Loughrea get back on track with win against neighbours

Loughrea 1-12Craughwell 0-12

Darren Kelly in Ballinasloe

With their greater need for points, last year’s county finalists Loughrea put their championship campaign back on track with this three point victory last Saturday but will still need a result against Beagh to ensure their passage to the knock out stages.

After one win and one loss earlier in the summer, Loughrea could still advance as group winners as they held the edge over Group D leaders Craughwell throughout the hour seizing the initiative with a 23rd minute Johnny Maher goal.

With Craughwell leading 0-6 to 0-4, Johnny O’Loughlin had been doing much work around the middle for Loughrea but his low ball spelled danger for Mike Clarke’s men when possession was taken by James Regan near the square. The wing forward in an advanced roll held up play and picked out Maher coming in on the right, who struck to the net and gave Joe Sweeney’s side a lead they never relinquished.

Craughwell, who entered this game on maximum points from three outings, managed to take an early advantage leading 0-3 to 0-1 by the ninth minute. Niall Healy, who would go on to hit double figures for the day, opened with a hat-trick including one from play while their opponents’ response came from O’Loughlin.

Loughrea overturned the deficit by the 15 minute mark when O’Loughlin was set up by Maher after Neil Keary hit two frees to lead by 0-4 to 0-3 but Craughwell would score three of their own to re-establish a two point cushion – two Healy frees and Niall Callanan alert to pick out a John Ryan free before splitting the posts.

Maher’s goal was crucial but there was still just one point (1-5 to 0-7) at half-time. Adrian Cullinane equalised in the 26th minute for Craughwell before O’Loughlin’s third point gave his team the lead. And with the breeze favouring the 2006 county champions after the break, Loughrea were looking good for their second win of this campaign.

They didn’t disappoint within six minutes to put four between them (1-8 to 0-7). Kenneth Colleran got their first within 15 seconds receiving a pass from Gavin Keary. Three minutes later, Colleran got his second after a move Hoban and Regan though the reward could have been better had he spotted Maher inside.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.