‘Bridge collapse in first round upset

Date Published: 01-May-2008

NEWLY promoted Tommie Larkins brought off the first shock — although not a major one — of this year’s Safety Direct Senior Hurling Championship when they proved too strong for a Clarinbridge side that never stopped trying in the second game of Saturday evening’s double bill at Loughrea.

The loss through injury of Paul Coen, Eoin Forde and Alan Kerins who suffered a hand injury in Galway’s League final against Tipperary was a big blow to manager Gerry Spelman and his selectors, but his county colleague David Forde was present as was Mark Kerins who many pundits feel is unlucky not to be still involved with them.

Tommie Larkins were in no mood to stand around admiring reputations though and they never looked back once Barry Shiel connected with a long Paul Flynn delivery and drove to the net with only 15 seconds gone.

The side beaten in last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate final showed an admirable passion and work ethic all through although they had to withstand some fierce ‘Bridge pressure late on.

Now looking a stronger team than the one that immediately returned to the intermediate ranks two years ago after winning promotion in 2005, they quickly seized the initiative after that early goal as points by Eamon Hayes (long free), Gerard Kelly and Paddy Moroney gave them a 1-3 to 0-0 lead. The deficit was cut though when slack defending allowed David Donoghue in for an easy goal.

Undaunted, Larkins…………..