The big surprise last weekend in the Cooper Hurling Championship came in Kenny Park with Turloughmore’s impressive and well-deserved 3-13 to 1-11 victory over All-Ireland champions Clarinbridge.
The Turloughmore lads showed massive work-rate and commitment to outplay the county champions. They were driven by fine displays from Daithí Burke, Fergal Moore, Gary Burke, Ronan Badger, Brian Murphy and Matthew Keating.
Clarinbridge manager Johnny Lee and his players were given a salient lesson in the difficulties they will face to stay at the top of the club tree in Galway in the coming few months.
John Jenkins will have been very proud of his charges and how they knuckled down to the task at hand when Padraig Pearses really put it up to Portumna before finally going down on a scoreline of 4-13 to 1-13 in Ballinasloe last Friday evening. Goals by Andy Smith and Joe Canning saw the Shannonsiders lead by 2-6 to 0-9 at half time, but a Tomás Flannery goal brought Pearses right back into contention. With Ollie Canning to the fore for Portuma, Joe Canning and Smith struck again for late goals that proved too much for a gallant Pearses’ outfit.
Elsewhere, Liam Mellows defeated Kiltormer 0-15 to 1-9 in Loughrea. A Brendan Kenny goal helped Kiltormer to a 1-5 to 0-1 lead at one stage, but, with David Collins and Jeffrey Lynskey to the fore, the city side fought back to come within a point down at half time and went on to made it two wins out of two.
It was a busy day for Mellows’ manager Brian Hanley who flew by helicopter to Dr Cullen Park to oversee Westmeath defeat Carlow by 4-14 to 1-14, and set up a home meeting against Galway on Saturday week in Mullingar.
In Group D Loughrea beat Kinvara 2-18 to 2-9, powered by an impressive second-half display. Neil Keary, Johnny Maher, Gavin Keary all shone and the game was lit up by a superb late Johnny Coen goal. Conor Kavanagh scored the two goals for Kinvara, who are now in relegation trouble. Loughrea have two games left in the group against Craughwell and Beagh.
On Sunday, Mullagh beat Athenry by 1-12 to 0-11 in Loughrea in what was a poor game. Athenry led by 0-9 to 0-8 at half time, but they lacked punch up front and did not score for 20 minutes in the second half, while a goal by substitute Tony Clarke saw the Mullagh men collect the points.
Re-fixed senior hurling championship games
The cancelled senior hurling championship games from last Saturday are due to go ahead tonight (Thursday ) at 7pm.
Craughwell take on Beagh in Loughrea and Ardrahan face 2010 county semi-finalists Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry in Kenny Park at 7pm.
