Éire Óg captured the Cusack Cup yesterday after defeating near-neighbours, St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield after extra-time. The scoreline at the end belies how closely fought this titanic battle was. The men from The Parish probably should have won this game in regulation time but failed to convert their chances that allowed the game to go to extra time.

After comprehensively defeating The Parish on their own patch in the league stages, the men from the Clon road were the favourites to take the Cusack Cup back to Ennis but the men from the Parish have nothing if not spirit and they came out determined not to go down without a fight. They took the battle to the Eire Og seniors from the off and it was a hard-fought battle without any quarter given. The men from Doora-Barefield were edging it until the introduction of inter-county star, Mark McInerney, in the last 15 minutes. He single handedly dragged Eire Og back into the game by converting a penalty after Philip Talty was upended by the Barefield keeper.

After a tense end to the game in regulation time, Eire Og took over in the 1st half of extra time with Darren O’Brien finishing a flowing move to the net that allowed Eire Og to pull away. The final nail was driven into the Barefield coffin by a 2nd Mark McInerney goal in the 2nd half of extra time that allowed the Clon road men to romp home. The scoreline was harsh on Barefield who pushed the Eire Og men hard.

After the game, the Eire Og captain, Aaron Fitzgerald, received the Cusack Cup from Clare County Board chairman, Kieran Keating to great acclaim. Of course, both teams, Eire Og and St. Joseph’s, Doora-Barefield will renew acquaintances again in the senior football championship   on the 2nd of August in the park. Another classic encounter no doubt. 

Mike Brennan

Thanks to willwego.com, sponsors of this year's Cusack Cup, who kindly sponsored €1500 for the winning team and €1000 for the runners up.

Thanks also to our own Mike Brennan for the report above and also for photos from the game which can be found on this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/mike.brennan.9659283/posts/1971162113696223