Athenry continue unbeaten start to Galway SHC with comfortable win over Killimordaly
With their first senior hurling quarter-final appearance since 2007 already secured, Athenry delivered another top-drawer performance in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe last Saturday to supress the challenge of neighbours Killimordaly 4-22 to 0-12.
Two Cian Burke goals, and green flags for Jack Carr and Eoin Hannon were the standout moments for Niall Sunderland’s team as they look forward to a four-week break.
This victory didn’t come without cost as injured duo Frank Burke and Shay Brady will relish the time to get back on track, while there was also concerns for Eoin Hannon.
For Killimordaly, their fate in the relegation play-offs was already certain before this fixture and they prepare to meet Moycullen in their battle for survival. Dermot Earls’ charges will be disappointed though with how they faded out of this game from the second quarter on.
This was a dead rubber but that counted for little between these local rivals, and Killimordaly nearly opened with a goal in the second minute only for Brian Burke’s shot to miss the target.
They were level at 0-1 apiece on five minutes as Michael Lewis cancelled out an opening Athenry point for Jason Rabbitte. Carr and Cian Burke made it 0-3 to 0-1 in Athenry’s favour before Lewis doubled his account.
Ronan Hardiman and a Rabbitte sideline cut put the leaders 0-5 to 0-2 up before Cian Burke weaved down the left flank. He chipped over two defenders before rounding keeper Éanna Ryan to send the ball into an empty net.
Killimordaly reacted immediately as Aaron McDonagh pointed on the quarter hour before supplying Paul Creaven for another. Darren Daly also forced a save from keeper Paddy Rabbitte, but they were outscored 0-8 to 0-4 during the next 15 minutes.
Cillian Lawless, Cian Burke and Hardiman made it 1-8 to 0-4 before Tommy Earls replied for the hoops. Jack Fitzpatrick and McDonagh also troubled the umpires for Killimordaly, but Jason Rabbitte, Carr, Cian Burke (2) and Aodhan McDonagh left it 1-13 to 0-7 at half-time.
And in the first two attacks upon the restart, Athenry were out of sight. Jason Rabbitte’s ball fell for Carr who forced a save before poking the rebound over the line for their second goal.
Eoin Lawless launched another ball straight after which Jason Rabbitte won, and the Galway senior fed Hannon for the third green flag. Further points from Aodhan McDonagh and Cian Burke had it 3-15 to 0-7 on 35 minutes.
Daly, Creaven (2), Brian Burke and Tommy Earls allowed Killimordaly reduce arrears to 3-18 to 0-12 by the 50th minute with Cian Burke (2) and Conor Lawless providing the response. Athenry finished with 1-4 unanswered, including 1-3 from placed balls for their talisman.
Cillian Lawless set up Jason Rabbitte for the final point on 62 minutes. Athenry’s top performers included Paddy Rabbitte in goal; Conor and Cian Burke, Shane and Dylan Quirke, Brady, Eoin and Conor Lawless, Mark and Ronan Hardiman, Carr, Rabbitte and Aodhan McDonagh.
Killimordaly were best served by Adam Brett, Lewis, Fitzpatrick, Aaron McDonagh, David Concannon and Creaven.
Athenry: P Rabbitte; Conor Burke, S Quirke, D Quirke; S Brady, E Lawless, M Hardiman; Cillian Lawless (0-1), R Hardiman (0-2); J Carr (1-2), J Rabbitte (0-4, 0-1 sideline), Conor Lawless (0-1); A McDonagh (0-2), Cian Burke (2-10, 1-7f), F Burke.
Subs used: E Hannon (1-0) for F. Burke (23, inj), E Caulfield for Hannon (45-50, blood), N Keogh for Rabbitte (51), Rabbitte for Brady (53, inj), C Hardiman for Cian Burke (59).
Killimordaly: É Ryan; A Brett, G McDonagh. L Janssen; M Lewis (0-2), J Fitzpatrick (0-1), A McDonagh (0-2); D Concannon, D Daly (0-1, 1f); O Earls, T Earls (0-2), P Creaven (0-3); E Daly, B Burke (0-1, 1f), R Brett.
Subs used: L Lynskey for E Daly (37), S Monahan for O Earls (42), I Broderick for G McDonagh (55), E Daly for A McDonagh (60).
Referee: S Briscoe