The Nire 1-13 Cratloe 2-08 (After extra-time)
Waterford champions The Nire ended Cratloe's hopes of a unique football and hurling provincial double after edging the Clare men after extra-time in the sides' Munster club SFC semi-final.
The Ballymacarbry side ended an eight-year absence from the Munster showpiece through late points courtesy of Jamie Barron and Brian Wall.
Benji Whelan’s men dug deep and showed remarkable levels of stamina and fitness. Waterford minor Conor Gleeson illuminated the occasion with 1-02 and was ably aided in attack by the endeavours of Jamie Barron and Shane Ryan.
McInerney’s left boot delivered 1-06 for Cratloe with Podge and Sean Collins keeping their double aspirations on track for as long as possible ahead of next weekend’s Munster hurling final against Kilmallock.
Last year’s provincial runners-up led by two points approaching the end of normal time but couldn’t close the deal.
The first goal of the game came early after a mishit short kickout allowed Conor McGrath to seize possession and Podge Collins combined and McInerney fisted home on 11 minutes.
The Nire responded positively when Barron’s assist placed Conor Gleeson in the clear and he rounded Pierce De Loughrey to slot home in the net.
Cratloe netted again within 60 seconds when Conor Ryan shot in from close range to make it 2-02 to 1-03. Gleeson hammered the visiting defence and brought The Nire back level at the midway mark of the contest with the teams going in tied 2-03 to 1-06 at the break.
Scores became scarce in the second period and The Nire dominated the third quarter but only had frees from Shane Ryan and Brian Wall to show for that superiority.
The Clare champions hit back with four unanswered singles – McInerney came up with three and Podge Collins scored a remarkable point from the right flank – leaving matters at 2-07 to 1-08.
The Nire, however, recovered to force extra time after Shane Walsh fired over and then Gleeson drilled between the posts from distance.
McInerney and Walsh swapped points in the first period to tie up the contest for the seventh time and both sides fluffed chances before The Nire steadied up and made their move.
Barron launched over a huge effort with four minutes to go and then turned provider for the veteran Wall to swing over another point.
The Nire will now line out in their second Munster final against Austin Stacks on 30 November.
The Nire: T Wall; Maurice O’Gorman, T O’Gorman, J Walsh; S Lawlor, B Wall (0-02), D Wall; C Guiry, S Walsh (0-03); Michael O’Gorman, M Moore, J Barron (0-03); S Ryan (0-03, 2f), L Lawlor, C Gleeson (1-02).
Subs: K Guiry for Michael O’Gorman (H-T); J Guiry for J Walsh (54); D Ryan for Moore (55); A Lawlor for K Guiry (77).
Cratloe: P De Loughrey; S Chaplin, B Duggan, S O’Leary; D Ryan, M Hawes, E Boyce; J Galvin, F Lynch; C Ryan (1-0), S Collins, L Markham; C McInerney (1-06, 4f), C McGrath, P Collins (0-02).
Subs: D Collins for Boyce (34).
Referee: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary).
