Craughwell and Athenry in hunt for critical wins

Date Published: 04-Jun-2009

ELECTION fever might be in the air, but Galway hurling’s own form of ‘proportional representation’ – which ensures that 16 of the 20 senior teams go through to the knock-out stages – has certainly taken the sting out of the senior hurling championship matches at this time of year.

There are seven games down for decision this weekend, including two double headers at Athenry, a double bill at Loughrea on Sunday afternoon, and a clash between a struggling Killimordaly side and Castlegar at Pearse Stadium.

An eighth game, between Sarsfields and St. Thomas’, has been postponed due to the tragic death of St. Thomas’ midfielder Barry Burke in a freak work-related accident last week. The 26-year old was a hugely popular figure at the South Galway club, as reflected in the huge attendance at his Requiem Mass on Bank Holiday Monday.

The tie of the weekend is perhaps the local derby between Clarinbridge and Kinvara at Athenry on Sunday evening, while…