Cratloe march on to keep Clare double dream alive

Cratloe are poised to challenge for a senior hurling and football double in the Banner county.

Their hurlers face Crusheen in the title decider next Sunday and following a three-point win over Cooraclare at Cusack Park yesterday, their football team will contest the final hoping to make it two in a row, against Éire Óg a week later.

The last time this feat was achieved was in 1914, when Ennis Dalcassians took both titles.

In the first semi-final played at Kilmihil on Saturday, Éire Óg reached their first final in seven years, defeating Kilmurry-Ibrickane by 0-14 to 1-7. The Ennis-based club were full value for this win and, truth be told, Kilmurry’s goal came with the last action of the tie, when sub Niall Hickey first timed to the net, deep into injury-time.

Two Sean O’Meara frees and a Graham Glynn point from play put the town side three up, within four minutes of the start. A Mark McCarthy point from a free in the fifth minute got Kilmurry on the scoreboard. However, Éire Óg dominated the opening half with forwards Davy O’Halloran and Eimhín Courtney especially proving a handful for the West Clare side’s defence. Ahead 0-8 to 0-4 at the break, Éire Óg probably should have been further ahead.

A golden chance for a goal in the 24th minute was missed when Glynn punched just inches past the post following a fine delivery by Ciarán Russell.

The winners continued to dictate matters after the break and advanced to the final with style, and they will now hope to claim a title, last won in 2006.

In injury-time a number of melees broke out, resulting in Kilmurry’s Shane Hickey and Evan Talty being dismissed on straight red cards while Éire Óg’s Liam Corry got his marching orders with a second yellow.

At Cusack Park, yesterday, champions Cratloe were given a stern test by Cooraclare before eventually emerging victorious, 0-12 to 0-8. This clash, played in ideal conditions, saw underdogs Cooraclare take the lead early on with a well-executed opening point by inter-county star Rory Donnelly. Over the hour Cratloe had to dig deep and call on all their experience to overcome a hungry and tenacious Cooraclare outfit.

At the interval, the holders enjoyed a 0-8 to 0-5 advantage following an opening half peppered with some fine point-taking by both sets of forwards. Dual stars Podge and Sean Collins, Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney kicked some gems while Donnelly, Pierce and Cathal Lillis kept the West Clare side in touch.

In the second period, Rory Donnelly once more kicked the half’s opening score to cut the deficit to two. It was as close as they got, as Cratloe’s experience told. Enda Boyce scored the last point in injury-time to send the south-east Clare club into the final, where they will attempt to add to their first Jack Daly Cup victory, achieved last year.