Hurley points the way as Castlehaven outlast Cratloe

Castlehaven (Cork) 1-12 Cratloe (Clare) 0-11 – after extra-time

Brian Hurley inspired Castlehaven to victory over Clare champions Cratloe in the Munster SFC after extra-time in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

Waterford champions Rathgormack will be the Haven's opponents in the last four of this year’s provincial senior football championship following a tense encounter that only sprung to life in the final quarter and extra-time.

A forgettable first half ended 0-4 apiece with Cathal O’Hanlon, Enda Boyce, Cathal McInerney (mark) and Conor Ryan on target for Cratloe. Jack Cahalane (two), Brian Hurley (free) and Rory Maguire provided Castlehaven’s scores.

Brian Hurley and Diramuid Ryan exchanged points at the beginning of the second period. Then, Castlehaven were awarded a close range free that Hurley easily converted, as did Cathal McInerney at the opposite end.

Brian Hurley continued his one-man crusade with a fourth point to edge the Haven back in front. An evenly fought encounter was level for a seventh time when McInerney (free) split the posts after 41 minutes.

Castlehaven lost Johnny O’Regan to a black card with 14 minutes remaining but came close to netting a goal when goalkeeper Padraigh Chaplin raced from his goal-line to deny Conor O’Driscoll.

An exciting ending saw Brian Hurley fire over from distance on the stroke of full time. More drama occurred during 4 minutes of injury time however, with David Collins answering Brian Hurley and Enda Boyce replying to Mark Collins efforts to take the tie to extra-time.

Chances were few and far between in the first additional period until substitiute Robbie Minihane brilliantly found the bottom corner to edge Castlehaven 1-9 to 0-9 ahead.

Cathal McInerney replied from a free before the