Ahascragh / Fohenagh produce strong finish in long delayed final

Date Published: {J}

Ahascragh-Fohenagh 1-17

An Spidéal 1-9

Gordon Duane in Ballinasloe

A storming second-half performance ensured Ahascragh-Fohenagh secured victory over a talented and determined An Spideal side in this county U-21 C hurling final at Duggan Park on Sunday.

In fact, the final scoreline doesn’t truly reflect An Spideal’s effort as they went toe to toe with their counterparts only to be overpowered and outscored by 1-7 to a point in the closing 20 minutes of the game.

This was in no small part due to the performances of the youthful trio of Luke Cosgrove and brothers Padraic and Cathal Mannion, with Cathal finishing the game with a man of the match performance, shooting ten points, six from frees, over the hour.

Ahascragh-Fohenagh opened brightly with three points in a row from John Finnerty and two Cathal Mannion frees, but efforts from Cillian O hEochaidh and a Sean O Curraoin free from his own 65 left just a point between them by the 9th minute.

The impressive Shane Smyth and Cathal Mannion extended the East Galway side’s lead to three points as both sides took advantage of the unseasonal good conditions. An Spideal then came right into the game with three frees from county minor panelist O hEochaidh (two) and a Sean O Curraoin effort to draw the teams level. With An Spideal now in the ascendancy and defenders Einne O hEochaidh and Stiofan O Fatharta clearing their lines manfully, it was now creating opportunities up front.

On 21 minutes, Thomas O Fatharta soloed through the Ahascaragh-Fohenagh defence, and despite being hooked twice, found the net at the third attempt to the delight of the Spideal supporters who made the long trip to Ballinalsoe. O Fatharta added a point on 23 minutes for the Connemara side to lead by four, 1-6 to 0-5.

But Ahascaragh-Fohenagh finished the half well, with Shane Smyth and Cathal Mannion combining to create scores for each other and after Cillian O hEochaidh pointed a free on 27 minutes, Cathal Mannion added two late points, one a free, to cut the deficit to a point at half time, An Spideal leading 1-7 to 0-9.

Within a minute of the restart, Ahascaragh-Fohenagh were level when centre back Luke Cosgrove soloed up from his position and took an excellent point.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.