Killer blow for Killeen
WITH the Galway senior hurlers having secured a Leinster semi-final berth with victory over Dublin last Sunday, focus returns to the club scene this Bank Holiday weekend for round three of the group stages of the senior championship.
The big negative from the weekend is Tribesmen corner-back, Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry’s Paul Killeen, who was carried off in the 26th minute in Tullamore, has been ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage. Jonathan Glynn also underwent knee surgery this week and is unavailable for Ardrahan but Galway corner-forward Cathal Mannion is free to play for Ahascragh/Fohenagh following a red card appeal.
The stand-out fixture is the battle of neighbours Gort and St Thomas’, a repeat of last year’s county final, which should draw a big crowd to Kenny Park on Sunday. A unique Friday fixture – to facilitate a wedding – between Craughwell and Liam Mellows is attractive.
All 24 teams in senior A and B remain in the hunt for the quarter and preliminary quarter finals – these 12 matches represent a crossroads in the campaign. Nine teams put unbeaten records on the line, and five of them – Liam Mellows, Beagh, Castlegar, and Kilnadeema-Leitrim – have won both opening games. There are 11 outfits, who have yet to win and five of them – Tommy Larkins, Loughrea, Tynagh/ Abbey-Duniry, Carnmore and Abbeyknockmoy – remain pointless and are in a do-or-die scenario.
Friday June 2
Senior A
Liam Mellows v Craughwell
(Kenny Park, 7pm)
Liam Mellows are flying it under experienced Ennis-based manager Louis Mulqueen – they followed up their win over Tommy Larkins by thumping Loughrea 6-13 to 3-8. Since then Stephen Barret, Michael Henshey (both abroad) and John Elwood (hand) are out. Mellows conceded six goals in their two games, and will be wary that their opponents fired five past them last year.
Craughwell player/manager Fergal Healy has no fresh injuries and has three lads back – Mathew Freaney, James Greaney and Stephen Hynes. They shot 16 wides in their 1-15 to 0-16 defeat to Mullagh and are targeting this as a must-win to keep hopes of automatic qualification alive.
Verdict: Craughwell
Saturday, June 3
Senior A
Loughrea v Cappataggle
(Duggan Park, 6.30pm)
Manager Gerry Spellman and Loughrea have parted ways, without any hard feelings, after last year’s beaten county semi-finalists, fell to a 14-points defeat to Mellows. Jack Mahony, who was involved when Loughrea reached the semi-final in 1998, takes the reins, alongside John David Kearney, the former Galway senior trainer, and U21 coach. Injury doubts include Jamie Ryan, Ian Hanrahan, and Tom Hoban. Lose and Loughrea are in big trouble; there must be a kick in them.
Cappataggle remain unbeaten, following up their draw with Mullagh with a hard-fought win against Tommy Larkins. Daniel Nevin picked up a straight red at the end of that 2-9 to 1-9 victory, ruling him out. Manager Tony Nevin says Alan Dolan (ankle) is a doubt but he’s hopeful for Darragh Dolan (back).
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.