Castlegar juniors make no mistake in county final

CASTLEGAR 0-15

MEELICK/EYRECOURT 0-12

CASTLEGAR created history at Kenny Park last Sunday by claiming a fifth County Junior A hurling title becoming the first side to do so at the grade.

A torrential shower hit Athenry ten minutes before throw-in, forcing the reasonable crowd in attendance to scamper for cover and it put a real damper on proceedings. Because of the heavy rain fall, conditions throughout were exceptionally difficult for both sets of players and in turn the game overall became quite a scrappy affair.

Throughout the 60 minutes, Castlegar were a much better side and no one could argue with the result in the end. Despite the poor underfoot conditions, they seemed the more capable side in terms of attack and limiting the threat posed by Meelick-Eyrecourt’s forwards. They won the majority of the 50/50 battles throughout the field and when conditions are tough, this will so often get you over the line.

For Meelick-Eyrecourt, it was a disappointing end in their bid to claim a first ever Junior A title. However, the club has had a year of real progress, with the highlight being winning the Minor B championship, their first minor title since 1964. They were also crowned Under-16 champions this year, winning a second title at the grade in three years – so there are signs of real progression from within the club.

To contest a Junior A final whilst still being an intermediate club is quite an impressive feat from what is a relatively small club. Meelick-Eyrecourt  are coming as a force and given the talent emerging from their ranks, their short-term aim of regaining senior status could certainly be achieved in the not too distant future.

However, last Sunday was all about the men from the city. Castlegar are a club that hold a proud hurling tradition and have enjoyed an abundance of glory in the past, despite some lean times in recent years. Success breeds success all the same and Castlegar will have their eyes fixed on adding to their prestigious coffers in the coming years and this victory won’t have done the club’s confidence any harm whatsoever.

Castlegar, in similar fashion to their semi-final victory over Craughwell, were first to score and once again never fell behind during the game upon doing so. The first half was a pretty evenly fought contest with both teams adjusting to the conditions as well as their opponents. Joey Healy landed a point after just 40 seconds and this was added to by their scorer-in-chief, Damien Geraghty, two minutes later.

Trevor Moran opened the Meelick-Eyrecourt account with a free on the fourth minute, before Shaun Corcoran and Owen Downey exchanged points for their respective sides. Moran then notched his second of the day to draw the side’s level, but Damien Geraghty, like he has done so often this year, edged his side back in front with a long-range free.

Peter Stones then had one of the very few goal chances in the game. He collected a high ball from a long distance free, he spun his man and flashed the ball just over the crossbar to level the sides. Once more, inches lower and it would have been a certain goal. Geraghty and Moran pointed a free apiece for their sides to level the game on a scoreline of five points each at the midway point of the opening half.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.