It's stalemate all the way on biggest day in Galway hurling
Date Published: {J}
A repeat of the 2010 county senior and minor finals will take place at Pearse Stadium on Sunday week as both deciders between Clarinbridge and Loughrea and Gort and Athenry ended in stalemate in Salthill on Halloween.
Underdogs Clarinbridge did all the running in the senior final, and looked certain to capture their first Tom Callanan Cup since they made the breakthrough in 2001, but will be haunted by a controversial referring decision that turned the match on its head as the clock ticked towards injury-time.
Mark Kerins, who was outstanding, finishing with 1-9, had just nudged the ‘Bridge two points to the good with seconds remaining. Loughrea, from the puck-out, launched an attack that almost certainly had to end in a three-pointer if they were to carry the day.
Johnny Coen and Johnny Maher combined to put Gavin Keary into space heading towards the posts but he was swarmed by Clarinbridge defenders and was deemed to have been fouled inside the area.
Coen coolly slotted home the penalty to give Loughrea the lead for the first time since the 16th minute and suddenly the ‘Bridge were spooked.
Micheál Donoghue’s charges were to get a reprieve, though, when in injury-time they were awarded a Halloween treat of their own from referee Michael Dolan.
The Kilconieron man controversially pulled up Loughrea wing-back Vinny Maher for a throw ball and awarded a free in to Clarinbridge, which Mark Kerins slotted home to tie the game 2-11 to 1-14. It was a thrilling climax to an entertaining game and produced the result the neutrals – and indeed Hurling Board officials – were most happy with.
For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.