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A young Cratloe fan with her flag at the senior football final at Cusack Park. Photograph by John Kelly.

Don’t rule out a Munster double

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It may not have got too much mention in Cratloe during 2014, but GAA fans across the county regularly talked about their prospects of winning the double.

While all recognised the club had the talent to be in the shake-up for both titles, not all believed it would happen. In football, Éire Óg had improved with each game from round one, when they lost to the titleholders and many going into Sunday’s final favoured a Townie win.

Cratloe said the Ennis men would be difficult to beat. In fact, manager Colm Collins predicted, after the opening round, that the Townies “will have a big say in the destination of this title”.

The Cratloe crowd look on as captain Micheal Hawes of  lifts the cup following their senior football final win over Éire Óg. Photograph by John Kelly.
The Cratloe crowd look on as captain Micheal Hawes of lifts the cup following their senior football final win over Éire Óg. Photograph by John Kelly.

Can Cratloe now win the double in Munster? To achieve it, five victories will be needed – three in hurling and two in football.

The hurlers are first into action with a trip to Waterford on Sunday week to play Ballygunner. The winners of that tie will play the Tipperary champions on November 9. There are still a lot of teams in the running for the Premier County’s title.

The final of the hurling competition is scheduled for November 23.

The footballers will play in the provincial semi-final on November 16, when their opponents will be either the Limerick champions (Ballylanders) or the Waterford winners (Stradbally or the Nire). The final will take place on November 30.

There is a lot of hurling and football to be played in the next six weeks but the Clare champions have the capability to continue their winning streak.
Both teams are still in the hunt for league honours. The hurlers are in the semi-final of the Clare Champion Cup, while the footballers are at the same stage in the Division 3 League.

The club’s second adult team are through to the Junior B Football Championship final. In hurling, the club fielded at intermediate and junior B levels this year, all of which indicates the strength of the club.

While it was a good team effort on Sunday, three players in particular stood out – Podge Collins, Conor McGrath and Liam Markham.
They say a good team can win one championship but it takes a great team to retain the title. Cratloe have certainly proven themselves to be a great team.

Don’t rule out a Munster double before the end of the year.

Seamus Hayes, sports editor

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