*Cratloe’s Conor McGrath. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill It’s nearing a decade now since Cratloe’s last taste of senior championship glory and while they should have added to their historic 2014 county hurling and football double, four county final de-feats (two in hurling and two in football) along with a host of agonising semi-final exits have only …
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*Colm Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill MISSED GOAL chances in the opening half were earmarked by Cratloe senior football boss Colm Collins as key reasons for their exit in the Clare SFC on Saturday.
*Cathal McInerney controls the sliotar ahead of Colin Ryan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill It had to take a late brace of goals to finally rubber-stamp Cratloe’s first semi-final appearance in three years following a deserved derby victory over Newmarket-on-Fergus in Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon.
*Podge Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Cratloe’s perfect senior championship start was extended to six matches after edging out Lissycasey to clinch Group 2 in Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday afternoon.
*Rian Considine’s first half goal marked a turning point in the game. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Cratloe overwhelmed county champions Ballyea to inflict a first championship defeat on the men in black and amber since September 2020.
*Shane Neville puts Gearoid O’Grady under pressure. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill The value of experience at championship time was highlighted once again at Cusack Park this Saturday evening as Cratloe recorded their second win of the campaign when they accounted for Kilmihil.
*Liam Markham is tackled by Sean Phelan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Cratloe maintained their perfect start to the senior championship when fending off a meek Broadford for the second consecutive season in Cusack Park in Ennis.
COLM COLLINS’ Cratloe began their Clare SFC on a winning note as they survived a strong rally from St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield to move to top of Group 2.
*Sean Collins is this year’s captain for Cratloe. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Since they made the breakthrough when winning the title for the first time in 2013, Cratloe have challenged strongly for both senior football and hurling honours each season with almost the same group of players.
Conor McGrath is a doubt for Cratloe in Saturday’s championship clash with Clarecastle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill As has been the case for the past decade, the bulk of the players who represent Cratloe are senior level are facing into another very busy club championship campaign.