Picture becomes clearer in senior hurling championship
Evan Murray netted a crucial goal to help Tremane finish top of the table and qualify directly for the semi final stage.
The semi final and quarter final placings alongside the team eliminated from this year’s Kepak senior hurling championship have been confirmed.
Tremane continued their tremendous rise as after being eliminated from the championship last year as they finished the group stage top of the pile. Roscommon Gaels, who dramatically eliminated Tremane at the first hurdle last year, have themselves been left as the ‘odd team out’ after finishing bottom of the table.
Four Roads have progressed through to the semi final stage after they defeated Oran this afternoon. Oran will face into a quarter final with Pádraig Pearses while Athleague, who defeated St. Dominic’s this afternoon will square off with the Knockcroghery based side once more.
Four Roads came from seven points behind to ensure they secured a direct passage to the semi final stage and deny Oran the same privilege. Micheál Kelly’s side were made to work all the way as they struck 1-2 without reply at the end of this contest to secure their third successive win after their opening round defeat to St. Dominic’s.
Oran raced out of the traps as they led 0-10 to 0-3. Paddy Fallon struck over six opening half scores while a Shane Keane goal left Oran 1-11 to 0-8 ahead approaching first half injury time.
But, Four Roads struck back. Conor Morris bagged 1-1 before the break as despite Noel Fallon seeing his penalty saved by opposite number Jerry Fallon, Morris flicked the rebound to the net to cut Oran’s lead to 1-11 to 1-9 at half time.
Oran increased their advantage to four points by the end of the third quarter as Cathal Kenny took his tally to 0-4, all from play. But, Four Roads produced their fabled late kick as Conor Mulry bagged two scores before he teed up Liam Óg Coyle for a game tying goal. Four Roads had the wind between their sails as Conor Morris arrowed over the final two scores of the game before Paddy Fallon saw a 20m free blocked on the line as Four Roads secured direct passage to the final four.
Athleague came through a crazy game of hurling to finish the group stage in fourth place, despite staring down the barrel of a possible elimination after losing their opening two games. However, they have now secured successive victories over overcoming a St. Dominic’s outfit who are now three games without a win.
This game appeared to be heading in only one direction when St. Dominic’s led 2-5 to 0-4 after 18 minutes as Gavin Staunton and Jack Lohan netted. However, Thady Beirne’s charges were extremely wasteful registering 16 wides, 12 of which came in an opening half which they dominated. This allowed Athleague to fire over five successive scores in the second quarter, but St. Dominic’s still led 2-6 to 0-9 at half time.
When Noel Watson netted 45 seconds into the second half, St. Dominic’s appeared to have regained control, but Athleague hit back with 1-2 unanswered as Tadhg Lyons bagged a major. But, in the next phase of play, Connell Kennelly was brought down and Mickey Joe Egan netted the resulting penalty.
Athleague battled back as Tomás Clayton blocked Mark Miley’s attempted pass out from defence before Cian Murray pounced to bag a three-pointer. A dramatic final quarter saw Athleague move three ahead before a trio of St. Dominic’s scores, the last from Jack Lohan tied the contest.
However, Cian Murray fired over the game winning score 90 seconds into injury time as Athleague secured a second win on the bounce.
On Saturday evening, Tremane made sure of their place in the last four after a strong final 20 minutes saw them edge past a wasteful Pádraig Pearses side that hit 17 wides.
With Daniel Mooney, Darragh Finn and Luke Corbett going well for Pearses, the home side established a 0-9 to 0-5 lead at the interval, despite nine first-half wides.
Tremane goalkeeper, Kevin Kellehan, made a couple of crucial saves at the start of the new half, and when Evan Murray goaled in the 39th minute, it was the catalyst for the winners to make their push for the semi-finals.
Initially, they relied on Peter Kellehan's accuracy from frees, but, in the final ten minutes, substitute Kevin Brennan, Murray and John Brennan found the target from play to leave Tremane just 60 minutes away from a possible county final appearance.
Tremane
Four Roads
Oran v Pádraig Pearses
Athleague v St. Dominic’s
