Late Keogh strike settles issue in Athenry’s favour

Beagh 0-18

NOEL Keogh was the hero last Saturday after his goal in the 60th minute proved to be the vital score as Athenry overcame Beagh in their championship opener. In a contest that was nip and tuck in the final ten minutes, Athenry nicked 1-1 at the death to get their campaign off to the perfect start.

Athenry manager Diarmuid Burns would probably have been disappointed had his side left Loughrea with anything other than a win. They led by five points heading into the final quarter and should probably have been ahead by more. While he won’t be happy his players let Beagh back into the contest, he can take heart that his side recovered when things looked to be going against them.

After just come through a relegation battle last year, Beagh would have been keen to get some early momentum in this year’s competition but, having come back strongly in the second half, Nigel Harrington’s side were left with nothing to show for their work.

Both sides took little time in getting out of the blocks but it was Athenry who were that bit more efficient in the opening exchanges. Ronan Hardiman got them off the mark with a good score from the right wing and while Evan Hunt opened Beagh’s account, a brace of scores from Paddy Hannon had Athenry 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after just three minutes.

Two points from Rory and Joe Gantley drew Beagh back level by the sixth minutes but scores came that bit easier to Athenry. Hardiman’s second of the day, followed by scores from Conor Burke and Mark Hannon opened up a three point gap between the sides, 0-6 to 0-3, by the quarter hour.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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