Ardrahan 0-23

Athenry 1-20

(after extra time)

Ardrahan won on penalties

Gerard Mulreaney at Kenny Park

ARDRAHAN won an energy sapping senior hurling play-off clash against Athenry in dramatic fashion, after it took a penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome. Goalkeeper Donnach Fahy emerged the hero after he saved Mark Hardiman’s penalty, with Ardrahan winning the shootout 4-2.

This was a game that Athenry will look back on and wonder how they didn’t win it. They led for the majority of the game – Ardrahan started the game with a two-point lead and only regained it again 11 minutes into extra-time. Athenry letting a five-point lead slip in both halves, as Ardrahan’s never-say-die attitude shone through.

Both sides were guilty of spurning numerous chances in the game, with 28 wides between them as they struggled for accuracy. While the game wasn’t of the greatest quality, you couldn’t fault the players for effort.

Ardrahan took a two-point lead early on through points from Cianan Fahy and Ross Albertini, but points from Donal Parr (4), Paddy Hannon, Noel Keogh, and Cathal Keane had Athenry on top.

Ardrahan responded with points from Cian Walsh, and Cianan Fahy (4) as they levelled the scores at the break, 0-7 apiece, and at that stage it looked as though a goal would decide the game.

Athenry started the second half well, with three points from Langan, and a point each from Parr and Shane Quirke, while Ardrahan replied with points from Oisin Slevin, Liam Forde and goalkeeper Fahy, before the game’s only goal in the 41st minute.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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