Lesson learned by smarter Crusheen
On the field, we witnessed two teams who haven’t a great history of success battling it out in a big stadium in a Munster semi-final. And off the field, we had the pleasure of meeting Tom McNamara one of the great characters, not just of the GAA but of rural Ireland, a man who ate, drank, slept, dreamed, lived and breathed Crusheen all his life.
This was the man who remarked after the controversial skirmish at the start of the 1998 Munster final replay between Clare and Waterford — “sure I often saw more pushing and shoving coming out of second Mass in Crusheen!”
I’m sure Carrigtwohill have their own characters, their own version of Tom Mac, and whoever he or she is, I’m sure that yesterday’s result isn’t going to interfere with the celebrations of what has been a fantastic season for their club.
They can have no complaints about the result. Ultimately Crusheen were much the smarter team on the day. They had the experience of last year’s loss to Kilmallock under their belts, when a lapse in concentration at the start of the second half cost them dearly. Yesterday, you could say it was that spell after the restart, when they outscored Carrigtwohill five points to one in six minutes, that put them on the road to victory.
Good managers learn from defeat, and Crusheen’s Michael Browne is a good manager, with good men around him. Good players also learn from loss and nowhere was this more obvious yesterday than between the sticks. Donal Touhy didn’t command his area against Kilmallock last year and it proved costly but his contribution to this win was massive.
Two huge saves, one in each half, another moment where he came off his line smartly, were key to the Crusheen win.
Of course he had help, and not for the first time this year the Crusheen defence was magnificent. It started at the back where Cronan Dillon was flanked by the Brigdale brothers Alan and John — Alan actually took time out from his defensive duties to charge up field for a fantastic point from distance in the second half.
Outside them another two Dillon brothers, Cian outstanding at centre-back, Cathal on the wing (did a great man-marking job on Carrigtwohill danger man Niall McCarthy in the second half) and Ciaran O’Doherty on the other wing. This is a defence to match any at club level while Pat Vaughan also impressed at midfield.
Then you come to the Crusheen attack, not rated even in Clare, yet all six starting forwards scored from play. One man in particular I must mention: David Forde had many a big day with Clare and yesterday scored three points from play to show the way to the youngsters.
It was a vintage display.
This isn’t to say Crusheen had things all their own way. Carrigtwohill are a proud club, and came to Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday determined to do Cork proud. They led by two points at the break, would have been more but for Touhy’s save and never gave up even when the game started to drift from them. Eventually they got the goal their efforts deserved but they just lacked that bit of experience at this level.
Ronan Power and Pat O’Sullivan in the full-back line impressed, Noel Furlong at centre-back was outstanding. Daniel O’Mahony in midfield also caught the eye, but up front Carrigtwohill had problems. Niall McCarthy did well in the first half while Michael Fitzgerald was dangerous all through and took the goal well. Other than those two, however, Carrigtwohill were struggling and their subs didn’t make any impact either. Still, they did very well to get this far, a brilliant year for their club, and they too can learn from this. Crusheen? The fairytale continues.
