McGrath’s hat trick too much for Magpies

By Seamus Hayes

Cratloe 4-15 Clarecastle 1-19

A contribution of 3-4 from All star Conor McGrath helped Cratloe to seal a place in the final of the Clare senior hurling championship when they overcame the challenge presented by Clarecastle at sun splashed Cusack Park on Sunday evening.

McGrath struck for the first of his goals in the fifth minute and he repeated the feat two minutes from the break to help his team to a six point half time advantage, 2-11 to 1-8.

Clarecastle had the better of the third quarter exchanges and closed the gap to two points entering the final quarter. Cratloe struck for their third goal twelve minutes from the end and McGrath was the provided on this occasion picking out Podge Collins with a tremendous pass and the centre forward made no mistake. Two minutes later Clarecastle’s Jamie Coughlan was picking the ball out of the net again after McGrath punished some slack defending to fire home his third and his side’s fourth goal.

The win keeps Cratloe’s hopes of `capturing the Clare senior double alive. In the hurling final they will play Crusheen who qualified from the same group.

This week the focus will be on football as the Cratloe men, who are the defending football champions, prepare for their semi-final clash with Cooraclare on Sunday. Eleven of the hurlers starting line up are expected to start in the football team next week.

Another title for Newmarket

Newmarket captured their second title of the weekend when they won the division 3 hurtling league title at Tulla on Sunday afternoon. They recorded a one point win, 1-16 to 3-9, over Bodyke.

On Friday evening they had captured the minor B championship title when beating O’Callaghans Mils, 3-19 to 2-13.

Meelick’s title

Meelick were crowned the division 5 football league winners on Sunday afternoon and they didn’t have to kick a ball. Eire Og failed to field a team for this replayed final which was scheduled for Cratloe