Champions struggle to share the spoils

Sixteen matches were played in the senior A, B and intermediate hurling championships, with titleholders Crusheen held to a draw by Broadford. Disappointingly, the standard of play was poor, as were the attendances. There is a break now until the weekend of August 11 and 12, while the junior A and B championships will get underway on July 7 and 8. Sports Editor Seamus Hayes reports

Crusheen 0-15   Broadford 1-12

INJURY-time points from Cathal Chaplin and Padraig Hickey (free) earned Broadford a share of the spoils with titleholders Crusheen in the opening game in the 2012 Clare Senior Hurling Championship at Cusack Park on Friday evening.

 

Crusheen 0-15   Broadford 1-12

INJURY-time points from Cathal Chaplin and Padraig Hickey (free) earned Broadford a share of the spoils with titleholders Crusheen in the opening game in the 2012 Clare Senior Hurling Championship at Cusack Park on Friday evening.
It was a result that didn’t seem likely at half-time when the champions held a one-point lead with the aid of a strong wind to come. Neither did a draw look likely at the three-quarter stage when Crusheen had pushed four clear but they lacked the hunger of their opponents and, in the end, were a little fortunate to hold on for a draw.
“The breeze died a bit in the second half but the breeze never won or lost a game for anyone, plain and simple. We didn’t play at all in the second half. We stood back and admired them and if you stand back and admire any team, they will beat you.
“We were lucky in the end to get a draw. They had loads of wides and if they had been a small bit more accurate, we were dead and buried,” Crusheen manager Michael Browne said.
Playing against the breeze in the first half, Crusheen had the better of the exchanges and, after 20 minutes, were 0-6 to 0-2 ahead. Things didn’t look good for Broadford.
Three minutes from the break, they received a huge boost with the game’s only goal. Cathal Chaplin’s effort from a 20m free was saved but when he regained possession, he drilled the ball through a crowded goalmouth to the net. It left his side just a point adrift, 1-4 to 0-8, at half-time.
“We didn’t win but this is a huge result for us and it’s going to be so much easier to get back into training for the next six or seven weeks. It’s brilliant. We always felt that if we were there or thereabouts that we had the belief and the fitness to drive on and get something out of the game. We have a lot of work done.
“We started training on January 15 and it goes to show. We finished strong today. It will be easier to keep it going now. We are absolutely delighted,” said Kevin Sammon, Broadford manager.
Two superb long-range points from inter-county man Cian Dillon helped the champions to a 0-13 to 1-6 lead by the three-quarter stage and while they weren’t impressive, they looked to be on the way to an opening-round win.
“They drove on in the final period. We weren’t playing well. We weren’t playing up front. We tried subs and they didn’t work. Everything we tried didn’t work and in the end I am very happy to go away with a draw. We started last year with a draw as well,” Michael Browne added.
Points from the game’s top scorer Padraig Hickey and the Moloneys, Mark and Diarmuid, had the game level at 0-13 to 1-10 with five minutes to play. Two long-range frees from Pat Vaughan looked to have secured the win for Crusheen as the game went into injury time but Chaplin, from play, and then Hickey, from a 70m free, tied up the game.
Kieran Corcoran, James Gunning, Cathal Chaplin and Padraig Hickey played important parts in this result for Broadford. Cronan and Cian Dillon got through a lot of work for Crusheen but their forward line struggled and will have to show considerable improvement if the Canon Hamilton Trophy is to spend another winter in their parish.

Crusheen: Donal Tuohy; John Brigdale, Cronan Dillon, Alan Brigdale; Ciarán O’Doherty, Cian Dillon, Cathal Dillon; Tony Meaney, Pat Vaughan; Fergus Kennedy, Joseph Meaney, Gearóid O’Donnell; Paddy Meaney, Gerry O’Grady (captain), Conor O’Donnell.
Subs: David Forde for G O’Donnell (38 minutes) and Seán Mhaoir for P Meaney (40 minutes).
Scorers: Pat Vaughan (0-6, 5f), Conor O’Donnell (0-3), Cian Dillon and Fergus Kennedy (0-2 each), Tony and Paddy Meaney (0-1 each).
Frees for: 8; wides: 4
Bookings: Tony Meaney (25 minutes) and Ciarán O’Doherty (33 minutes).

Broadford: Kevin Ryan; Brian Taylor, Alan Kilcoyne, Aidan O’Brien; James Gunning (capt), Kieran Corcoran, Stephen Gunning; Cathal Chaplin, Aonghus O’Brien; Padraig Taylor, Padraig Hickey, Niall Moloney; Mark Moloney, Shane Taylor, Caolan Cox.
Subs: Diarmuid Moloney for Cox (28 minutes), Donie Whelan for S Taylor (46 minutes) and Kieran O’Connell for P Taylor (inj, 61 minutes).
Scorers: Padraig Hickey (0-9, 5f, 1 65), Cathal Chaplin (1-1), Mark and Diarmuid Moloney (0-1 each).
Frees for: 15; wides: 9; 65s: 1
Bookings: Aonghus O’Brien (25 minutes).

Referee: Ambrose Heagney, Corofin.