Experience crucial as Cratloe pip Scariff with late blitz

Trailing for almost two-thirds of the tie, Cratloe stayed cool down the stretch

Conor McGrath of Cratloe. Picture: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE

Clare SHC quarter-final: Cratloe 2-15 Scariff 2-14 

A six-point final quarter blitz saw Cratloe turn the tables on Scariff and inch through to the Clare SHC semi-final for the first time in two years at Cusack Park.

Trailing for almost two-thirds of the tie, Cratloe’s experience was pivotal in a tense second period. Despite firing 16 wides over the hour, they were still able to maintain their remarkable quarter-final record that ensured a tenth penultimate stage appearance in the last 16 years.

The core of that 2009 breakthrough side are still steering the ship as Conor McGrath, Cathal McInerney, Podge and Sean Collins, Conor Ryan and Enda Boyce were again to the fore in an inch-tight wrestle for supremacy.

Two of the newer brigade also produced decisive moments as goalkeeper Eoin Deegan prevented Mark Rodgers from powering Scariff eight clear in the opening half while equally All-Star nominee Diarmuid Ryan was on hand to stop a Patrick Crotty shot from reaching the net.

Had either of those efforts been converted, it would have been a long way back for Cratloe but crucially they stayed in touch before striking emphatically at the turn for home.

With National Young Player of the Year Mark Rodgers back from injury, Scariff make their intent abundantly clear from the outset as he fed Eanna O’Brien to hit the net after only 35 seconds.

Cratloe had cancelled it out within three minutes though as Rian Considine cut in from the left corner before finishing with a one-handed strike past the advancing William Kavanagh.

Chief threats Conor McGrath and Patrick Crotty both fired braces before Scariff hit the front once more in the 12th minute when Rodgers and Conor Downes combined to tee up Patrick Ryan for their second goal at 2-2 to 1-3.

It was a lead that the East Clare side would cling to for the next 35 minutes as Crotty (3), O’Brien and Rodgers bolstered their cushion to six by the 21st minute at 2-7 to 1-4 despite being against the conditions.

A six point swing did impact the half-time margin though as Deegan’s save from Rodgers was punished at the other end when Cathal McInerney earned and scored a 25th minute penalty on their way to lessening the damage to two at 2-8 to 2-6.

Patrick Ryan and Mark Rodgers commenced the new half with points but Diarmuid Ryan’s last gasp intervention to deny Patrick Crotty a goal was essential for Cratloe to remain in the tie.

That said, Rian Considine also had a point blank effort repelled by William Kavanagh soon after wards but as the half developed, Cratloe appeared to be turning the tide and were only trailing by a goal when gathering pace with six points in as many minutes entering the final quarter.

McGrath (2), substitute Daire Neville, Shane Neville and Cathal McInerney put Cratloe into a 2-15 to 2-12 asecendency that they would not relenquish to cement the first semi-final berth of the weekend.

Scorers for Cratloe: C McGrath 0-6; R Considine (2f), C McInerney(1-0 Pen) (1-2 each); D Neville 0-2; D Ryan (f) David Collins, S Neville 0-1 each 

Scorers for Scariff: P Crotty 0-7, Rodgers 0-4 (2f, 1’65); P Ryan 1-2; E O’Brien 1-1 

CRATLOE: E Deegan; R McNamara, D Collins, S Collins; C Ryan, D Ryan, J Moylan; E Boyce, D Collins; P Collins, C McGrath, S Gallagher; C McInerney, S Neville, R Considine 

Subs: D Neville for Gallagher (45), E Carey for S Neville (57), C Lohan for Collins (62) 

SCARIFF: W Kavanagh; J Ryan, M Scanlan, S Cairns; D Treacy, D Nash, S Kavanagh; K Hartigan, C Downes; L Crotty, P Crotty, M Barrett; P Ryan, M Rodgers, E O’Brien 

Subs: T MacNamara for Hartigan (20, inj), B Sweeney for MacNamara (ht), C Moloney for Downes (50, inj), C O’Grady for Sweeney (53) 

Referee: J Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)