This article is from page 87 of the 2011-09-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 87 JPG
Cratloe 4-12 – Tulla 0-15 at Cusack Park, Ennis
WITH three minutes of normal time left – not to mind the four injury time minutes to be added – it’s safe to say that Tulla scented an escape to victory. They still trailed by three, but had just reeled off hat-trick of points from the mercurial Andrew Quinn (2) and David McInerney and had Cratloe shaken.
But not stirred – they never are and by game’s end they had rattled the Tulla net twice more to cruise to a nine-point win and into their third successive county senior semi-final.
It’s true that the final scoreline flattered Cratloe and did a grave disservice to a battling Tulla, but at the same time the 2009 county champions certainly rediscovered their swagger as they closed to within 60 minutes of a remarkable third county final appearance in a row.
Just reward too because Cratloe’s class up front was visible all through and it meant that Tulla seemed to be chasing the game for most of the hour – building their challenge of raw intensity, while Cratloe had the craft.
Early on Cratloe raced into a 1-3 to no score lead after only six minutes – the goal coming when Podge Collins teed up Cathal McInerney the first of his hat-trick that ultimately ripped the heart out of Tulla’s brave resistance.
It looked routine enough for Cratloe at that stage in they way they’d hit back from Aidan Lynch’s opener for Tulla with points by Conor McGrath (2) and McInerney before the latter struck for his goal.
However, Tulla were resolute all through, slowly cranking to life thanks to an effort from play by Cathal Dinan and two placed balls from Andrew Quinn as the game settled down into a really competitive contest.
Tulla’s tour de force continued with points from Andrew Quinn (2), Danny O’Halloran, David McInerney and Darragh Corry. With the only riposte coming by way of points from Martin ‘Ogie’ Murphy and Conor McGrath, it meant that the 2007 champions had overcome their dreadful start to move 0-9 to 1-5 ahead by the 25th minute.
However, crucial to the outcome was Cratloe’s response before the break when they reeled off three on the trot from Conor McGrath, Podge Collins and Cathal McInerney to edge 1-8 to 0-9 clear.
Cathal McInerney’s second goal two minutes into the second half when he pounced on a rebound after Philip Brennan foiled Conor McGrath moved Cratloe 2-8 to 0-10 clear but try as they might they couldn’t shake off Tulla’s dogged pursuit for much of the half.
A brilliant display of point taking from Andrew Quinn helped keep Jim McInerney’s charges alive, while points from Danny O’Halloran and David McInerney also aided their cause as they chased the game in the second half.
Quinn’s eighth in the 50th minute, which was followed by an inspirational effort from McInerney seven minutes later had the game back in the balance, with Tulla threatening to steamroll past Cratloe’s faltering challenge.
However, they needed to take every chance that came their way, meaning that Brian Lynch’s 58th minute wide was the break that Cratloe needed – a fact they hammered home less than 30 seconds later when Conor McGrath stroked the sliotar home to an empty net was another Brennan save, this time from Cathal McInerney, fell invitingly into his path.
Game over, but the highlight was yet to come, when McInerney crowned his brilliant individual display with a wonder goal.
Controlling a high delivery with his hurley, the dual star then eschewed handling the sliotar and instead met the dropped ball with a full volley into the top left corner of the net.
What Cathal McInerney the footballer would give for a few of those against Kilmurry Ibrickane on Saturday.
Cratloe
Sean Hayes (7), John O’Gorman (7), Barry Duggan (7), David Ryan (8), Enda Boyce (7), Michael Hawes (7), LiamMarkham(7), Sean Chaplin (7), Martin ‘Ogie’ Murphy (7) (0-1), Damian Browne (6) (0-1),
Sean Collins (6), Conor Ryan (7), Cathal McInerney (9) (3-2), Conor McGrath (8) (1-6, 5f), Podge Collins (8) (0-2).
Subs
Tomás O’Connor (6) for Browne [50 Mins], Padraigh Chaplin (6) for Collins [59 Mins], Gearóid Ryan (6) for Conor Ryan [62 Mins]
Tulla