Heartbreak for U21''s.
U21 A Hurling Championship Rnd 1;
Clonlara 2-11 v 0-15 Cratloe
Cratloe’s interest in the 2010 U21 championship came to a heartbreaking close on Saturday last when a goal two minutes into injury time inflicted a two point defeat.
Having dominated the favourites, Clonlara, for nearly the entirity of the contest it was certainly a bitter pill for Cratloe to swallow, however the adage ‘goals win games’ was heeded by a Clonlara side who found the net twice in the encounter – inside the opening minute with a sublime finish from Darach Honan and at the death when a lobbed free intended to sail over to draw the contest caught Cratloe unaware and dropped into the rigging.
Its scant consolation now but inbetween the two green flags it was the men in blue who largey governed the contest with the 2008 champions. In a tactical reply to Clon’s opening goal, Cratloe’s Podge Collins sacraficed his position in attack to interupt Honan’s supply as a sweeper. The move worked greatly for the opening half and with points from Joseph O Connor, Sean Collins and Conor McGrath Cratloe overtook Clonlara’s early lead. The half back line of Cathal McInerney, Liam Markham and Wesley DeLoughery subdued Clon’s much touted attack until the interval and an energetic display from Sean Collins and Conor Ryan up the centre helped Cratloe into a 0-10 to 1-5 lead.
The underdogs continued to control matters in the second period with Barry Gleeson switching from corner to half forward. With a quarter of an hour remaining however, four superb saves from Clonlara netminder Patrick Stritch as Cratloe looked to put the tie beyond doubt seemed to turn the tie. Suddenly Clonlara sensing their stay of execution, re-emerged into the battle, locating Darach Honan at centre-forward. The move brought Clon two unanswered points and when added to by a Cathal O Connell free shortened Cratloe’s lead to the minimum.
With the breaking ball swinging in Clonlara’s favour Cratloe looked set to have been forced to a replay when Cillian Fennessy won his side a scoreable free from forty yards out. O Connell un-erring all afternoon seemed to scuff his shot and send it short. Cratloe however seemed caught out by the strike and let the ball sail in over the line.
The score came too late for Cratloe to reply and so ended their aspirations of adding an U21 title to last years honours. Heartbreak for the blue’s. Another day out vs. St. Josephs for Clonlara.
Ar Aghaidh linn.
U21 A Hurling Championship Rnd 1;
Clonlara 2-11 v 0-15 Cratloe
Cratloe’s interest in the 2010 U21 championship came to a heartbreaking close on Saturday last when a goal two minutes into injury time inflicted a two point defeat.
Having dominated the favourites, Clonlara, for nearly the entirity of the contest it was certainly a bitter pill for Cratloe to swallow, however the adage ‘goals win games’ was heeded by a Clonlara side who found the net twice in the encounter – inside the opening minute with a sublime finish from Darach Honan and at the death when a lobbed free intended to sail over to draw the contest caught Cratloe unaware and dropped into the rigging.
Its scant consolation now but inbetween the two green flags it was the men in blue who largey governed the contest with the 2008 champions. In a tactical reply to Clon’s opening goal, Cratloe’s Podge Collins sacraficed his position in attack to interupt Honan’s supply as a sweeper. The move worked greatly for the opening half and with points from Joseph O Connor, Sean Collins and Conor McGrath Cratloe overtook Clonlara’s early lead. The half back line of Cathal McInerney, Liam Markham and Wesley DeLoughery subdued Clon’s much touted attack until the interval and an energetic display from Sean Collins and Conor Ryan up the centre helped Cratloe into a 0-10 to 1-5 lead.
The underdogs continued to control matters in the second period with Barry Gleeson switching from corner to half forward. With a quarter of an hour remaining however, four superb saves from Clonlara netminder Patrick Stritch as Cratloe looked to put the tie beyond doubt seemed to turn the tie. Suddenly Clonlara sensing their stay of execution, re-emerged into the battle, locating Darach Honan at centre-forward. The move brought Clon two unanswered points and when added to by a Cathal O Connell free shortened Cratloe’s lead to the minimum.
With the breaking ball swinging in Clonlara’s favour Cratloe looked set to have been forced to a replay when Cillian Fennessy won his side a scoreable free from forty yards out. O Connell un-erring all afternoon seemed to scuff his shot and send it short. Cratloe however seemed caught out by the strike and let the ball sail in over the line.
The score came too late for Cratloe to reply and so ended their aspirations of adding an U21 title to last years honours. Heartbreak for the blue’s. Another day out vs. St. Josephs for Clonlara.
Ar Aghaidh linn.
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