Athenry come out on top in local derby against Turloughmore

It was a case of Déja-vu for the Turloughmore hurlers, as they suffered an unexpected opening round defeat after going into the championship as Division 1 league title winners. On this occasion, Athenry were the side to inflict the defeat at Kenny Park on Saturday, in what was a high scoring and entertaining contest.

After a compelling first 15 minutes, an eye catching scoreline saw Athenry lead by 2-5 to 2-0. Playing with the wind, Athenry midfielders Cillian Lawless and Ronan Hardiman tallied the opening two points, before a Seán Linnane goal got Turlough off the mark.

Lawless soon had his second point, before Turlough raised their second green flag, when Seán Loftus took a pass from Barry Callanan and blasted to the roof of the net. Athenry upped their game, adding 2-2 during the next five minutes. Jason Rabbitte fired home a terrific individual goal, before adding a point shortly after. Cian Hannon was quickest to react to a loose ball in the square for their second goal, while Cian Burke pointed a free.

Conor Walsh then got a badly needed point for Turlough to make it 2-5 to 2-1. The second quarter was more evenly contested, but Athenry shaded the scoring by 0-5 to 0-4. Rabbitte and Cian Hannon shot 0-2 each, while Eoin Hannon chipped in with a point.

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At the other end, Turlough stayed in touch with scores from Loftus, Cillian Whelan, Jamie Holland and Walsh (free). It left a five point margin between the teams at half-time, as the underdogs led by 2-10 to 2-5.

Athenry extended their lead soon after the resumption, with scores from Cian Hannon and Lawless. However, Turlough finally sparked into life and took over during the next fifteen minutes, tallying six consecutive points.

Loftus was on fire in attack and he sent over three excellent scores, while Linnane, Walsh (free) and Seán O’Hanlon all added points. The minimum separated the teams, but Athenry dominated the next ten minutes, outscoring Turlough by 0-7 to 0-4.

Burke (0-3, two frees), substitute Conor Lawless (0-2), Hardiman and Jack Carr (0-1 each), saw them stretch their lead. Turlough had scores at the other end from Holland, Walsh (‘65), Linnane, and O’Hanlon during the same spell.

At this juncture, Athenry led by 2-19 to 2-15, but Turlough soon rallied, scoring four consecutive points to draw level. Scores from Walsh (free), Linnane, and Eoghan Conneely left the minimum between the teams, before Loftus sent over the equaliser as the match entered injury time.

Athenry edged two points ahead thanks to scores from Lawless and Burke. A free from Walsh at the other end reduced the margin, but fittingly, the final score of the game came from Rabbitte. The county star nailed a marvellous effort from a difficult angle on the sideline to secure the spoils for Niall Sunderland’s charges.

The winners had impressive displays from Paddy Rabbitte, Shane Quirke, Cillian Lawless, Cian Hannon, Ronan Hardiman, Cian Burke, and the outstanding Jason Rabbitte. Turlough were best served by Darragh Walsh, Jamie Holland, Daithí Burke, Seán Linnane, Seán O’Hanlon (second half), and Seán Loftus, who was superb on the day.

Athenry: P. Rabbitte; M. Hardiman, S. Quirke, C. Burke; C. Hardiman, E. Lawless, A. McDonagh; Cillian Lawless (0-4), R. Hardiman (0-2); J. Carr (0-1), J. Rabbitte (1-4), S. Brady; E. Hannon (0-1), C. Burke (0-5, 0-3 frees), C. Hannon (1-3). Subs: Conor Lawless (0-2) for Brady (44), N. McCarthy for E. Hannon (44).

Turloughmore: D. Walsh; D. Loftus, C. Trayers, B. Connolly; J. Holland (0-2), D. Burke, K. Hussey; D. Whelan, T. Quirke; C. Walsh (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65), S. O’Hanlon (0-2), C. Whelan (0-1); S. Loftus (1-5), B. Callanan, S. Linnane (1-3). Subs: L. Williams for Connolly (35), M. Tarpey for C. Whelan (40), E. Conneely (0-1) for D. Whelan (57), J. Kelly for Hussey (58).

Referee: Conor Quinlan.