Holders Crusheen snatch victory

REIGNING champions Crusheen came from behind in the second-half to steal a win, 3-10 to 1-11, from Newmarket-on-Fergus in the group stages of the SHC at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday.

Newmarket enjoyed a single-point lead, 1-5 to 1-4, at half time as both sides appeared a little ring-rusty during the opening half hour. Newmarket recorded the opening scores, a pair of points through Colin Ryan and Martin O’Hanlon by the seventh minute, before Joey Meaney goaled three minutes later.

With the interval approaching and the game deep into injury time, Crusheen led by 1-4 to 0-5 but a well-taken goal by Colin Ryan following a timely Shan O’Brien pass put Newmarket into the driving seat.

Gerry O’Grady, for the holders, equalised immediately after the restart and by the 39th minute it was level again at 1-6 apiece.

At this juncture, Newmarket, chasing their first title in 30 years, began to assert themselves.

They opened up a 1-10 to 1-7 lead and looked like they could go the distance until their defence was caught napping and a pair of goals late in the game swung it for Crusheen. Fergus Kennedy, from around his own 65, delivered a long pass to full-forward Gerry O’Grady, who slipped inside his marker and made no mistake from the edge of the square.

Once more, the Newmarket full-back line were caught out. This time defender Ciarán O’Doherty picked out sub Paddy Meaney from a distance and he too goaled from close range.

In the opening tie at Cusack Park on Saturday, 2009 champions Cratloe saw off Whitegate 0-20 to 2-12 in Group 2. Having led 0-11 to 0-3 at the break, the winners had to withstand a spirited revival from the east Clare side that hit two goals, one from a 20m free by goalie Andrew Fahy and another from play, by full-forward George Waterstone.

In the same group, Inagh-Kilnamona defeated Scariff at Sixmilebridge on Saturday 1-16 to 0-8, effectively ending the east Clare club’s interest in this title race. The winners can thank Niall Arthur who scored the game’s only goal moments before half-time.

In Group 1 at Shannon on Saturday, Broadford defeated Smith O’Brien’s by 2-15 to 1-14. Mark Moloney proved to be Broadford’s hero grabbing two first-half goals.