Ardrahan edge past determined Killimordaly in Galway SHC opener
Ardrahan held on for a vital victory as they withstood a fast finishing Killimordaly outfit. Killimordaly, who were without Brian Concannon, trailed by five points after 59 minutes but rallied as Brian Burke’s goal with just 30 seconds of normal time remaining set up a grandstand finish. In a contest which saw the sides level on 11 separate occasions, this contest was decided by the finest of margins.
Killimordaly went cold in front of the posts for much of the final quarter as they were held scoreless from the 43rd to the 58th minute. During that period, Galway goalkeeper Darach Fahy produced a stunning improvised save with his foot from Killimordaly substitute Gary McDonagh’s deflected effort. Ardrahan countered and Donagh Fahy pointed a ’65 in the same passage of play. A vital four point swing.
Ardrahan only registered four points during Killimordaly’s scoreless stretch while sending the same amount of efforts wide of the posts as they gained control of the midfield sector. Crucially they were able to build up a five point buffer which ultimately proved just enough. Killimordaly will harbour regrets over their 10 opening half wides as they looked the more threatening side but their shooting from range was off particularly in the second quarter.
Killimordaly led 0-14 to 1-10 at half time and even though Ardrahan sent eight efforts adrift of the posts in the second half, Donagh Fahy and Brian Callanan combined for 1-11 to ensure Joe O’Leary’s outfit secured a vital win, one that leaves them in pole position to avoid ending up in a relegation final for the second straight year. Meanwhile, Killimordaly face a tall order to avoid a relegation battle with Turloughmore and Athenry waiting in the wings.
In a contest where both teams operated with two and at times just one man in the inside full forward line, turnovers around the middle third were always going to prove vital. Ardrahan proved this in the 14th minute as Cianan Fahy overturned possession before Brian Callanan teed up Donagh Fahy to rifle to the net.
Even though Ardrahan raced 1-7 to 0-7 ahead after 17 minutes, Killimordaly controlled the second quarter despite seven wides during this period. Brian Burke made his presence felt with three late points from play, his final score pushing Killimordaly 0-14 to 1-10 ahead at half time. Ardrahan managed to move in front within the first 75 seconds of the final period through efforts from Brian Callanan and Donagh Fahy, but Killimordaly were still a live threat as evidenced by Ronan Cahalan forcing Darach Fahy into a smart stop.
At the other end, Callanan almost forced the sliotar over the line after Cianan Fahy procured a turnover in the Killimordaly ’45. But Ardrahan’s run of four points without reply propelled them five clear as even though Burke netted late on and fired over a 20m free, Cianan Fahy won possession from his brother Darach’s puckout to ensure Ardrahan held on.
Ardrahan: Darach Fahy; J. Bourke, M. Walsh, E. Murphy; C. Cosgrove (0-1), L. Forde, B. O’Connor (0-1); C. Callanan (0-1), C. Fahy (0-2); A. O’Flynn (0-2), M. Gardiner (0-2), Donagh Fahy (1-6, 0-2 frees, 0-1 ’65); E. Gardiner (0-1), B. Callanan (0-5), C. Walshe.
Subs: S. Gardiner for E. Gardiner (half-time); I. Lynskey for Walshe (half-time); G. Forde (0-1), for Murphy (43 mins).
Killimordaly: É. Ryan; D. Concannon (0-1), M. Lewis (0-1), A. Brett; A. McDonagh, J. Fitzpatrick (0-1), D. Connolly; D. Daly (0-5, 0-4 frees), I. Broderick (0-1); S. Monahan (0-2), P. Creaven (0-2), O. Earls; L. Lynskey, B. Burke (1-8, 0-3 frees), R. Cahalan.
Subs: T. Earls, for Broderick (44 mins); E. Daly, for Monahan (48 mins); G. McDonagh, for O. Earls (51 mins); R. Brett for Cahalan (53 mins); L. Janssen for McDonagh (53 mins).
Referee: D. Staunton.