*Sean Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Cratloe’s latest dual senior championship tilt appeared to be going swimmingly until last Friday’s spanner in the works.
With as close to a full hand to pick from as any team could hope for heading into a new championship campaign, optimism inevitably abounded once more as the hurlers readied themselves for the off in Cusack Park, craving a positive start to build up early momentum and try to make their dual passage as smooth as possible.
However, John O’Gorman’s side were immediately handed a sobering reality check from a ravenous Newmarket-on-Fergus side who simply outfought and out-thought their neighbours in Cusack Park.
Of course, it’s not the first bump in the road that Cratloe have encountered or even a first Round 1 set-back but being a derby and an opportunity to lay down an early marker in a group of derbies, it certainly set alarm bells chiming if not blaring just yet.
A mere eight day turnaround to their senior football opener could well be a blessing in disguise as with little time to wallow in self-pity or pick through the bones of why exactly they failed to fire, the large crossover between the two squads should relish the opportunity to make an immediate amends and prove that their nine point hurling reverse was a mere blip.
Any remaining lingering doubts will undoubtedly be addressed by the county’s longest serving club manager as Colm Collins, fresh from a decade long reign over the county’s flagship footballers, is embarking on his 17th season at the helm in Cratloe.
“It’s awfully important to try and start fast, especially for a dual club. We had a tough auld outing on Friday evening in the Park but that’s gone now, there’s nothing that we can do about it so we just have to focus the minds again and see how we can tackle the next game this Saturday,” Colm told The Clare Echo.
With an additional eight exclusively football panellists joining Cratloe’s pack for the senior football opener in Clarecastle this Saturday, Collins, who manages the side with long-serving sidekick Sean O’Dea as well as Brian O’Connell and Shane Markham, do have a deeper squad to be able to cope better with any injuries etc.
“Rian Considine went off injured on Friday so we’ll just have to assess him during the week and see how he is but other than that, I think everyone came through alright for this weekend,” admitted Collins in the aftermath of the weekend’s senior hurling equivalent.
In a group that also involves the reigning Cusack Cup and Under 21A champions Ennistymon, and 2022 intermediate winners Kildysart, up first for Collins and Co is a third championship showdown in four years against Lissycasey. “They’ve really great underage players coming through and a lot of talented players starting to shine on their senior team. They’ve been very good over the last few years, contested a couple of semi-finals so they have experience and youth and it’s going to be a difficult challenge undoubtedly”.
Lowered by then manager John Ryan who resides in Cratloe and whose son Sean is on the panel, the opening round of the 2020 Jack Daly race saw Lissycasey lower Cratloe after extra-time while the pressure was slightly subdued for their rematch last summer as following opening victories over Kilmihil and St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, their final round clash was a group decider as both were already through to the quarter-finals.
The stakes are much higher this time, with that added unwanted ingredient of a point to prove ensuring that this is an early four pointer in an already merciless group. “Look, everywhere you turn in this group, there’s a tough challenge awaiting you so it will all come down to the day I’d say for the majority of these group games to see who will get over the line. To be honest, I wouldn’t think there is a whole pile between any of the four teams so in such an even group, you just have to be on your toes throughout, get off to a good start and try to get a result”.
Cratloe
Management: Colm Collins (Manager); Sean O’Dea, Brian O’Connell, Shane Markham (Coaches/Selectors); Oscar O’Dwyer (S&C); Ger Crotty (Physio)
Captain: Kevin Harnett
Key Player: Cathal McInerney
One to Watch: Riain McNamara
Fresh Blood: Cathal Lohan, Riain McNamara
Departure Gate: Rian Considine (Injured)
Titles Won: 2
Last season’s run: Quarter-Finalists
Schedule
Round 1 – v Lissycasey at Clarecastle, Saturday 4.30pm
Round 2 – v Kildysart (Weekend of August 19/20th)
Round 3 – v Ennistymon (Weekend of September 1st/2nd/3rd)
