FarragherÕs brilliance means Kiltormer and Castlegar have to do it all again

Castlegar 0-14Kiltormer 1-11

STEPHEN GLENNON AT DUGGAN PARK

Castlegar – inspired by man of the match Ger Farragher – produced a stunning late rally to secure, what was in many respects, an unlikely draw against a smart Kiltormer side in this senior hurling championship first round opener at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Saturday.

The city outfit looked to be heading for the back door route via Round 2 after falling six-points into arrears by the 38th minute but then – as if a light switch had been flicked – they began to hurl with a far greater degree of abundance for the remainder of the game.

Maybe, having found themselves in the quagmire of relegation last year, their late rally was a rage against such a similar fate again. Whatever the reason, their hurling in the second period was far crisper than the first, when their first touch was non-existent and they looked something less than ordinary.

The notable exception, of course, was Farragher, who tallied all of Castlegar’s first half total as his side trailed 0-5 to 0-8 to a Kiltormer side that should, well and truly, have been further ahead by this stage of the contest.

Quite simply, they hurled a good game in this period, being ably led by the honest David Hayes in the centre-half back berth while Keith Kilkenny and Patrick Cormican carried a potent threat up front.

In any event, the sides were tied at 0-3 after a nervous 18 minutes, with Kilkenny (free and play) and Hayes – a long range effort – tallying for Brian Whelehan’s outfit and Farragher responding for Castlegar.

Each side had their goal chances too in this period, with Kiltormer duo Conor Ryan and Enda Fenton denied by some fine goalkeeping by John Connor in the opening minutes before Emmett Goode denied Cashel full-forward Enda Concannon on 12 minutes.

As championship openers go, it certainly did not lack for excitement; however, the format of the new structure – where the winner goes through to the group stages while the loser must seek entry through the back door – definitely was causing uneasiness among two sets of jittery players.

It was almost as if both sides were afraid to make a mistake – and that’s real championship hurling – although the bumpy nature of the Duggan Park sward also played havoc with the players throughout the match.

That said, Kiltormer’s hurling was far sharper than their counterparts and by the end of the half they had edged into a three-point advantage as Kilkenny – a free and three excellent efforts from play – and Cormican registered the necessary scores for their side.

Early in the second period, Castlegar centre forward Mairtín Cullinane, now operating at full, became the first player aside from Farragher to find the target but any hopes, for the moment, of a revival looked to be put on hold when Kilkenny steered a teasing ball across the face of the Cashel goal and Ryan was on hand to flick the ball beyond Connor.

Fenton and Kilkenny (free) added points minutes later – sandwiching a Farragher effort – and by the 38th minute Kiltormer led 1-10 to 0-7 . . . and this advantage they continued to hold at the outset of the final quarter. It seemed this contest was done and dusted.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.