Clinical Craughwell consign Cappataggle to relegation battle

Craughwell 2-25

Cappataggle 2-15

By Stephen Glennon

At Kenny Park

WHEN the pressure came on, Craughwell rediscovered some of the form that carried them to last year’s county semi-finals, overturning a second half deficit before pulling clear of Cappataggle to record an impressive 10-point victory in Saturday evening's Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 third round tie in Athenry.

There was a lot to like about this Craughwell performance, no more so in the first quarter when they played some top-class hurling to race into a 0-10 to 1-1 lead and, again, in the final 20 minutes, when they outscored their rivals by 2-9 to four points.

However, by half-time, Cappataggle had reduced the margin down to four points, 0-14 to 1-7, and this left the door ajar for an early second half assault when, seven minutes after the restart, the outstanding Michael Garvey struck for his second goal to edge his side in front, 2-11 to 0-16.

Despite the momentum swinging against them, Craughwell never lost their composure. Instead, they remained patient, weathered the storm and, when the opportunity presented itself, decisively kicked for home.

Three unanswered points between the 38th and 44th minute from Adrian Prendergast, the exceptional Tiarnan Leen, and sharpshooter Ciaran Leen (free) ignited the spark and, while Darragh Dolan responded for Cappy, Craughwell continued to pile on the pressure with another 2-4 without reply.

Their first goal was netted by Adrian Prendergast following good work by Nigel Kelly on 45 minutes, before midfielders Thomas Monaghan and Tiarnan Leen combined to set up a goal opportunity for Ciaran Leen, which he duly converted, on 52 minutes.

In this golden epoch, there were also points from Ciaran Leen (two frees), Thomas Monaghan, and corner-back Patrick Monaghan, who stylishly picked off his second of the tie coming down the home stretch.

Again, Cappataggle rallied with points from Daniel Nevin (65 and play) and substitute Ja Mannion late on, but a laser-like sideline cut from Ciaran Leen and one from play from substitute Adam Clarke left the margin of victory at 10 points.

That said, the accuracy and smartness of Craughwell’s hurling was evident from the get-go. Cappataggle may have shot the first score through a Nevin free in the opening minute, but Craughwell’s ascendancy thereafter was like a shuttlecraft launching from NASA.

Midfielders Tiarnan Leen (2) and Thomas Monaghan and centre-forward Jamie Ryan led the way with a plethora of neat points before hard running from Capptaggle’s Joseph Smyth carved up a goal opportunity for Garvey to net on five minutes.

Unperturbed, Craughwell hit back with the next six points through Ciaran Leen (play and free), Ryan Howley, Darragh McCartin, Kevin Molloy and Patrick Monaghan in what was a real statement of intent.

Liam Collins, Garvey and Cian Bowes replied with three points midway through the first half, as Cappataggle sought to put some shape on their own game. And this they did to a degree with Collins (two frees) and Dolan adding further efforts before the break.

Still, Craughwell, with points from Ciaran Leen (65), Thomas Monaghan, Tiarnan Leen and Conor Gilligan, held a four-point advantage at half-time, and the quality of their hurling suggested that this was unlikely to change in the second period.

To their credit though, Cappataggle returned to the fray a different beast and in the opening seven minutes outscored the victors 1-4 to two points, the latter posted by Nigel Kelly and Ciaran Leen (free).

Cappataggle’s points came from Collins (free), Bowes, Garvey and Nevin (free) before Ronan Garvey set up Michael Garvey for the 37th minute goal that put them into the lead.

However, that score only served to stir Craughwell again, and for the remainder the victors pretty much owned the contest.

CRUGHWELL: S. O’Halloran; G. O’Halloran, M. Horan, P. Monaghan (0-2); R. Howley (0-1), A. Callanan, K. Molloy (0-1); T. Monaghan (0-3), T. Leen (0-4); C. Gilligan (0-1), J. Ryan (0-1), N. Kelly (0-1); C. Leen (1-8, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65, 0-1 sideline cut), A. Prendergast (1-1), D. McCartin (0-1). Subs: O. Quirke, for Gilligan, 42 mins; L. Keane, for McCartin, 46 mins; D. Zimmerer, for Callanan, 53 mins; I. Leen, for G. O’Halloran, 55 mins; A. Clarke (0-1), for Kelly, 55 mins.

CAPPATAGGLE: M. Egan; D. Cronin, J. Garvey, J. Dolan; D. Dolan (0-2), D. Campbell, D. Nevin (0-4, 0-1 free, 0-1 65); M. Garvey (2-2), D. Malone; J. Smyth, L. Collins (0-4, 0-3 frees), Oran Finn; C. Bowes (0-2), R. Garvey, Oisín Finn. Subs: C. Delaney, for J. Dolan, 34 mins; J. Egan, for Smyth, 45 mins; J. Mannion (0-1), for Bowes, 50 mins.

REFEREE: Shane Hynes.

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH:

Tiarnan Leen (Craughwell).