Galway Advertiser 1998/1998_10_15/GA_15101998_E1_090.pdf 

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Athenry survive Loughrea challenge
Athenry 1 - 1 6 . -- . Loughrea 0 - 1 5
Former All Ireland champions Athenry kept their cool and finally ended a stubborn challenge from Loughrea to claim a place in their sixth Galway Senior Hurling Championship final since 1987 In sun-drenched Kenny Park, nearly 7,000 people turned out to watch the for mer club champions meet the former National Feile winners, whose lack of experience and finish ended their dream of appearing in their first final in almost SO years. Loughrea started with a lot of possession, but their lack of finishing power proved costly in the end. In the opening four minutes Loughrea landed four balls into the hands of Athenry keeper Michael Crimmins, and along with wayward shooting in the opening half when assisted by the breeze, they gave Athenry every opportunity. Joe Rabbitte, who moved outfield in he early stages and was lucky not to be booked, opened the scoring for Athenry. Loughrea replied with points from Michael Haverty and Greg Kennedy, before the lively Donal Moran set up Eddie Brady to leave the sides deadlocked at two points each 10 minutes into the game. Tragedy struck Loughrea when Athenry's Pat Higgins combined with Donal Moran who deliv ered a speculative shot to the net. Loughrea goalie front. A Eugene Cloonan Nigel Murray looked to free left the teams dead have secured possession, locked at the break. but the unfortunate keeper On the restart Rabbitte let the ball slip through his set up Eddie Brady for an fingers and into the net. Athenry point, but Keith That mistake was to cost Daniels replied. However Loughrea dearly, although luck deserted Loughrea they did make a strong when Paul Kennedy's recovery. ground shot bounced off Andy and Kevin Griffin the posts. Cloonan and were towering at midfield Moran exchanged points for Loughrea, and Nigel with Haverty and Kennedy, Shaughnessy and Michael and the heavily bandaged Kerins were causing all Cloonan pointed another sorts of problems for Paul free before he was substi Hardiman and Brian tuted by Aidan Poinard. Feeney. Loughrea also Moran took over the freeintroduced a long time taking, and added another Still injured Cathal O'Reilly Athenry point. who counteracted the Loughrea stormed back to influence of Joe Rabbitte stay in contention, but who had been tormenting Michael Haverty, who delightfully side-stepped the Loughrea defence. Although Eugene his way through the Cloonan and Brady added defence, saw his piledriver further points for Athenry. sail across the goal inches Loughrea slowly replied wide with Crimmins well with points from Keith beaten. Daniels (2), Gregory Moran put three points Kennedy (2), and a great between the sides and this score from Haverty to leave forced Loughrea's Haverty the sides level. to panic as he went for a Rabbitte combined with goal from 27 metres. His Pascal Healy who saw his effort was saved, before the effort come of the upright, Loughrea veteran pointed and almost immediately two successive frees to Loughrea made maximum leave just five points advantage when Gavin between the sides five min Keary found Mike Kerins utes from time. to put Loughrea back in Loughrea needed to get

Athenry's Joe Rabbitte is blocked by Loughrea's Declan Kelly during Sunday's semi-final at Athenry's Kenny Park. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy A Griffin, N Shaughnessy, M Kerins, K Daniels, M Haverty, P Kennedy, G Keary. Subs, B Kennedy for P Kennedy, N Griffin for Keary.

at least level, but they were unable to gain that extra step that was needed. In the final five minutes Athenry finished with a flourish, scoring five points to Loughrea's two.

Athenry: M Crimmins, E Keogh, G Keane, J Feeney, B Higgins, B Feeney, P Hardiman, B Keogh, B Hanley, J Rabbitte, P Higgins, E Brady, D Moran, P Healy, E

Cloonan. Subs, C Moran for Cloonan, A Poinard for Hanley. Loughrea: N Murray, P Connors, K Curley, S Morgan, G Kennedy, V Maher, D Kelly, K Griffin,

Moycullen win again
Belfast Rockets 67 Moycullen 95 Moycullen men's senior team made it two wins from two in the first division of this year's National League when they defeated Belfast Rockets in Anderstown last Saturday. Belfast Rockets, who beat Ballina last weekend by three points, were not to be underestimated, especially with home advantage. Moycullen started the game with a high intensity, and several minutes passed before the Rockets got their first score. ^ Moycullen played excel lent defence and solid offence to open up a 20point lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. Starting five John Cunningham. Nollaig Cunningham, Glen Hynes. Jim Gannon, and Dara Canavan were able to take well deserved rests late in the first half, having built a comfortable lead. Tbe halftime score w as 27 to 52. The most valuable player of the game was
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GLTC Abbey-Duniry reach their first final success
Twelve junior squash players from the Galway Lawn Tennis Club trav elled to Cork last weekend to take part in the Munster Junior Open Squash Championships, and they returned home with three titles. In the u-19 boys' final Ronan Tully took part in an epic final, eventually losing out by three games to two. Rory Gilligan did not drop one game on his way to the u-17 boys' title. Irene Tully, competing in the u-17 girls' for the first time, had an excellent tour nament to finish in third place, while in the u-15 boys' David Noone won an exciting final by three games to one Barry Cunningham won the u-13 boys' title in a hard fought battle, eventually emerging victorious by a score of three games to two. Carnmore were bidding for their fourth final of this decade, but they were faced with an Abbey-Duniry side that had come through a vigorous under-age system during the 80s. After years of frustrations among the min nows, they had their sights firmly set on this target, and much credit must be given to former Galway manager Mattie Murphy who had this team firmly focused on the task ahead. Despite an early Alan Kenny point, Abbey started in blistering fashion with four points from Thomas Kavanagh, Noel Shiel, Declan Power, and Mattie Kenny. Three Michael Killilea points brought Carnmore level, and after Abbey's PJ Kenny and Kevin Broderick exchanged points with Declan Walsh and Ray Grealish. the sides were still level five minutes from the break. Then came a marvellous Carnmore move. It was started with the industri ous Ronnie Walsh delivering to Kenny who had the freedom to find Killilea, and his deft flick to the unmarked Ray Grealish gave Kevin Devine no chance in the Abbey goal. Carnmore failed to capitalise on this advantage, and John Keogh and Alan Kenny had two succes sive wides. Abbey replied with a Mattie Kenny pointed free, and on the stroke of half time they won another 20m free. Goalkeeper Devine was called on to take it, but his goal shot was saved and Carnmore held the two point half time advantage. Killilea stretched Carnmore's lead, while at the other end of the field refer ee Michael Dolan eventually took some action after some wild pulling had gone unpunished and he booked Patrick Killilea. However seconds later a scuf fle developed beside the dugouts involving substitutes, mentors and offi cials, and after a lengthy delay Carnmore's Shane Walsh and Abbey's Declan Donnelly were both booked. Thomas Kavanagh fired over an Abbey point in the 11th minute as Carnmore brought on Mairtin O'Connell for Shane Walsh. Broderick fired over another, and after a Thomas Kavanagh free, Declan Power added another point when a super reflex save from Kenneth Walsh turned the ball over the bar. With the scores level Abbey piled on the pressure, and after Carnmore crowded out Kevin Broderick, the former All Star found the space to release to Thomas Kavanagh.

Abbey-Duniry claimed a place in their first Galway Senior Hurling Championship final when their powerful second half display rocked Carnmore, who once again proved disappointing in the final stages. Again Walsh was in super form making another top class save, but this time the inrushing Declan Power gave him no chance on the second attempt from close range. The east Galway club was now on fire, and inside a minute Broderick had collected a long James Shiel delivery and burst through for another goal. Carnmore were in tatters and Thomas Kavanagh and Niall Shiel added points. With Declan Walsh moving outfield and winning quality ball, Ronan Walsh did pull one back for the Reds, but they were unable to make any inroads as Broderick and Power finished the scor ing to put Abbey into their first senior championship final. Abbey-Duniry: K Devine, K Finnerty, L Hodgins, V Kavanagh, N Finnerty, J Shiel, D Donnelly, G Lynch, N Shiel, D Power, T Kavanagh, PJ Kenny, K Broderick, M Kenny, PJ Madden. Carnmore: K Walsh, P Killilea, M Killilea, E Flaherty, D Collins, Ronan Walsh, Ronnie Walsh, J Keogh, TJ Hynes, S Walsh, R Grealish, T Grealish, M Killilea, D Walsh, A Kenny. Subs, M O'Connell for S Walsh, P O'Connell for Collins.

Moycullen's John Cunningham, while Dara Canavan shot five from seven ' 3 ' pointers, and scored 19 points in total. Top scorer for the Rockets was Conor Ryan, with an impressive 32 points. Moycullen's scorers were Nollaig Cunningham (6), Dara Canavan (19), John Cunningham (18), Glen Hynes (15), Jim Gannon (12), Colm Gavin (2), Kevin Mc Donald (15). Gearoid Hynes (4), Rory Monaghan (4), while Ronan Waters also contributed handsomely. Next Sunday Moycullen play Clare Jets at 2.15pm. This is the first derby game of the season for both teams and should be an exciting contest.