Sport

Cratloe claim their first title

CLARE SHC FINAL Cratloe 3-5 Clonlara 1-9 CRATLOE WERE crowned county senior hurling champions for the first time when they beat…

Mon Nov 02 2009 - 00:00

CLARE SHC FINAL Cratloe 3-5 Clonlara 1-9CRATLOE WERE crowned county senior hurling champions for the first time when they beat the defending champions Clonlara in an exciting final at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday.

A goal by Cratloe substitute Páraic Chaplin on the hour secured the win after an epic struggle. Poor conditions threatened to mar this decider, but both teams did their best to serve up a thriller and the sides went in level at the break – Cratloe 2-3, Clonlara 1-6.

Cratloe were slow to settle and normally accurate marksman Damien Browne missed two early frees. Clonlara, who had taken the title for the first time in 85 years, last season, eased into an early lead, 0-4 to no score.

Seán Chaplin’s point for the winners in the 11th minute seemed to settle their nerves and in a four-minute spell, a three-goal spree intensified matters.

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Browne attempted a score from the right sideline, but his shot came off the Clonlara upright and fell kindly for young Cratloe forward Conor McGrath who slotted home to level matters at 0-5 to 1-2.

Shortly afterwards, Clonlara’s Darach Honan produced a save from Seán Hawes, but Cillian Fennessy was on hand to fire home. Within a minute McGrath was in poacher mood again and, after receiving a delivery from his left, smashed home on the run.

Poor weather conditions marred the second half somewhat.

Cratloe shot four wides inside the opening 10 minutes and it was neck and neck until Tommy Lynch’s point put Clonlara two ahead in the 59th minute. Then a mistake by Clonlara’s Donal Madden proved costly. The full forward’s pass was intercepted by Seán Collins who delivered a ball upfield and found substitute Chaplin, who rifled to the net.

CRATLOE:S Hawes; P Gleeson, B Duggan (Capt), D Ryan; J O'Gorman, M Hawes, L Markham; M 'Ogie' Murphy, S Chaplin (0-2, one free); S Collins, J Enright, D Browne (0-2, frees); C McGrath (2-1), A Browne, C McInerney. Subs:G Ryan for A Browne (42 mins), P Chaplin (1-0) for Enright (46 mins1), P Collins for D Browne (60 mins).

CLONLARA:G O'Connell; B Woods, J Moloney, P Collins; N O'Connell (0-1), T O'Donovan (Capt), D O'Donovan; P O'Hare, T Lynch (0-1); J Conlan, J Barry, C O'Donovan (0-1); D Honan (0-1), D Madden (0-5, four frees), C Fennessy (1-0). Subs:W Slattery for Barry (ht), D Conway for Fennessy (56).

Referee:R Hickey (Eire Og, Ennis).