Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry come through tense survival battle

Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 0-12

Ballinderreen 0-11

Ivan Smyth at Duggan Park

BALLINDERREEN’S tally of 15 wides was the telling statistic after this senior hurling relegation final in Ballinasloe on Sunday, with the consequence that they will now be playing at intermediate level next year.

In contrast, Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry only sent five efforts adrift of the posts throughout the hour as their greater efficiency up front proved decisive. This was a typically nervy and tense relegation final, but it was enjoyable fare with the fine arts of the game – hooking, blocking and tackling – all executed to a high standard by both outfits.

The patrons entering Duggan Park before throw in knew this would most likely be a dogfight as Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry have averaged only13 points per game throughout the championship. For their part Ballinderreen have been notching just over 16 points per game with both sides’ scoring drying up in the mini relegation series between themselves and Mullagh.

Ballinderreen have suffered relegation despite winning more games in this year’s championship than Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry (two to one) although the East Galway side secured victory in their most important game of the year.

With the sides level six times throughout this physical encounter, any burst of scores from either side would prove vital. It was Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry who fired over four points without reply in a 10 minute spell either side of the final water break as they went from two points down to lead by the same margin. Padraig Robinson grabbed two of those, both from placed balls, as he took over free taking duties from the unusually inaccurate Shane Moloney.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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