Sharper Cratloe secure clash with Kilmaley

Cratloe 0-18  Broadford 0-8

Fortunate to have earned a second chance two weeks earlier, Cratloe made no mistake in the replay of their senior hurling championship quarter-final clash with Broadford on Saturday at Cusack Park.

Played in excellent conditions, the South-East Clare side were sharper and faster throughout the field on this occasion and deservingly progressed to this weekend’s semi-final meeting with Kilmaley.
Both sides made changes from the drawn tie and these changes had a big bearing on the tie. Cratloe had James Enright in their starting line-up and he caused a lot of problems for Broadford, while the switch between Seán Chaplin and Damian Browne also brought about a huge improvement.
Meanwhile, Broadford opted to position Cathal Chaplin at corner-forward and this backfired, as it robbed their half-back line of one of the best young defenders in the game.
They weren’t helped by the fact that team captain Aonghus O’Brien was hampered by an injury suffered in training and which eventually forced him to retire from the action 10 minutes into the second half.
There was little between the sides in the opening quarter during which they exchanged points twice. In the next five minutes, the Cratloe men took a grip on proceedings and they scored four unanswered points through Damian Browne (2), James Enright and Seán Chaplin. Suddenly, one could sense the confidence grow amongst the winners and when the half-time whistle sounded they were 0-10 to 0-5 ahead.
Broadford introduced David Hickey to their attack for the second half and they now had Cathal Chaplin in the half-forward line. They had the better of matters in the opening 10 minutes of the second half but they failed to turn that advantage into scores, as the Cratloe backs, ably led by Michael Hawes and Liam Markham, held firm.
A magnificent point from Ard Scoil Rís Harty Cup captain Cathal McInerney at the end of the third quarter sparked off a great spell for the winners, which saw them score seven unanswered points to seal victory.
In the closing period, Broadford brought Cathal Chaplin to full-back and moved Ciarán Corcoran into attack but Cratloe had control in too many positions and Broadford were unable to break their grip on the game.
Hawes, Markham, Barry Duggan, Damian Browne, Seán Chaplin and James Enright stood out for the winners, while Broadford’s best were the Gunning brothers. Kevin Ryan, Craig Chaplin and Niall Moloney.

Cratloe: Seán Hawes, Philip Gleeson, Barry Duggan, David Ryan; John O’Gorman, Michael Hawes, Liam Markham; Martin ‘Ogie’ Murphy, Seán Chaplin; Seán Collins, James Enright, Damian Browne; Cathal McInerney, Conor McGrath, Aidan Browne.
Subs: Gearóid Ryan for A Browne (51 minutes), Aaron Carroll for Enright (57 minutes), Barry Gleeson for S Chaplin (58 minutes) and Paudge Collins for C McInerney (60 minutes).
Scorers: Damian Browne (0-10, 0-6f, 2 65s), Seán Chaplin, Cathal McInerney, James Enright (0-2 each), Conor McGrath and Barry Gleeson (0-1 each).
Frees for: 14. Wides: 8. 65s: 2.
Bookings: James Enright (10 minutes), Seán Collins (51 minutes) and Aaron Carroll (61 minutes).
“We were sharper today but Broadford didn’t play as well as in the drawn game. We had things to work on and I am delighted that they worked out today.” Mike Deegan, Cratloe

Broadford: Kevin Ryan; John Corcoran, Ciarán Corcoran, Stephen Gunning; James Gunning, Aidan O’Brien, Peter O’Brien; Mark Moloney Craig Chaplin; Niall Moloney, Aonghus O’Brien, Declan Teefy; Cathal Chaplin, Padraig Taylor, Padraic Hickey.
Subs: David Hickey for Teefy (half-time), Diarmuid Skehan for Aonghus O’Brien (40 minutes, injured), Kieran O’Connell for M Moloney (46 minutes) and Ger Hickey for P Hickey (56 minutes).
Scorers: Niall Moloney, Cathal Chaplin (frees) Pádraig Taylor (0-2 each), Pádraig Hickey and Craig Chaplin (free) (0-1 each).
Frees for: 19. Wides: 11.
Bookings: Ciarán Corcoran (15 minutes) and Cathal Chaplin (33 minutes).
“We were flat. We didn’t get going at all. They were by far the better team and we have no complaints. We were well beaten throughout the field.” Danny Chaplin, Broadford
Referee: Tom Stackpool, Ennistymon.