Ardrahan finish in blaze of glory to edge thriller

Ardrahan 1-18 – Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry   2-13

A breathtaking climax to Sunday’s entertaining senior hurling championship tie at Kenny Park saw Ardrahan pull off a thrilling escape to advance to the group stages of this year’s competition and consign pre-match favourites Tynagh/ Abbey-Duniry to the dreaded scrap to avoid relegation.

As the clock ticked beyond the hour mark the sides were level and a second day out looked a distinct possibility. Neither side seemed capable of victory as a flurry of chances to edge clear were being created and squandered. It was truly edge of the seat stuff for the partisan sets of supporters who understood how high the stakes were and dreaded the thought of defeat.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Iarla Tannian, who had only moments earlier held his head in his hands after snatching at an easier chance, fired over a point from 40 yards out on the right touchline to send the Ardrahan fans into raptures. It was a glorious score under the circumstances, but Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry, who were now behind for the first time in the contest, still had time to respond.

They managed to work a clear shooting chance in their next attack and it fell to their top scorer Pádraic Breheny but, agonisingly, his effort drifted narrowly to the right and wide. Ardrahan urged referee Christy Browne to blow for full time, but the play continued and Tynagh still held out hope until Ardrahan substitute Stephen Whelan fired over impressively to complete a thrilling turnaround.

Few in attendance would have thought such a comeback was possible following an explosive opening quarter from Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry, in which they raced into a 1-6 to 0-3 lead and looked more than capable of extending it further. Pádraic Breheny tore into the contest from the off, roaming across the half forward line and registering a hat trick of points before the six minute mark had passed. For more read this week’s Connacht Tribune.