Champions Turloughmore made to work hard by underdogs

Turloughmore 2-15

Ardrahan 1-15

TURLOUGHMORE are into their third successive Minor A hurling final after they edged past Ardrahan in a captivating contest on Saturday afternoon. Turloughmore had five players who played in Galway’s All-Ireland semi-final last month and their extra quality was enough to just push them over the line.

The game got off to a bizarre start when Ardrahan’s Mark Buckley looked to pick out his goalkeeper with a sideline cut but his strike went dangerously close to his own goal before going out for a Turloughmore ’65. Buckley and Ardrahan regained their composure, however, and midfielder Stephen Whelan finished off a patient move to give his side the lead in the 3rd minute.

Turloughmore sparked to life after going behind and they popped over four points in three minutes, with Conor Shaughnessy very much to the fore. The full-forward was showing some delightful touches as he both scored and created points to give Turloughmore the lead early in the game.

With both sides taking the chances offered to them, the score was 0-5 to 0-4 in favour of Turloughmore after 12 minutes. Last year’s county champions then took a firm grip on proceedings with a goal midway through the half. Jamie Holland sent a long free towards the Ardrahan goal. The ball was only broken out as far as Conor Shaughnessy and, in an instant, the sliotar was nestling in the top corner and Turloughmore led by four points.

Shaughnessy added another point before his side were dealt a massive blow when the hugely influential Jamie Holland was forced off with an apparent ankle injury. Ardrahan took advantage of Turloughmore’s misfortune and by the time the half-time whistle went, points from Ciaran Fahy, Ciaran Murphy and Stephen Whelan had reduced the gap to a point, 1-7 to 0-9.

Another Ciaran Murphy point inside the first minute of the second period drew the sides level but Turloughmore then enjoyed a crucial five minute spell which set the foundation for their victory. Padraig Kearney got his third point of the contest before two excellent points in quick succession from midfielder Richard Doyle put his side three ahead.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.