High flying Padraig Pearses just do enough in academic fixture with limited Larkins

Padraig Pearses  1-15  Tommy Larkins  0-11

Darren Kelly in Loughrea

THERE may have been just pride for place last Sunday as Group D’s conclusion in the senior championship was been settled elsewhere, but it still took Padraig Pearses until the final quarter to secure maximum points on their way to the knock-out stages.

Level at 0-10 apiece, Padraig Pearses’ Tomas Flannery and Tommy Larkins’ Jason Flynn were having their own individual scoring contest before Flannery served the crucial aces with four consecutive points to give his side an advantage. And with three minutes remaining, Emmet Ward, who hadn’t started because of a hand injury, showed his ground skills to telling effect. His first effort was well stopped by Cathal Tuohy but the rebound only led to the umpire reaching for the green flag.

It was an opportunity for some other players to sample championship hurling and the Gurteen/Ballymacward outfit even rested Cyril Donnellan, but it was evident early enough that Tommy Larkins hadn’t given up hope of rescuing one win from a very disappointing season.

Flynn, in particular, seized his chance to showcase his talents as four points from him by the 26th minute ensured the teams were level at 0-4 apiece coming near the break. Flannery had already looked primed to make his contribution with two early minors and while a third was registered, he had assistance from Robbie Donnellan who also found the target.

But when Padraig Pearses finished the half strongly thanks to two more Flannery points and further scores from Colm Raftery and Sean Hardiman, they looked in a commanding 0-8 to 0-4 lead especially after a Donnellan run nearly gave them a goal only for Tuohy to make the stop.

Tommy Larkins came close to their own goal earlier in the half when a move involving Conor Nevin, Stephen Page and Darragh Kelly saw Fearghal Flannery making the save, but the Woodford outfit got back into proceedings on the restart.

Flynn converted a free in the 32nd minute before Page reduced arrears to two. Niall Kelly got his point shortly afterwards and when Flynn scored again on 37 minutes, the teams were level for the fourth time.  They were equal twice more by the three-quarter mark with Flynn troubling the umpires twice and Flannery being joined by Cormac Ward in cancelling out those scores.