Castlegar send Oranmore-Maree in the Galway SHC relegation semi-finals

Castlegar overcame Oranmore-Maree 2-21 to 3-15 to secure their place in the preliminary quarter finals and consign their neighbours to the relegation play offs in the process.

An entertaining contest saw the winners dominate for the most part, while also having their mettle tested late on. Overall, however, Tomás Mannion’s side were deserving victors on this occasion.

On a day when Castlegar had to line out without injured talisman Ger Farragher, it was Oranmore-Maree who made the better start and led by 1-4 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. Ryan O’Donnell goaled after two minutes, while Niall Burke added three points (two frees). Burke also had another point surprisingly chalked off, when it appeared a valid score.

Colm Burke added another point for Oranmore-Maree during a very productive first quarter, while at the other end, Jack Coyne and Dylan Carroll kept Cashel in touch with points during the same spell.

The city side began to find their range, however, and outscored Oranmore-Maree by 0-4 to 0-1 during the next six minutes. Darragh Neary (free), Carroll, Cian Corcoran, and Oisín Connolly all pointed for Cashel, while Aaron Doyle sent over an excellent effort at the other end to keep his side two points in front. Colm Burke soon had his second score for Oranmore-Maree, but Cashel responded with three consecutive points.

Two good scores from Coyne and an effort from Seán Moran saw the sides level at 0-9 to 1-6. Colm Burke’s third point edged Oranmore-Maree back in front, before two scores from Neary (one free) saw Cashel take the lead for the first time.

A foul on O’Donnell saw Oranmore-Maree awarded a penalty in injury time, but Niall Burke’s effort was well saved by Liam O’Reilly at the expense of a ’65, which Burke pointed to ensure the sides were level at half time on a 0-11 to 1-8 scoreline.

The third quarter was dominated by the city side, who outscored their opponents by 1-5 to 0-2. Neary pointed a free shortly after the resumption, before Oisín Connolly fired to the net after a run and pass from Donal Barry.

Niall Burke and Doyle responded with points at the other end, but Cashel then struck four on the spin. Greg Thomas (two) and Neary (two frees) made their dominance count on the scoreboard, as Mannion’s charges stretched their lead to six points.

Oranmore-Maree needed scores and they tallied the next three. Colm Burke, Barry Keating, and Ross Malone all registered points to reduce the margin. However, these scores were soon wiped out by a goal at the other end.

A high ball was batted out by ‘keeper Jack Grealish into the path of Barry, who laid the ball off to Neary, who blasted to the net. This goal energised Cashel, and although Niall Burke converted a free, the city side soon reeled off four consecutive points.

Efforts from Neary (two, one free), Cillian Callaghan, and Thomas stretched their lead out to nine late in the contest. An exciting finish played out, however, when two quick goals from Diarmuid Hanniffy and Colm Burke’s fifth point saw Oranmore-Maree reduced the deficit to two in injury-time. Thomas steadied the ship, however; sending over his fourth score to wrap up the win for Cashel.

Castlegar: L O’Reilly; G King, M Connolly, C Ryan; D Barry, S Neary, S Moran (0-1); C Callaghan (0-1), S Thomas; J Coyne (0-3), D Neary (1-8, 0-6f), C Corcoran (0-1); O Connolly (1-1), G Thomas (0-4), D Carroll (0-2). Subs: M Casey for Carroll (51mins), D McNulty for Moran (60mins).

Oranmore-Maree: J Grealish; P Burke, G McInerney, T Blake; G Carr, C Butler, B Keating (0-1); R Malone (0-1), A Doyle (0-2); N Burke (0-6, 0-3f, 0-1 ’65), C Burke (0-5), A Keady; R Davitt, D Hanniffy (2-0), R O’Donnell (1-0). Subs: M Hanniffy for A Keady (38mins), J Keady for Davitt (57mins).

Referee: Conor Quinlan.