This article is from page 68 of the 2011-06-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 68 JPG
Crusheen 4-23 – Broadford 2-08 at Crusheen
THE RACE for the top two qualification spots heated up further on Tuesday as Crusheen reclaimed pole position after a four day absence. And there was never any doubt about the county champions extending their unbeaten run after strolling to a facile victory against a Broadford side that failed to muster even the most token of challenges to the home side’s impressive scoring tally of all but six points from play.
The visitors were missing five of their starting line up but Crusheen for their part finished the game with half their second string either starting or entering the fray.
Missing their county contingent and aided by a stiff breeze, Crusheen gave a debut to David McMahon in goal and he had little to trouble him over the game.
Crusheen raced into an early commanding 1-6 to 0-0 lead before Padraig Hickey scored Broadford’s opening score. Conor O’Donnell had the first Crusheen goal with a long range effort that found the net.
Paddy Meaney (2), Fergus Kennedy, Shaun Dillon and Gearoid O’Doherty (2) were the point scorers. Craig Chaplin (2 frees) responded for Broadford before Crusheen went on a scoring spree in the second quarter adding (3-11) in 15 minutes.
Patrick Meaney was scorer in chief with (3-1) as Gearoid O’Doherty (3) Fergus Kennedy (3), Niall Fitzgib- bon (2), Alan Brigdale and Ciaran O’Doherty added points.
There was little Broadford could manage in the second half especially as the Crusheen defence was totally dominant with Alan Brigdale and Ciaran O’Doherty in sparkling form and Gerry O’Grady and Fergus Kennedy controlling midfield. Crusheen scored the first four points of the second half as Patrick Meaney finished the game with a personal tally of (3-6).
Padraig Hickey scored a great goal and added a brace of frees. Alan Kilcoyne (1-1) and Aonghus O Brien (2) in the final five minutes added consolation scores but there was no denying Crusheen their fifth Clare cup win out of six outings.
Best for the winners was the full back line of the Brigdale brothers and Cronan Dillon with Ciaran O’Doherty in fine form at centre back.
Midfield was dominated by Crusheen whilst up front Patrick Meaney produced a man of the match display aided well by Gearoid O’Donnell, Darragh O’Doherty and Gearoid O’Doherty in the first half.
Broadford are facing a relegation battle from division 1 despite the best efforts of Craig Chaplin, Dara Corcoran, Padraig Hickey, Mark Moloney and Peter O’Brien.
Crusheen
David McMahon, John Brigdale, Cronan Dillon,Alan Brigdale (0-1), Jason Greene, Ciaran O’Doherty (0-2), Brendan McMahon, Fergus Kennedy (0-4), Gerry O’Grady, Gearoid O’Donnell (0-1), Shaun Dillon (0-1), Niall Fitzgibbon (0-2), Conor O’Donnell (1-0), Patrick Meaney (3-6), Gearoid O’Doherty (0-6, 5f, 1 s/l)
Subs
Darragh O’Doherty for CO’Donnell, Patrick O’Grady for Meaney,AlanTouhy for S. Dillon
Broadford
Cian O’Brien, John Corcoran,Aidan O’Brien, Mark Moloney, Peter O’Brien, Craig Chaplin (0-2), Niall Moloney,Alan Kilcoyne (1-1), Dara Corcoran, DeclanTeefy,Aonghus O’Brien (0-2), PaurigTaylor, Padraig Hickey (1-3),Alan McMahon, Donal Whelan
Sub
Willie Hayes for Taylor
Man of the Match
Paddy Meaney (Crusheen) Referee Fergus McDonagh (St Josephs D/B)