Athenry hurlers advance to club final

By Mark Jones

Athenry (Galway) 2-9, Birr (Offaly) 1-10

There was no escaping the tension here. The 1997 All Ireland club hurling champions pitted against the 1998 champions in this season’s semifinal at Thurles. Something had to give and Athenry held out for a deserved victory Sunday.

Intelligent opportunism in the first half, tough defense during the second and when Birr launched their comeback, the Connacht champions had enough in reserve. Their captain, Joe Rabbitte, distributed the long balls struck in his direction expertly and Eugene Cloonan was on the mark with two goals before the changeover.

The first was the product of a mistake by Birr’s Gary Cahill and then when Rabbitte was fouled, Cloonan drove the 20 meter free unerringly to the net. Birr were in trouble at that stage, but just when it seemed as if Athenry would kill the game off, the Offalymen pounced for a goal of their own.

Oisin O’Neill appeared to have mis-hit his free but the ball floated high into the top left hand corner of the net at the interval, the margin was down to three points.

Despite a couple of quick scores by Cloonan, who finished with 2-3, Birr worked their way back into the contest as Brian Whelahan came into his own and they were level after five unanswered points. "When they pegged us back," said Rabbitte, "I knew we had to get the next score."

Pat Higgins obliged and substitute Donal Moran added another and Athenry were through to the St. Patrick’s Day decider.

St. Joe’s Doora-Barefield (Clare) 0-12, Cushendall (Antrim) 0-12

Athenry’s opponents in the final are not yet decided following Cushendall’s magnificent performance at Parnell Park. Regarded as rank outsiders going into this semifinal against the reigning All-Ireland club champions, Cushendall, were full value for this draw.

In fact, at the close of business, it was St. Joseph’s, with their powerful Clare contingent, who were breathing the sighs of relief. Jamesie O’Connor did well to contribute five points in an otherwise low key display, but Cushendall were in no way intimidated as Conor McCambridge and Fergus McAllister pushed them into an early lead.

It was level, at 0-5, at the interval and then the lead changed hands four times during the second half before St. Joseph’s sub, Fergal O’Sullivan, provided the equalizer. The teams will meet again on Saturday.