Medtronic senior hurlers suffered heartbreak when they lost by the minimum, 2-16 to 1-18 , against a strong Dunreidy team from Kilkenny in the recent Interfirms All Ireland semi final in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe.
Medtronic, who were weakened by a number of injuries, were dealt a further blow just before throw in when Iarla Tannion was unable to start due to a knee injury. They did, however, put up a great fight, only to be denied by a late Joe Maher point at the end.
Medtronic made the early running and built up a five point advantage at the end of the opening quarter. However Dunreidy replied with two goals in the second quarter to lead by one point at the interval.
Medtronic, with a Damien Joyce goal, opened up a four-point advantage early in the second half. Dunreidy, however, were back on level terms with 10 minutes remaining and edged two clear with four minutes to go. Medtronic battled back to level the contest, only to be denied in injury time, and although they created a few chances to equalize, it was not to be for the Tribesmen who bowed out of the championship at the semi final stage.
Medtronic: J O Connor, E Cleary, A Coen, M Ryan, M Corcoran (0-1 ), D Connolly, K Hardiman, B Flaherty (0-3 ), D Joyce (1-0 ), G Lally (0-2 ), J Cooney (0-2 ), K Briscoe (0-1 ), S Menton (0-1 ), S Hardiman, P Mannion (0-8 ). Subs: M Dunne, P McHugo, I Tannion.
