Connacht unable to master rivals at O55 men’s interpros

Connacht men’s Masters hockey team had a challenging weekend in Lisnagarvey Hockey Club at the Over-55 Men’s Masters Interprovincial Hockey tournament. Travelling north without their midfield general, Neil Kearns, they always knew that they would be up against it – Kearns, from Circular Road in the city, saw action with the Ireland Masters Over 55s in Italy recently, and his absence was a big blow to the westerners.

First up on Saturday morning was a tough battle with Ulster, who ran out convincing winners, despite a superb display in goals from Martin White and tough defending by Sean O’Fiachain.

Connacht lost Pat Boylan to injury and were down to just two substitutes for the two remaining matches. With very warm, energy-sapping weather, this shortage of fresh legs on the bench was to prove costly for the men of the west.

Next up was a highly competitive Leinster team, featuring Rob Johnson of Roundstone, currently training with Galway Hockey Club, but whose home club is Three Rock Rovers in Dublin.

Glencorrib’s Alan Stephens gave a tremendous performance in midfield; while his brother-in-law, Mike Swan, opened Connacht’s account in the second quarter with a skillful tap from a nearly impossible angle, despite intense pressure from the Leinster keeper.

Leinster, however, managed to reach the interval 2-1 ahead. Another super strike from Mike Swan gave Connacht some hope, but the boys in blue closed out a 5-2 victory.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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