Ice-cool Hickey rescues Broadford

A 64th-minute pointed free from halfway by Broadford’s Pádraig Hickey earned his side a draw with title-holders Crusheen in the opening game of the Clare SHC at Ennis’s Cusack Park on Friday evening last.

The champions, seeking a third title in a row, led by 0-7 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. The game’s only goal was scored by Broadford’s Cathal Chaplin in the 27th, to leave his team trailing by 0-8 to 1-4 at the break. In the second half, the champs opened up a four-point lead but the East Clare club hit four unanswered scores to level matters by the 56th minute. Crusheen then recorded two quick points from frees by Pat Vaughan before Chaplin made it a one-point game in injury-time.

With almost four minutes of added time played, Hickey unerringly split the posts to leave the game tied at 1-12 to Crusheen’s 0-15.