Loughrea get a timely boost with comfortable league win

Loughrea 1-15

Tommy Larkins 1-10

Ivan Smyth at Duggan Park

LOUGHREA were crowned Division One hurling league champions as they secured a confidence boosting win ahead of the county championship at Duggan Park on Saturday evening.

The winners will be pleased to bring some momentum in to the white heat of championship battle. Loughrea were comfortable for long stages of this game and withstood some late scares to secure silverware. Tommy Larkins know that this defeat will matter little ahead of a huge opening round of games next month.

Jason Flynn saw an injury time penalty tipped over the bar while the centre forward was also thwarted by opposition goalkeeper Gearoid Loughnane from a 20m free in stoppage time. With Johnny Coen not seeing any action, Loughrea’s defence held up well without the experienced inter-county player as they conceded just 1-6 from play during the game.

Although both sides were eager to secure the win, it felt at times they were hoping to escape the contest without any injuries or knocks to key players. Although the damp conditions in Ballinasloe did little to help, the first touch for both sides was lacking at different stages during this scrappy encounter as these rivals seek to fine tune their preparations for the weekend of September 12.

Loughrea looked the sharper side in the opening half, but a moment of quality play from Jason Flynn on the 20th minute mark helped his side move in front. The county player broke out of a ruck with possession and glided past three Loughrea defenders before setting up Colm Flynn, who fired an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net. This goal seemed to galvanise Loughrea as they fired seven of the final eight scores in the first half as they secured a four point lead at half time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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