Late Callanan and Huban goals earn Kinvara reprieve

Castlegar 0-16Kinvara 3-7

Cian O’Connell in Clarinbridge

IN the Galway senior hurling championship,clubs rise and fall rapidly so the deterioration in Castlegar and Kinvara's health meant Saturday's relegation encounter at Clarinbridge carried deep importance.

A few short years ago in 2007 thousands were at Kenny Park for a semi-final match between the teams, but this was played in more modest surroundings, but the hour was jammed with entertainment and drama. Controversy, class, and character dominated a tie that Castlegar should have won, but they were caught by a late Kinvara rally which forced a replay.

Kinvara's courage was what rescued a tricky situation as Castlegar, primed for a battle, had ruled the contest until the dying stages. In the last 10 minutes, Castlegar only managed to register a single Mairtin Cullinane score, while Kinvara goals from a Colm Callanan free and David Huban were sandwiched either side of a Niall Curtin point as parity prevailed.

It was a harrowing finish for Castlegar, who had hurled so intelligently at the outset accumulating a 0-10 to 0-5 interval advantage with a disciplined display. But after the restart, the tension increased significantly as three players received red cards, two of which occurred following separate brawls in the 35th minute.

That was essentially the game altering moment because those dismissals for off-the-ball misdemeanours immediately followed a Conor Kavanagh major that injected Kinvara with hope. Castlegar responded in an assured way, hitting four of the next five points, but late on when Kinvara, who had been reduced to 13 men, went hunting for goals fortune favoured their brave approach and the city side were left to reflect on what might have been.

Having struggled in a tough group, Castlegar certainly demonstrated a vast improvement as they took control of this relegation clash. Prompted by a splendid half back line of Donal Barry, Kevin Keane, and Tomas Mannion, Cashel were quickly out of the blocks

repeatedly thwarting a frustrated Kinvara attack that was relying on Conor Kavanagh frees for scores.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Castlegar's forwards were a bit more self sufficient as they were able to win ball and their shooting was sharp too. Even though Ger Farragher was a key figure, Cashel were able to knock over 10 first half scores without one from their talisman and that was a real sign that Padraic Connolly had his side in the correct frame of mind.

Ronan O'Flynn was prominent on the wing, kniving through for four delightful points, while inside Enda Concannon carried a serious threat. Inevitably Mairtin Cullinane, still a relevant leader of the attack, went about his business on the 'forty' with typical understatement, and all of Castlegar's diligent work left them five ahead at the break.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.