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Feakle ran out two-point winners in Ennis on Saturday afternoon. Ruth Griffin

Feakle bridge 36-year gap with long-awaited return to Clare senior hurling final

Shane McGrath finished with 0-11 to steer Feakle to a two-point victory over Cratloe.

Feakle 1-17

Cratloe 1-15

Páraic McMahon reports from Cusack Park, Ennis

HOPES OF A seventh senior championship still burn bright for Feakle after the East Clare side overcame the challenge of Cratloe on Saturday evening, a result which ends Cratloe’s aspirations of winning a second-ever senior championship double.

It was a nervy finish in an overall scrappy contest as a wasteful Cratloe who hit 17 wides in total over the hour, 12 in the second half, never managed to get back on level terms in the second half.

Shane McGrath once again led the way for Feakle, finishing the hour with 0-11 to his name. The 31-year-old was captain of the Clare side crowned Munster intermediate hurling champions in 2016 and has had a storming campaign to date.

His club teammates Adam Hogan, Eibhear Quilligan and Conn Smyth will all be vying to add Clare SHC championships to their medal haul of 2024 which also includes the All-Ireland SHC and Allianz National Hurling League.

Both of the Collins brothers, Podge and Sean, were ruled out of the Cratloe starting team in what was a big setback to the 2014 champions. They sprung Podge from the bench on 41 minutes but missed their experience after producing a shaky start.

Martin Daly raided for Feakle’s goal on six minutes. Wing-back Eoin Tuohy delivered a long ball into the danger area, and though it was initially claimed by Cratloe full-back David Collins, Daly dispossessed him and struck the sliotar beyond Eoin Deegan to make it 1-2 to 0-1.

By the 18th minute, Cratloe were level after Cathal McInerney pounced for goal. A Killian Bane block on Shane Neville led to a breaking ball which McInerney pulled on which nestled the sliotar in Quilligan’s net.

Two further points from McInerney put Cratloe in front for the second and final time in the game as Feakle responded with four of the last five points in the opening half to head into the dressing rooms leading 1-9 to 1-7.

From the throw-in, McGrath added to this lead and he converted a free with his next contribution. Cratloe opened their account via free-taker Rian Considine on 33 minutes but the wides were beginning to rack up for the side who contested back-to-back finals in 2018 and 2019.

McGrath as chief marksman helped to maintain Feakle’s advantage. A tetchy final period saw Cratloe reduce the deficit to a single point — Conor McGrath hitting three points in the second half, including the finish touch on a nice team move involving Cathal Lohan and Cathal McInerney which cut the gap to one on 54 minutes.

However, that would be their final score in the tie, Feakle getting the last contribution to the scoreboard through substitute Fiachra Donnellan to send them on their way to the county final, 12 months after bowing out in the semi-finals to 2023 champions Clonlara.

For the winners, Shane McGrath was a constant threat with Hogan and Quilligan solid anchors, Martin Daly excelled up front with Oisin Donnellan and Eoin Tuohy also making valuable contributions. They will face the winners of Sunday’s semi-final between Inagh/Kilnamona and Sixmilebridge.

Wides will be a huge regret for Cratloe who had the bulk of possession in the second half but didn’t make it count. Their focus will quickly divert to a return to Cusack Park next Saturday when they meet Kilmurry Ibrickane in the senior football semi-finals.

Scorers for Feakle: Shane McGrath (0-11, 6f); Martin Daly (1-0); Ronan O’Connor, Eoin Tuohy, Oisin Donnellan, Oisin O’Connor, Eoghan Daly, Fiachra Donnellan (0-1) each

Scorers for Cratloe: Rian Considine (0-8, 7f); Cathal McInerney (1-2); Conor McGrath (0-3), Enda Boyce (0-2).

Feakle 

1. Eibhear Quilligan

3. Evan McMahon, 4. Oisin Clune, 5. Adam Hogan

2. Killian Bane, 6. Conn Smyth, 9. Eoin Tuohy

7. Ronan O’Connor, 11. Enda Noonan

10. Oisin Donnellan, 8. Shane McGrath, 14. Raymond Bane

13. Patrick Daly, 12. Martin Daly, 15. Oisin O’Connor

Substitutes:

17. Eoghan Daly for McMahon (12)
23. Steven Conway for K Bane (HT)
21. Owen McGann for R Bane (43)
20. Fiachra Donnellan for P Daly (53)
18. Enda Madden for Noonan (56)

Cratloe

1. Eoin Deegan

2. Riain McNamara, 3. David Collins, 17. Oisin Collins

9. Conor Ryan, 6. Diarmuid Ryan, 5. Jamie Moylan

7. Enda Boyce, 8. Daithí Collins

21. Shane Neville, 13. Conor McGrath, 19. Cathal Lohan

14. Cathal McInerney, 15. Rian Considine, 12. Kevin Danaher

Substitutes:

11. Podge Collins for Danaher (41)
18. Daire Neville for S Neville (48)
22. Jack McInerney for McNamara (60)

Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)

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    Mute Darren Burke
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:01 PM

    Fine margins all the same, serious point gained. Still can’t believe yer man hit the bar after Randolph’s fumble, and also to a lesser extenr that Ivanovic couldn’t convert when clean through

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    Mute Darren Burke
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:03 PM

    Also, don’t think you can really give Coleman too much credit for that goal-line clearance, it was him not pushing out that led to the chance!

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:17 PM

    6 is very harsh on Long, thought he was our man of the match, battled bravely all night on his own, and the corner for Murphy’s goal came from a ball he had no right to get to between two defenders, thought he gave them a torrid time from brutal service

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    Mute Bleep12345
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:33 PM

    If Robbie had played like long tonight everyone would be giving out. Long did little enough.

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    Mute gavin brett
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:52 PM

    Hahaahha who cares away point in the bag

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Sep 6th 2016, 1:04 AM

    Robbie us gone – Shud ave been gone years ago to give the younger lads a chance.

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    Mute Martin McKenna
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    Sep 6th 2016, 7:42 AM

    I think Coleman is really poor for Ireland, left his man for their goal, played everyone on side for his goal line clearance and generally their threat came down his wing, don’t rate him as highly as most pundits.

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    Mute TellingItAsItIs
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    Sep 6th 2016, 12:15 PM

    Long was my man of the match. Worked tirelessly and intelligently…something Robbie never did. The team performance doesn’t deserve a rating at all at all.

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    Mute Trevor J. Coonan
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    Sep 6th 2016, 12:55 PM

    Brady

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    Mute Bleep12345
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:35 PM

    Quinn was really influential when he came on and only gets a 5?!?!
    Was I watching a different game.

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    Mute Delta Ball
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:07 PM

    Just listening to K Cunningham on highlights programme. OMG does he even breathe…:he is non stop yap yap yap.

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:18 PM

    At this moment in time

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Sep 6th 2016, 1:06 AM

    Yeah like all the has beens, tryin to make a name 4himself in commentary. As for Jim Beglin & Ronnie Whelan – get rid of them.

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    Mute Conor Power
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    Sep 6th 2016, 7:13 AM

    Better to be a has been than a never was

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    Mute John O'Sullivan
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:08 PM

    We don’t have tactics of any note. Free kick anywhere…big men up…lump it up. Sit deep. There is nothing enjoyable about watching that type of football.
    I’m as patriotic as anyone but I couldn’t watch 90 minutes of that.
    Entertain us a bit please.

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    Mute Delta Ball
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:11 PM

    The way the game has gone it’s no longer about entertainment….it’s all about getting points..:staying competitive in the group…then selling tickets and that’s the money go round.

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    Mute Patrick Norton
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:16 PM

    Taught the most entertaining moment was when Ronnie Whelan taught Jeff kenna was on the pitch, says it all really

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:22 PM

    John, even Spain or Germany don’t go out to entertain, they go out to win, international football is not a show, it’s a competitive sport, go to the cinema if you want to be entertained. The rest of us will continue to support our country

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    Mute John O'Sullivan
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:28 PM

    I’ve seen your comments before and if I ever get to a stage in my life where I take your advice on what to do for entertainment, that will definitely be my rock bottom.
    Thanks for educating me re the ethos of successful teams.
    Goodnight poor mouth.

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    Mute Roughan Mac Namara
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:12 PM

    People who think we should be going to Serbia and bossing the game and playing it around all over the gaff haven’t a clue about the game or the standard of players we have in our squad. We didn’t play that great but that’s a great point tonight.

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    Mute L
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:20 PM

    Nobody expects Ireland to be bossing the Serbians for 90 minutes on their own patch…long ball rovers for 90 minutes though is really stuff from the dark ages. Irish players when they play any decent standard of opposition just look technically inept.

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    Mute Patrick Norton
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:04 PM

    Have to agree with most of those ratings, long and hendricks were at least a seven, really hope judge comes back strong and give arter a go. Austria and Wales are beatable

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:02 PM

    O’shea and whelan need to retire NOW. Dundalk are easier on the eye then trap 2

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    Mute Tom Sheerin
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:48 PM

    Agree with you on that. Different level but one thing that has really impressed about Dundalk in Europe so far is how they are not afraid to play composed passing football. Even when they are under pressure against superior teams. When Ireland played with confidence today they really troubles Serbia. Unfortunately after each goal we scored we reverted to type. Serbia had 3 times more passes than us!!

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    Mute running man
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    Sep 6th 2016, 7:37 AM

    Spot on there Trevor. O Shea is past it Whelan not at this level. Dundalk should have 3 players in this squad. O Donnell,Mcmillan and Horgan. Not too many of this Irish team would make Dundalk’s first 11 . They are actually a better team, very unlucky not to be in CL group stages

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    Mute Joey English
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:29 PM

    Coleman should lose a point for that goal line clearance, he caused the chance by playing everyone one! I couldn’t believe it when I saw that, especially from him!

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    Mute ryan o sullivan
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:11 PM

    It’s funny tho when we actually tried to play we were all over them, that Serbia were thier for the takin if O’Neil had made changes at half time when it was obvious we were gonna concede . He’s traps half brother , arter and hoolihan should have started ahead of whealan and ward Brady lb it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that. Randolph made 1 error in a muddy pitch he was are best player other than that

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    Mute Turkish
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    Sep 6th 2016, 1:04 AM

    Then who would cover that dodgey defence. Whelan didn’t have a great game but its either him or McCarthy. If Arter played instead we would have conceded more than 2

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:08 PM

    The Goalkeeper got Man of the Match, surely he should be rated better than 6. He kept them in the game.

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    Mute sparky
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:04 PM

    So what are your ratings supported by,playing away from home where it’s going to be hard for any team to get points, a pitch that was like a bog..but hey on yer scores we should win the wc..good result.

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    Mute Stuart Kelly
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    Sep 6th 2016, 1:32 AM

    Dundalk can play why can’t we, why do we play like the Flintstones I will never know

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    Mute padraig
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    Sep 5th 2016, 11:30 PM

    This is a very poor team espicaly with whelan and ford also oshea not up to standard

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Sep 6th 2016, 1:03 AM

    They were all crap as usual – 1 Nil Up & we f(k it up. When will we ever learn. 2Points lost tonite. The usual sambles.

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    Mute Noel Ryan
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    Sep 6th 2016, 9:34 AM

    John Delaney , I’d rate zero. “Didn’t show up on the night”!!!

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    Mute postmanbill
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    Sep 6th 2016, 12:10 AM

    Here we go, another brave performance, total rubbish, we got out of jail after scoring early why sit back, we should have gone all out for 2nd and we would have won. Might win in Georgia, and Moldova but if we play like we did tonight no chance of winning in Austria and Wales. Best we can hope for is play offs.

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    Mute running man
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    Sep 6th 2016, 10:25 AM

    Why is it every team we play are better than us? Passing the ball seems ti be a big “no no” with this team.When they get it they just lump it forward hoping for lucky break.Having watched Dundalk and Cork City play some decent stuff, we then have to watch this rubbish.Houlahan,Brady and maybe Hendrick are all we have as players. If Keane was no.1 think he would give other players a shot.MON is not going to change his conservetive style of play at this stage

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    Mute Conor Rock
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    Sep 6th 2016, 8:11 AM

    Find this far too critical. We got an away draw against a decent team on a terrible pitch and when we look back on this group we could see this as a key result like the Georgia away win last time.

    Still a huge level of unrealism from our media about the quality of a group of players who play for Stoke Burnley Sunderland Stoke and West Brom.

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    Mute Robbie #23
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    Sep 6th 2016, 8:29 AM

    They were there for the taken last night that is a poor Serbia side. And as for the excuse that it was a poor pitch Serbia didn’t have a problem passing the ball on the ground. It’s O’Neill’s hoofball tactics was the problem not the pitch.

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