Ardrahan………2-14
Carnmore………2-9
This eagerly a waited replay of the County Cup quarter final al Kenny Park, Athenry on Sunday last, lived up to all expectations and produced even some fine hurling than the drawn match. Two evenly matched teams looked like turning up another draw, with the scores level at the interval, but fifteen minutes of complete supremacy by the South Board men, swayed the issue decidedly in their favour. And as the drawn game it was again Johnny "Grassy" Mahoney who was the spearhead of attack. His unerring accuracy from frees was unequalled by any of the other players and he also made the all important goal, finished by Gabriel Hassett at the most critical stage of the game.
BEST POINT
While Mahoney had many fine scores from play, the honours for one of the best points ever scored at the venue, must go to Carnmore's inter-county player; Padraic Fahy In the closing stages of the first half, following some great scores, he broke down the left wing. He passed no less than five of the opposition who adopted orthodox and unorthodox methods in an effort to stop him. Then after stumbling over an opponent's hurley he slammed the ball over the bar from an acute angle, for a really wonderful point. After a great first half, however Fahy fell away and never made the same impact on the game after the resumption of play. From the throw-in Carnmore launched an all out attack, but failed badly in an effort at goal. A free out was returned and Padraic Fahy had the opening point for Carnmore. Minutes later Fahy had Carnmore' second point. Johnny Mahoney pointed a free for Ardrahan and then equalised with a well taken minor from play.
GOOD SAVE
An effort at goal by Ardrahan was foiled by a cool Pat Walsh in goal but Johnny Whiriskey pointed to put Ardrahan ahead. Matte Greaney dropped the ball from way out. Straight to the back of the Ardrahan net to put the "Red's" ahead again but referee Bob Gardiner allowed the advantage rule, when Tommy O'Neill goaled for Ardrahan, and Padraic Fahy replied, with a brace of minors for Carnmore. Moylan, Greaney and Mahoney exchanged points, before Fahy great effort but points from O'Dea and Mahoney equalized the scoring before half-time. On the resumption of play it looked as though Carnmore had lost interest in proceedings and for fully fifteen minutes "The Blues" completely dominated.
CLINCHING SCORE
Whiriskey, Mahoney and O'Dea had points from play and Mahoney pointed a free, before the Hassett Mahoney goal that clinched the issue, with still a quarter of an hour to play. Murphy and Hughes had points from play for Carnmore and Mahoney replied with a point from a free for Ardrahan. Matty Greaney goaled a "21" for Carnmore, but it was too late and Johnny Mahoney put a further nail in the coffin with two more points before the final whistle.
P J Mahoney was his usual sound self in the Ardrahan goal and got good cover from Joe and Frank Linnane and J J Connolly. Michael Howlev was unusually tame at center half- back but this was compensated for by a fine hour from Michael Moylan and good support from Padraic Niland. Tommy Kearns and Johnny Whiriskey combined well and held their own for most of the hour. Johnny Mahoney was the star in attack once again but was run close for the honours by J. O'Dea and G.Hassett. P. Walsh was blameless between the Carnmore posts and best of the backs were B. McDonagh, P. Fahy and J Hession. Martin Kerrigan had a first class hour at midfield and Padraic Fahy, Matty Greaney and W. Greaney were the pick of the forwards.
Scorers:
Ardrahan; J Mahoney (0-9), J.J.O'Dea (0-2), M.Moylan (0-1),J Whiriskey (O-2), T. O'Neill and G. Hassett (l-0) each.
Carnmore; P. Fahy (0-5), M. Greaney (2-2), S. Murphy and J.Hughes (0-1) each
Teams:
Carnmore: P. Walsh, B. McDonagh. P. Fahy, M. Leonard, J. Long. J. Hughes, J.Hession, S. Murphy M. Kerrigan, Michael. Greaney P. Fahy, Matty Greaney T. Walsh. M. Hanley. W. Greaney.
Ardrahan: P. J. Mahoney, J.Linnane. F. Linnane. J. J.Connolly, M, Moylan, M. Howlev, P. Niland, J.Kearns. J. Whiriskey, J. Mahoney, J.J.O'Dea. K. Neilan, T. O'Neill, M.Kerrins. G. Hassett.
Referee: Mr. B. Gardiner (Athenry).