Carnmore........ 5-13
Ballinasloe..... 4-04
In blistering heat at Kenny Park, Athenry on Sunday last, Carnmore disposed of Ballinasloe to advance one step further in the Co. Senior Hurling Championship. While a better side than Ballinasloe might have extended Carnmore, there was no shortage of exciting clashes, and some fine patches of good hurling. Both fides held the pace in the heat’ and Ballinasloe didn’t give up trying until the final whistle had blown.
Though Carnmore looked the better side throughout, it was only early in the second half that they turned their apparent advantage into scores. They were not flattered by a meager three point lead at the interval. In the fifteen minutes immediately after half time, Carnmore scored a total of 2-3 without reply from Ballinasloe. After that the East Board men were out of touch, though they had some good scores towards the end of the hour. Ballinasloe who started without Cyril Dunne opened the scoring with a Pat Ryan point, but Carnmore soon took the lead that they were never to relinquish.
In a short burst of scoring Roddy Kenny had a point, Willie Greaney a goal and a point and P.J. Spellman a further point for Carnmore. Cyril Dunne replaced Coughlan in the Ballinasloe attack and almost immediately J.Boland cut through for a goal and Ryan narrowed the gap in scores with a point Back came Carnmore however, and a very good goal from Ml.Greaney followed. Roddy Kenny added another major score for Carnmore, and Jimmy Conroy pointed a free from far out. The ball was bundled in to the Carnmore net after hitting off a number of players for a Ballinasloe goal, but Martin and Willie Greaney had points for Carnmore to stretch the lead once again. Before half-time however McDonagh had a very well taken goal for Ballinasloe and Ryan added a point to leave the half time score Carnmore 3-6 Ballinasloe 3-3.
The resumption of play found Carnmore on the attack again, and a Hanley point was followed by a goal from Spellman. Willie Greaney pointed for Carnmore and after a long solo run by Martin Greaney, P. J. Spellman finished to the net for his second goal in ten minutes. At this stage the writing was on the wall for Ballinasloe, but John Coughlan hit back with a well taken goal. Martin Greaney had three points for Carnmore and before the final- whistle Willie Greaney and John Boland exchanged points to leave Carnmore ahead by a comfortable margin of twelve points.
J. Hughes was a capable keeper for Carnmore and he got good cover from his backs, especially M.Cooney, J.Conroy, M. Kenny and T. Walsh. Mickey Hanley and Sean Murphy were on top of their opponents at mid-field while all the forwards Matty Greaney, Ml Greaney, Joe Hanley, P J Spellman, Roddy Kenny and Willie Greaney got their names on the score board.