Larkins finish in a blaze of glory to oust Athenry men
Tommy Larkins 1-19
Athenry 0-15
STEPHEN GLENNON IN LOUGHREA
A return of 1-3 in injury-time booked Tommy Larkins’ passage through to the county SHC quarter-finals — where they will meet champions St. Thomas’ — but their manager Ciaran Fahy will realise that there must be improvement if the Woodford/Ballinakill outfit are to advance any further.
It may be unfair on Tommy Larkins to commence with a negative, given there was a great deal they did well in the contest. Yet, one of the talking points of this riveting tie was the victors’ failure to score over a 17-minute period in the second half.
By this stage, Fahy’s men had led 0-16 to 0-13 and, on the balance of play, looked good for the win. However, Athenry had determinedly clung to Larkins’ coat-tails throughout and when Cillian Lawless and Cian Burke (free) hit two points on the bounce on 47 and 50 minutes, it left a single point between the sides.
Over the ensuing 10 minutes, Athenry created four clear-cut scoring chances — as opposed to Tommy Larkins’ one — but Diarmuid Burns men were unable to gain parity. Burke hit the post with an effort over his shoulder; Paddy Hannon was bravely blocked down by Cathal Tuohy; and Burke (free) and Ronan Hardiman struck two wides.
From a neutral perspective, it would have been interesting to see how both teams would have responded had Athenry drawn level. Instead, the litany of spurned opportunities deflated Athenry, who will rue what might have been, and roused Tommy Larkins from their afternoon siesta.
In full-time injury-time, Jason Flynn hit two points (free and play) before Ronan Murphy — who continues to impress and looks like he might be a future Galway senior hurler — pounced for an outstanding goal. Flynn, with a sublime stick-pass, found David Hickey who released Murphy for the coolest of finishes.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.