Cratloe survive late scare

By Seamus Hayes

Cratloe 0-16 ‘Curry’s 1-9

Defending champions Cratloe booked a place in the semi-final of the Clare senior football championship when they overcame O’Currys at sun splashed Lissycasey on Saturday afternoon.

However, the hot favourites have to survive an anxious final five minutes before becoming the first team into the last four in the 2014 title race. Ten points ahead at the three quarter stage, everything pointed to a comfortable win. Five minutes into the second half they introduced ‘new signing’ John Galvin, the Limerick senior inter county footballer, for his first competitive action for the club following his transfer last week.

With a comfortable lead, they followed with further changes calling ashore such regulars as Barry Duggan, Liam Markham, Conor Ryan and Enda Boyce before losing Sean Chaplin to a black card and goalkeeper Pierce De Loughrey to injury.

Suddenly O’Curry’s took a grip on proceedings and when Jim Downes got through for the game’s only goal with eight minutes remaining, a shock looked to be on the cards. The West Clare side’s captain Ger Quinlan cut the margin to two with four minutes still to play and when referee Pat Cosgrove signalled a further three minutes of ‘injury time’, the underdog’s chances of causing a shock increased.

A missed free by Cathal McInerney didn’t help the champions’ followers while at the other end Paudge Collins got in a timely block at the expense of a ’45. Jim Downes almost got through for a second goal, which would have given his side the lead, but Cratloe saved on the goal line before finishing strongly with a brace of injury time points from Cathal McInerney who kicked 0-7 on the day.

Meanwhile the quarter final clash of Clondegad and Kilmurry-Ibrickane was cancelled as a mark of respect to the O’Connell family in Ballyea following the tragic death of Gerry, father of Gearoid and Paddy, members of the Clondegad panel. It will take place on Saturday next.

Kildysart ended Kilmihil’s involvement in this season’s intermediate championship with an extra time win at Labasheeda. Level at 0-17 to 2-11(Kilmihil) at the end of normal time, Kildysart went on to win on a final score of 0-24 to 3-12 on an evening when Ger Kelly kicked some excellent points.

Three quarter finals in the junior A football championship were played with Naomh Eoin, Ennistymon and Michael Cusack recording victories. Naomh Eoin were 1-16 to 1-8 winners over Ballyvaughan, Ennistymon defeated Kilrush, 2-11 to 1-8 while Ml.Cusacks were 0-13 to 2-5 winners over Moy