Ryan’s two late points prove the difference for Loughrea

Loughrea 0-24

Sarsfields 0-18

Darren Kelly in Duggan Park

Drama couldn’t be scripted as perfectly as this epic tale last Sunday in the senior hurling championship as Loughrea advanced to the preliminary quarter-finals at the expense of a Sarsfields outfit who were unbeaten leading into this final tie.

As Tommy Larkins were putting Oranmore/Maree to the sword in the other Senior A Group 3 fixture, it became apparent that only one qualification slot was available between these two mid-east county rivals.

Loughrea needed to win by five to overtake their opponents on scoring difference but despite holding that advantage earlier; they were shading a 0-15 to 0-14 advantage on the three quarter mark.

The final 15 minutes threw around so many twists and turns that it was near nigh impossible to keep up. Anthony Burns put the Town two ahead but the New Inn/Bullaun team replied through a Niall Morrissey free.

Then came arguably the game’s most telling period, even if not the most dramatic. Dylan Shaughnessy and Jamie Ryan made it 0-18 to 0-15 on 51 minutes before the latter set up Neil Keary to put four between them.

Now the table was dangling, dancing if you will, as the slots shifted in quick succession. Burns’ point on 55 minutes allowed Loughrea reach the magic five-point margin, Alex Connaire responded to put Sarsfields back in control.

On 57 minutes, it was Ryan’s turn to split the posts but again Sarsfields found a way as Morrissey’s free left them 0-21 to 0-17 behind with two minutes of normal time remaining.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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