Flynn inspires Gaels’ victory
Senior Hurling C’ship Round Four Western Gaels 1-11 Tourlestrane 0-13
WESTERN Gaels moved closer to qualifying for the semi-finals of the Sligo Senior Hurling Championship – as the fourth-placed team in the qualifying group – thanks to last Sunday’s one-point away defeat of Tourlestrane, 1-11 to 0-13.
But the west Sligo side lived dangerously in this fixture and needed a goal from the impressive Darragh Flynn, who netted 18 minutes into the second period, to help secure this narrow win. Flynn’s goal was important as it put Western Gaels in front as they hitherto trailed to the hosts.
The shrewd attacker shot the winning point in the closing stages after a long-range free attempt from Alan Cawley dropped short – Cawley had earlier notched 0-4, including three converted frees.
Tourlestrane, who led at the break, started well and they opened their account with a point by Aiden Marren, who would scored 0-4 in all.
Indeed, the home side’s early flurry yielded four unanswered points and midfielder Kevin O’Kennedy, the county hurler, was also among Tourlestrane’s scorers during this phase.
Western Gaels gradually found a way into proceedings and Darragh Flynn’s point got them on the scoreboard.
The first-half settled into a close contest, with just a point between them at half-time.
The best of Tourlestrane’s first-half scores was a fine point from distance by JP Lang.
Tourlestrane almost goaled within minutes of the restart but a closerange effort from Conor Surlis was blocked by Western Gaels goalkeeper Seamus Foody.
Next up for Western Gaels is the hosting of their west Sligo neighbours Easkey, with Tourlestrane taking on Naomh Eoin.
Tourlestrane: P Quinn, P Tobin, C Walsh, C McVeigh, T Brennan (0-1), R Brennan (0-2, 1f), A Walsh, C Surlis, K O’Kennedy (0-4, 4f), D Brennan (0-1), JP Lang (0-1), A Marren (04), E Gallagher, K Brennan, D O’Dowd
Subs used: R Forkin, S Roddy
Western Gaels: S Foody, M Connolly, T Cawley, L Gilmartin, O Quinn, A Morrison (0-1, 1f), N Hallinan, A Cawley (0-4, 3f), F Ryan, N Crean, MJ Crean (0-2, 1f), J Byron (0-1), C Flynn (0-1), D O’Boyle, D Flynn (1-2, 1f)
Subs used: S Donegan, P Ruane
Referee: G Chapman