The Castlegar hurlers advanced to the last eight in the Galway senior championship following an exciting 1-17 to 2-13 victory over Kinvara at Kenny Park on Saturday evening.
Once again, former Galway star Ger Farragher proved his enormous worth to the team with 0-7 (4fs, 0-1, 65 ) over the hour. His final free from distance levelled the game before Dean Higgins shot the winner for them.
Castlegar, managed this season by John McIntyre, had some good displays by Tomas Mannion, Kevin Keane, Pa Connell, Ronan O' Flynn (0-3 ), and Dean Higgins and Kevin Brady who hit two points each.
Enda Concannon grabbed their goal just before half time as they led by 1-8 to 0-10 at the break.
Kinvara will be disappointed by this narrow defeat as the game was in the balance right to the final whistle.
They had strong performers in minor Conor Whelan, who notched 1-4 from corner forward, and Brian Carroll and Alan Leech. Colm Callanan shot their other goal from a penalty.
In other championship action last weekend, current All-Ireland champions St Thomas also reached the quarter-finals after surviving a crucial group clash with 2011 winners Clarinbridge.
St Thomas advanced easily to the last eight with a comfortable 2-16 to 0-10 win in Athenry.
Clarinbridge trailed by 1-10 to 0-4 at half time with James Regan and David Burke dominating around the middle for John Burke's men.
Eoin Forde hit a few frees for Clarinbridge to keep them ticking over, but a goal by Conor Cooney from a penalty left them with far too much to do.
Joe Canning continued the scoring form he showed against Dublin in the Leinster final and he raised the white flag 13 times to help Portumna clinch a quarter-final berth with a 2-27 to 1-10 victory over Killimordaly.
Andy Smith notched a goal in the first half to put the three-times All-Ireland club champions on the road to a comprehensive win. Niall Hayes hit their second.
Loughrea once again made it through to the knockout stages, seeing off neighbours Craughwell by 1-18 to 0-15.
Turloughmore also advanced to the last eight, defeating Ardrahan by 2-15 to 2-12, with goals from Ronan Badger and Conor Shaughnessy.
Elsewhere, Maurice Callanan scored 2-9 for an Ardrahan side which was already through to the last eight before the clash.
Beagh also qualified for the quarter-finals when they defeated Kiltormer 0-17 to 0-15 at Kenny Park. Beagh, with Rory and Joe Gantley in top form, led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break and came good in the closing stages to book their place in the last eight.
The eight teams qualified for the 2013 senior quarter-finals are: St Thomas and Portumna from Group A; Turloughmore and Ardrahan from Group B; Loughrea and Castlegar from Group C; and Padraig Pearses and Beagh from Group D.
