Supermac's, in their first seasonof interfirms hurling, are closing in All Ireland glory after securing a nine-point victory over a fancied H&MV side in UL.
The Galway side bagged four goals at crucial stages in this All Ireland club junior hurling semi-final to win by 4-16 to 3-13 and set up meeting with Romoquip from Offaly.
Despite being understrength, Supermac's produced a spirited performance and led almost from start to finish. They had built up a six-point lead midway through the first half before H&MV grabbed control in the second to reel Supermac's back. However, when Conor Gardiner goaled early the second half, the Tribesmen were not going to be caught.
Iomar Creaven and Clement Earls were on target for Supermac's before Conor Gardiner found the net after good work from Brian Concannon. They led by six at the end of the opening quarter with a brace of points apiece from Gardiner and Concannon.
H&MV began to whittle down Supermac's lead, and after a goal the margin was down to the minimum.
Supermac’s did not panic, and a Brian Concannon goal after 24 minutes put them four clear. Still H&MV came back, and unanswered points - three from Kieran Morris - left the sides level before a Clement Earls’ pointed free gave Supermac's the lead, 2-07 to 1-09.
After the Limerick side levelled early in the second half, Supermac's struck for goal again when Oisin Coyne set up Conor Gardiner. It was a lead Supermac's would not relinquish.
Clement Earls and Gardiner helped the Galway side build a five-point advantage inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half, and minutes later Brian Concannon struck a fourth goal. Although Kieran Morris found the target from a penalty for H&MV, it was close as they came.
Clement Earls left six between the sides before Brian Concannon added to their tally, and another four unanswered points ensured they were convincing winners - three coming from Clement Earls and a great score from Conor Gardiner.
Supermac's now face Romoquip from Offaly in the coming weeks.
Supermac's: P Daly, D Earls, C Daly, E Curley, C Kelly, F Burke, D Skehill, D Concannon, O Coyle, C Earls (0-8, 5f, 65’ ), I Creaven (0-1 ), P Hoban, B Concannon (2-3, 1f ), C Gardiner (2-4 ), P Kennedy, Subs: D Lally, K Hardiman.
