Turlough’ were left shaken but not beaten by Gort’s late goal

Turloughmore .1-16 Gort .1-16 TURLOUGHMORE could hardly believe they needed a last-gasp point from minor star Conor Shaughnessy at Athenry on Sunday, to rescue a valuable Group B point after dominating much of this Salthill Hotel SHC clash between the beaten semi-finalists from last yearâ€â„¢s competition. After an evenly contested opening twenty minutes when scores were level six times, a superb long-range score by Turloughâ€â„¢s county star Fergal Moore signalled the start of a great spell for the Hoops and they had surged six clear by the interval. Gort did turn it around in the third quarter to close the gap to the minimum, but they trailed by two in time added on. Then a great goal by sub Paul Killilea who powered his way through a cluster of players before blasting to the net sensationally put them in front for the first time since Richie Cummins gave them the opening score of the game. But just when all seemed lost it was Conor Shaughnessyâ€â„¢s turn to become the hero of the hour for Mícheál Donoghueâ€â„¢s team and it finished all square.[private] The scoreline doesnâ€â„¢t tell the whole story, though. Turloughmore started the second half in complete contrast to the way they finished the first. Midway through the opening half-hour Brian Murphy gave them a 0-5 to 0-4 lead and they went on to 1-11 to 0-8 and seemed to be very much in control but then, inexplicably, they failed to raise a flag in the quarter-hour after the change of ends as Gort came storming back. A plethora of missed chances by the Black and Whites â€â€ seven in the first half and eight in the second â€â€ was hampering their attempts at getting their group campaign off to a winning start and in the end you had to give Gort credit for their battling qualities. They were without Brian Regan (abroad) and Jason Grealish (suspended) while Sylvie Óg Linnane and Paul Killilea were unable to start and only featured as subs. Ronan Badger contributed five points to Turloughâ€â„¢s halfway total with three of them coming from frees, one from a 65 and the other from open play. The hard-working Brian Holland landed a â€Ëœbeautyâ€â„¢ from distance, as did Fergal Moore, while Darren Oâ€â„¢Shaughnessy twice raised white flags. Gary Burke and Brian Murphy also scored points while the goal bore a Burke clan stamp on it with Daithí launching a long free into the goalmouth where Gary flicked it on to Cian who netted expertly. Turloughâ€â„¢ had youth and experience at midfield in Matthew Keating and Francis Forde who were working hard, while behind them Brian Holland, Daithí Burke and young Mark Murphy who had a fine outing were giving them great back-up and Ronan Burke made some great clearances under pressure. In short, they were in command. Gort were well there early on. Richie Cummins, who might still make it with the county team, sent over three fine scores and the ever reliable Gerry Quinn converted four placed balls as they traded points with their opponents until Turloughâ€â„¢ got on top. Greg Lally got Gortâ€â„¢s eighth score. Their best spell was still to come. Quinn (three frees), Paul Killilea and Cummins were spot on with their shooting as Turloughâ€â„¢ failed repeatedly in front of goal until Brian Murphy finally ended the scoring drought for them to make it 1-12 to 0-13. But they could only add three more points via Ronan Badger (two frees) and Gary Burke during normal time despite plenty of possession. It looked like being enough as they conceded just three points to Michael Cummins and a brace of placed balls by Gerry Quinn until Paul Killileaâ€â„¢s goal. With time almost up it seemed a winning score. However, Conor Shaughnessy got what was for him an unforgettable point and for his club, management and supporters a very relieving one. Turloughmore: P. Dullaghan; M. Casserley, R. Burke, F. Moore (0-1); B. Holland (0-1), D. Burke, M. Murphy; M. Keating, F. Forde; C. Burke (1-0), D. Oâ€â„¢Shaughnessy (0-2), G. Burke (0-2); B. Murphy (0-2), R. Badger (0-7, five frees, one 65), C. Shaughnessy (0-1). Gort: P. Cummins; M. McMahon, T. Linnane, A. Coen; M. Cummins, A. Harte, C. Helebert; W. Walsh, S. Forde; N. Forde, R. Cummins (0-4), G. Lally (0-1); M. Nestor, A. Mullins, G. Quinn (0-9, eight frees). Subs: P. Killilea for Mullins, S. Óg Linnane for S. Forde. Referee: Eoin Shaughnessy. Herald Sport Man of the Match: Mark Murphy (Turloughmore). â€â€ N.C. [/private]