Carnmore ........... 3-2
Kiltormer........... 1-9
One point separated East and West at the full time whistle in the under 21 County Championship Hurling semi final at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday last and the game provided an excellent appetizer for the National League hurling game that followed it. The sides were well matched fore and aft, the brilliance of Andy Fenton at center half back for Kiltormer was offset by the slight edge James Grealish and Jimmy Duggan had gained at midfield over the Campbell brothers, Donnie and Eamon. Backs on both' sides were generally sound with the Carnmore lads looking the bigger and stronger and it was a nice tussle between them and the lighter Kiltormer forwards.
Seoirse Morris the Carnmore left-half forward was one who gave Kiltormer backs a good deal of trouble and though he didn't get his name on any of the three goals his side scored, he helped considerably in setting up the chances. Kiltormer got away to a dream start when Vinny McKeigue gathered, dodged around his man and sent the ball curling just inside the right upright from thirty five yards out. M. J. Greaney scored for Kiltormer and a Fenton free in the third minute brought another Kiltormer point. After Carnmore had mounted a couple of threatening attacks, they were awarded a free in the sixth minute. James Grealish sent a good ball towards the Kiltormer goal. The defenders worked the ball out of the goalmouth but Seoirse Morris was there to gather and send the ball over the Kiltormer bar.
Kiltormer now established a measure of superiority through the field and the Carnmore back line looked anything but steady. In the eleventh minute a midfield ball broke between Donnie Campbell and James Grealish. First to the sliotar Donnie tapped it along the ground to brother Ned who turned and cut it over the bar for a third Kiltormer point. Kelly's departure broke up the rhythm of the Kiltormer attack and Carnmore were quick to seize their opportunity. Carnmore moved up field on their right the ball came across the square and the full forward T. Noone, very well positioned lashed the ball past the helpless Dervan for the lead in the twelfth minute. Kiltormer got moving again and Donnie Campbell had scores level a minute later. A few minutes later points by Donnie Campbell and substitute Callagy stretched Kiltormer’s lead. In the twentieth minute a bad puck-out proved very costly for Kiltormer. Jim Hughes collected and finished to the net.
With Carnmore leading by a point at the interval, supporters on both sides were quite happy. Kiltormer in particular for the side has gained the reputation of winning their games in the second half. Kiltormer came out with John Darcy replacing Mick Callagy at full forward and went on the attack from the restart. Hurling was fast and furious and the ball traveled from end to end but it was a full twelve minutes before Andy Fenton brought the sides level with a point from a free. It took another twelve minutes before either defence conceded anything. Ned Campbell flashed a "daisy-cutter" past Tom Spellman in the Carnmore goal.
In successive minutes two further Kiltormer points were added by Vinny McKeigue from play and Andy Fenton from a free when Furey was unceremoniously tumbled. Now it was all Kiltormer but good chances were thrown to the winds as the East Board lads sought to clinch the issue. With two minutes to go Carnmore were awarded a free at halfway. Padraic Duggan sent down a good ball to the Kiltormer square, the defence half cleared the ball but it went to Seoirse Morris who got a very useful point that spurred his team-mates to further endeavors. With no more than sixty seconds left in the game Carnmore were awarded another free forty yards out. Four points behind Grealish took the obvious course and shot for goal and sent the ball straight to the net for the final score.
In a tightly knit defence the goalkeeper, Spellman, the McDonagh brothers and John Long, the captain of the side were always in the thick of things. Grealish and Duggan at midfield were effective. Casserley, Hughes and Morris were always very dangerous up front. Andy Fenton more than anybody else, did most to take the sting out of a very useful Carnmore attack. Donnie Campbell at midfield stepped up on recent performances. Ger. Murphy, Ger. Lowry and P. Mollohan had their moments in defence while the pick of the forwards were Vinny McKeigue. Jim Lynch and M. Furey. Up till his retirement Mattie Kelly was doing well at center forward and the fluency of the Kiltormer front line suffered by his absence.
Scorers:
Kiltormer: E. Campbell (1-1), A. Fenton (0-3), V. McKeigue (0-2).D. Campbell (0-2), M. Callagy (0-1)
Carnmore: T. Noone, (1-0), J. Hughes (1-0). J. Grealish (l-O).S. Morris (0-2).
Teams:
Carnmore: T. Spellman. T. McDonagh. B. McDonagh, P. J. Kerrigan, J. Moran, J. Long (captain), P. Duggan, J. Grealish, J. Duggan, P. Casserley. J. Hughes, S. Morris, M. J. Greaney, T. Noone, M. Leonard.
Kiltormer: J. Dervan. S, McKeigue. Ger. Murphy (captain), P. Mollohan, P. J. Lynch, A. Fenton, G. Lowry, D. Campbell, E.Campbell, V. McKeigue, J. Lynch, M. Furey, S. Ryder, M. Kelly, F. Finnerty. Subs.: M. Callagy for M. Kelly. J. Darcy for M. Callagy.
Referee: Mr. Bobby Gardiner, Athenry.