*Sean Kennedy clashes with Kevin Danaher. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
EXITING the Clare SHC courtesy of Conor McGrath’s last-gasp strike was “devastating” for Kilmaley.
Having overcome Corofin and Feakle in the first two rounds, Kilmaley knew they would advance to the knockout stages if they forced any outcome other than losing to Cratloe by three points or more.
Conor Cleary’s goal on sixty minutes brought them to within a point of Cratloe and in touching distance of a quarter-final appearance but they conceded a Rian Considine free and then a dramatic Conor McGrath point with the last strike in the game ensured they were out of the championship.
Kilmaley selector, Conor McMahon admitted, “It’s hard to put it into words but it’s clearly devastating to go out of the championship like this”.
He told The Clare Echo their wide count which included five misses in succession in the third quarter was a big barrier on the day. “I thought we were going quite well in the championship with two wins from two so going into this game we had plenty of confidence but on the day it was just missed chance after missed chance particularly in the second half. I think we had ten wides in that second half and obviously that proved really costly for us for a finish”.
McMahon could only admire the grit and class shown by Cratloe. “Cratloe have been around the block and have won championships in both codes as well as having so much experience at inter-county level and let’s be honest, [Conor] McGrath’s score at the end was just an incredible point. It was right in front of me and it was such a wristy strike that I said to myself ‘there’s no way that has the distance’ but unfortunately I was very wrong. So maybe just that added class shone through at the end”.
That their campaign ends following their first loss is a tough pill to swallow, he said. “This is a terrible feeling because you almost feel robbed. Of course, there will be much debate about the if’s and but’s of decisions, passes and shots and equally on the line if we changed this or switched that but that’s probably inevitable now. I think the hallowness of not having the opportunity to redeem yourself is the real killer for us but sport is sport and we knew the rules before we came today and obviously fair play to Cratloe as they did what they had to do. We just have to take it on the chin now however difficult that is”.
