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*Jacob Loughnane is blocked by Cratloe defender, Oisin Collins. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
VICTORY was “cruelly taken away from us,” O’Callaghans Mills manager Seán Doyle maintained as they drew with Cratloe in the second round of the Clare SHC.
A remarkable second half where they hit an unanswered 1-6 had O’Callaghans Mills on course for a first senior championship win since 2023. They led by six points in additional time but were rocked by the concession of Marc O’Brien and Conor Ryan goals to share the spoils with Cratloe.
Mills manager, Seán Doyle was bitterly disappointed to miss out on the win. “It was cruelly taking away from us. We are fierce disappointed with the result. In fairness we took over the second half and played the way we should be playing. We are learning how to play senior hurling at the moment and that is a cruel cruel blow because in my eyes we were the better team in the second half and the victory was snatched in the last seconds but you have o give credit to Cratloe because they kept at it even though they were getting beaten all over the field at one stage”.
Doyle acknowledged there was a huge improvement from the Mills from their ten point loss to Feakle in round one. “Lads retreated and you try not to let them retreat and it’s hard to get them up the field. We made a couple of basic errors but I can’t fault the lads, they died with their boots on. We got a point. We were fierce disappointed with the way we played against Feakle. We had to rectify that and I think we did. It just feels like a loss now”
He continued, “We came with a plan. We made changes during the game and all made a contribution. The two young boys up front are learning. Liam Murphy is just out of minor, he was outstanding this evening, he grew into the game and he enjoyed it. Sean Boyce has a big reputation coming and he is learning his trade as well”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Seán commended the battle given by Cratloe. “They never died and that is what championship hurling is about. Sport can be very cruel at times. We are playing last year’s finalists next, it’s a tough tough group. We will get back trianing and we will go at it again. It’s all you can do. Senior hurling is ruthless, you have to learn from your mistakes and hopefully we will learn and go again the next day”.
