Aran Islands look to be hitting their stride at the perfect time

Oranmore/Maree 1-9

Ivan Smyth at Pearse Stadium

Oranmore/Maree suffered defeat at the quarter final stage for the fourth year on the trot as they were simply outgunned by an Oileáin Árann side which has now reached its third semi-final in five years and appear to be peaking at the right time.

Nine players found the target for the winners compared to six for Oranmore/Maree, but it was the Islanders’ opening half display which was the key to this victory as they led by 0-10 to 0-3 at half time.

Oranmore/Maree were struggling to create chances as they kicked just two wides which coupled with their three first half points showed that they struggled to break through a physical Oileáin Árann outfit.

Sean Mulkerrin and Mark Ronaldson enjoyed an interesting duel as the Galway full-back was tasked with keeping the former Mayo forward quiet. The pair were both standout performers for their sides but aside from Ronaldson, Oranmore-Maree’s forwards struggled to make an impact on this game.

If you told Oileáin Árann that their top scorer in this year’s championship, Tyler Ó Flaithearta, would not register a score in this game, then they would have feared the worst. That’s what transpired although his teammates stood up to the plate as seven different players kicked scores in the opening half. With Ó Flaithearta kicking 1-19 and Ronaldson scoring 2-16 across the group stages, a shootout between the two was anticipated, but it never transpired.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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