This article is from page 68 of the 2011-04-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 68 JPG
IN THE END, It was only a 63rd minute point from Conor McGrath that got Cratloe out of Dodge after being pushed all the way by a stubborn Newmarket side. Cratloe were hot favourites entering the game but never got into their stride and indeed could have been severely punished had Newmarket converted even a small fraction of their 14 wides.
A draw would have been the fairest result for Newmarket’s stirring late fightback but in the end, it was the experience of Conor McGrath who got his side out of jail and into the final against Sixmilebridge.
It was too close for comfort for Cratloe who could have never imagined such an eventuality once Joe O’Connor goaled after only 19 seconds. With Liam Markham starting strongly at centre-back, Cratloe were 1-2 to 0-1 clear by the seventh minute and seemingly cruising.
However, a slice of fortune got Newmarket back into the game when a Sean O’Connor free from 65 metres was allowed to travel to the net and it rallied the side to three more frees to hold a 1-4 to 1-3 advantage by the 20th minute.
Cratloe goalkeeper David Collins did make amends in the 28th minute when somehow keeping out a rasping shot from Shane Cusack and in the next passage of play, Podge Collins handpassed inside for Conor McGrath to rattle the net down the other end on their way to a 2-5 to 1-6 halftime advantage.
Early points from dominant midfielder Conor Ryan and Conor McGrath on the restart put Cratloe four points clear and in total control once more while Newmarket were becoming increasingly frustrated with their mounting wide tally as well as a Shane Cusack goalbound shot that full-back Sean Hynan threw himself in front of to keep out.
Cratloe didn’t push home their advantage however so when Darren Duggan pulled to the net in the 50th minute to cut the deficit to the minimum, the momentum was suddenly all with Newmarket.
Conor Ryan expertly pointed from the right wing to give his side a two point cushion but two equally impressive strikes from Tommy Griffin and a Liam Clancy lineball from 30 metres tied up the game for the fourth time two minutes into injury-time.
It seemed enough to earn a replay but there was still time for Conor McGrath to gather possession 60 metres from goal and fire his relieved side into their first Under 21A final in seven years.