O Briain’s hat-trick helps to get An Cheathrú Rua home

An Cheathrú Rua 4-8

Oileáin Árainn 3-8

John O’Sullivan in Spiddal

AN Cheathrú Rua claimed Division 2 football title glory with a narrow win over Oileáin Árainn in a goal-fest in Spiddal on Saturday last.

A hat-trick of goals from Stiofan O Briain and a penalty from Padraic O Loideain provided the foundation for victory for the Connemara men for whom the league title was the latest positive in an encouraging few weeks.

A victory over Leitir Mor in a relegation play off secured Carraroe’s senior championship status and this final victory bookended what was at times a difficult season. Likewise, Oileáin Árainn retained their intermediate championship berth with a victory over Clifden and both teams played in a manner that indicated that the pressure was off their shoulders.

With the remnants of storm Lorenzo battering the pitch in Spiddal, you would have been forgiven for assuming the game would have been cagey and the weather – with bucketing rain and a gusting wind – would have put skillsets under a pressure that engendered tactical conservatism.

However, both teams committed to attacking football and right from the first whistle, the gauntlet was thrown down by An Cheathrú Rua.

O Briain, a towering forward, was the senior club’s attacking talisman throughout and after barely a minute he won a penalty for his team. Dropping deep to collect the ball, O Briain began a powerful run towards goal – building up a head of steam like a freight train – and only a foul stopped him in his tracks. Referee Ronan McNulty was in no doubts about awarding the penalty and O Loideain, as cool as a breeze, calmly slotted the spot kick in the bottom right corner to open the scoring.

The Islanders reacted strongly and Tyler O Flaithearta added a long range point and began the tit for tat scoring patterm that was the prominent feature of the game.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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