Castlebar .News
Community News and Information
New Castlebar HomePage | Photo Gallery | THE Castlebar Directory | Castlebar Links | Nostalgia | Bulletin Board 

Last Updated: Jan 11th, 2007 - 21:22:05 
Sports -> GMIT Sports

Castlebar's Front Page 
 
 Sports
 GMIT Sports

New Content Editor Login




GMIT Sports

Hurlers Exit Maher Cup
By Nigel Jennings
Mar 6, 2006, 11:11

Email this article
 Printer friendly page

HURLING

Fergal Maher Cup Quarter Final

 



GMIT @ Castlebar 4-6 I.T. Tallaght 5-16

The hurlers fell at the last hurdle and wont be making it to this year's finals weekend, although when the dust has settled they will look to next year with well founded optimism. On this occasion they can have no qualms about the outcome as a very strong Tallaght team, (defending Champions and looking short odds for a repeat this year), put on an excellent display of hurling.

 

The conditions in Ballyheane were ideal, and the scoring was a credit to both teams.  A score of 4-6 would have been sufficient to secure victory in most games, to have come up short on this occasion was a testimony to the strength of the visitors.

 

Honours were even for quite a while with points being exchanged. Fine points from John Bridges and Michael O’ Connell kept the lads in touch but the Dubliners opened up a gap (that would be drawn back but never effectively closed) with a purple patch that yielded three goals. Sean Callaghan replied with a goal after a long free From Michael Byrnes fell in a crowded area to keep in touch as the half drew to an end.
Michael Byrnes takes a sidleine cut

With a mountain to Climb in the second half Castlebar knew they would have to start strong if they were to have any chance. This they did and a superb solo run form Michael O’Connell was topped off with a nice point. This lifted the team and pressure was put on and bombardment of the Tallaght area resulted in three goals of a similar nature- strikes in a crowded area coming from Ciaran Cuddy, Michael O’Neill and Tim Donnellan. The difference with these scores and the first half hat-trick form Tallaght was that they were punctuated by downfield breaks form the Dubliners which yielded points, and on one occasion a further goal, which stopped the comeback attempts form gathering full momentum, and Tallaght always maintained a comfortable lead.

 

The comfort to be drawn is that only four of the starting team will not be returning next year and this is a very healthy base to build on. With the added maturity theses players will get over a summer of club hurling and hopefully some strong new recruits, they should be in good shape to mount a challenge next year.
Eoin o Droighneann and Michael O'Connell giving everything to effect a clearance, Daithi watches on

It was an emotional end for Sean Callaghan, Daithi Condon and Stephen McDonagh who leave after four years with great memories and an All-Ireland medal from 2004.

 

Good luck also to Colm Riordan who joined us for a year but made a great impact and will be missed from the full back position he made his own. 

 
Michael O'Connell strikes for a point


© Copyright 2006 by the author(s)/photographer(s) and www.castlebar.ie

Top of Page


GMIT Sports
Latest Headlines
Mens soccer team reach national semi-final
Inter-Provincial Soccer Honour for Lorraine Coen
CFAI UMBRO Plate Semi-final
University Of Buffalo visit Castlebar
GMIT Mens' Soccer team reach National Finals
GMIT Ladies in Narrow Defeat in Donaghy Cup
Hurlers Exit Maher Cup
GMIT Sports Report - 20 Feb 2006
GMIT @ Castlebar Sports - Football and Hurling....
National Title for GMIT Womens Soccer team