The final four are now known in the race for the Galway Senior Hurling Championship after last weekend’s quarter-finals. Three of last year’s semi-finalists are back to the same stage again, with Turloughmore completing the line up after comfortably overcoming Castlegar last Saturday.
Turloughmore led from start to finish with Sean O’Hanlon in fine scoring form, but Castlegar stayed very much within striking distance as Ger Farragher put on a masterclass of dead ball accuracy, which included four sideline cuts.
When Daithí Burke’s long-range free drifted all the way to the net on 41 minutes, Turloughmore took full command of the game, and with the Galway captain in fine form, they never looked like letting it slip. Jamie Holland netted late on to confirm a 2-20 to 1-14 win, with Simon Thomas getting a late goal for Castlegar.
The second game on Saturday saw St Thomas’ take on Cappataggle, with the champions taking a long time to get into their stride before eventually overpowering their opponents in the final quarter. Goals from Oisín Flannery and Darren Farrell came late in a contest where St Thomas’ defence was the most impressive unit on the pitch in a 2-19 to 0-12 win.
Loughrea had to work hard on Sunday to get the better of Clarinbridge. Martin McManus’ second-half goal was the crucial score in a 1-21 to 2-16 win. Jamie Ryan shone again as Loughrea’s top scorer, with Joshua Ryan and Evan Niland hitting the net for Clarinbridge.
Sarsfields undoubtedly produced the performance of the weekend when they hammered Oranmore-Maree by 3-24 to 0-12. Kevin Cooney continued his impressive run. Having scored goals in every championship game this year, he added two more to his tally, and Sarsfields were in control with a four-point lead at half-time, having played against the wind.
The race to join the senior A ranks was narrowed to two as Mullagh finished their semi-final against Liam Mellows strongly to win by 1-20 to 0-18. Conor Dolphin finished with a massive individual tally of 1-14 for the winners.
They now have a semi-final against Ahascragh/Fohenagh, who edged out Kilnadeema-Leitrim by two points. First-half goals by Éanna Kenny and Vinny Kenny appeared to put Kilnadeema-Leitrim in control as they led by seven at half-time.
However, they failed to score from play in the second half, and when Cathal Mannion drove a shot to the net with six minutes remaining, Ahascragh/Fohenagh took the lead for the first time, and three more Mark Kelly frees kept them in that position.
Ballinderreen had six points to spare over Rahoon/Newcastle when they met in the intermediate quarter-finals in Tuam Stadium on Saturday. Sylane will take them on in the last four after they eliminated Clarinbridge, with John Igoe (two ), Alan Cullinane, and Shane Glynn the goalscorers.
Meelick-Eyrecourt were comprehensive winners over Kinvara in their quarter-final, with James Downey their top scorer in 1-28 to 2-8 win. Tynagh Abbey/Duniry booked their place with a late surge, getting the better of Carnmore as two late Shane Moloney frees completed a remarkable turnaround.
Senior semi-finals: Loughrea v Turloughmore; Sarsfields v St Thomas'.
Intermediate semi-finals: Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry v Meelick/Eyrecourt; Sylane v Ballinderreen.
