Castlegar hurlers just do enough

Castlegar hurlers took a step closer to securing their senior status when accounting for Kiltormer in their relegation play-off tie in Loughrea on Sunday.

Cashel held their nerve to run out 1-16 to 0-16, although the city side will be disappointed that they did not push on and kill off the game having held solid leads on a number of occasions.

A Jason O’Gorman goal midway through the first half proved to be the crucial score in the contest and, indeed, it looked as if Castlegar were in a comfortable position when leading 1-9 to 0-7 at the change of ends.

They continued to push on in the third quarter, extending their advantage by racing into a 1-13 to 0-8 lead, but for some inexplicable reason, the victors then lost their way as Kiltormer mounted a serious comeback by hitting five unanswered points, including a fine effort from centre half-back Keith Kilkenny.

Points, though, from Ger Farragher (free) and substitute Brian Fahy steadied the Castlegar ship as they secured an invaluable victory heading into their remaining relegation group clash against Kinvara this weekend.

Also joining the relegation dog-fight this weekend is Liam Mellows, who have the difficult assignment of facing a Padraig Pearse outfit buoyed by their 2-13 to 0-18 play-off victory over 2012/13 All-Ireland club champions St. Thomas’ last Saturday.

At the other end of the spectrum, 2013 county finalists Portumna and Loughrea will once again locks horns after they were pitted against each other following the quarter-final draw on Sunday evening.

Reigning All-Ireland club champions Portumna were 2-17 to 1-13 winners over Athenry in their group game on Saturday while Loughrea enjoyed a 0-24 to 1-10 victory over a Mullagh side who were out of the championship running heading into this fixture on the same evening.

The remaining quarter-final ties – all of which take place on the weekend of September 27-28 – sees Gort take on Killimordaly, Ardrahan meeting Turloughmore and Craughwell facing Tommy Larkins.