Connacht Tribune

Galway outfit unable to find a way past inspired opposition goalkeeper

Published

3 years ago

on

Pictured at the presentation of the 1996 Athenry championship winning Jubilee team at half time during the County Final at Pearse Stadium on Sunday were, back row, left to right: Orla Barrett, daughter of medic Noreen Hanley RIP, Kerril Hanlon, Secretary, Leo Coffey, treasurer, Declan Higgins, Paul Hardiman, Diarmuid Burns, Billy Caulfield, Aidan Poniard, Cathal Moran, David Howley, John Conway, John Hardiman, Gerry Keane, Brian Feeney, Joe Rabbitte, Brian Hanley, Dara Burke, Gerry Dempsey, Liam Howley, representing his father Tom, Selector. Front row: Michael Barrett, grandson of medic Noreen Hanley RIP, Jack O’Shea, Selector, Colin Byrne, Pat Nally, Trainer, PJ Molloy, Manager, John Feeney, Brendan Keogh, Brian Higgins, Eamonn Keogh , Mickey Crimmins, Donal Moran, Pascal Healy, Pat Hession and Darren Higgins, representing his father Pat. Unavoidably absent at the event on Sunday were Eugene Cloonan, Aidan Cahill, Dermot Monoghan, Liam Hoyne, Emmet Caulfield and Mike Quinn, Chairman. The late Paddy Conway was also a selector with the team in 1996.

KILMEENA   1-14

ATHENRY     0-7

Gerard Mulreaney in Bekan

ATHENRY’S involvement in their first ever Connacht club football championship ended after they were comprehensively beaten by Mayo’s Kilmeena at the semi-final stage of the Junior title race in Bekan on Sunday.

Having earned the right to represent the county following a play-off win over Renvyle, Athenry never really looked like taking advantage of the opportunity as a goal and four points in a ten-minute spell just before half-time sealed the victory for the Mayo champions.

In front of a decent crowd on a crisp sunny day, Kilmeena got off to the better start. They opened up a three-point lead after just five minutes, all three scores coming from marks, with John McGlynn, Conor Madden and Darragh Keavney finding the target.

Full-forwards Damien Fahy and Com Flynn dropped deep for Athenry as they tried to stifle the attacking threat of Keavney, Sean Ryder and McGlynn, which only ended up giving Kilmeena the opportunity to build numerous attacks from the back.

Damien Fahy sent over a free kick for Athenry’s first score on five minutes. Ryan O’Shaughnessey then took on and beat Conor Madden to send over a fine score as they slowly got themselves back into the game. O’Shaughnessey then hit the upright with a free moments later as they looked to level the scores.

Despite the presence of Thomas Flynn in the centre of the park, Athenry were struggling to gain a foothold in the game as Kevin Ryder and Mayo senior panelist Jack Carney took control. When Flynn did get on the ball early on, he looked for quick long balls into the forwards, but the Kilmeena full-back line of Paddy Keane, John Keane and Chris McGlynn snuffed out any danger.

John Ryan was causing Athenry numerous problems, striding forward with menace, and he linked up with Jack Carney to find corner-forward Neil Duffy to score.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Related Topics:

Trending

Exit mobile version