Match Report: HM Travel Div 3 Football -v- Coolmeen
Venue: Coolmeen
Date: Saturday 6th April 2025 at 17:00
Cratloe faced off against Coolmeen yesterday evening in a closely fought match that ultimately ended in a draw, with both teams displaying spells of dominance throughout the encounter.
Cratloe got off to a strong start with Conal O Hanlon putting his name on the scoresheet with a well-taken point in the 3rd minute, despite being closely marked. However, the home side quickly responded, equalising with a free in the 4th minute and then edging ahead with a close-range score to lead 2-1 by the 8th minute.
Cratloe struggled to find their rhythm as Coolmeen struck two consecutive two-pointers, extending their lead before Sean Collins finally broke the drought with a free from 30 yards in the 14th minute.
The Coolmeen side continued to apply pressure, adding another two-pointer and a single from frees, further extending their advantage. A moment of brilliance came from Podge Collins, who seized an opportunity to score after a quickly taken free, bringing the tally to 0-3 0-9 after 17 minutes. A minute later, Coolmeen added their 10th point from close range when a goal opportunity went begging.
As the half approached its conclusion, the Collins brothers began to click. Sean's quick thinking led to Podge pointing from an acute angle in the 20th minute. Following a foul on Podge as he charged toward goals, Sean converted two resultant frees, but Coolmeen finished the half strong with their fourth two-pointer of the half, leading 12-6 at the break.
The second half began with a point from Sam Sheehy, he guided a Garryowen style kick from Sean Collins over the bar. Conal O Hanlon found his scoring touch again after a prolonged period of possession, assisted by Liam Markham, adding to the scoreboard. Keelan O Donoghue chipped in with a score after collecting a loose ball from Podge, followed by another free from Sean Collins, marking four unanswered points for Cratloe in the 3rd quarter.
An outstanding individual effort by Tommy Rooney resulted in a two-pointer in the 43rd minute, leveling the game at 12 points each. Sean Collins continued his fine form, scoring two more points—one from play and another free—before Conal O Hanlon struck again, putting Cratloe three points to the good with just eight minutes remaining.
However, two minutes later Coolmeen were awarded a dubious penalty, which was convincingly slotted recording their first score of the 2nd half. Similar close-range frees were swapped leveling once more with three minutes left on the clock.
Coolmeen edged ahead shortly after; yet, Podge Collins, determined not to be outdone, delivered a high floating point that was awarded despite fierce protests from the home crowd.
With time winding down, Coolmeen held possession, pushed forward, looking to secure a late winner, but Enda Boyce's pace shone through and he broke out with the ball. The referee blew the final whistle exactly at 63 minutes, concluding the contest and sharing the spoils.
In retrospect, a draw seemed a just outcome given the back-and-forth nature of play but both sides will have felt they had the opportunities to have taken the full 3 points. A second draw and a loss for us so far in the campaign leaving us 3rd from the bottom.
