Feakle off to a flyer with opening round win over Cratloe

*Adam Hogan gets to the sliotar before Cathal McInerney. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.

First blood in Group 2 to Feakle who justified their seeding with a fully merited victory over Cratloe in O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge.

Feakle 0-23
Cratloe 1-16
Venue: O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

Leading from start to finish, the East Clare side who reached last year’s semi-finals, possessed the better balance and greater scoring threat, even affording to see a late penalty saved and still emerge four point victors.

As ever, talisman Shane McGrath pulled the strings superbly with nine points especially in the second period when picking off four from play albeit it was his 51st minute penalty that was repelled by debutante goalkeeper Eoin Deegan.

The only issue for Ger Conway’s side was that they never put the game to bed at any stage as a brilliantly worked Conor McGrath 19th minute goal ensured a first half lifeline for Cratloe while in the second period, Rian Considine and Diarmuid Ryan’s accuracy from placed balls kept their side within touching distance.

However, along with defeat, Cratloe have to contend with a growing treatment table as already without Sean Collins, they subsequently lost newcomer Eoin Carey and Podge Collins to injury over an hurtful hour’s work.

With only a point between the sides entering the final ten minutes, Feakle upped the ante as while McGrath’s penalty was stopped, they did stretch the gap with four unanswered points through Ronan O’Connor, Oisin Donnellan, Martin Daly and Shane McGrath to secure the opening points.

Scorers for Feakle: Shane McGrath 0-9 (5f), Ronan O’Connor 0-4, Oisin O’Connor 0-2, Eoin Tuohy 0-2, Raymond Bane 0-2, Oisin Donnelan 0-2, Martin Daly 0-2

Scorers for Cratloe: Rian Considine 0-9 (7f), Conor McGrath 1-1, Diarmuid Ryan 0-3 (2f), Jamie Moylan 0-1, Enda Boyce 0-1, Cathal McInerney 0-1

Feakle
1: Eibhear Quilligan

3: Evan McMahon
5: Adam Hogan
4: Oisin Clune

2: Killian Bane
6: Conn Smyth
9: Eoin Tuohy

7: Ronan O’Connor
11: Enda Noonan

10: Oisin Donnellan
8: Shane McGrath
12: Martin Daly

15: Oisin O’Connor
14: Raymond Bane
21: Packie Daly

Subs
22: Owen McGann for R. O’Connor (5-7, BS)
20: Fiachra Donnellan for Noonan
22: McGann for O. O’Connor (48)
17: Eoghan Daly for P. Daly (60)

Cratloe
1: Eoin Deegan

2: Riain McNamara
3: David Collins
20: Eoin Carey

5: Jamie Moylan
9: Conor Ryan
7: Enda Boyce

6: Diarmuid Ryan
8: Daithi Collins