All to play for after latest round of games in Senior Hurling Championship
Pádraig Pearses' Karl Feehily tries to maintain possession despite the presence of Cian Murray and Naoise Coyle. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin.
Athleague gave their hopes of avoiding elimination a major boost as they downed Pádraig Pearses in the headline result following this weekend’s round of Senior hurling games.
Four Roads and Oran will square off in the final round knowing the winner will secure a semi final spot after their victories this weekend.
Athleague resurrected their championship ambitions with a fully deserved 0-14 to 0-7 victory against Pádraig Pearses.
Darragh Finn bisected the posts inside the first five seconds of the contest, but that was a rare highlight in an utterly forgettable opening half where Pearses failed to make use of a strong wind at their backs.
Two long-range efforts from Matthew Comerford handed Pearses a 0-5 to 0-3 interval lead.
But Athleague — now aided by the wind and the introduction of Gary Fallon — were reborn on the resumption.
Knowing that a loss would, most likely, eliminate them from the championship, Robbie Fallon’s side turned the screw, pulverising Pearses on their own puckout.
By the 36th minute, points from Cian Murray, Naoise Coyle, Colin Murray and Gary Fallon had pushed them two points clear, and they could afford to shoot 12 second-half wides and still keep their opponents at arm’s length to record a comfortable victory.
Four Roads secured their second win on the bounce as they overcame a much improved Roscommon Gaels side.
Tommy Morris’ goal after two minutes gave his side the ideal start but aided by two fine DJ Hession, Roscommon Gaels moved 0-8 to 1-3 in front.
Four Roads answered back when Conor Kelly’s precise ball found David Mannion, who fired low to the net to help his side lead 2-5 to 0-10 at half time.
The second half was a stop-start affair with a nasty shower of rain, which fell for the duration of the final quarter, doing little to aid proceedings. Conor Morris and Eoin Kiernan, who was making his first appearance of the campaign following an ankle injury, were kept busy from frees for their sides.
Roscommon Gaels stayed within a score mainly due to two David King efforts and even though Conor Mulry, making his first championship appearance, was denied a major by an excellent Michael Corcoran save. A Conor Morris free and a Mulry effort gave Four Roads the cushion they needed before Kelly added a 64th minute goal to help Micheál Kelly’s side to another win.
Oran bounced back from their home loss to Tremane by downing St. Dominic’s.
Francie Quine’s side were in no way assured of victory when they led 3-11 to 2-8 at half time with St. Dominic’s set to enjoy wind advantage. However, they ground out the win in a low key second half to boost their semi final hopes.
The opening period was thoroughly enjoyable fare. The sides combined for 24 scores as Oran powered 1-5 to 0-2 ahead with Paddy Fallon netting. The next three scores were all goals as Gavin Staunton and Mickey Joe Egan netted to tie the game. Oran were not perturbed as Fallon teed up Seamus Hussey to rattle the onion sack and give Francie Quine’s side the lead.
Oran scored 2-9 from their first 11 shots on goal while Shane Keane’s fortuitous goal helped his side lead 3-11 to 2-8 at half time. The winners battened down the hatches in the second half as they restricted St. Dominic’s to just three points from play in the final period.
Jack Lohan cut his side’s deficit to four points early in the final period, but Cathal Kenny set up Fallon for his second goal after 42 minutes. Mickey Joe Egan struck over four frees in the final period to make this a one score game after 58 minutes, but Fallon’s 65 and Seamus Hussey’s score ensured Oran leapfrogged St. Dominic’s in the table.
