*Podge Collins leads an attack. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
The importance and value of experience was highlighted again at Clarecastle this Saturday afternoon when Cratloe got their TUS senior football championship campaign off to a winning start with a two point win over Lissycasey.
Cratloe 0-12
Lissycasey 1-07
Venue: Clarecastle
Up against a Lissycasey team which had six teenagers in their starting line up, Colm Collins’ Cratloe made their experience count when eeking out a two point win.
Another key factor for Cratloe was the presence of Cathal McInerney who contributed 0-8 of their tally, kicking all of their six scores in the second half.
A strong, mainly crossfield, wind made matters difficult for the players in what was a well contested tie.
Lissycasey captain Conor Finnucane opened the scoring in the first minute but Podge Collins levelled two minutes later before defender Liam Markham put Cratloe ahead only for Finnucane to hit the target again and level the tie at 0-2 each.
Cratloe then landed three unanswered points before David Collins picked up a black card which left his side a man short for ten minutes.
Two Conor Finnucane points left the minimum between the sides but Cratloe responded with a Cathal McInerney effort as the half time whistle approached.
A drive forward by Lissycasey wing back Cyril Sheehan ended with Shane Griffin shooting low to the net a minute before the end of the half and this left Lissycasey 1-4 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
They would not have been flattered had they a couple of more points to spare at this stage but lack of composure when in good positions proved costly.
Points were exchanged twice in the opening ten minutes of the second half before Cathal McInerney converted a free to level the contest at 0-9 to 1-6 as the game moved into the final quarter.
The sides exchanged points again but the greater experience of the winners shone through in the final ten minutes which they dominated. Cathal McInerney kicked two points in this period and these scores proved decisive.
For the winners who were without the injured Rian Considine and Conal O’Hanlon who picked up his injury in the warm up, Kevin Harnett, Mike Brennan, Podge Collins, Rian McNamara and man of the match Cathal McInerney led the way.
Michael Meaney, Cyril Sheehan, Darren Keane. Daire Killeen and Conor Finnucane did well for Lissycasey.
Scorers Cratloe: Cathal McInerney (0-8, 3f); Podge Collins (0-2), Liam Markham (0-1)
Scorers Lissycasey: Conor Finnucane (0-6, 2 f); Shane Griffin (1-0); Francis Hayes (0-1);
Cratloe;
1: Padraigh Chaplin
2: David Collins
3: Kevin Harnett
4: Liam Markham
5: Enda Boyce
6: Mike Brennan
7: Rian McNamara
8: Diarmuid Ryan
18: Jamie Costigan
23: Shane Neville
11: Sean Collins
12: Tommy Rooney
13: Jack McInerney
14: Cathal McInerney
15: Podge Collins
Lissycasey;
1: Thomas Collins
2: Kevin shiovers
3: Matt O’Shea
4: Michael Meanety
5: Daire Hill
12: Daire Killeen
7: Cyril Sheehan
8: Darren Keane
9: Enda Finnucane
17: Fionn Cotter
11: Shane Griffin
13: Conor Meaney
6: Niall Kelly
14: Francis Hayes
15: Conor Finnucane
Subs:
10: Luke Griffin for Cotter (43)
18: Shane Culligan for L. Griffin (46)
30: Niall McCarthy for Hayes (56)
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
