15/04/2023: Kildysart made the most of their visit to North Clare with an impressive double-score victory over Ennistymon in today’s Cusack Cup Round 3, Kildysart 2-10, Ennistymon 0-8. Kieran O’Brien opened the proceedings and then Rory McMahon, who gave a Player of the Match performance, struck for the next two (and finished with a tally of 5) to put Kildysart in front 3 points to no score by the 13th minute. Stevie Sheehan doubled the advantage when receiving the ball on the halfway line, and darted his way through a flock of Magpies to skim the ball over the goalie’s head and into the back of the net. Ennistymon got on the scoreboard in the 18th minute only to suffer their second major in as many minutes when Keith Murphy, after getting a quick pass from Mikey Donnellan, lobbed the ball into the square which was fisted to the net by Ryan Casey. Kildysart 2-3, Ennistymon 0-1. The remaining minutes saw Ennistymon pop over 3 more, while the marauding McMahon made another stealthy run for this third of the day. Half-time score: Kildysart 2-4, Ennistymon 0-4.
Kildysart limited Ennistymon to just 4 points in each half while again showing a breadth of scorers, with 7 getting on the scoresheet. Two Connor Hassett frees and a point from Mikey Donnellan ensured the Blues kept at least a two-goal lead at all times. Two more scores from the boot of McMahon and one from Keith Murphy gave Kildysart the win, final score Kildysart 2-10, Ennistymon 0-8.
Kildysart: Damian Hill, Michael Eustace, Brian Eyres, Stevie Sheehan (1-0), Oisin Coyle, Conor Moloney, Rory McMahon (0-5), Keith O’Connor-captain, Kieran O’Brien (0-1), Luke McGrath, Seamus Casey, Mikey Donnellan (0-1), Ryan Casey (1-0), Keith Murphy (0-1), Conor Hassett (0-2, 2f). Subs: Kieran Leahy for R. Casey (48 min), Ian Flanagan for O. Coyle (51 min), Jack Cotter for M. Donnellan (58 min), Mark Moloney for L. McGrath (60 min), Colm Finucane for K. O’Connor (63 min) Referee: Joe Kelly
Other Cusack Cup Round 3 results: KIB 0-9, St Breckan’s 1-08; Clondegad 1-10, Lissycasey 1-5; Doonbeg 1-9, Corofin 0-12. This wins shoots Kildysart up to joint second in the Cusack Cup table with KIB, St. Breckan’s & Doonbeg all on three points, with Kildysart having the best points difference (+2). Clondegad remains on top of the table with three wins from 3, and Ennistymon, Corofin and Lissyycasey make up the bottom three with 2 points each.
Next up for Kildysart is Cusack Cup round 4 in two weeks’ time - an away match v Corofin, who have yet to register a win in this year's campaign.
