This article is from page 71 of the 2011-08-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 71 JPG
Crusheen 0-16 – Ballyea 1-08 at Cusack Park, Ennis
FOR THE second successive year, it was an uncomfortable ride before Crusheen finally overcame a stubborn Ballyea challenge.
It was by no means a convincing display from the county champions but at this stage of the competition, a win is a win and Crusheen gave further creedence to their defence of the title by securing top spot in the group and a coveted place in the last eight.
Despite a nervy third quarter when a Tony Kelly-led Ballyea threatened to upset Crusheen’s final group outing, the holders led from start to finish and were 0-9 to 0-3 ahead at the break, thanks to the experience of David Forde (3), Gerry O’Grady (2) and Gearoid O’Donnell (1).
0-6 to 0-1 clear by the 27th minute, Crusheen’s nine first half wides kept Ballyea in the game and it might have proved costly when Kelly’s free from 45 metres dropped around the square but Kevin Sheehan’s effort just went the wrong side of the crossbar.
Former county captain Gerry O’Grady had a pull saved at the other end before the half was completed but he did make amends with the final two points of the half to give his side a six point interval cushion.
Sick of moral victories, the young Ballyea side went for the jugular on the restart, with 1-1 inside the opening three minutes through a Kelly free and a goal for substitute Francie O’Reilly. That pair would also pick off a brace of points around the turn of the final quarter to reduce the deficit to only the minimum as the game was swinging in the balance
Crusheen dug deep, introduced Conor O’Donnell and county senior captain Paddy Vaughan and finished strongly with the last four points of the game through Fergus Kennedy, Paddy Meaney, Vaughan and Gearoid O’Donnell as Ballyea frustratingly tired once more despite emptying the bench.
It means that Crusheen top the group and move a step closer to be the first side to retain a senior championship in 12 years while Ballyea frustratingly go in the oppositie direction and will contest the relegation play-offs, despite another encouraging performance.
Crusheen
Donal Tuohy (7), John Brigdale (7), Cronan Dillon (7),Alan Brigdale (7), Ciaran O’Doherty (7), Cian Dillon (7), Cathal Dillon (7), Shaun Dillon (6) (0-1), Fergus Kennedy (8) (0-1), Jamie Fitzgibbon (6), Joe Meaney (7) (0-2f), David Forde (8) (0-4), Paddy Meaney (7) (0-2), Gerry O’Grady (7) (0-2), Gearoid O’Donnell (8) (0-3)
Subs
Conor O’Donnell (6) for S. Dillon (43 mins), PaddyVaughan (6) (0-1f) for J. Meaney (49 mins)
Ballyea
Shane O’Neill (7), Declan Keane (6), Paul Flanagan (8), James Murphy (6), Cathal O’Connor (7), Gearoid O’Connell (7), Cathal Doohan (8), Paddy O’Connell (7) Tony Kelly (8) (0-5 3f),Tony Griffin (7), Niall Keane (7) (0-1), Niall Deasy (6), Brian Murphy (6), Kevin Sheehan (6) (0-1), Francie Neylon (6)
Subs
Eamon Griffin (6) for J. Murphy (21 mins), Francie O’Reilly (7) (1-1) for B. Murphy (HT),Alan Carrig (6) for O’Connor (41 mins), Frankie Griffin for Neylon (51 mins, inj), Donal Chambers for Doohan (54 mins, inj)
Man of the Match
David Forde (Crusheen) Referee Rory Hickey (Éire Óg)