An exciting line-up of quarter-final ties in the Galway Senior Hurling Championship was confirmed on Sunday evening after the conclusion of the preliminary ties, while the race to gain promotion from senior B and the intermediate ranks has also gathered pace.
Last weekend’s fare ended up with three comprehensive victories for Sarsfields, Cappataggle, and Turloughmore, while Clarinbridge had to work hard to earn a 2-20 to 2-16 win over Ardrahan. Cian Sammon’s early goal helped wind-aided Clarinbridge into a 1-12 to 0-7 half time lead, and the third quarter showed little sign of an Ardrahan revival.
Darach Fahy’s 49th minute penalty conversion turned the tide though, and, when a long delivery ended up in the Clarinbridge net three minutes later, there was only a point between them. Ardrahan levelled, but also missed chances, and when Josh Ryan netted for the ‘Bridge in injury time, they were relieved to come away with a narrow win.
Turloughmore always appeared in control against Maigh Cuiliin in the first game in Pearse Stadium on Saturday, but when James Bradley, Niall Fitzgerald and Fionn McDonagh hit four unanswered points for Caoimhin Davoren’s men, there were only four points between the sides, but Turlough hit back in style to run out victors with free-taker Conor Walsh their top scorer.
Cappataggle produced their best performance of the year to see off Gort comfortably by 4-23 to 2-18, with scoring bursts at the start of each half proving decisive. Liam Collins and Richie Commins netted early goals at each end, but Lewis Coughlan’s strike just before half-time helped give Cappy into a seven-point interval lead.
When both Niall Collins and Oran Finn also struck goals in the third quarter, Gort were facing an uphill battle, and while Paddy Commins hit back with their second goal, they were never realistically going to close the gap to a manageable total.
Sarsfields have regrouped well since their loss to Castlegar and once again flew out of the traps against Killimordaly. They led by 12 points after a whirlwind start that included a brace of goals by Kevin Cooney. Sarsfields maintained a double digit lead with another goal from John Cosgrove enhancing their lead, while Killimordaly’s late goal by Brian Concannon was little more than a consolation in a 3-27 to 1-18 game.
Tommy Larkins secured their senior A status with a nine-point win over Portumna, who will now play either Craughwell or Kilconieron in the relegation decider after those two teams played out a thrilling draw in Loughrea as Adrian Prendergast was denied a match-winning goal from a late penalty.
Liam Mellows accounted for Padraig Pearses with a commanding performance in Loughrea, hitting three goals in a dominant first-half showing. Ahascragh-Fohenagh joined them in the last four by virtue of a four -point win over Beagh, while Athenry retained their senior status with a win over Killimor, who drop straight back down to the intermediate grade after just one season.
Senior quarter-final draw: Oranmore-Maree v Sarsfields; Loughrea v Clarinbridge; Castlegar v Turloughmore; St Thomas’ v Cappataggle.
Senior B Semi-finals: Mullagh v Liam Mellows; Kilnadeema-Leitrim v Ahascragh-Fohenagh;
Intermediate quarter-finals: Meelick-Eyrecourt v Kinvara; Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry v Carnmore; Sylane v Clarinbridge; Rahoon-Newcastle v Ballinderreen.
