Cratloe keen to finish in style

WITH three county titles already won, Clare club Cratloe will look to round off what has been a magnificent season by winning the Munster IFC title when they take on Spa (Kerry) in the provincial decider in Mallow tomorrow.

Two of those county titles were for football, U-21 and intermediate, and they won the senior hurling title also. And while the club promotes both codes equally, there was no surprise within at the success of their intermediate footballers.

Many felt it would be the senior hurlers who would be knocking on the door for provincial honours, but they failed narrowly to Ballygunner at the penultimate stage in a game they should have won.

Despite the club being better known for its hurling, coach Colm Collins is not surprised at the incredible progress the footballers have made. “Cratloe always had good footballers, that is reflected by the number of players who figured with the county in the various grades over the years,” said Colm.

“We have about 10 players who play both codes and it’s only a question of working in harmony that makes it work. I make no bones about it, my interest is in football, but a coach doesn’t need the footballers on a 50/50 basis with the hurlers. I would be more than happy with 40 training sessions in football to 60 in hurling or even less, 30 to 70.

“I recognise Cratloe is first a hurling club, I accept that, but when you have a squad of players keen to play both codes and to be fair to them, are very good at them, then it behoves us to promote the two codes as best we can. One thing we found in Cratloe this year is that the amount of training that goes on with teams is totally unnecessary. Once you get your players to a certain level of fitness, the most important thing after that is to keep there.”

Cratloe would not have been favourites going into the Munster senior final against the Cork champions Valley Rovers, a point readily accepted by Colm Collins.

“I knew of Valley Rovers credentials. They were a very good side, but I have to say home advantage for us was crucial. It was worth a couple of points to us without a doubt.

“If you look back on last year, Kilmichil beat St Finbarr’s in the IFC playing at home, and the Barr’s went on this year to contest the senior county final in Cork.

“We have a great team spirit, that has been epitomised by us winning those three county championships this year with players common to all three teams.

“On the day against Valley Rovers, we got a break that is always necessary in winning games. They were reduced to 14 players after Fiachra Lynch was sent off and we took full advantage.

“Conditions on the day were horrendous, a swirling wind and rain, but we adapted well. Going in at half time with a six point lead was good as there is a lot of scoring in six points in football.

“Tomorrow is going to be a much more difficult assignment. Any football team coming out of Kerry has to be respected and we’ll give them that respect, but we won’t have any fear of them.

“When you get to a Munster final, no matter what the grade, your team has to perform, otherwise you’ll be beaten. If we play to our potential we’ll be in there with a great chance.

The fact that the game is fixed for Mallow is a big plus also. You are guaranteed good ground conditions and we’ll have no excuses if we are beaten.”

Apart from tomorrow being a big day for Cratloe, it also a big day for the Collins family as Colm will have two sons, Sean and Pádraig in action. Sean was a member of the Clare U-21 hurling team which won the All-Ireland title for the first time earlier this year, and will be looking to add to his medal haul.