Determined Cratloe nearing the play-offs

Cratloe 0-22 Wolfe Tones 2-12

HOLDERS Cratloe took a step closer to the play-offs in the race for the Canon Hamilton Trophy when they accounted for Wolfe Tones at Cusack Park on Sunday. The final scoreline is a little flattering to the Shannon outfit, who scored 2-1 in the last four minutes of play.
Cratloe’s determination to hold on to the title they won for the first time last October was evident from the start and a tally of 22 scores, shared by eight players, is certainly impressive.
They started well and after seven minutes were 0-5 to 0-1 in front. With the game in danger of slipping away from them, Wolfe Tones stepped up a gear and had drawn level at 0-6 each by the 17th minute.
Two minutes later they were two clear and it looked like it was going to be a real battle but Cratloe clearly laid down a marker in the last eight minutes of the half as they hit six points without reply to lead 0-12 to 0-8 when the half-time whistle sounded.
When play resumed, they took up where they had left off and added four more without reply, to lead by double scores, 0-16 to 0-8. with 25 minutes still to play.
Wolfe Tones were struggling in many positions and, in an effort to bounce back, they brought in Johnnie Bridges and John Guilfoyle in addition to Aaron Cunningham, who was introduced at the interval but they failed to break Cratloe’s dominance.
The speed and skill of the champions was too much for a Shannon side that struggled in a number of vital areas.
With 10 minutes remaining it was 0-20 to 0-10 for the titleholders and 10 points was still the margin (0-22 to 0-12) with a minute of normal time left.
To their credit, Wolfe Tones battled to the end and they were rewarded with a brace of goals in the closing minutes.
The first came from their top scorer, Declan O’Rourke, who was on hand to score after Gareth McPhillips’ effort from a 20m free had been saved.
O’Rourke was involved again in the first minute of added time when he created the opportunity which led to a Daithí O’Connell goal.
The goals, however, came too late for the Tones, whose chances of being involved in the play-offs have taken a major blow as a result of this defeat.
The champions were very impressive with David Ryan, Liam Markham, Sean and Paudge Collins, James Enright and Conor McGrath causing a lot of problems for the opposition.
John Coen, Declan O’Rourke, Daniel Gallery, in the first half, and Bobby McPhillips did best for the Shannon men.

Cratloe: Sean Hawes; Philip Gleeson, Barry Duggan, David Ryan; Cathal McInerney, Michael Hawes, Liam Markham; Martin ‘Ogie’ Murphy, Sean Chaplin; Sean Collins, James Enright, Damian Browne; Paudge Collins, Conor Ryan, Conor McGrath.
Subs: Aidan Browne for S Collins (56 minutes); Barry Gleeson for P Collins (59 minutes).
Scorers: Conor McGrath (0-6, 4f); Paudge Collins (0-4); Sean Collins, James Enright (0-3) each; Damian Browne, Ogie Murphy (0-2) each; Liam Markham, Conor Ryan (0-1) each.
Frees: 13; Wides: 12.
Bookings: Conor McGrath (25 minutes)
“We are county champions and it’s time for us to start playing hurling like we did last year. We still have a bit of improving to do as we let them back in for two goals but we got the two points, which is important.” Mike Deegan, Cratloe mentor.

Wolfe Tones: Ray Carley; Gary O’Connell, Jamie Roughan, John Coen; Frank Lohan, Bobby McPhillips, Sean Cahill; Brian O’Connell, Stephen McInerney; Brendan Hughes, Declan O’Rourke, Barry Loughnane; Gareth McPhillips, Daniel Gallery, Daithi O’Connell.
Subs: Aaron Cunningham for Hughes (half time); Johnnie Bridges for McInerney (36 minutes); John  Guilfoyle for Cahill (39 minutes); Mick O’Connell for Gallery (57 minutes).
Scorers: Declan O’Rourke (1-4); Daithí O’Connell (1-2); Gareth McPhillips (0-2, 2f); Bobby McPhillips (free); Barry Loughnane,  Brian O’Connell, Daniel Gallery (0-1) each.
Frees: 10; Wides: 8
Bookings: Gary O’Connell (25 minutes); Stephen McInerney (33 minutes); John Coen (45 minutes).
“There is no doubt that the better team won this game. The scoreline flattered us with the two late goals. We are very disappointed as we put in a huge effort but we have no complaints.” John Markham, Wolfe Tones manager.

Referee: Ger Hoey, Killanena