Cratloe in search of more silverware.
Cratloe’s footballers shocked Cork’s fancied representatives Valley Rovers to qualify for the Munster Club Football Championship following a clinical display in wintery Clarecastle on Sunday last.
On paper, this was expected to be the swansong for Cratloe’s historic year but a clinical first half display when assisted by a strong wind gave Cratloe a six point command at the interval and when two second half goals cancelled the threat of a comeback from the Inishannon outfit, Colm Collins’ troops extended their glorious season a week longer with the chance for yet more silverware.
The movement of Conor McGrath and Padraig Collins caused the visitors as much trouble as the breeze in the opening half and when Collins kicked his second point after 12 minutes Cratloe had stormed into a three point lead. More trouble was to follow for the Cork Champions when forward Fiachra Lynch was shown a straight red card for striking.
Exploiting the elements with their running game instead of direct ball, Cratloe deployed Sean Hynan in a more attacking roll from wing back and the defender justified the move when his looping long ball deceived Cork netminder Alan Quirke to push Cratloe further infront with a goal before the interval.
The favourites pressed hard to turn the tie in the second half but an inspired Cratloe defense limited them to two Hugh O Donovan points and another from full forward Eamonn Collins.
Cratloe manager Colm Collins spoke afterward of Cratloe’s need to hang in there under Valley Rovers’ second half pressure and take their own chances when they came. Indeed after holding their opponents at bay for the majority of the second half Collins’ prophesy came true when the introduced Padraigh Chaplin fisted a goal for his side with ten minutes remaining before Conor McGrath put the semi final beyond the visitors with a first timed shot to the net in the final five minutes.
Cratloe now prepare for a provincial final, a first for the club, in a weeks time against The Spa of Kerry. At the moment the game is scheduled for Mallow. Best of Luck to all involved.
Cratloe; W De Loughrey, S Chaplin, B Duggan, B Gleeson, M Óg Murphy, L Markham, S Hynan (1-0), K Browne, M Hawes, P Collins (0-2), S Collins, J O Connor, C McInerney, C Ryan , C McGrath (1-2).
P Chaplin (1-0) 40 mins, D De Loughrey 55 mins, K O Shea 56 mins, J Conroy 56 mins.
Cratloe’s footballers shocked Cork’s fancied representatives Valley Rovers to qualify for the Munster Club Football Championship following a clinical display in wintery Clarecastle on Sunday last.
On paper, this was expected to be the swansong for Cratloe’s historic year but a clinical first half display when assisted by a strong wind gave Cratloe a six point command at the interval and when two second half goals cancelled the threat of a comeback from the Inishannon outfit, Colm Collins’ troops extended their glorious season a week longer with the chance for yet more silverware.
The movement of Conor McGrath and Padraig Collins caused the visitors as much trouble as the breeze in the opening half and when Collins kicked his second point after 12 minutes Cratloe had stormed into a three point lead. More trouble was to follow for the Cork Champions when forward Fiachra Lynch was shown a straight red card for striking.
Exploiting the elements with their running game instead of direct ball, Cratloe deployed Sean Hynan in a more attacking roll from wing back and the defender justified the move when his looping long ball deceived Cork netminder Alan Quirke to push Cratloe further infront with a goal before the interval.
The favourites pressed hard to turn the tie in the second half but an inspired Cratloe defense limited them to two Hugh O Donovan points and another from full forward Eamonn Collins.
Cratloe manager Colm Collins spoke afterward of Cratloe’s need to hang in there under Valley Rovers’ second half pressure and take their own chances when they came. Indeed after holding their opponents at bay for the majority of the second half Collins’ prophesy came true when the introduced Padraigh Chaplin fisted a goal for his side with ten minutes remaining before Conor McGrath put the semi final beyond the visitors with a first timed shot to the net in the final five minutes.
Cratloe now prepare for a provincial final, a first for the club, in a weeks time against The Spa of Kerry. At the moment the game is scheduled for Mallow. Best of Luck to all involved.
Cratloe; W De Loughrey, S Chaplin, B Duggan, B Gleeson, M Óg Murphy, L Markham, S Hynan (1-0), K Browne, M Hawes, P Collins (0-2), S Collins, J O Connor, C McInerney, C Ryan , C McGrath (1-2).
P Chaplin (1-0) 40 mins, D De Loughrey 55 mins, K O Shea 56 mins, J Conroy 56 mins.
