Premier 2 MFC: Impressive Donoughmore sweep aside Clonakilty to reach the final

Donoughmore: 2-17 (2-1-15) 

Clonakilty: 0-10 (0-0-10) 

Reigning champions Donoughmore easily dispatched Clonakilty in the Rebel Óg Premier 2 MFC semi-final at the Mardyke on Wednesday evening.

The Muskerry outfit were good value for their 13-point victory in a game where they never trailed. They were just three points up at half-time and possibly should have been further in front, but they were clinical in the second 30 minutes to ease to a comfortable victory.

It was an eye-catching display from Donoughmore with some impressive performances all over the pitch, but especially from three forwards who provided their scores in Scott Barrett, Daniel Holland and Paddy Murphy. They will now face St Finbarr's in the decider.

Donoughmore landed the first two points through their sharpshooters Barrett (free) and a Holland effort.

The latter also had a goal opportunity after being set up by DJ Foley, but his palmed effort was straight at Clonakilty goalkeeper Paddy O’Crowley.

In what was a lively opening seven minutes, Clonakilty drew level courtesy of Dylan Harrington and Jack Byerley.

The teams traded points before Clonakilty had their own goal chance, but after being played in by Emmet Nolan, Harrington couldn’t beat Donoughmore netminder Cian O’Sullivan.

The holders were slightly the better team early on with imposing figures Daniel Golden, Jack Murphy and Liam O’Sullivan giving Donoughmore a platform around the middle.

The Mid-Cork outfit landed three of the next five points to lead 0-6 to 0-5 after 20 minutes.

A pair of Paddy Murphy efforts gave Donoughmore a three-point advantage with four minutes to the break.

A Barrett free extended his side’s lead further until two quick-fire Byerley white flags left two points between the teams.

But an outstanding team move by the side in black and white resulted in the excellent Barrett pointing, 0-10 to 0-7 at half-time.

A Holland two-point free gave Donoughmore their biggest advantage so far four minutes into the new half followed a minute later by an expertly taken goal from Barrett, 1-12 to 0-7.

A Byerley point was much-needed for Clonakilty and they were also unlucky not to have scored a goal. Eanna Ó Déiseach and Nolan both missed gilt-edged opportunities.

Clonakilty did have a purple patch of sorts, kicking two of the next three points with Byerley (free) and Tom Whooley getting the Clon scores, 1-13 to 0-10 after 47 minutes. But they wouldn’t score again.

Donoughmore never looked in trouble, Barrett was the best player on the pitch. He scored 1-1 in two minutes to put the game beyond their opposition, 2-14 to 0-10 with seven minutes to go.

Liam O’Sullivan did receive a late black card for the winners. It didn’t matter in the context of the game.

They hit the last three points with Holland slotting over two frees and Paddy Murphy clipping over an effort. Clonakilty sub Cillian White received a black card deep in added time as they bow out.

The holders are 60 minutes away from defending their title, but will face a stiff test against St Finbarr's.

Scorers for Donoughmore: S Barrett 2-7 (0-3 f), D Holland 0-6 (0-2 f, 1 2pt f), P Murphy 0-4.

Clonakilty: J Byerley 0-5 (0-2 f), T Whooley 0-3, D Harrington 0-2.

DONOUGHMORE: C O’Sullivan; D Walsh, T Murphy, B O’Connor; L O’Sullivan, DJ Foley, J McCarthy; D Golden, J Murphy; C Lawton, S Barrett, L Honohan; P Murphy, D Holland, D Honohan.

Subs: C Honohan for L Honohan (55), C O’Connell for DJ Foley (58), C Reardon for P Murphy (61).

CLONAKILTY: P O’Crowley; G Finn, J Costello, L Kelleher; D O’Donovan, B Coffey, S O’Donovan; D Harte, D Harrington; E Déiseach, E Nolan, D Ó Mathúna; J Byerley, T Whooley, E Morrissey.

Subs: C White for S O’Donovan (15, inj), M Lyons for E Morrissey (35), F O’Mahony for D Ó Mathúna (42), C Harrington for P O’Crowley (47, inj), M F Collins for D Harte (55).

Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Youghal).