Date Published: 11-May-2011

Gort 3-16

Loughrea 2-11

Darren Kelly

in Athenry

A NERVOUS, edgy affair last Saturday took 45 minutes to spark into life in Kenny Park but then finished the final quarter with five goals as Gort took victory in what could prove to be an important game in the Senior Hurling Championship.

Gort were surprise fallers in last year’s group stages while Loughrea, after defeat in the 2010 county final, were blooding new players as their minor and under 21 winning teams from 2009 made the step up to senior.

With Craughwell and Beagh looking good in Group D, this felt like a must win encounter as the losers would face the challenge of having to account for one of these two, along with Kinvara, if they were to be in the shake up come autumn.

At the three quarter mark, Gort led 0-11 to 0-9 in a meeting littered with moderate play and some strong, sometimes excessive, challenges but Mattie Murphy’s men then took control to achieve their first success of 2011 after their opening day defeat to Craughwell.

Their first goal was the turning point as a move involving Paul Killilea, Aidan Harte and Gerard O’Donoghue saw Killilea follow through to challenge Loughrea goalkeeper Nigel Murray before helping the ball over the line. The goal stood and, suddenly, Gort opened up a lead.

Harte’s 20 metre free 60 seconds later put his side 1-12 to 0-9 ahead before they added a second green flag in the 48th minute. A quick move down the right saw Keith Killilea’s long delivery secured by Martin Nestor who turned for goal before hitting the net.

Kenneth Colleran responded for Loughrea 10 minutes out with a point before Gort got their third goal in five minutes to wrap up the win. Starting in defence, Sylvie Og Linnane produced a good block as Johnny Coen looked for another Loughrea score. Play moved quickly down the other end as Ollie Fahy and Killilea were involved before Harte finished with his goal and Gort led 3-12 to 0-10.

Gort’s defence was resilient, denying Loughrea much space throughout the hour but they did let their guard down in the final five minutes as Joe Sweeney’s team managed two consolation goals that could prove critical if scoring difference becomes a factor in the group.

Coen and Johnny Maher caused problems in the Gort defence five minutes from time before Maher got the touch for the first; Coen did it himself two minutes into injury time with the second goal and their deficit ended up at eight points.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.