*Enda Boyce. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
FRESH from starting the defence of their title as senior football champions with a win, Cratloe’s senior hurlers will be bidding to have a winning first outing.
There was a ten year gap between Cratloe’s first and second Clare senior hurling championship title wins and members and supporters of the South Clare club will be hoping that ten years on from their second win, they can lift the trophy again when the 2024 competition concludes in October.
A sizeable number of those who featured in the club’s last win are still part of the panel but, in the past two years, they have brought in a number of young players, many of whom are expected to feature in this campaign.
This year, five young players just out of minor ranks are in the senior panel and a number of those will see action this weekend when they take on Feakle in a first round game in Group 2.
“We are facing a tough test. We haven’t played them too often in the championship. We know they reached the semi-final last year and we know that they possess strong players all over the field”, Cratloe manager John O’Gorman commented this week.
Like many of his fellow team managers, the championship winning defender with the club stressed “the first round is very important as you are on the back foot if you lose. All teams will have the same approach this weekend”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo on managing a high amount of dual players, O’Gorman explained, “it’s all about managing the work load between the games and keeping lads as fresh as possible. All the heavy training is done so it’s about keeping lads fresh and both managements work well towards ensuring that happens”.
In Division 1B of the Clare Cup they looked to be heading for the play offs after a draw and six wins in their opening seven games. Despite losing their final two games they held on for a semi-final date with their neighbours Newmarket-on-Fergus who came out on top on their way to winning the title.
Injuries and inter county commitments ensured that Cratloe were short a number of their more experienced players for the semi-final. A key player for Cratloe throughout the past decade has been All Star Conor McGrath but injuries have ruled him out of a lot of games in recent times. He missed most of this season’s league campaign and it will be nearer match time before it will be known if he will play a part in this game.
Caimin Deegan recently emigrated to Australia while experienced defender Liam Markham hasn’t played this year as he is now based in London.
Inter county star Diarmuid Ryan is a key player for the club and they will also be looking to Rian Considine, Cathal McInerney who will captain the team again this year, the Collins clan and Enda Boyce to mention some to give them an edge.
Team coach Mike Deegan is experienced when it comes to preparing teams for the championship and the backroom team includes Barry Duggan and the manager John O’Gorman who have been part of title winning sides.
Management: John O’Gorman (manager), Mike Deegan (coach), Timmy Danagher, Dermot Quain, Barry Duggan, Oscar O’Dwyer (S&C).
Captain: Cathal McInerney
Key Player: Diarmuid Ryan
One to watch: Jamie Moylan
Fresh Blood: Jamie Moylan, Daire Neville, Eoin Carey, Michael Flanagan, Eoin Deegan
Departures Gate: Caimin Deegan (emigrated)
Treatment table: a few niggles but hoping all will be available
Last season’s run: Didn’t get out of the group
Titles Won: 2 (2013, 2014);
Schedule of games:
Round 1 v Feakle on Saturday August 10th in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge at 2pm
Round 2 v Corofin on August 24th/25th
Round 3 v Kilmaley on September 7th/8th
