Turloughmore eventually shake off Ardrahan in Galway SHC
Turloughmore picked up their second victory in Group Four, when overcoming a spirited effort from Ardrahan 0-20 to 0-13 on Sunday afternoon in Athenry, to finish the group in second place.
Ardrahan’s second defeat of the championship saw them finish in third to also qualify for the knockout stages.
In a game played in very difficult conditions, with torrential rain falling throughout the first-half in particular, an attritional contest played out in Kenny Park. Ultimately, Turloughmore were the side to produce more quality when the game opened-up in the second period and deservedly took the spoils.
Playing without the suspended Cianan Fahy, Ardrahan registered the first two scores of the game, through Sean Gardiner and Donagh Fahy (free). Barry Callanan opened Turlough’s account at the other end, before a Cian Callanan score restored Ardrahan’s two point lead.
Three frees from Conor Walsh had Turlough ahead by the twentieth minute, before a Gearoid Giblin score at the other end made it 0-4 apiece. The sides exchanged 0-2 each during the next seven minutes, as the contest remained on an even keel.
Daniel Madden and an excellent individual effort from Seán O’Hanlon kept the scoreboard ticking for Turlough; while Ardrahan responded with two converted frees from Donagh Fahy.
Two impressive scores from Séan Loftus before half time sent Eoin Brislane’s charges into the interval ahead on a 0-8 to 0-6 scoreline.
Turlough asserted themselves impressively in the first five minutes of the second half, as they outscored Ardrahan by 0-3 to 0-1. Loftus, Madden, and O’Hanlon sent over quality points, as the strength of the wind began to tell. Sean Gardiner kept Ardrahan in touch with his second, to leave three points between the teams.
The next 10minutes saw the sides exchange 0-3 apiece. Walsh (two, one free) and Matthew Tarpey tallied for Turlough; while scores from Darach Fahy (free), Iain Lynskey, and Enda Gardiner kept the south Galway side within touching distance.
Enda Gardiner’s second point and Donagh Fahy’s fourth free left the score at 0-14 to 0-12 with 10 minutes to play. However, Turlough found another gear, and outscored Ardrahan by 0-6 to 0-1 during the remainder of the contest.
Walsh (three frees), O’Hanlon, Tom Quirke, and Dara Whelan showed their quality with scores from a variety of angles and distances.
Ardrahan’s sole score during the last 10 minutes was a point from Enda Gardiner, bringing his personal tally to three for the afternoon. However, Turlough’s greater spread of scorers told in the game’s decisive minutes, as they ran out seven point winners.
Turloughmore: D Walsh; E Conneely, C Trayers, D Loftus; J Holland, D Burke, L Williams; D Whelan (0-1), T Quirke (0-1); C Walsh (0-8, 0-7f), S O’Hanlon (0-3), S Loftus (0-3); D Madden (0-2), B Callanan (0-1), M Tarpey (0-1). Subs: E O’Loinsigh for Madden (41mins), A O’Shaughnessy for Tarpey (56mins), J Kelly for Conneely (60mins).
Ardrahan: Darach Fahy (0-1f); C Cosgrove, M Walsh, J Bourke; B O’Connor, L Forde, G Forde; C Callanan (0-1), Donagh Fahy (0-4f); A O’Flynn, I Lynskey (0-1), S Gardiner (0-2); E Gardiner (0-3), J Kennedy, G Giblin (0-1). Subs: G Fitzmaurice for G Forde (55mins), C Brennan for Bourke (60mins).
Referee: John Keane.