Craanford lose in Limerick

THE REIGNING Co. Junior ‘B’ hurling champions, Craanford Fr. O’Regan’s, faced their own county colours, purple and gold, on Sunday as they met Galway’s Kinvara in the Leinster final of the competition run by the Kileedy club in Co. Limerick at the hosts’ home venue.

A slow first ten minutes may have been their downfall as the Kinvara men managed to raise the green flag twice at the start of the game.

This quick surge from ace Kinvara forward, David Huban, meant that Craanford were trailing by at least six points for most of the remainder of the action.

Eric Keane and Gerry Huban claimed points for the westerners, but Craanford fought extremely hard for the remain- der of the half, exploiting the wind that was in their favour with James O’Loughlin in command of placed balls.

He stood out for Craanford as he guided many sliothars over the bar and kept his team-mates in contention before half-time whistle.

With an uphill battle facing the Wexford men, a plethora of points were exchanged between the free-takers, David Huban for Kinvara and O’Loughlin.

Calvin O’Toole, Michael Sinnott and Peter Kavanagh were on the hunt to reduce Kinvara’s lead but this plan didn’t materialise as they would have hoped.

Influential substitutes Joe Sinnott and Michael Shortall made a huge effort when they came on as the difference between the sides was reduced at one stage to five points.

That gap was quickly extended by Kinvara though and, while the Wexford club didn’t win, a team in purple and gold still raised the Leinster Cup although coming from another province.

Craanford: Andrew Tighe; Patrick Lancaster, Jack Kenny, Michael Lancaster; Ger Lyons, Peter Shortall, Jim Redmond; James O’Loughlin (0-6 frees), Cian O’Toole; Michael Sinnott, Peter Kavanagh (0-1), Jim Redmond; Bob Flynn, Calvin O’Toole (0-1), Gary Keating. Subs. - Joe Sinnott for Kavanagh, Seán Byrne for Flynn, Jamesie Nolan for Keating, William Doyle for Kenny (temp.), Michael Shortall for M. Sinnott.

Kinvara: Michael Smith; Mark Deegan, Jonathon Kavanagh, Paul O’Sullivan; Steve Moylan, Brian Carroll, Keelan O’Rourke (0-1); Damien Huban, Caolan McMahon; Eric Keane (0-1), David Huban (2-9, 0-7 frees), Tommie Kavanagh; Conor O’Shea, Gerry Huban (0-1), Mark Kavanagh (0-1). Subs. - Dylan O’Hanrahan for O’Sullivan, Alan Keane for E. Keane, John Kavanagh for McMahon.