Galway City teams bite the dust
DESPITE rousing displays, Galway city’s two senior hurling clubs, Liam Mellows and Castlegar, both exited the race for the 2014 County Cup last weekend and, consequently, must now face into what is sure to be a gruelling relegation battle over the summer months.
No doubt, it was a heartbreaking 24 hours for the city’s senior sides as Mellows squandered a nine-point half-time lead against Gort – eventually losing 4-13 to 4-11 – before a gritty Castlegar outfit shot an incredible 17 wides in their 0-17 to 0-11 defeat to 2013 All-Ireland champions St. Thomas’.
For Castlegar’s part, they will reflect with regret on their poor marksmanship over the 60 plus minutes of their tie at Kenny Park on Saturday. In all, they created 32 scoring chances but a return on just a third of those – 11 points – ultimately proved their undoing.
On almost every other statistic, a workmanlike Castlegar came out on top. They put in more hooks, blocks and tackles, won more ruck ball and conceded less frees – just 7 to Thomas’ 13 –but this will only compound the frustration they must harbour towards their wide tally in the aftermath of this loss.
In contrast, St. Thomas’, playing against the wind in the opening half, took seven of just eight scoring chances to lead 0-7 to 0-6 at the break. It was such economy in front of the posts that stood to a St. Thomas’ outfit which was ably led by the Burke brothers, Kenneth, David and Eanna.
The trio contributed seven points of their side’s final tally – young Eanna registering four – while Conor Cooney also chipped in with four from placed balls. The game also marked the return of Richie Murray (retirement) and James Regan (long term injury) and they both were on the scoresheet late on.
In any event, the former All-Ireland club champions will bid to become the last team into the hat for the group stages when they face neighbours Craughwell in the outstanding second round fixture at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday (5pm).
As for Castlegar, who were reduced to 13 men following the sending off of substitute Kevin Keane and Padraig O’Flynn deep into injury-time, Ger Farragher was their main contributor with six points from placed balls.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.