McInerney’s late strike foils battling Inagh/Kilnamona

Cratloe 1-14 Inagh/Kilnamona 0-14

A goal by Cathal McInerney five minutes from the end proved the turning point in a game that saw underdogs Inagh/Kilnamona lead from the 17th to the 65th minute.

2009 champions Cratloe would not be happy with their opening half performance having trailed by 0-10 to 0-5 at the break. But a gritty comeback, drawing on an amount of experience, enabled them to contest a third decider in four years.

From the restart, Cratloe recorded four unanswered points inside 12 minutes. However, Inagh/Kilnamona managed to keep their noses in front until a splendid movement by Cratloe full-forward Conor McGrath provided McInerney with the opportunity to shoot from the edge of the square and make it 1-12 to 0-14.

McGrath added a point before an Inagh/Kilnamona 20m free by goalkeeper Pa Kelly was stopped on the line in injury time. He hit a point at the death but they could not force the goal they needed.

Scorers for Cratloe: C McGrath 0-11 (9fs, 1 65), C McInerney 1-1, G Ryan, S Collins 0-1 each.

Scorers for Inagh/Kilnamona: N Arthur 0-7 (5fs), G Arthur 0-4 (1f), E Glynn 0-3.

CRATLOE: S Hayes; J O’Gorman, B Duggan, E Boyce; M Hawes, C Ryan, L Markham; M Murphy, S Collins; S Chaplin, P Collins, D Browne; C McInerney, C McGrath, G Ryan.

Subs: D Ryan for Chaplin (41), S Gleeson for Browne (46).

INAGH/KILNAMONA: P Kelly; M Keane, J Davin, D Lynch (capt); D Lafferty, R O’Looney, B Glynn; T Kelly, H Vaughan; E Vaughan, E Glynn, G Arthur; C Tierney, C Lafferty, N Arthur.

Subs: S Griffin for H Vaughan (54).

Referee: R Hickey (Éire Óg, Ennis).