The preliminary quarter-final stage of the Brooks Group Galway senior hurling championship has finally been reached, but it will do well to match the drama of last week’s fixtures as both games played in Athenry last Saturday afternoon required penalties to produce a winner.
Added to that there was a contender for game of the season when Moycullen edged out Liam Mellows in a thriller by 2-23 to 5-13 on Thursday evening in Ballinasloe. Ryan O’Dwyer, Adrian Morrissey, and Tadgh Haran all smashed in first half goals for Mellows, but Moycullen defiantly stayed in touch to only trail by three at the break.
O’Dwyer’s second goal appeared to have given Mellows control of the tie, but two goals in the space of a minute from Eanna Noone and Cian Folan turned the game on its head. Noone’s injury time point gave Moycullen a two point cushion and although Mellows got back within one, Haran’s long range free at the end was unsuccessful.
Ardrahan joined Moycullen in the preliminary quarter finals by virtue of a 4-2 penalty shoot out win over Athenry. The sides were deadlocked on 1-20 to 0-23 after extra time, with Darach Fahy’s penalty save from Mark Hardiman proving decisive after Darach Fahy, Cianan Fahy, Jason Kennedy, and Iarla Tannian had all hit the net.
The reward for Ardrahan is a daunting clash with near neighbours Clarinbridge on Sunday afternoon in Kenny Park where last year’s beaten finalists will be expected to progress, while Moycullen will be hoping to continue their impressive run of results under the tutelage of John Hardiman when they face perennial contenders Cappataggle on Saturday in Pearse Stadium.
Former kingpins Portumna will fancy their chances of toppling a senior A side when they take on Craughwell in Loughrea on Saturday, while Turloughmore are heavily favoured to get the better of Oranmore-Maree on Sunday in Athenry.
Turloughmore’s U20 side captured the A title last weekend when the replay against Sarsfields was forced to penalties after another titanic battle ended all square at 2-21 apiece after extra time. When the sides were deadlocked at three each after the regulation five penalties, it then became sudden death and when John Cooney’s effort was saved by Turlough’ keeper Darragh Walsh, the victory was finally theirs.
Elsewhere this weekend, one side will drop to intermediate and one will move up to senior as the relegation play-off and intermediate final are contested. Ahascragh/Fohenagh and Tynagh/Abbey/Duniry clash in Loughrea in what is sure to be a tense encounter, with Ahascragh/Fohenagh favoured to survive after their recent morale-boosting win over Mullagh.
Duggan Park is the venue for the Intermediate final on Sunday as Killimor take on Meelick/Eyrecourt, with both teams looking to end a long stint in the second tier competition. Killimor looked a well-balanced team with plenty of attacking threats when they disposed of Sylane in the semi-finals, while Meelick/Eyrecourt will look to Galway panellist John Fleming to provide inspiration in their inside forward unit.
