Clonakilty 0-15

Douglas 1-11

WEST CORK CLUB Clonakilty have returned to the senior football showpiece in Cork for the first time since 2009, 

They secured their passage in this semi-final against Douglas, similar to their quarter-final victory over Duhallow, with a one-point win to their credit.

But whereas Clonakilty’s success a fortnight ago was propelled by a stunning late comeback, they hit the last seven points of that game, this was achieved by a more dominant showing throughout, albeit they had to survive a late Douglas onslaught.

Their excellent inside attacker Sean McEvoy shot over his fourth point of the day to push Clonakilty 0-15 to 0-10 clear on the stroke of full-time, yet then Douglas received a lifeline as their most impressive forward on the day Alan O’Hare was fouled for a penalty.

The 2019 Cork All-Ireland minor winner took the spot kick himself and rammed a shot to the net, before clipping over a free in the 64th minute that cut the deficit between the teams to the minimum.

However Douglas could not break down a resolute Clonakilty rearguard to manufacture a levelling point as Haulie O’Neill’s team closed out the game successfully.

Their big names all stood up, with current Cork senior duo Sean White and Liam O’Donovan both in outstanding form. Tom Clancy anchored the defence excellently and goalkeeper Mark White was an effective presence with his burst outfield.

Cork footballer Liam O'Donovan. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Then in attack Clonakilty had three standout operators. Kerry native Dara Ó Sé shot 0-6, including some brilliantly-struck frees, while the pair of McEvoy and Ross Mannix stationed inside close to goal, swept over six points between them.

Douglas, the best group winners which secured a direct passage to the semi-finals and conquerors of reigning champions Nemo Rangers last time out, were left hugely disappointed as they chased a first final spot since 2008.

David Hanrahan fired over the first three points of the game in a brilliant burst from play but the scoring burden was largely left to O’Hare to carry. Clonakilty’s interplay was more assured and their team more balanced as they outscored Douglas by six points after the sixth minute of the game, to lead 0-9 to 0-6 at the interval.

Douglas chipped away at the deficit during the second half but within two points was the closest they got to their opponents until the finale. They lost O’Hare to a black card at one stage, shortly after Clonakilty were reduced to 14 for a similar offence as Joe Grimes departed.

It was 0-12 to 0-9 heading down the stretch in favour of Clonakilty, when they made a vital burst as White, Ó Sé and McEvoy all raised white flags. That provided a sufficient cushion, even though Douglas attacked with a late blitz, Clonakilty had done enough.

Scorers for Clonakilty: Dara Ó Sé 0-6 (0-5f), Sean McEvoy 0-4, Ross Mannix 0-2, Eoghan Deasy, Sean White, Ben Ridgeway 0-1 each.

Scorers for Douglas: Alan O’Hare 1-5 (0-1f), David Hanrahan 0-3, Niall Hartnett, Conor Russell (0-1f), Aaron Sheehy 0-1 each.

Clonakilty

1. Mark White

3. Tom Clancy, 2. Maurice Shanley, 4. Dan Peet

7. Sean White, 6. E Deasy, 17. Liam O’Donovan

8. Ben Ridgeway, 9. Joe Grimes;

5. David Lowney, 14. Jack O’Mahony, 10. Gearoid Barry

12. Sean McEvoy, 13. Ross Mannix, 11. Dara O’Sé

Subs

15. Conor Daly for Jack O’Mahony (39)

18. Cian O’Donovan for Peet (55)

19. Sean O’Donoghue for Daly (61)

20. Odhran Bancroft for Liam O’Donovan (inj) (65)

Douglas

1. Brian Boyle

3. Nathan Walshe, 2, Daniel Harte, 7. Sean Wilson

9. Kevin Flahive, 6. Dylan Ward, 4. Luke McGrath

8. Brian Hartnett, 11. Niall Hartnett

12. Shane Aherne, 25. David Hanrahan, 10. Brian Lynch;

13. Conor Russell, 5. Sean Powter, 15. Alan O’Hare

Subs

22. Liam Dineen for Walshe (19)

19. Jamie Davis for Harte (39)

27. Aaron Sheehy for Aherne (40)

14. Darragh Kelly for Hanrahan (48)

26. Diarmuid McCarthy for Russell (50)

Referee: David Murnane (Macroom)