Larkins' campaign back on track with comfortable win

Date Published: 08-Jun-2011

Tommie Larkins 1-19Athenry 0-12

Darren Kelly in Ballinasloe

Tommie Larkins put themselves back into the championship picture last Sunday with a score taking exhibition in the first 15 minutes that built up a healthy lead against Athenry. After defeats to Mullagh and Portumna, the Woodford/Ballinakill outfit needed a result to stay in the competition and this critical victory has one foot in the final 12.

Padraig Pearses will have dispute that but there’s no doubt that when Tommie Larkins are in the mood, they find scores very easily. Had they been more alert against Portumna, they would certainly have been closer but they were determined to ensure no slip ups in this meeting.

Just 53 seconds passed when Colm Flynn’s long effort went over the bar and by the sixth minute, Noel Murphy’s side led by 0-5 to 0-0 through Kevin Hooban, Eamonn Hayes and Ger Kelly before Declan Garvey put five between the teams.

Tommie Larkins were dominating the middle third and taking their chances while Athenry were struggling to cope, but when they opened with a James Divally free in the eighth minute, Larkins weren’t finish their points flush just yet. Paddy Moroney restored the five point advantage in the ninth minute before Flynn and Kelly added white flags while Stephen Page picked off an excellent point from the right corner in the 14th minute to make it 0-9 to 0-1.

Another Divally free got Athenry’s second score in the 15th minute before Flynn replied for Larkins but two scores from Thomas Divally and James’ (Divally) third free reduced the deficit to 0-10 to 0-4 with 10 minutes to go before the break.

The next few points would be critical but Tommie Larkins delivered the killer blow in the 20th minute. A well worked move started with a Dara Starr puck out towards Hooban; he sent his delivery in Garvey’s direction who batted towards Moroney; the centre forward went on the run through the Athenry defence before passing to Niall Kelly whose overhead shot left John Grealish no chance and now nine points separated the teams.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.