Lazarus Loughrea are still standing thanks to Killeen

Clarinbridge 2-14

TIERNAN Killeen was the toast of Loughrea on Sunday evening after he almost single-handedly dragged the county senior hurling champions over the line at Kenny Park.

In all sorts of trouble against a flattering Clarinbridge outfit who they have enjoyed an Indian sign over in recent campaigns, Loughrea would not be still standing only for Killeen’s outstanding dozen points contribution.

Six of those were seven of the title holders’ last scores, underlining Killeen’s leadership during his team’s hour of greatest need in probably the least entertaining if still compelling of the weekend’s four quarter-finals in Athenry.

The outcome will haunt Clarinbridge, however. They appeared to have most of the heavy lifting done, leading 2-6 to 0-7 at the break having faced the wind, and when that advantage stretched to seven points in the 39th minute, it was almost impossible to see a way back for Loughrea.

But the Bridge suffered a severe dose of white-line fever in the final quarter when restricted to just three points, two of which came from Evan Niland frees. In blunt terms, they buckled in the face of Loughrea’s fierce commitment to keep their grip on the Tom Callanan Cup.

This was the most eagerly-anticipated tussle of the weekend’s two double bills at Kenny Park, but for long periods it was a stop-start physical affair which saw a couple of off-the-ball scraps and a plethora of yellow cards.

But the way the match was evolving suited Clarinbridge. Their hurling was sharper too, and the challengers were clearly prepared to rattle Loughrea’s cage by getting stuck in all over the field.

County player TJ Brennan was almost invincible, hunting down possession and galloping into Loughrea territory as though his life depended on the result. His colleagues were more than willing to follow Brennan’s example.

From the off, Loughrea were labouring, confirming the widespread prognosis that they “weren’t going great” this year. Despite having the elements, they didn’t score until the 13th minute when Killeen got them off the mark.

By that juncture, Clarinbridge had three points on the board from Mark Kennedy (two) and Evan Niland (free), but they really rocked the champions with a two-goal blast within the space of five minutes – both coming from Aaron Niland.

The first came via the penalty spot when the teenager roofed his effort past Gearoid Loughnane; before Niland displayed stunning stickwork when again rattling the net in the 21st minute from a cross by full-forward Cian Salmon.

Pictured: Clarinbridge's Joshua Ryan on the charge against Cullen Killeen of Loughrea during Sunday's Senior A hurling quarter-final at Kenny Park. Photos: David Cunniffe.