Kildysart's Kieran O'Brien holds possession against St. Joseph's Doora Barefield's Kieran McDonough. (Photo: Gerard O'Neill-Clare Echo)

Déjà vu in Clarecastle where Doora/Barefield and Kildysart played out a second consecutive draw in the Clare Senior Football Championship, with the sides sharing 3-12 apiece in an absorbing encounter which saw the same outcome but with much more excitement than their share of the spoils twelve months ago. St. Joseph’s appeared to have taken control when a strong second-half showing saw them open up a five-point lead with just minutes remaining. Eoin Lahiffe and Joe Rafferty both found the net, while the returning and ever improving Emmet McMahon was outstanding for Kildysart, contributing eight points. 

His side refused to surrender and two late goals from Keith O’Connor and Jack Cotter turned the game compeletely on its head, leaving them a point to the good in injury time.

There was still one final twist, as Tom McDonald began and ended a move from a kick out to keep his composure and fire over from a difficult angle with the last attack of the game and rescue a share of the spoils for the 2025 finalists. 

The result leaves both sides with plenty to ponder ahead of the final round. Doora/Barefield, who improved considerably from their opening-round defeat to Ennistymon, now need a win against Kilmihil to keep their hopes of direct quarter-final qualification alive, while Kildysart who sit on three points know victory against Ennistymon would secure their place in the knockout stages.