7,040 spectators witnessed Ballyea fight back from seven points down to claim the Clare SHC silverware for the second time in their history at Cratloe’s expense in Cusack Park today.

An unanswered 1-8 in the second-half saw the 2016 champions edge out their opponents by 1-20 to 1-14.

Niall Deasy’s accuracy from placed balls was a vital ingredient in their winning formula as he finished with 0-13 to his name while Martin O’Leary netted their goal as the contest entered the home straight.

Cratloe will be left scratching their heads as to how they finished six points in arrears.

Cathal McInerney raised their green flag in the opening half and they were full value for their 1-10 to 0-9 half-time lead.

They hit the first three points of the second-half to open up a seven-point lead but that proved to be as good as it got for the 2014 winners.

The pendulum swung very much in Ballyea’s favour thereafter and a solitary point was all Cratloe could muster in reply.

Ballyea - B Coote; B Carrig, J Murphy, J Neylon; B O’Connell (0-1), J Browne, A Keane; G Brennan (0-1), T Kelly (0-2); E Donnellan, T Lynch, C Brennan; M O’Leary (1-3), P Lillis, N Deasy (0-13, 12f, 1'65). Subs: B Casey for J Neylon, R Griffin for E Donnellan, D Sheehan for C Brennan.

Cratloe - G Ryan; M Hawes, M Ogie Murphy, S O’Leary; D Ryan, L Markham, S Gleeson (0-1); E Boyce, S Collins; C McGrath (0-1), D Collins, P Collins; R Considine (0-2), C McInerney (1-2), B Connors (0-8, 4f). Subs: S Chaplin for S Collins, D Browne for D Collins.

Referee - W King.

Tweet

Most Read Stories