Athenry show promise

By JIM CARNEY Loughrea .0-16 Athenry .1-11 THERE ARE defeats that have no â€Ëœpositives' and give no cause for optimism but sometimes, as Athenry experienced at Kenny Park on Sunday, they can be a launch pad for a new beginning and a brighter future. Loughrea, always a Championship force with their 'hard team to beat' reputation, were pitted against a youthful Athenry combination, including several members of the County Minor winning team of two years ago. This is a new era for Athenry, ten years after they won the last of six County Championships between 1994 and 2002, along with three All-Ireland Club titles in 1997, 2000 and 2001. This year, two long-serving defenders retired, Brian Higgins and Michael John Quinn, while injuries also prevented Diarmuid Cloonan from keeping his career going. Eugene Cloonan, one of the greatest Galway hurlers of modern times, had his career cut short by injury too, while of the good younger players coming through, defender Ciarán O'Donovan has been most unfortunate with injuries.[private] Of the old stalwarts from the glory days, goalkeeper Michael Crimmins has made a comeback this year to help out and add badly needed experience and he was excellent last Sunday, especially in the second half when Loughrea went long and dangerous with their deliveries into the goal at the road end of Kenny Park. The full-back line of young Darragh Glynn, Matthew Monaghan and Eoin Donnellan also stood their ground very well and the half-back line showed similar spirit and determination. Further out, there were particularly good contributions from Seán Glynn and Shane Donohue in the half-forward line, while midfielders Mark Hannon and Cathal Keane also put in some great work, although Loughrea's young county man Johnny Coen gave the best display in that area. Loughrea, to their great credit, pulled out that little bit extra every time they looked in danger of being caught and in the powerful Johnny Maher, who finished this game out at right wing-forward, they have an inspirational captain for this Championship campaign. Athenry: M. Crimmins; D. Glynn, M. Monaghan, E. Donnellan; J. Kelly, L. Howley, captain, C. Burke; M. Hannon (0-2), C. Keane; S. Glynn (0-6, all frees), S. Donohue (1-2), J. Divilly; C. Cannon (0-1), J. Carr, D. Donohue. Sub., E. McGowan, for Divilly. Loughrea: N. Murray; Eoin Mahony, D. McClearn, T. Regan; V. Maher, P. Huban, B. Mahony; S. Sweeney (0-1), J. Coen (0-2); Emmet Mahony (0-1), G. Keary, captain (0-1), I. Hanrahan; J. O'Loughlin (0-3), J. Maher (0-6, four frees), K. Colleran (0-1). Sub., J. Ryan (0-1), for Hanrahan. Referee: John Keane. Herald Sport Man of the Match: Johnny Coen (Loughrea).[/private]