Coen is the main man

Three of the last four clubs to win the county title must now go down the qualifier route with several intriguing matches likely, but Gort will know that a victory could have been registered.

While Gort were sluggish initially, they had enough of the play in the third quarter to cause a mild surprise. Loughrea, hung on in there, and concluded the hour with a flourish as Johnny Maher’s sweet late goal decorated the success.

Overall Loughrea were probably the more rounded outfit even if Gort had the chances to punish them after the restart. During that spell Gort had Loughrea pinned back, but they couldn’t inflict sufficient damage. Loughrea regained their composure and 1-2 without reply late on ensured they avoided a potentially dangerous back door assignment.

Considering that Loughrea and Gort have been classed as serious contenders at this level for most of the last decade, the hour was miserably short on excitement and incident. It won’t matter a jot to Loughrea, who left Athenry content that their business had been taken care of.  They were prompted throughout by Johnny Coen, who was by a considerable distance the most influential hurler on view.

Six minutes in Loughrea custodian Nigel Murray made a smart save from a Michael Mullins penalty following an Oisin Coyle foul on Richie Cummins. A Gort goal at that stage would surely have posed questions of Loughrea’s resolve, but they were solid and for the rest of the contest never looked like leaking a major.

Ultimately the opening period was about the enterprise of Coen, who drilled four delightful long range points. Coen was the standout talent as Loughrea went in 0-9 to 0-7 ahead following a surprisingly tame start.

Lacking intensity, Loughrea shaded proceedings even if Gort were always in contention. Gort were a little bit more efficient in the first half as Loughrea only posted nine points from 17 opportunities. Several of those efforts were wasteful shots from awkward angles as Loughrea could have been further in front, but it was a tale of Gort’s inaccuracy when the action recommenced.

In the opening 20 minutes, Loughrea were on top with Coen gathering plenty of ball and then using it wisely. Neil Keary was striking the frees adequately too so Gort were under duress even though Aidan Harte and Michael Mullins (two frees) clipped points from them.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.