*A delighted Pat Taaffe at the final whistle. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
Penalties are not to way to determine winners of a hurling match, the victorious manager of the U21B county champions has said.
Crusheen/Tubber became the first hurling team in Clare to win a county championship following a penalty shootout when they defeated Bodyke/O’Callaghans Mills on Sunday morning 3-2, the game having finished level 2-16 0-22 following extra time.
Tubber native Pat Taaffe was hopeful the win would drive both of the North Clare clubs forward into 2022. “This win is a great foundation for both clubs for 2022. Crusheen were in a relegation battle recently and we (Tubber) are battling in the intermediate grade. This win is a brilliant foundation for the upcoming season”.
Finals should not be decided on penalties, he maintained. “It’s a terrible way to lost a game. When you have to go into a dressing room and name five guys to come out and take penalties, it’s not fair no matter what happens. Look Bodyke/O’Calllaghans Mills are champions just like us, it’s just that we have the cup. It’s not a fair way for any game to be decided,” he said.
