Feakle qualified for the Clare senior hurling final for the first time in 36 years after a 1-17 to 1-15 win over Cratloe on Saturday afternoon.
Aided by the strong Cusack Park wind, the east Clare side reached the half-time juncture in front, leading by 1-9 to 0-7 and they held on for victory inspired by their talisman Shane McGrath.
A member of Clare's All-Ireland under-21 winning panel of 2014, McGrath has been a star performer for Feakle over the years and he was once again on song, with eleven points, six from play on Sunday.
It tightens his grip on the top scorer mantle, as he now has 2-55 to his name in this year's championship, including 2-23 from play.
Feakle star Adam Hogan. Sportsfile.
Feakle had a point to prove on Saturday, having lost to eventual champs Clonlara by eight points at this stage last year.
Dual club Cratloe were favourites coming into the game but a string of second half wides derailed their challenge, with Feakle holding onto reach their first final since 1988 - they won in '88, with club-man Ger Loughnane a member of the team as was Michael Hogan, father of full back and Clare hurler Adam.
The recent All-Ireland winner told Clare GAA after the game that it means everything to the parish to make it back to the final, with a long-awaited seventh county championship in their sights.
"It's special for the parish."
"Most of our dads were playing the last time we were in a county final. A small little parish...it's special so can't wait for two weeks time now."
It has been some year for @feakle ‘s Adam Hogan. He and his teammates bridged a 36 year gap to qualify for the club’s first Clare SHC Final since 1988 today with a 1-17 to 1-15 win over @CratloeGAAClub in the @TUS_ie Championship semi final . He spoke with Clare GAA TV after… pic.twitter.com/wcZspoaKDj
— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) October 5, 2024
"At the start of the year, we wanted to right the wrong of last year, we knew we didn't perform in the semi-final, we let ourselves down, so our main objective today was to get a performance.
"We knew the result would come if we got a performance."
"In Feakle, hurling is everything. There's lads down at the pitch training every day.
"We'll have to put our heads down and get better at training, we can't get carried away, because if we play anything like we did in the first half, we'll get blown away by Inagh Kilnamona or Sixmilebridge."
It has been a hugely successful year for Hogan, backing up his Fitzgibbon Cup win with Mary I with National League and All-Ireland medals for Clare, and he now has a county final to look forward to.
The loss brings an end to Cratloe's double ambitions, though they'll look to make up for it in the football championship.
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