Hat-trick sends Crusheen clear

Crusheen 4-23   Broadford 2-8

Crusheen strolled to an easy win over Broadford in this Clare Champion Cup tie played at Crusheen on Tuesday evening.
The result was never in doubt as Crusheen dictated matters throughout the field. They raced into a 1-6 to 0-0 lead before Padraig Hickey opened the East Clare side’s account
Conor O’Donnell had the first Crusheen goal with a long range effort that found the net. Paddy Meaney (2), Fergus Kennedy, Shaun Dillon and Gearóid O’Doherty (2) were the point scorers. Craig Chaplin (2f) responded for Broadford before Crusheen went on a scoring spree in the second quarter adding 3-11 in 15 minutes.
Paddy Meaney scored 3-1 and Gearóid O’Doherty (3) Fergus Kennedy (3), Niall Fitzgibbon (2), Alan Brigdale and Ciaran O’Doherty added points.
There was little Broadford could manage in the second half when Alan Brigdale and Ciaran O’Doherty shone in the Crusheen defence with Gerry O’Grady and Fergus Kennedy controlling midfield.
Padraig Hickey scored a great goal and added a brace of frees for the visitors. Alan Kilcoyne (1-1) and Aonghus O’Brien (2) in the final five minutes added consolation scores but there was no denying Crusheen their fifth Clare cup win out of six outings.
Best for the winners were the Brigdale brothers and Cronan Dillon with Ciaran O’Doherty in fine form at centre back. Midfield was dominated by Crusheen whilst up front Paddy Meaney produced a man of the match display and finished with a tally of 3-6 aided well by Gearóid O’Donnell, Darragh and Gearóid O’Doherty. Broadford are facing a relegation battle despite the best efforts of Craig Chaplin, Dara Corcoran, Padraig Hickey, Mark Moloney and Peter O’Brien.

Crusheen: David McMahon, John Brigdale, Cronan Dillon, Alan Brigdale (0-1), Jason Greene, Ciaran O’Doherty (0-2), Brendan McMahon, Fergus Kennedy (0-4), Gerry O’Grady, Gearóid O’Donnell (0-1), Shaun Dillon (0-1), Niall Fitzgibbon (0-2), Conor O’Donnell (1-0), Paddt Meaney (3-6), Gearóid O’Doherty (0-6, 5f, one sideline).
Subs: Darragh O’Doherty for C O’Donnell, Patrick O’Grady for Meaney, Alan Touhy for S Dillon.
Broadford: Cian O’Brien, John Corcoran, Aidan O’Brien, Mark Moloney, Peter O’Brien, Craig Chaplin (0-2), Niall Moloney, Alan Kilcoyne (1-1), Dara Corcoran, Declan Teefy, Aonghus O’Brien (0-2), Padraig Taylor, Padraig Hickey (1-3), Alan McMahon, Donal Whelan.
Sub: Willie Hayes for Taylor.