Clarinbridge 1-18

 Ardrahan 1-11

Pádraic Ó Ciardha  at Kenny Park

This one was about the result rather than the performance for Clarinbridge as last year’s runners-up earned their place in the quarter finals thanks to a scrappy win over Ardrahan. While seven points separated the sides at the end, it took a late burst for Jarlath Niland’s team to finally make sure of this one.

Whether the fact that Ardahan were playing for the third consecutive weekend had any effect on those final minutes, only they will know, but they will look back with regret that there wasn’t more of a kick in them as Clarinbridge pulled away.

There were just two points between the sides with 10 minutes to go and the momentum seemed to be with Ardrahan, who had scored the last three points of the game. The tide turned around 51 minutes, however, when Ardrahan were penalised for a throw ball.

Evan Niland converted the free and he followed it up with three more quickfire points to put daylight between the sides. On a day when Clarinbridge’s much-vaunted attack struggled to make an impact, Niland’s contribution of 13 points, including five from play, was vital.

To be fair to those around Niland, it wasn’t a day for forwards in Kenny Park. Or backs. Or hurlers of any kind, really. While the wind wasn’t much of a factor, the heavy rain was relentless and left the unfortunate souls on the terrace sodden.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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