Beagh 1-19

Ahascragh- Fohenagh 1-19

The determination of teams to play at the highest level possible in Galway hurling was never more in evidence than last Saturday as this Senior B relegation final ended all square.

Beagh were defending a 19-year run as a senior club and found themselves 1-17 to 0-12 behind on the three-quarter mark, but forced their way back into the contest with Daithí Keane landing a 67th minute equaliser.

Ahascragh/Fohenagh, Senior B runners-up after a replay in 2023, will feel aggrieved as three minutes of additional time were signalled, but they must regroup again to ensure they avoid the drop to intermediate the next day.

A competition that continues to succeed despite initial concerns, both clubs showed their intent in gaining results from dead rubbers two weeks previously and treated this as if there was a cup up for grabs.

Ahascragh/Fohenagh had three early chances, but Padraic Mannion’s three frees didn’t split the posts, and Beagh began with captain Padraic Landers opening the scoring on four minutes.

However, the north Galway side eventually took off as an excellent interception from Mannion saw the Galway star stride up the field and get them off the mark, commencing a five-score spell that had them in front until the closing moments.

The next four came from Mark Kelly frees thanks to Robert Greene, Luke Murray and Cathal Mannion. Beagh were also pulled for steps on a couple of occasions which didn’t help their cause.

They ended the drought on 14 minutes with Keane opening his account, but John Finnerty and Greene continued the Ahascragh/Fohenagh surge. Joe Gantley replied with two Beagh points, leaving them just 0-7 to 0-4 in arrears on 16 minutes.

Ahascragh/Fohenagh could have been out of sight at half-time. Kelly’s fifth free put four between them but their best chance came on 21 minutes. Kelly was the provider for Luke Kennedy who forced a save from Stephen Diviney. Owen Naughton’s rebound went wide of the posts.

Pictured: Cathal Mannion hit three points for Ahascragh/Fohenagh.