Pearses book last eight spot in county title race

Pádraig Pearses                2-11

Beagh 0-14

Alan Dooley in Kenny Park

Few if any pundits would have predicted earlier in the year that Pádraig Pearses and Ardrahan would be the first two names in the hat for the Galway senior hurling championship quarter-finals, yet that is now the case after Saturday’s action, Pearses grabbing their spot thanks to a deserved victory over Beagh, who still harbour hopes of a place in the last eight.

On a cold, blustery evening in Kenny Park, these two sides played out a frenetic encounter which may have lacked something in the finer aspects of the game, but was brimful of passion and commitment. Neither side gave away an easy inch to the man in possession, and although tempers occasionally threatened to boil over, thankfully peace was maintained.

In the end, Pádraig Pearses won this tie thanks to a blistering start in which they cannily used wind advantage to open up a five point lead, and while Beagh regained composure and kept the tie interesting for the remainder, they only fleetingly got within two points near the end.

Having been denied by two excellent Fearghal Flannery saves in the first half, thereafter they rarely threatened the goal that could truly have changed the course of the match.

While Gary Lally’s first half goal gave Pearses momentum, it was goalkeeper Flannery’s crisp strike to the roof of the net from the penalty spot three minutes after the break that – increasing the victors lead to six – truly gave John Raftery’s side belief. Beagh, while capable from distance with the wind at their backs, could not find a way to penetrate the Pearses full-back line to alter the outcome.

Cyril Donnellan’s indifferent form at inter-county level mattered not a jot at this venue, as he easily topped the scoring chart from play in tricky shooting conditions. While three points came from his stick in the opening half when Pearses were going well, the most important score and sign of genuine class came when Beagh were on a roll and Donnellan popped up in the left corner to guide over a scintillating score.

He began the game at midfield, though, roaming forward at will and quickly firing over a brace before the 10 minute mark to put his side ahead after Beagh’s Kevin Keehan and Pearses’ Tomás Flannery both pointed from placed balls. In the 12th minute, a high, raking Pearses clearance used the wind to full effect, and Tomás Flannery did excellently in the left corner to set up Lally, whose ground stroke fizzed to the net.

While Beagh’s Joe Gantley was a subdued figure until the latter stages of the half, he did have a goal chance soon after which, although from an acute angle, forced Fearghal Flannery into a smart stop. Keehan and Tomás Flannery both knocked over ’65s on 18 and 20 minutes respectively, before Pádraic Landers smart effort cut the Pearses lead to four points.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.