Footballers late late show earns Quarter Final spot.
Co. SFC – Cratloe 3-6 v 1-10 Ennistymon
A great nights work indeed at County Headquarters when both our Senior squads emerged from their groups to reach the business end of the County Football and Hurling Championships. The hurlers managed to do so without even togging out when a helping hand from neighbours Sixmilebridge who had a comfortable 7 points to spare over Inagh/Kilnamona set the rest of the group adrift. Our footballers had no such luxeries however and assisted by a combined total of 2-6 from a lethal fullforward line, overcame the challenge of Ennistymon.
“Mac’s the knife” read the headline in Tuesday’s Clare People who described the performances of Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney as “thrilling” and “brilliant”.
Their 1-3 tally each certainly put Ennistymon to the sword but continual re-assurgances from the North Clare town had the outcome in dispute right up to the final whistle. Two late points from the duo denied Ennistymon, who would have qualified with a draw, a place in the knock out rounds.
Cratloe started the tie the brighter with Padraigh Chaplin threatening Shane Keane’s goalmouth from a fisted effort inside the opening minute. McGrath kicked two points soonafter before Ennistymon managed to settle into the tie with a long ball from Danny Rouine lobbing all the way into the Cratloe net. Cratloe replied with scores from McInerney and their own goal on 20 minutes when Sean Collins drilled the net after tunneling through the middle of the Ennistymon defence. Brian Conway and goalkeeper Shane Keane struck frees to drag their side back level at 1-3 apiece at the break.
Five minutes into the second period Cratloe again soared clear with a close range McGrath goal before Ennistymon once more with ponts from Sean McConigley and Joe Dowling. A third green flag was raised for last years Intermediate champions when McInerney broke inside on the 50th minute to leave his side three points to the good.
Like they had been doing all evening, Ennistymon again dug deep and drew level with Brian Conway, Danny Rouine and Michael McDonagh points entering the final moments. Needing a win to survive, up stepped the deadly duo of McGrath and McInerney to force a two point win at the death and earn Cratloe a momentous win in their debut year back at Senior.
Next up for the victors is the unenviable task of trying to oust Kilmurry/Ibrickane, last season’s All Ireland Club finalists. Admittedly, in the eyes of most pundits, Cratloe will probably lack the ability of natural point scoring ability to trouble the champions. But praised for their pace in previous championship wins, Kilmurry/Ibrickane will find opponents who can more than ‘keep up’ the next day. And with goalscoring potential like that shown against Ennistymon watch this space for an upset.
In the opening game of the evening at Cusack Park, Sixmilebridge ensured their passage to the Quarter Final of the Senior Hurling Championship with a more facile win than was expected by many against Inagh/Kilnamona. The victory carries Cratloe through to the last eight dismissing the chasing bunch who were brought back into contention when Tubber defeated the County Champions a fortnight ago.
The relieved Cratloe side will sit out the last round of games where relegation pairings will be decided. The draw for the Quarter Finals will be made following Round 4. It’s probable at this stage that Cratloe will finish second in the group earning them a contest against a group winner from elsewhere.
View the current standings at http://www.clare.gaa.ie/champ-tables.
Cratloe (v. Ennistymon)
J. Joyce, S. Chaplin, B. Duggan, D. Ryan, L. Markham, M.Hawes, M.Óg Murphy, C. Ryan, S. Hynan, W DeLoughery, S. Collins (1-0_, P. Chaplin, P. Collins, C. McGrath (1-3), C McInerney (1-3).
Replacements; B Gleeson, R Conlon, D Browne.
Ar Aghaidh Linn
24.08.10
Co. SFC – Cratloe 3-6 v 1-10 Ennistymon
A great nights work indeed at County Headquarters when both our Senior squads emerged from their groups to reach the business end of the County Football and Hurling Championships. The hurlers managed to do so without even togging out when a helping hand from neighbours Sixmilebridge who had a comfortable 7 points to spare over Inagh/Kilnamona set the rest of the group adrift. Our footballers had no such luxeries however and assisted by a combined total of 2-6 from a lethal fullforward line, overcame the challenge of Ennistymon.
“Mac’s the knife” read the headline in Tuesday’s Clare People who described the performances of Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney as “thrilling” and “brilliant”.
Their 1-3 tally each certainly put Ennistymon to the sword but continual re-assurgances from the North Clare town had the outcome in dispute right up to the final whistle. Two late points from the duo denied Ennistymon, who would have qualified with a draw, a place in the knock out rounds.
Cratloe started the tie the brighter with Padraigh Chaplin threatening Shane Keane’s goalmouth from a fisted effort inside the opening minute. McGrath kicked two points soonafter before Ennistymon managed to settle into the tie with a long ball from Danny Rouine lobbing all the way into the Cratloe net. Cratloe replied with scores from McInerney and their own goal on 20 minutes when Sean Collins drilled the net after tunneling through the middle of the Ennistymon defence. Brian Conway and goalkeeper Shane Keane struck frees to drag their side back level at 1-3 apiece at the break.
Five minutes into the second period Cratloe again soared clear with a close range McGrath goal before Ennistymon once more with ponts from Sean McConigley and Joe Dowling. A third green flag was raised for last years Intermediate champions when McInerney broke inside on the 50th minute to leave his side three points to the good.
Like they had been doing all evening, Ennistymon again dug deep and drew level with Brian Conway, Danny Rouine and Michael McDonagh points entering the final moments. Needing a win to survive, up stepped the deadly duo of McGrath and McInerney to force a two point win at the death and earn Cratloe a momentous win in their debut year back at Senior.
Next up for the victors is the unenviable task of trying to oust Kilmurry/Ibrickane, last season’s All Ireland Club finalists. Admittedly, in the eyes of most pundits, Cratloe will probably lack the ability of natural point scoring ability to trouble the champions. But praised for their pace in previous championship wins, Kilmurry/Ibrickane will find opponents who can more than ‘keep up’ the next day. And with goalscoring potential like that shown against Ennistymon watch this space for an upset.
In the opening game of the evening at Cusack Park, Sixmilebridge ensured their passage to the Quarter Final of the Senior Hurling Championship with a more facile win than was expected by many against Inagh/Kilnamona. The victory carries Cratloe through to the last eight dismissing the chasing bunch who were brought back into contention when Tubber defeated the County Champions a fortnight ago.
The relieved Cratloe side will sit out the last round of games where relegation pairings will be decided. The draw for the Quarter Finals will be made following Round 4. It’s probable at this stage that Cratloe will finish second in the group earning them a contest against a group winner from elsewhere.
View the current standings at http://www.clare.gaa.ie/champ-tables.
Cratloe (v. Ennistymon)
J. Joyce, S. Chaplin, B. Duggan, D. Ryan, L. Markham, M.Hawes, M.Óg Murphy, C. Ryan, S. Hynan, W DeLoughery, S. Collins (1-0_, P. Chaplin, P. Collins, C. McGrath (1-3), C McInerney (1-3).
Replacements; B Gleeson, R Conlon, D Browne.
Ar Aghaidh Linn
24.08.10
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