06/09/2026
Intermediate Championship
Where to begin with this one, Fossa getting over the line by the bare minimum following a rip roaring contest against Beaufort in this Intermediate semi-final. Two David Clifford points and a Ted O’Gorman score had Fossa ahead by two after ten minutes as the sides felt their way into this contest. Then Beaufort struck for 1-02 in quick succession to take the lead which they held until the 23rd minute of the second half. Beaufort controlled possession for the remainder of the first half as Fossa struggled to win any breaks around the middle of the field, Paddy Sheehan put in a couple of excellent blocks to keep them at bay and it took a David Clifford two pointer on the stroke of half time to keep Fossa in touch but they still trailed, 1-10 to 0-7 at the break.
Beaufort started the second half in blistering fashion, kicking three points without reply to go nine points ahead after five minutes. Fossa were looking in trouble at that point but when you have the Clifford brothers on your side, you are never beaten. David started the comeback with a massive two pointer, Matt Rennie found the net in the 10th minute to reduce the deficit to four. Beaufort attacked and found the net two minutes later give them momentum again. Paudie Clifford, sensing that Fossa needed a score, took a short 45 and taking back the return pass, split the posts for a crucial two pointer. We were still five behind but the impact from the bench was to prove vital with Fintan Coffey, Rian Colleran and Harry Kelly making a big impact on their introduction. Emmett O’Shea struck for a goal and a brace of two pointers from David Clifford had Fossa in front by the 23rd minute. The game finished in a welter of excitement as Beaufort finished strongly, kicking three points to force extra time.
In the first period of extra time Fossa went three points up, thanks to a 45 from Paudie and an absolutely outrageous two pointer from David while being tightly marked by his county colleague, Mike Breen. Matt Rennie pushed Fossa further ahead with a point at the start of the second period but Beaufort never gave up the cause and were level again going down the stretch. It was nail biting stuff but Fossa proved resilient and with good team work, got the ball to David Clifford who duly obliged with the winning point. Final score was Fossa 2-25, Beaufort 2-24.
Team; Shane O’Sullivan, Sam Buckley, Paddy Sheehan, Brian Myers, Dan O’Connell, Eoin Talbot, Jack Hallissey, Matt Rennie 1-1, Cian O’Shea, Ted O’Gorman 0-1, Paudie Clifford 0-5, Darren Ryan 0-1, Harry Buckley, David Clifford 0-16, Emmett O’Shea 1-1, Fintan, Coffey, Rian Colleran, Harry Kelly, Fionn Doyle, Dan O’Keeffe.
