It has been a very busy week for our under 15 Hurlers who have made it into the Féile B Final tomorrow after hard fought games with Clarecastle and Kilmaley on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.  We would love to see your support for the lads tomorrow in Newmarket at 11am as they take on the Townies.  Best of luck to the lads and their management team of Padraig Collins, Ger Casey, Denis Lee and Barry Gleeson.  Ar Aghaidh libh lads.
Please note there is a gate fee for this match for adults of €10 on the gate or €6 if you buy online thru this link  https://eventlist.store/claregaa/tickets
Match reports below

Match Report: Féile Quarter Final - Cratloe v Clarecastle

Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Venue: Clarecastle

Final Score: Cratloe 2-10 Clarecastle 1-8

 

In a thrilling Féile Quarter Final on Tuesday evening, Cratloe emerged victorious over Clarecastle, securing their place in the semi-final on Thursday. The match took place under fairly windly conditions, with a notable breeze blowing into the Creggaunnahilla side which aided us in the second half.

 

The game began as a tightly contested affair, with both teams exchanging points early on. Fionn Collins was instrumental for Cratloe, scoring all three of the team's points in the opening exchanges to level the match at 3-3 by the 7th minute. In accordance with Féile rules, two substitutions were made in the 10th minute, introducing Ben Carroll and James Kennedy to the field.

 

The momentum began to swing in Cratloe's favor as Conor Quinn put Cratloe ahead with a determined run, netting the ball after his powerful shot ricocheted off the Clarecastle keeper’s stick. Conor Brady quickly followed suit, adding a point on the run, bringing the score to 1-5 to 0-3 after just 13 minutes. Collins continued his fine display by converting a placed ball from the 40-yard mark. While Cratloe looked comfortable, Clarecastle finished the half strongly, scoring three of the last four points to narrow the gap to just two points, with the half-time score at Cratloe 1-6, Clarecastle 0-7.

 

As the second half commenced, Cratloe had the advantage of the wind at their backs. However, Clarecastle seized the momentum early on, scoring a rapid goal just a minute and a half into the half. Their center forward followed up with a point, putting Clarecastle ahead for the first time at 1-8 to 1-6. Despite this setback, Cratloe quickly found their rhythm again as Rob O Hara made an impressive run, turning and firing a low shot into the net to restore the lead.

 

Substitutions continued as Ben O Gorman and Caleb Harkins entered the game shortly thereafter. Cratloe dominated the puckouts, though they faced some frustration with three wides in succession. Finally, their persistence paid off when Fionn Collins scored a splendid point from near the 45-yard line, bringing the score to 2-7 to 1-8 with 10 minutes remaining. 

 

A scrappy goalmouth situation arose and it was Ben Carroll who capitalised on a loose ball, confidently slotting it over the bar from the 21-yard line. Keeping the pressure on, Fionn Collins delivered a superb diagonal pass to Conal Earley, who got a crucial touch to guide the ball into the Clarecastle net, extending Cratloe's lead to two goals with only 7 minutes left.

 

With the clock winding down, Brady added another point after a powerful run, putting Cratloe in a strong position. The final touches came from Conor Quinn, who completed the scoring with a long-range effort, set up once again by the industrious Fionn Collins.

 

Despite Clarecastle’s physicality and early pressure, Cratloe’s resilience and skill shone through securing the well-deserved victory. With this win, Cratloe advance to the semi-final v Kilmaley, who triumphed over Crusheen/Tubber by a narrow margin of one point in their quarter-final clash the same evening. 

  

Match Report: Féile Semi Final - Cratloe v Kilmaley

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025

Venue: Kilmaley

Final Score: Cratloe 1-16 Kilmaley 2-12 AET

 

1.    Alex Clancy

2.    Thomas O Sullivan

3.    Gearoid Casey

4.    Andrew Lee

5.    Oisín Kelly

6.    Jack Flynn

7.    Christopher Lee

8.    Conal Earley

9.    Conor Brady

10.  Éanna Carroll

11.  Fionn Collins

12.  Oisín O Doherty

13.  Conor Quinn

14.  Rob O Hara

15.  Ben O Gorman

16.  ----

17.  Caleb Harkins

18.  Ben Carroll

19.  James Kennedy

20.  Luke Culbert

21.  Paul O Sullivan

22.  Donnacha Ryan

23.  Billy Carroll

 

The match got off to a nervey, slow start, with Cratloe enjoying some spells of possession and shots at the posts but failing to raise a flag until Jack Flynn showed the way from a long range free, his first of 4 points over the course of the evening.  The scoreline read just one point a piece until the 10th minute when the obligatory substitutions took place.  However, Kilmaley would hit 1-1 in close succession, very shortly after, until Cratloe would eventually settled in to the game and found their rhythm.  The goal was between the sides at half time, 1-5 to 0-5

 

After a rousing half time team chat, Cratloe returned with renewed enthusiasm and attempted to eat into that 3 point gap with points from Collins, Flynn and O'Hara.  We were dealt a sucker punch however as Kilmaley netted their second goal, doubled past Clancy into the bottom right corner from close range giving the keeper no chance.  But Cratloe battled on, Conor Brady leading the charges from the middle of the field with his doggedness and driving runs.  Flynn, now operating in the full forward line forced many frees with his speed and physicality and the accurate Collins’ made no mistake with those placed balls.  His tally for the day would eventually come to 1-11, five of those points from play. 

 

Our only goal of the hour came in the closing few minutes of normal time, a 65 hit by Fionn Collins into the danger area, the sliothar bounced inside and straight into the roof of the net, despite the crowded area.  This put us one point to the good but there was still time on the clock for an equalising score.  An angled long range free was launched in but despite initial clearance Kilmaley regained possession and shot over from the edge of the D to force us into injury time – 5 minutes a side.  We would go on to outscore Kilmaley by 4 points to 3 in this period, highlighting the closeness of the match, there was very little between the sides on a skill level but Cratloe’s passion and determination lead them to victory.  

Full Time: Cratloe 1-16 Kilmaley 2-12

 

The final will take place tomorrow Easter Saturday 19th April versus Éire Óg Ennis in Newmarket at 11am.