This article is from page 66 of the 2011-03-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 66 JPG
Crusheen 1-20 – Whitegate 0-10 at Crusheen
COUNTY senior champions Crusheen coasted to victory in their season opener against 2009 intermediate champions Whitegate, enjoying a 13point victory in the end as they eased their way into competitive fare in a most decisive fashion.
However, that such a scoreline should come to pass would have been scarcely believable in the early stages of the second half as Crusheen found themselves very much under the cosh.
They had led at half-time by 0-9 to 0-6 when playing with the breeze and hill – it didn’t seem to be enough, something that was hammered home on the resumption when Whitegate hit the ground running when playing with the prevailing elements.
Michael Dooley, George Waterstone and Ian Fahy flashed over points and suddenly the sides were level – more than that, the force was most definitely with Whitegate as they sensed what would have been a very notable scalp.
However, that it wasn’t to be was hammered in the closing 25 minutes as they rolled up their sleeves and proceeded to show just why they’re county champions, blitzing the east Clare men for 1-10 without reply.
What at a turnaround, from a first 35 minutes in which Whitegate had more than held their own. Paddy Vaughan was in great form from places balls throughout the game, starting in the first half, while Conor O’Donnell, Joey Meaney, Gerry O’Grady and Alan Touhy also chipped in with scores.
Whitegate kept in touch with three George Waterstone frees as well as points form play by Michael O’Brien, Ian Fahy and Brendan Bugler, while their fast start to the second half should have teed them up to gather the two points.
Crusheen, however, had other ideas, with Paddy Vaughan imperious from placed balls as he brought his tally for the hour to 0-10, while Sean Dillon was influential when moving out to midfield.
A purple patch of 1-10, with the goal coming from sub Conor O’Loughlin in the 48th minute sealed Whitegate’s fate as Crusheen threw down an early marker to all pretenders, while the scoring return of their bench told of their strength in depth on the day – the subs accounted for 1-3 on the day.
Crusheen
Donal Tuohy, John Brigdale, Cronan Dillon, Alan Brigdale, Cathal Dillon, Ian Dillon, Ciaran O’Doherty,Tony Meaney, PaddyVaughan (0-10, 1f), Joe Meaney (0-2), Sean Dillon (0-1), David Forde (0-1), Conor O’Donnell (0-1), Gerry O’Grady (0-1),AlanTuohy (0-1).
Subs
Paddy O’Grady (0-1) for Tuohy Conor O’Loughlin (1-0) for Conor O’Donnell, Gearóid O’Donnell (0-2) Tony Meaney.
Whitegate
AndrewFahy,Tomas McNamara, John Bugler, Cathal Mulvihill, Jason Malone, Brendan Bugler, Patrick Minogue, Ian Fahy, Shane O’Rourke, Stephen Malone, John Minogue, Michael O’Brien, Gary McClaren, GeorgeWaterstone, Michael Dooley.
Sub
John O’Brien for O’Rourke
Man of the Match
Paddy Vaughan (Crusheen) Referee Johnny Healy (Smith O’Briens)