performance, including goals from Shane Ryan and Ronan Goode sealed the win.
Clondegad easily disposed of St Breckans in the first of a double header in Cusack Park. Backboned by their county stars, they led by 2-5 to 0-6 at the break, with the goals coming from Shane Brennan and Podge McMahon.
Despite the best efforts of the North Clare men in the second half, the gap was too much and Clondegad progressed by 2-12 to 0-10.
The second game in Cusack Park saw county champions Cratloe taking on Eire Óg. It was the holders that started brightest, and led by 1-3 to 0-0 early on, Podge Collins with 1-2. The Townies fought back well, and a Dara Walsh goal saw them go in at half time in the lead by 1-6 to 1-4.
The game was decided in a 10 minute spell in the second half when Cratloe hit 0-5 without reply. Conor Ryans goal left the score at 2-11 to 1-8, and despite a late charge from Eire Óg, it was Colm Collins men who came through by 2-12 to 1-12.
Cooraclare became the seventh team into the winners round of the Clare Senior Football Championship after a comfortable 1-15 to 0-6 win over Kilrush this afternoon.
After playing against the breeze, Cooraclare led by 0-9 to 0-3 at half time. Kilrush threatened a comeback after the restart and cut the deficit to four points early in the half.
However, led by county star Rory Donnelly, Cooraclare kept the scoreboard ticking over, and a Thomas Downes goal put the result beyond doubt.
In the final game of the round, Lissycasey overcame Liscannor to book their place in the winners round. Playing against the breeze in Cooraclare, Lissycasey built up a five point lead, but a late rally from the North Clare side reduced the gap to just two points to leave the half time score 0-7 to 0-5 in favour of Barry Donnellys outfit.
Lissycasey outscored their opponents by 0-6 to 0-2 in the second period, and closed out the game to win by 0-13 to 0-7.
The draw for the winners round will consist of:
St Josephs Doora Barefield, St Josephs Miltown, Kilkee, Doonbeg, Clondegad, Cratloe, Cooraclare and Lissycasey.
The winners of this round will progress to the 2014 Quarter Finals.
The losers round will be:
Shannon Gaels, O'Currys, Kilmurry Ibrickane, Ennistymon, St Breckans, Eire Óg, Kilrush and Liscannor.
Whoever wins in this round, will play the losers of the winners round for a place in the 2014 Quarter Finals, while the losers will contest the relegation battle.