Athenry power past Killimordaly in derby

Three wins from three for Niall Sunderland's side

Athenry 4-22

Killimordaly 0-12

By Darren Kelly

At Duggan Park

THE form book didn’t lie in last Saturday's final round Senior Hurling Championship Group 4 fixture as Athenry coasted to maximum points and Killimordaly must now refocus on a relegation play-off against Moycullen.

An excellently manoeuvred Cian Burke goal on 12 minutes gave the victors a lead they never relinquished. Two more from Jack Carr and Eoin Hannon within two minutes of the restart ensured Niall Sunderland’s charges wouldn’t be caught napping ahead of their four-week break to the quarter-final.

This was a dead rubber though that counted for little and Killimordaly nearly opened with a goal in the second minute only for Brian Burke’s shot to miss the target. They were level at 0-1 apiece on five minutes as Michael Lewis cancelled out an Athenry point from Jason Rabbitte. Carr and Cian Burke made it 0-3 to 0-1 in Athenry’s favour before Lewis doubled his account.

Ronan Hardiman and a Rabbitte sideline cut put the leaders 0-5 to 0-2 up before Cian Burke weaved down the left flank and then chipped over two defenders before rounding keeper Éanna Ryan to send the ball into an empty net.

Killimordaly reacted immediately as Aaron McDonagh, arguably their best player, pointed on the quarter hour before supplying Paul Creaven for another. Darren Daly also forced a save from Athenry 'keeper Paddy Rabbitte, but they were outscored by eight points to four during the next 15 minutes.

Cillian Lawless, Cian Burke and Hardiman made it 1-8 to 0-4 to Athenry before Tommy Earls replied. Jack Fitzpatrick and McDonagh also troubled the umpires for Killimordaly, but Jason Rabbitte, Carr, Cian Burke (two) and Aodhán McDonagh left it 1-13 to 0-7 at half-time.

Athenry were out of sight following the first two attacks upon the restart. Jason Rabbitte’s ball fell for Carr who forced a save from Ryan before poking the rebound over the line for his team's second goal.

Eoin Lawless launched another delivery straight after which Jason Rabbitte won and the Galway senior fed Eoin Hannon for the day's third green flag. Further points from Aodhán McDonagh and Cian Burke left it 3-15 to 0-7 on 35 minutes.

Daly, Creaven (two), Brian Burke and Tommy Earls allowed Killimordaly reduce arrears to 3-18 to 0-12 by the 50th minute, with Cian Burke (two) and Conor Lawless providing the response. Athenry finished with 1-4 unanswered, including 1-3 from placed balls for their talisman Burke and their final point from Jason Rabbitte.

We won’t see Athenry again until early October. Killimordaly, who were again without Galway forward Brian Concannon, have two chances to save their senior status, starting with Moycullen next week.

ATHENRY: P. Rabbitte; Conor Burke, S. Quirke (captain), D. Quirke; S. Brady, E. Lawless, M. Hardiman; Cillian Lawless (0-1), R. Hardiman (0-2); J. Carr (1-2), J. Rabbitte (0-4, 0-1 sideline cut), Conor Lawless (0-1); A. McDonagh (0-2), Cian Burke (2-10, 1-7 frees), F. Burke. Subs: E. Hannon (1-0) for F. Burke inj., 23 mins. E. Caulfield for Hannon (temporary), 45-50 mins; N. Keogh, for J. Rabbitte, 51 mins; J. Rabbitte, for Brady, 53 mins; C. Hardiman, for Cian Burke, 59 mins.

KILLIMORDALY: É. Ryan; A. Brett, G. McDonagh. L. Janssen; M. Lewis (0-2), J. Fitzpatrick (0-1), A. McDonagh (0-2); D. Concannon, D. Daly (0-1, free); O. Earls, T. Earls (0-2), P. Creaven (0-3); E. Daly, B. Burke (0-1, free), R. Brett. Subs: L. Lynskey, for E. Daly, 37 mins; S. Monahan, for O. Earls, 42 mins; I. Broderick, for G. McDonagh, 55 mins; E. Daly, for A. McDonagh, inj, 60+2 mins.

REFEREE: Shane Briscoe.

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH:

Jason Rabbitte (Athenry).