Fahy on target as Athenry advance

THOUGH their league form might not be anything to write home about, the defence of the Michael Byrne Cup is important to Athenry and on Sunday last in the quarter-final at Moanbawn, they had to pull out all the stops to see off Hibernians by 4-3 following extra time.

They suffered the concession of an opening minute goal as Ronan Caldwell notched the first of his hat trick, before assists by Gary O’Donnell and Paddy Quinn helped set up Cathal Fahy to score twice and get the home side in front.

Caldwell came to the visitors rescue to level matters at 2-2 and matters got worse for the home side as they lost the experienced Fahy and Declan Cullen to injury. While some of their longer serving players, who have served the club well down the years, have gradually retired, a new younger generation are trying to bed in.

The likes of Dara Murphy, Keith Loughnane and Dermot O’Halloran are trying to make their mark and Sunday’s contest was as difficult as they come. They maintained their edge when Gary O’Donnell put them 3-2 ahead, but four minutes from time Caldwell rescued the city side once more to complete his trio. The tie was eventually sorted in extra time when Quinn availed of an opportunity in a goalmouth scramble to secure the winner.

In the semi final, Athenry wiil meet near neighbours St Bernard’s. The Abbeyknockmoy outfit had to work hard for a 3-2 away win over Corrib Celtic, with Jonathan Keane heading home a Matt Finn corner for a second half winner.

Full wrap up in this week’s Connacht Tribune.