History in the making

Crusheen 2-13 Cratloe 1-11

IN the world of Gaelic games, the launching pad for most successes is the half-back line and this proved to be the case again in the 2010 Clare Senior Hurling Championship final.
A powerful display by Cathal and Cian Dillon and Ciarán O’Doherty laid the foundations for Crusheen’s historic first senior hurling title at Cusack Park last Sunday. Centre-back Cian Dillon’s performance earned him the man of the match award, an accolade he richly deserved.
History was made on a number fronts on Sunday. In coaching his native club to their first senior crown, Michael Browne became the first man to lead two clubs to the top prize in Clare hurling. He was the coach to Tulla in 2007 when they defeated his beloved Crusheen in the final.
The new champions deservingly overcame the titleholders, Cratloe, in a very entertaining game, which sparked great scenes of celebration as Gerry O’Grady accepted the Canon Hamilton Trophy from another proud Crusheen man, Pat O’Donnell, the main sponsor of both Clare and Crusheen GAA.
While the aforementioned half-back trio deserve great praise, it should be stressed that the newly crowned champions had heroes throughout the field.
Cratloe had held a slight favourites’ tag going into Sunday’s final having won the crown 12 months before but they were never allowed get into their stride by a hungrier Crusheen side.
Some might argue that Cratloe looked a tired team but credit must go to Crusheen who were the much sharper side. The return of Cathal Dillon from suspension resulted in Paddy Meaney dropping to the substitutes bench in a Crusheen side which saw Pat Vaughan return to midfield and Fergus Kennedy go to corner-forward. Cratloe also made a change from the semi-final with Martin ‘Ogie’ Murphy returning from injury to take the place of Sean Chaplin at midfield.
Crusheen had a dream start and with just one minute and twenty seconds on the clock, Fergus Kennedy blasted to the net following a Pat Vaughan free.
Cratloe responded in the style of champions. Points from Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney were followed by a Conor Ryan goal with the centre-forward giving Donal Tuohy no chance after being put clear by McGrath. This left the score at 1-2 to 1-0 with just five minutes played.
Twice in the next few minutes, the skilful McGrath saw efforts rebound off the upright but Crusheen kept their composure and by the end of the first quarter, they were back on terms after scores from Ciarán O’Doherty, Joe Meaney and two Pat Vaughan frees. Enda Boyce and Sean Collins had points for the titleholders.
The second quarter produced just three points, two for Crusheen, who led 1-6 to 1-5 at half time. Twenty seconds into the second half, Cathal McInerney had the teams level and they exchanged points again in the next couple of minutes to leave the score at 1-7 each with 25 minutes to play.
After five scoreless minutes, Crusheen took a grip on the game with points from Pat Vaughan, Conor O’Donnell and Gerry O’Grady. They grew in confidence and held a vital edge all the way to the final whistle.
It was 1-10 to 1-8 at the turn of the final quarter and by now Crusheen had Paddy Meaney in at corner-forward in place of Gearóid O’Donnell, while Cratloe had replaced Ogie Murphy with Sean Chaplin.
Defences dominated, illustrated by the fact that each side managed just one point in the next 10 minutes to leave the score at 1-11 to 1-9 with four minutes of normal time remaining.
A minute later, Crusheen had their hands on the cup. A Tony Meaney effort looked to be going wide but brother Paddy kept the ball in play before crashing a powerful shot to the net.
Sean Chaplin and Conor McGrath responded with Cratloe points but the day belonged to Crusheen and points from Joe and Paddy Meaney sealed victory that Crusheen GAA will never forget.
In what was a great team performance, the Dillon brothers, Ciarán O’Doherty, Pat Vaughan, David Forde, Fergus Kennedy and substitute Paddy Meaney made valuable contributions.
David Ryan, Barry Duggan Cathal McInerney, Conor McGrath and Liam Markham were to the fore for Cratloe.

Crusheen: Donal Tuohy; John Brigdale, Cronan Dillon, Alan Brigdale; Cathal Dillon, Cian Dillon, Ciarán O’Doherty; Tony Meaney, Pat Vaughan; Gearóid O’Donnell, Joe Meaney, David Forde; Conor O’Donnell, Gerry O’Grady, Fergus Kennedy.
Subs: Paddy Meaney for G O’Donnell (42 minutes); Alan Tuohy for J Brigdale (57 minutes); Paddy O’Grady for P Vaughan (inj 60 minutes).
Scorers: Pat Vaughan (0-7, all frees);  Paddy Meaney (1-1); Fergus Kennedy (1-0); Joe Meaney (0-2); Ciarán O’Doherty, Conor O’Donnell, Gerry O’Grady (0-1 each).
Frees: 14; wides: 4; 65s: 1
Bookings: Tony Meaney (21 minutes) John Brigdale (46 minutes); Alan Brigdale (59 minutes).
“This was coming. The battling we did all over the field led to this win. Our last three games on the way to this game were all finals and we had come through. I am so proud of the lads and so delighted for everyone involved.” Michael Browne, Crusheen manager

Cratloe: Sean Hawes; Philip Gleeson, Barry Duggan, David Ryan; John O’Gorman, Michael Hawes, Liam Markham; Enda Boyce, Martin ‘Ogie’ Murphy; Sean Collins, Conor Ryan, Damian Browne; Cathal McInerney, Conor McGrath, Paudge Collins.
Subs: Sean Chaplin  for Murphy (45 minutes).
Scorers: Conor McGrath (0-5, 3f); Cathal McInerney (0-3); Conor Ryan (1-0); Enda Boyce, Sean Collins, Sean Chaplin (0-1 each).
Frees: 14; wides: 5
Bookings: 0
“Crusheen played the better hurling on the day. They won the balls that had to be won. We rely an awful lot on winning breaking ball and on our first touch. Our first touch wasn’t great today but we have to concede that Crusheen were the better team.” Mike Deegan, Cratloe

Referee: Seanie McMahon, Newmarket.