*Jamie Moylan gets away from Niall Kelly, Cian Meaney and Michael Kelly. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
WHEN the need was greatest, it was champions Cratloe that stepped up to grind out an eighth consecutive victory en route to the semi-finals in Cusack Park.
Cratloe 1-13
Lissycasey 0-13
Venue: Cusack Park
Comfortably leading by four by the break after Podge Collins punished a defensive error with a goal midway through the opening half, Cratloe amazingly failed to score until the final quarter and even were reduced to 14 temporarily when David Collins was blackcarded by the two-thirds mark.
Ultimately however, Lissycasey failed to capitalise as despite kicking four unanswered points through Daire Culligan (2), Conor Finnucane and Aaron Griffin at 1-08 to 0-11, they crucially passed up chances to nudge ahead.
Indeed, the Cusack Cup champions never managed to get their noses in front at any stage as every time they got within striking distance, they would prove profligate in front of the posts.
Instead, Cratloe’s cavalry from the bench steered the holders over the line, with replacements Shane Neville and the returning Liam Markham both chipping in with big scores as did Tommy Rooney and David Collins.
Remarkably Podge Collins’ first half goal remained the difference at the end as it was the only guilt edge opportunity taken out of eight goal sightings over the hour, five for Cratloe and three for the challengers.
Lissycasey’s big moments were in the opening ten minutes when on top as Aaron Griffin had a shot saved at point blank range by goalkeeper Padraigh Chaplin while Daire Culligan had a subsequent effort tipped over the bar as Lissycasey only edged 0-3 to 0-2 in front by the ninth minute.
A 1-3 Cratloe blitz in just seven minutes completely flipped that script however as the superb McInerney converted a brace of frees and teed up Jamie Moylan twice for goal chances.
The first was superbly stopped by Killian Normoyle but a wayward kick-out would be exploited in the 17th minute when McInerney and Moylan combined to centre for Podge Collins to flick to the left corner of the Lissycasey net at 1-5 to 0-3.
The former dual county senior had a later chance to double his bounty but his shot on the turn was off target on his side’s way to a 1-8 to 0-7 interval cushion.
The new half was only seconds old when Cratloe went for the jugular, this time Diarmuid Ryan grabbing the throw-in to bear down on goal before passing inside to Rian Considine whose shot was excellently repelled by the leg of Normoyle.
Remarkably, it would be another twelve minutes before the champions had another shot at the posts and a full 17 minutes before they finally opened their second half account.
Tommy Rooney’s point was needed though as by then a buoyant Lissycasey had regained full parity and appeared to have momentum on their sides.
However, Rooney and Shane Neville points entering the final quarter eased the pressure valve on the champions and once David Collins restored a full complement, Cratloe used all their experience to ensure that they would never be reeled in again.
Lissycasey get battling to the final whistle but without a goal, their challenge would fall on stoney ground as a last gasp Conor Finnucane attempt was excellently blocked down by Cratloe captain Kevin Harnett to clinch a seventh penultimate stage place in nine attempts for the evergreen holders.
Scorers for Cratloe: Cathal McInerney 0-5 (3f, 1m), Podge Collins 1-2, Enda Boyce 0-1, Jamie Moylan 0-1 (m), Tommy Rooney 0-1, Shane Neville 0-1, David Collins 0-1, Liam Markham 0-1
Scorers for Lissycasey: Daire Culligan 0-5 (2f), Conor Finnucane 0-4 (2f), Aaron Griffin 0-4
Cratloe
1: Padraigh Chaplin
2: David Collins
3: Kevin Harnett
4: Riain McNamara
5: Enda Boyce
6: Michael Brennan
7: Sean Collins
8: Diarmuid Ryan
9: Conor Ryan
10: Conall O’Hanlon
11: Podge Collins
12: Tommy Rooney
15: Rian Considine
14: Cathal McInerney
13: Jamie Moylan
Subs
19: Shane Neville for C. Ryan (47)
18: Eoin Carey for Boyce (51)
26: Liam Markham for Rooney (55)
17: Jack McInerney for Considine (58)
35: Alex Brady for P. Collins (64, inj)
Lissycasey
1: Killian Normoyle
2: Niall Kelly
3: Ryan Griffin
5: Michael Kelly
4: Daire Hill
6: Connor Meaney
7: Cyril Sheehan
9: Enda Finnucane
11: Cian Meaney
10: Daire Culligan
15: Shane Griffin
12: Darragh Killeen
14: Conor Finnucane
8: Darren Keane
13: Aaron Griffin
Subs
26: Luke Griffin for Sheehan (21)
19: Fionn Cotter for M. Kelly (HT)
25: Enda Meaney for Cotter (47)
21: Kevin Shivers for Hill (59, inj)
18: Francie Hayes for S. Griffin (59)
Referee: Chris Maguire (Wolfe Tones)
