Two sent off as day is not the only thing that gets hot

Kilnadeema/Leitrim 2-16

Ahascragh/Fohenagh 1-12

Cathal Mannion could miss Ahascragh/Fohenagh’s next match after the Galway forward received a straight red card last Sunday in his side’s senior hurling championship defeat to Kilnadeema/Leitrim.

After an altercation with Brian Molloy on the 50-minute mark, Mannion received his marching orders from referee Christopher Browne, becoming the second player to leave the field.

Kilnadeema/Leitrim centre back Mark Lawless also saw red 10 minutes earlier when his challenge on Mannion was deemed a sending-off offence as a contest that sparked into life and was heated on occasions saw both teams finish with 14 men.

But it was Kilnadeema/Leitrim who maintained their 100% record thanks to two first half goals from Shane Lawless and Molloy giving them a 2-8 to 0-5 interval lead.  After narrowly getting over Abbeyknockmoy in their opening encounter, Des Roche’s team seized the early initiative to maintain control during a dramatic second half.

Molloy opened after 36 seconds but Mannion responded with a third minute free.  The teams were level again with Ahascragh/Fohenagh’s Eoghain Delaney swapping white flags with Gary Curley but two more Curley specials gave Kilnadeema/Leitrim a 0-4 to 0-2 lead on 11 minutes.

Ahascragh/Fohenagh were comprehensive winners over Killimordaly in their opening senior assignment but this was a step up though another Mannion free left the minimum between them.

However, the 2016 intermediate champions were chasing the game by the three-quarter mark. Molloy restored the three-point margin before Shane Lawless treated spectators to a memorable goal. He opened the opposing defence with some creative control of the sliothar before a step left was followed by a strike to the net and Kilnadeema/Leitrim were 1-5 to 0-3 ahead.

Mannion replied with his third placed ball but scenting blood, Kilnadeema/Leitrim went for the jugular. Curley got his fourth from play and Molloy added another.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.