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Sport

Clare camogie goes to the dogs

CLARE Camogie Supporters Club is organising a fundraising Night at the Dogs in Limerick Greyhound Track.

This takes place on Saturday November 26th with first race at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the night are € 20. This covers entry to the track, race card on the night, entry to Buster draw where first prize is € 500 and there are also five lucky dips of € 100 to be won.

This € 20 also covers annual membership to the supporters club. This is a vital event for the supporters club that has been a huge asset to the development of camogie over the last number of years.

They cover the welfare of players and player development covering costs of physiotherapy for the teams and extra gym or development needs that county teams may have.

Support for this is greatly appreciated with tickets available in all clubs, who are allowed to keep a portion of ticket sales over the sale of 15 tickets as the supporters club try to support not only county development but also the clubs in the county, or from county officers or supporter club officers Stephen Powell 0851288573, Geraldine McLoughlin 0863753116, Rachel Whelan 0872174598.

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Sport

40 year involvement recognised at AGM

THE AGM of Ennis St. John’s Community Games was held last week at the Ennis Museum before a quite a good crowd including some newcomers. Before the meeting commenced the Chairman proposed a minutes silence in memory of those who had Community Games connections and unfortunately had passed away during the previous year.

The meeting opened with an address from the President Mr John 0’Sullivan, who incidently with his wife Cecilia, founded Ennis Community Games. He welcomed everyone present and said that this was a very special year for Ennis Community Games who were celebrating 40 years, and he hoped it would still be in existence for another forty.

The Chairman, Joe Lynch, said in the course of his report that he was delighted to have been involved at the end of another very successful year and congratulated everyone for their continued help, support and commitment. Secretary Geraldine Sharkey presented a very comprehensive report stating that it was a most successful year.

We had achieved many successes at local provincial and national levels and this year had received 15 All Star awards. During her report she suggested that there could be people in the area who might like to help out at various events but didn’t have time to become committee members and that it was an avenue thaat we should explore.

Treasurer Mary Moloney presented a pretty healthy financial report but added that due to the financial state of the economy that it was much harder to raise funds and that we should be keeping a close eye on expenditure.

At the end of the meeting presentations were made to John and Cecila O’Sullivan in recognition of 40 years involvement with Community Games and to Geraldine Sharkey honouring her successful achievement in conquering Mount Kilimanjaro.

Election of officers resulted as follows:- President, John 0’Sullivan, VPresidents, Cecilia 0’Sullivan, Tony Sharkey and Brendan Doyle, Chairman, Joe Lynch, V. Chairman, Roger Fox; Secretary, Geraldine Sharkey; Asst. Secretary, Ann Arthur O’Brien; Treasurer, Mary Moloney; Asst. Treasurer, Flan Brennan, PRO. Tony Sharkey, Committee Members, Marie Roche, Rebecca Brown, Tara Cooney, Hilda O’Connor, Frances Buzcek, Willie Donnellan, Michael O’Brien, Pat Roche, Sean Kenneally and Tony Mounsey.

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Sport

Senan’s bounce back from last week’s defeat to beat Clanwilliam

St Sena ns RFC 23 Ga lba lly RFC 11 ST SENAN’S made their intentions clear from the kick-off when Ian Fitzgerald gathered the ball and ran at the opposition before moving the ball across the line for Declan Collins to kick a ball over the approaching Clanwilliam players, for Barry Murphy to chase down.

Clanwilliam conceded a penalty from this attack Senans chose not to kick for the posts, as a strong cross wind would have made it very difficult; they kicked for touch to take their chances in a line-out.

Senans won line-out forcing Clanwilliam to concede another penalty and once again Senans chose the line-out option, this time Clanwilliam managed to clear their lines and push Senans back to half way.

Senans regained control and forced Clanwilliam to concede a number of defensive scrums; a strong Senans pack had the upper hand in the scrums and pushed the visitors back over their own try line for Daragh McCoy to get the final touch on the ball for Senans first try under the posts.

Declan Collins made no mistake with the conversion and opened up a 7-0 lead for the home side.

This lead was soon reduced as Clanwilliam pushed into Senans, half winning and scoring from a long range penalty, to reduce deficit to 73. Gaining confidence from this passage of play Clanwilliam put Senans under pressure again and forced them to concede another penalty which they converted moving to within one point of the home side at 7-6.

Following this latest score both sides played some very aggressive rugby in the middle of the field but could not produce any clear cut opportunities. Senans broke this deadlock and pushed forward deep into Clanwilliam territory winning penalties on 26 and 30 minutes, Declan Collins kicked both of these to extend Senans lead to 13-6.

Senans continued to pressurise the visitors and finished the half with another penalty conversion to go into half time 16-6 leaders.

The second half started with both packs battling for territorial advantage to provide a platform for their backs to launch a threat on each others try line.

Clanwilliam came closest after 12 minutes when they were encamped on Senans try line for an extended period but the Senans defence held tough denying them a score clearing their lines to relieve the pressure.

The second half deadlock was broken on 26 minutes when once again a strong Senans pack drove the Clanwilliam scrum back over their try line for Ian Fitzgerald to score Senans 2nd try which Declan Collins converted to give the home side a 23-6 advantage.

Both sides battled away in mid-field but found it difficult to create any clear cut scoring opportunities until the 35th minute when Clanwilliam found space out wide to run in their first try, the conversion kick missed the target and left the visitors trailing 23-11.

This was to be the last score of the game and Senans ran our deserving winners of this tough game.

Next week Senans take on Richmond RFC at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 20 in Richmond Park

St Senans Team
Pa Ryan, Fergal Lawlor,Tony O’Brien,Aaron Skerritt, Aidan O’Callaghan, Jamie Keogh, Ian Fitzgerald, Mike O’Connell, Darragh McCoy, Noel Hoban, Barry Murphy, Neil McDonagh, Dylan Sonneman, Fernando Gallant, Declan Collins.

Replacements
DavidWebb, Eamonn Martin, Eamonn O’Donoghue, Michael Cusack, Jake Egan.

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Sport

Kilmaley take honours

Kilmaley 3-13 – Feakle/Killanena 1-07 at Clarecastle

KILMALEY were crowned Minor B hurling champions for 2011 after an emphatic twelve point victory over Feakle/Killanena. Clarecastle was the venue on Sunday last for their impressive performance with their second half onslaught particularly pleasing for the Kilmaley faithful.

Considering the final score of 3-13 to 1-7 the closeness and competitiveness of the first half is rather surprising. Kilmaley raced out of the blocks with the first score of the encounter after twenty seconds. Darragh Gregan made no mistake after securing possession from a wonderfully judged pass by midfielder Conor Cleary. This would be the first of many contributions by the Miltown Malbay maestro who is equally as talented with a football for his native club. The East-Clare Combo quickly replied through a Todd Kelsey score within the opening minute to ensure that all spectators now expected an incredible clash to materialize. This pattern of each team matching each other score by score continued for twenty minutes with both sides’ respective free takers Kilmaley’s Paul Kennedy and Feakle/Killanena’s Oisin Donnellan opening their accounts. A quick-fire treble soon launched Kilmaley into the lead and the first meaningful margin between the teams was formed. Again though the amalgamation found an immediate positive response. Colin McNamara burst through the Kilmaley rear-guard far too easily before blasting his shot low into the corner of the goal to level the match with only a few minutes of the half remaining. This was a killer blow for the mid-Clare outfit but amazingly they would still have the last laugh before the half-time whistle. A minute into injury time Kennedy punished an equally generous Feakle/Killanena defence with his team’s first goal of the afternoon. His burst of pace was not halted and before the eventual reaction came from the helpless full-back line the green flag was being waved in the air. Feakle/ Killanena found the last score of the half through a long-range free from Eoin Tuohy to leave it at 1-7 to 1-5 but there is no questioning who now held the momentum at the interval.

The second half resembled a very different battle. A county final war zone became almost a training ground challenge game for Kilmaley. Their gulf in class could no longer be prevented as they steamrolled their shocked competitors after the restart. Five minutes in and this tie was over as a contest. Three points in a row was bad enough but the concession of a second goal meant the faith of this title was well and truly sealed. Michael O’Malley used all of his attacking instincts to skilfully flick the sliotar past the onrushing goalkeeper to ensure the parish of Kilmaley would be celebrating long into the night. Before the jubilations could really kick off however the remainder of this final had to be played out. With three-quarters of match done and dusted another net buster was on the cards. Kennedy signed off a man of the match performance with a second goal after being set up by a terrific side-line cut by captain fantastic Eoin Enright.

The points kept coming as fast as the minutes of the game surpassed with Tomas “Tombo” Lynch grabbing the last with normal time just concluding. Kilmaley overall dominated in all sectors with Aidan McGuane also deserving a mention for his hard-working performance in the middle of the park. For Feakle/Killanena the disappointment of losing a county final no matter what the level or grade is always hard to stomach and this will be no different. The harsh reality is though with a mere two points both from frees in the second half they never had a chance.

Kilmaley
Eoin Meehan, Shane Lynch, Kevin Conlon, Shane O’Malley, Cian Moloney, Eoin Enright (0-3, 2f), Darragh McMahon, Conor Cleary,Aidan McGuane,Tomas Lynch (0-1), Cillian McNamara, Darragh Gregan (0-2), Barry Lynch, Paul Kennedy (2-5, 2f), Michael O’Malley (1-1)

Subs
Michael Keane for O’Malley, Michael O’Loughlin for Lynch, Peter Lawlor for Gregan, Padraig O’Connor for Lynch, Brian Coote for O’Malley

Feakle/ Killanena
Eibhear Quilligan, Evan McMahon, James Noonan, Eoin McMahon, Paul McArthur, EoinTuohy (0-2f), Martin Glynn, Padraig Brady (0-1), Shane McGrath, Colin McNamara (10),Todd Kelsey (0-1), Con Smyth, Gavin Fox, Oisin Donnellan (0-3f), Justin Nelson

Subs
Andrew Flaherty for Fox, Eric Conway for Donnellan, Paddy McNamara for Nelson

Man of the match
Paul Kennedy (Kilmaley) Referee Johnny Healy

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Sport

Shield success for Crusheen/ Tubber

Crusheen/Tubber 2-11 – Corofin 1-09 at Clarecastle

A BLISTERING start was the key to victory for the Crusheen/Tubber amalgamation in this derby final played on Saturday afternnon.

They led by 2-4 to 0-1 after the first 15 minutes, with goals from Kevin Fawl and Evan O’Donoghue putting them on their way to victory, while the point-taking of Lorcan O’Grady was also key in this start.

Corofin were shell-shocked but a goal from Gearóid Kelly and points from Declan Stack ensured that the game was back in the melting pot at half-time as they trailed by 2-5 to 1- 4.

The second half was evenly contested as Corofin’s comeback continued as they reduced the margin to the minimum, but crucially Crusheen/Tubber never lost their lead and kicked on at the end to claim the honours with five points to spare.

Best for Crusheen/Tubber on the day were full-back Youen Horner, centre-back Paddy O’Connor, mid fielder Rory Halpin, centre-forward Evan O’Donoghue and corner-forward Lorcan O’Grady.

Gearóid Kelly and Declan Stack were prominent for Corofin at midfield while Liam Corbett also im- pressed in attack.

Crusheen/ Tubber
Dylan Naughton, Mark Perrill,Youen Horner, Anthony Rodgers, Barry Monaghan, Paddy O’Connor, Francis McCormack, Kevin Fawl, Rory Halpin, SeanWeir, Evan O’Donoghue,Aidan Forde, ColinVaughan, Neil O’Loughlin, Lorcan O’Grady.

Corofin

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Sport

Caherlohan over Cusack Park, but at what cost?

THE cash-strapped Clare County Board is going to have to come up with “substantial funds” to finish its centre of training excellence in Caherlohan near Tulla, last Tuesday’s meeting of Clare GAA was told.

And, if the board can’t muster the finances to pay for the facility that has already has nearly € 4m pumped into it, it will remain closed and won’t open – that was the stark message delivered by county board secretary Pat Fitzgerald as he challenged club delegates to decide where “the priority is” when it comes to spending of Clare GAA infrastructure.

“It is important that clubs would be aware, that there is an onus on the board to ensure that Tulla (Caherlohan) is properly dealt with,” said Fitzgerald.

The debate rose after it was revealed by Fitzgerald and county board chairman, Michael O’Neill, that substantial also needs to be spent on Cusack Park. However, Fitzgerald hinted that Caherlohan and not Clare GAA headquarters should become the main priority.

“There is going to have to be a substantial sum of money that his board is going to have to invest if we are going to open Tulla. That is going to have to be one of the priorities.

More serious than Cusack Park, I think, is that we have a facility in Tulla.

“We have invested € 1.8m that Croke Park has given, in fairness to them. Only because of the money we got we would be in dire straits today. But it is going to cost substantial more money if we are going to be able to open that. I think that is a decision the board is going to have to make – where they priority is.

“We can leave it closed and develop some place else. At the end of the day the county committee is the overall governing body – it is important, it is incumbent on us as the managers of county board to put those issues in front of you. It is important that you know about them. I can assure you that they are not trivial,” he added.

It sparked some stormy exchanges between county board chairman Michael O’Neill and Doonbeg del egate over how much it was going to cost to finish the Caherlohan facility.

“We’re stuck outside in Tulla and we haven’t the money to finish it. Where is the money going to come to finish Tulla,” said Neenan. It looks like that it’s not just the coaching structures that have suffered from bad planning, but with Cusack Park too,” added the outspoken Doonbeg delegate.

“We’re moving forward,” interjected Michael O’Neill.

“You keep saying you’re moving forward, but it’s bad planning Mr Chairman,” responded Neenan.

“It’s not bad planning. As far as I remember it was a decision made here by the county committee, to buy the land out in Tulla and development it,” said O’Neill.

“You said that Mr Chairman, where is the money going to come from to finish Tulla,” said Neenan.

“I did no such thing say,” hit back O’Neill. “Withdraw that comment.”

“I won’t withdraw that comment.”

“The question (about where the money is going to come from to finish Tulla) was answered. Michael (Neenan), you are telling lies.”

“I am not telling lies,” said Neenan.

“Tell us the figure that you have to finish Tulla then,” added Neenan.

“It has been said three times. How many times do you want to hear it.”

“Be transparent and tell us,” said Neenan.

“There is nobody up here not being straight about anything. If you want to call off the meeting, we will get it called off,” said O’Neill.

“Well, we’re going nowhere with the meeting. I’m just asking the question, how much is going to cost to finish Tulla,” asked Neenan.

“Anybody here think the county board is misleading anybody about anything,” asked O’Neill.

“No,” went a chorus from the floor.

No figure was given, before chairman Michael O’Neill closed the debate on the subject. .

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Sport

Clubs urged to debate championship changes

CUTTING the number of senior clubs in hurling and football will be one of the radical topics on the table for discussion by the new county board committee charged with responsibility for coming up with a new blueprint for club structures.

The possibility was sounded out by O’Curry’s delegate, Michael Curtin, who is the brainchild behind the seven-member committee that has been put together by county board chairman, Michael O’Neill.

The move to cull the number of senior clubs – from 20 in hurling and from 16 in football – was first broached on the hurling front by outgoing senior hurling boss Ger O’Loughlin when he addressed the September meeting of the Clare County Board at the end of his twoyear term.

In the course of his address to delgates about the terms of reference of the new committee, Curtin said it would “start a process with the objective of getting down to the number of senior teams, both hurling an football right down along the line”.

And, in making his comments, Mr Curtin appealled to delegates to back the committee, by ensuring that their efforts to “think outside the box” that their final deliberations, findings are implemented instead of being reducing the whole exercise to a talking shop.

“We are looking at giving all of our players the opportunity of playing games over the summer period and it’s going to take a leap of faith to do this,” said Curtin of the committee, seven members of which were ratified at last Tuesday night’s county board meeting.

The six drawn exclusively from either football or hurling clubs are: Padraig Boland (Broadford), Rosaleen Monaghan (Tubber), Denis Tuohy (Whitegate), Nuala Shanahan (Doonbeg), Gerry O’Neill (Kilmihil) and Colm Browne (Kilrush Sham- rocks).

“What I would suggest is that all the clubs embrace this to the extent that it is going to be a very open forum whereby clubs would be allowed to make submissions and also meet the committee themselves,” added Mr Curtin.

“In other words, nobody’s hands are tied. You go along and decide what’s best, not necessarily for our clubs at the time, but what’s best for the promotion of our games and our competitions in the county.

“I would also say that when the final proposals are made that it would be binding. It’s vital. There’s no point in having a talking shop here. What- ever comes back has to be binding, at least for a year.

“It’s for the clubs. Going back with things I was involved years ago, the thing was it only succeeded when clubs talked about it, embraced it and came in with good ideas.

“It’s time to move on and incorporate what’s best for the county in both hurling and football. It’s a waste of time having another talking shop,” he added.

“It’s very open ended,” said chairman Michael O’Neill of the committee, “and every club will be written to in the coming weeks. There will be one more member added from a dual club,” he added.

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Clonlara dash the Clondegad double

Clonlara 2-11 – Clondegad 2-07 at Gurteen

IN the end it came down to many things – the infusion of youth, tactical switches and a final flourish that carried Clonlara to an historic first ever adult football championship title.

In the process they took a wrecking ball to Clondegad’s dream of an intermediate/junior double. This dream was very much alive for Clondegad at the three-quarter stage – in fact, they were living it as a contribution of 1-6 from full-forward Colm Quinlivan had steered them into a three-point lead.

They had the advantage of the breeze and having hit back from the concession of a freak goal two minutes into the second half had reeled off four points in a row to take command of proceedings.

But this was a game of many twists, in what had to be the most entertaining Junior B decider in many years, complete with 22 scores before Clonlara celebrated another blow for east Clare football at the death after hitting 1-4 without reply in the closing ten minutes.

They had made the better start, hitting four points from play inside the first ten minutes via Nicky O’Connell, Cormac O’Donovan, Brian ‘Gooch’ Woods and Barry O’Connell to help them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead.

Clondegad had stayed in touch with two Colm Quinlivan frees, but there was much more to come as the burly full-forward went about winning this county final on his own. He tacked on his third pointed free in the 14th minute, before driving a penalty to the net a minute later after Liam Deasy had been fouled.

Then after Barry O’Connell and Ger O’Connell had hit back with points by the 21st minute Quinlivan turned provider for Clondegad’s second goal, this time floating a free to the edge of the square that was gathered by Liam Deasy and slammed to the net to give his side a 2-3 to 0-6 interval lead.

All of Clonlara’s points had come from play and it was this ability that ultimately carried them past the challenge of a Clondegad side that could only manage 1-1 from play over the hour.

A lucky break in the 32nd got Clonlara back into proceedings when Ronan Carey’s speculative effort bounced on the edge of the square, then hit the crossbar before cannoning to the net off the back of luckless Clondegad keeper Kenneth Breen.

When Nicky O’Connell flashed over a point a minute later it looked as if Clonlara would take over – this eventually happened but only after some radical surgery to the team in response to a flurry of points via three Quinlivan frees and an effort from play by Liam Deasy had put Clondegad 2-7 to 0-7 clear.

Minors Cathal O’Connor and Colm Galvin were thrown in; John Conlon moved out from full-back and midfielder Ger O’Connell started running from deep at a retreating Clondegad defence.

The effects were stunning. Cathal O’Connell grabbed points in the 50th and 51st minutes to leave only a point in it. Then in the 57th minute a sweeping move was finished to the net by Colm Galvin after he took a final pass from Barry O’Connell to put Clonlara 2-9 to 2-7 clear.

Clondegad were out on their feet, with the insurance points coming from the O’Connells, Nicky and Ger, in injury time as Clonlara closed in on history and moved up to the Junior A ranks.

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Fortune doesn’t smile on Clondegad

Miltown-Castlemaine 2-05 – Clondegad 0-10 at Páirc de Búrca, Miltown

WAY back in 1950 the Clare seniors went to Tralee and had Kerry beaten in the Munster championship only to be robbed by a last second point that earned the Kingdom a draw.

Clondegad knew that same sinking feeling on Sunday as they were robbed by a Miltown-Castlemaine side that could scarcely believe their luck as they stumbled over the line into the Munster final to keep alive Kerry’s hopes of landing a sixth straight provincial title in the grade.

It was a theft of grand larceny proportions, all thanks four goalmouth incidents, all of which went the Kerry champions’ way and helped them reach the final frontier despite being totally outplayed in the second half of this low-scoring, yet entertaining semi-final.

For Clondegad it was a missed first half penalty and then a disallowed goal three minutes into the second half; for Miltown-Castlemaine a freakish first goal and then a last gasp effort in the 56th minute that came totally against the run of play.

Yes, dame fortune was shining on Miltown-Castlemaine, while scowling on poor Clondegad as they were left to reflect on what should have been after producing their best performance of the year.

That performance came from the get go, with the iron-man of the Clondegad cause, full-back Paddy O’Connell winning the first ball that came his way to set the tone for his side – one that served notice that they weren’t going to be canon fodder opposition like Clare teams before them.

O’Connell’s play was the spark and inside 30 seconds Clondegad could have goaled, only for Tony Kelly’s rasping drive from 25 yards to be pushed over the bar of Miltown-Castlemaine keeper Joe Daly.

Clondegad played with the advantage of the breeze it the first half – starting well to lead by 0-3 to 0-1 after six minutes when Gary Bren- nan struck from both play and a free to add to Kelly’s opener.

However, the first in a serious of unfortunate events in front of goal started to haunt them as early as the ninth minute when Cathal Moriarty’s hopeful ball towards goal somehow ended up in the back of Clondegad’s net.

A minute later Gavin Wrenn tapped over his second free to give MiltownCastlemaine a 1-2 to 0-3 lead that their play scarcely deserved. Clondegad did restore parity by half-time, but should have done more.

By the 15 minute mark frees by Gary Brennan and Paudge McMa- hon sandwiched a like effort from Gavin Wrenn, before Clondegad’s confidence slowly began to rise once more when Francie Neylon burst up the left wing to land the point of the day in the 45th minute.

Then opportunity knocked in the 29th minute when Shane Brennan faced up to a penalty after Paudge McMahon was bundled to the ground, only for Daly to save at the expense of a 45 that McMahon pointed to leave the sides deadlocked at the break: Clondegad 0-7 MiltownCastlemaine 1-4.

Clondegad’s chance seemed lost as they faced into the breeze, only for the underdogs to produce a stirring second half performance that should have been enough to score Clare’s first ever win over Kerry opposition in the Munster intermediate series.

They looked to be on their way when Gary Brennan’s 33rd minute free was fisted to the net by Shane Brennan, only for the goal to be disallowed. Still, Clondegad never lost heart and pointed frees by Paudge McMahon and Gary Brennan ensured that they led by 0-9 to 1-5 entering the last ten minutes.

More than that, they were dominating against a Miltown-Castlemaine that had failed utterly to produce their county final winning form. However, from nowhere they conjured up a match-winning goal in the 56th minute.

Kieran Browne looked to have been fouled when coming out of defence, but when no free was given, Cathal Moriarty picked up the pieces, danced his way through a porous wall of defenders and toe-poked to the net to give his side an unlikely 25 to 0-9 lead.

Not what Clondegad deserved, but despite Gary Brennan pointing a free in the 58th minute and laying siege on the Miltown-Castlemaine goal for a further four minutes, it what they got.

Their Munster championship race was run in cruel fashion.

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Sport

Experience key for Crusheen

SOMETIMES economy of words are what the sports psychologist orders. A case of what’s not said, because there’s no need – no need to tell the players what they know already.

There was some of mindset hovering around the Crusheen dressing room on Sunday as the Clare champions faced up to the supreme test of the second half of the Munster semifinal.

They’d been here before, albeit that last year’s championship clash against Kilmallock was a quarter-final. In the dressing room and ready to rumble and kick on for victory – their first ever in Munster championship fare, but they failed.

Surely this is what was said and hammered home? Again and again?

Not so says manager Michael Browne, whose man management and coaching skills has been the catalyst for Crusheen to rise from the ashes of county final defeat in 2007 to back-to-back titles and now the Promised Land of a Munster final.

“It wasn’t what was said,” he says after his side’s tour de force by the banks. “It was just the feeling in the dressing room. Last year we came out after half-time in a comfortable position and looking as if we were in a nice place against Kilmallock. They absolutely destroyed us in the first few minutes, so under no circumstances was that going to happen to us this year. That’s the focus that you saw when they came back out on the pitch.

“We had never won a title in the history of the club until last year – it was a massive thing for us and maybe it was asking a bit too much to expect them to go out and perform in Munster after that.

“This year there was a real determination there that we were going to go at least one step further, the problem being of course that we were in a semi-final in our first game, which made it that little bit harder. We didn’t even think about that, we just thought about the game last year, how we messed up in it last year and how we weren’t going to let it happen again this year. Thanks be to God we didn’t,” adds Browne.

All thanks to those 13 second half points, but also the six in the first half that provided the foundations that Browne points to as the real winning of this semi-final.

“We put in a great performance in the first half. I was very pleased that we were only two points down at half-time,” he says. “I knew that the breeze was strong because we had done a good bit of a warm-up on it. We were conscious of that. I thought that in the first half our backs weren’t as outstanding as they normally are, but I knew that they rise to it in the second half and that’s how it turned out.

“We do have a really good defence and a really good team, everyone of them can play and everyone of them can play really well and I’m really delighted with the performance. Our forwards have been much maligned in Clare, yet they came down here today and took some fantastic scores in the second half.

“We’re in the Munster final now. When you reach a final, everyone has a 50/50 chance. We’ll be going for it.”

Time to celebrate and then Na Piarsaigh. Then go for it.