Hurling
An Spidéal spring shock in junior final
An Spidéal 1-10
Ballygar 1-7
Despite playing a division below their opponents, it was An Spidéal who were crowned Junior 1 champions in Pearse Stadium last Saturday evening. Trailing Ballygar 1-4 to 0-3 at half time, the Connemara men emerged victorious thanks to a number of inspired displays from throughout their ranks in the final 30 minutes.
Manager Pádraig Ó Curraoin had three sons, Micheál, Seán and Pádraig Eoin, lining out for An Spidéal and their performances were instrumental to their sides victory, with Micheál Ó Curraoin, in particular, excelling at centre back. Ó Curraoin came up with a number of hugely important tackles and catches as his side dominated their opponents in the second half.
It was Ballygar who settled into the game quicker as An Spidéal spurned some of the early opportunities that came their way. Points from Stephen Lohan and Conall Greally gave the North Galway team a 0-2 to 0-1 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
An Spidéal’s slow start continued and they were made to pay when Eric Walsh got the game’s first goal in the 12th minute. Shane Harkin’s puck-out found the Ballygar captain 45m out from the An Spidéal goal and Walsh was allowed to bear down on goal unchallenged before dispatching the ball past Micheal Ó Duinn with a low shot from close range.
An Spidéal were soon five points down as Stephen Lohan converted a free and things were looking bleak for the Gaeltacht side. Thankfully for them and their supporters, An Spidéal got a foothold in the game when, on two occasions, direct running from Pádraig Eoin Ó Curraoin resulted in frees, both of which were converted by the captain, Fergal Ó Mainín.
Two minutes into added time, Dermot Shaughnessy’s point extended Ballygar’s lead to four, 1-4 to 0-3, as the sides went in at half time. With chances being at a premium in the opening 30 minutes, Ballygar’s lead was deserved, especially as An Spidéal’s failed to score from play in the first half. Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.