Morrissey holds his nerve to snatch draw for Craughwell against Oranmore Maree

An injury time free from Craughwell captain Eanna Morrissey snatched a draw for his side, which on the balance of play was a fair result. Played in difficult conditions, this highly attritional contest tested the resolve of both sides, who will have to do it all again to decide the destination of the minor A title for 2026.

A blistering start saw Craughwell lead by 2-2 to 0-2 after ten minutes of the first half. Morrissey opened the scoring with a free, before a point effort from Liam Reilly dropped short and deceived Oranmore-Maree ‘keeper Patrick McGrath, with the sliotar landing in the top corner of the net.

Gus Lohan opened Oranmore-Maree’s account at the other end with a pointed ’65, but Craughwell soon had their second goal. A good run and pass from Ultan Leen opened up the opposition defence, before Leen set up Oisín Donovan, who finished to the net.

Donovan soon had another shot on goal which was well saved by McGrath. Lohan then sent over a good score at the other end from the left wing, after taking a pass from Jack Akman. But Craughwell replied with two quick points.

Morrissey demonstrated his dead ball accuracy on two occasions, to leave his side ahead on a 2-3 to 0-2 scoreline. Lohan was keeping Oranmore-Maree alive at the other end, and he soon pointed a free and a terrific line ball from the terrace side to reduce the deficit.

Craughwell’s Shane Mitchell sent over an impressive individual score from the right corner. However, Oranmore-Maree dominated the next ten minutes, outscoring their opponents by 0-4 to 0-1. Gus Lohan tallied three (one free), including two marvellous efforts from play, while Paul Lohan chipped in with another point.

Leen sent over a well taken score at the other end, to leave Craughwell three points ahead by the 23rd minute. A free from Morrissey extended their lead, before Oranmore-Maree tallied the final two points of the half, both from the stick of Lohan (free and ’65).

Craughwell pushed their lead out to three early in the second half, after a score from play from Morrissey. A Joey Cullinane point at the other end reduced the margin, before Oranmore-Maree struck for a goal.

Some quick thinking from Lohan saw him play a short free Cullinane, who blasted a twenty-five yard shot to the roof of the Craughwell net. Oranmore-Maree were ahead for the first time in the game, and they soon extended their lead when Lohan pointed a close range free.

Craughwell steadied themselves and struck three consecutive points during the next five minutes. Ethan Whyte, Culann Leen, and Reilly sent over scores to edge Dylan Morgan’s team back in front midway through the second half.

Some good work from the Oranmore-Maree forwards saw possession turned over before Cian Mannion hit the equaliser. Two minutes later, Mannion received a good delivery from Jamie Egan before shooting a point over his shoulder, as the lead changed hands once again.

A pacey run from Lohan then saw him cut in from the right wing, before showing superb control to beat three defenders and send over his fourth point from play. With the contest on a knife edge, the sides exchanged two points apiece during the next seven minutes.

Mitchell and Ultan Leen tallied impressive scores for Craughwell, while Lohan (free and ’65) kept the scoreboard ticking at the other end. Two points separated the sides in the final minute of normal time, and it looked as though Gearóid Hanniffy’s charges would carry the day.

However, Donovan popped up to take a good point under pressure, before a foul on Leen presented Morrissey with an injury time free to level the contest. The Craughwell captain made no mistake, to send the final to a replay.

Oranmore-Maree had impressive displays on the day from Aaron Hanrahan, Cathal Hanniffy, Jamie Egan, Joey Cullinane, Cian Mannion, and the outstanding Gus Lohan.

Craughwell were best served by Paul Keaveney, Diarmuid Seoighe, Jack Cahill, Eanna Morrissey, Shane Mitchell, and Ultan Leen.

​Oranmore-Maree: P. McGrath; L. O’Halloran, C. Cusack, J. Brennan; A. Hanrahan, C. Hanniffy, S. Casey; E. Healy, J. Egan; G. Lohan (0-13, 0-5 frees, 0-3 ‘65s, 0-1 sideline), J. Cullinane (1-1), P. Lohan (0-1); C. Mannion (0-2), J. Akman, S. Cleare. Sub: B. Kearney for P. Lohan (HT).

Craughwell: D. O’Hea; D. Farrell, P. Keaveney, L. Callanan; D. Seoighe, J. Cahill, O. Collins; H. Comer, E. Whyte (0-1); L. Reilly (1-1), E. Morrissey (0-6, 0-5 frees), C. Leen (0-1); O. O’Donovan (1-1), U. Leen (0-2), S. Mitchell (0-2). Subs: A. Hallinan for Comer (40); E. Middleton for Reilly (51).

Referee: Paul Fahy.