Junior A
Post date: Jul 17, 2011 6:57:29 PM
Tommy Larkins remain unbeaten in the Guillanes Junior A hurling championship 2011.In a tight and competitive clash played last Sunday evening against neighbours Portumna in Loughrea, larkins can count themselves somewhat lucky to have taken a point from the game. They can on the other hand feel aggrieved at not taking some more of the goal chances that fell their way in the first half, with Ivan Canning making 2 good saves from Michael Tuohy and Michael Garvey. Larkins did however hit the net in the first half through Mickey Fahy, after a long delivery to the edge of the square was finished neatly on the ground.Peter English and Conor Nevin at wing-back were Tommies best performers in that first half.Larkins were forced to make a few changes coming into the game, with Owen Rohan failing a late fitness test in Woodford prior to the game, which was closely monitored by Paddy Moroney .John Glynn stepped in at corner back in place of Oxegen victimGolly Goman. In the opening half Tommies played well and went in narrowly ahead at half-time.However it was always going to be a big ask to keep up the intensity levels in the 2nd half,with some players in larkin’s half forward-line and mid- field finding that the efforts made on the Shearwater dance floor were beginning to take their toll!!
On resumption Portumna upped the ante.They created a goal chance in the opening 30 seconds which they failed to convert.Soon after referee David Dillon controversially awarded a 21 yard free after it seemed the Portumna forward had over-carried.Portumna took their point and at this stage were well on top. The Tommy larkins half-back line of Conor Nevin, Ciaran Fahy and Paul Kelly kept Portumna at bay during this period.However Larkins soon found themselves 6 points adrift. A long delivery in to the Larkin’s full back line was blocked into the path of the Portumna Full forward who made no mistakes crashing the ball past a helpless Shane Kelly.This was now a serious test of character for Larkins, and akin to the Galway seniors on Saturday evening leaders came to the fore in certain positions of the pitch. Paul Kelly scored an inspirational point from halfway which lifted the Larkins resolve. Mickey Fahy then flicked a long free from Ciaran Fahy to the net bringing Larkins back in the game.Portumna replied with a point but Ciaran Fahy and Mickey Fahy combined again to similar effect and when Peter English pointed from under the stand it looked like Larkin’s would claim victory.Portumna responded well and deservedly levelled matters on a final scoreline of Larkins 3-07 to Portumna’s 1-13.