St. Thomas’s secure quarter-final berth with game to spare

Date Published: 27-Jun-2012

St Thomas 3-18

Tynagh-Abbey Duniry 1-13

Darren Kelly in Athenry

St Thomas’ produced another fine team display last Sunday in Kenny Park to secure their quarter-final place in the County senior hurling championship but the new look format could face its’ first major scrutiny next month.

St Thomas’ win ensured

their qualification along with Loughrea, but with the quarter-final draw set to be open rather than the group winners seeded, it means three of the July round of matches are now meaningless and if Tommie Larkins defeat Padraig Pearses this weekend, five sides competing in the knock out stages of the County Cup will have nothing to gain from lining out in two weeks time.

All six St Thomas’s forwards scored from play on Sunday but TAD also produced a gallant effort and never yielded from taking the game to their opponents even if the deficit throughout the second half remained in double digits.

Another interesting note was on 17 minutes when, after Eanna Burke replaced the injured Gerald Murray, StThomas’ manager John Burke witnessed his six sons on the field of play together as Eanna joined the action with Cathal, Sean, Darragh, Kenneth and David.

St Thomas’ gained the early advantage in the first quarter taking a 0-6 to 0-3 lead thanks to a James Regan brace and further scores from Kenneth Burke, Anthony Kelly, Conor Cooney and Bernard Burke.

Two Shane Moloney frees and a Colm Larkin effort was the TAD response but the first crucial goal came in the 16th minute. Bernard and David Burke created the chance for Murray and even though he was denied by Kevin Devine with his first effort, his second went over the line as he went to ground.

Unfortunately for the corner forward, that would end his involvement as he went off injured allowing Eanna Burke his historic appearance, but St Thomas’ maintained their edge to the break leading 1-11 to 0-6 upon the change of ends. Kelly doubled his tally and Cooney added four points. In response, Moloney’s personal account went to five for TAD but they also had two goal chances as Moloney and John Shiel were denied by the St. Thomas’ rearguard.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.