Experience is the key as Loughrea edge rough clash

Date Published: 02-May-2012

Loughrea 0-16

Athenry 1-11

STEPHEN GLENNON AT KENNY PARK

Loughrea produced one of their trademark performances, using all their experience in the process, to account for a youthful Athenry side in this teak-tough senior championship first round encounter at Kenny Park on Sunday evening.

Although a number of young players have also broken into the Loughrea starting XV in recent times, the Town has continued to hold onto their core group of exponents and, consequently, have been able to embrace the same principles that secured them a county title in 2006.

No doubt, Loughrea have a superb ability to keep a contest tight, with their defence standing tall to a man, while, up front, they can conjure up scores out of the tightest of situations. Indeed, with the likes of Johnny Maher, Johnny O’Loughlin and now Johnny Coen leading the offensive lines, they have players who can bend and flex a game to their choosing.

This was evident throughout, particularly in the closing quarter when the game had to be won. By this time, Athenry had hauled themselves back into contention after Shane Donohue latched onto a sideline cut from his twin brother David to net the contest’s only goal.

The score put Athenry into the lead, 1-9 to 0-11, heading into the final quarter but Loughrea had been so commanding and efficient in their duties right throughout the tie that, as a result, it was difficult to see them losing this one.

As it was, the versatile Gavin Keary played a captain’s role when hitting the equaliser on 51 minutes and in the closing minutes Loughrea gathered momentum to further outscore their rivals four points to two.

O’Loughlin, substitute Jamie Ryan – a lively addition when introduced – and Maher (play and free) all landed the crucial scores for the Town while wing-forward Sean Glynn and midfielder Mark Hannon were the only two players to offer the ripostes for their side.

Two points may have been the margin in the end but that was simply because Loughrea dictated it so. They never see the merit, really, of indulging in a shoot-out when they have the power, structure and temperament to eke out results. Like it or not, it’s a winning formula.

In any event, there was little to separate the sides from early on. Sean Glynn (free), midfielder Mark Hannon and Shane Donohue all tallied points for a keen Athenry outfit in a lively opening quarter, but these were duly cancelled out by similar efforts from Sean Sweeney, Maher (free) and O’Loughlin.

Athenry could have registered an opening goal as early as the sixth minute when Conor Cannon broke through the Loughrea cover, however, Town custodian Nigel Murray was equal to the effort and repelled the danger.

It was Eamonn Kelly’s charges who got stronger and stronger as the half progressed. Kenneth Colleran and O’Loughlin – operating as a third midfielder, by coincidence or design – kept the scoreboard ticking over for their side and this was an advantage they maintained until the half-time break as Maher (free and play) and Coen traded points with Glynn (three frees) in the closing stages.

In fairness to Athenry, they looked to make good use of the wind early in the second period and quickly overhauled Loughrea’s 0-8 to 0-6 half-time lead. Glynn clipped over two frees on 37 and 38 minutes before Conor Cannon shot the lead score a minute later.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.