Sport

Burke returns to action in tight Galway victory

Galway finished the stronger at sunny Kenny Park, Athenry yesterday to preserve their unbeaten record in Division 1A of the Church…

Mon Apr 19 1999 - 01:00

Galway finished the stronger at sunny Kenny Park, Athenry yesterday to preserve their unbeaten record in Division 1A of the Church and General National Hurling League. With the winners already assured of a place in the semi-finals, and Limerick certain to finish in a mid-table position, this encounter lacked passion or bite, although the closeness of the scores always kept interest high.

It was the home side which started brightest with a goal from Alan Kerins following two excellent long range frees by Eugene Cloonan. The Shannonsiders, without late defections Joe Quaid and Ciaran Carey, rose to the challenge and soon closed the gap.

Although Galway kept their noses in front during the first quarter, the visitors scored four times in succession to cut the arrears to a minimum. Ollie Fahy landed two Galway points before Mike Galligan converted a free for the visitors who briefly led after TJ Ryan goaled.

Eugene Cloonan responded with two points just before the break to edge Mattie Murphy's men into a 1-8 to 1-7 interval lead. The teams were deadlocked at 1-11 at the three-quarter stage.

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Galway took a three-point lead when Kevin Broderick blasted to the net after a well-worked move, although it was short-lived. Corner forward Mike Galligan, who accounted for six of Limerick's points, four of them from frees, made it 2-11 to 1-12 with eight minutes remaining, although Eamonn Creagan's side failed to score again, and a sweetly struck Kevin Broderick point gave the local team a one goal cushion.

With time running out, Eugene Cloonan converted a free after Ollie Moran was booked for a bad tackle on Ollie Fahy to seal a deserved Galway victory.

This was an experimental Galway side which welcomed back long-term injury victim Liam Burke to their problem midfield. Though clearly not match fit, he contributed some vital touches.

Galway: D Howe, M Healy, B Feeney, P Huban, P Kelly, F Flynn, L Hodgins, B Carr, L Burke, A Kerins (1-1), C Moore (0-1), K Broderick (1-1), F Forde, O Fahy (0-3), E Cloonan (0-8, 6 frees). Subs: N Kenny for Forde and T Kavanagh for Carroll.

Limerick: A Shanahan, S Lucey, B Begley, B Geary, D Clarke, O Moran, C Smith, B Tobin (01), J Foley (0-1), TJ Ryan (1-0), M Houlihan (0-1), M Foley (0-1), D Quigley, J Moran (0-1), M Galligan (0-6, 4 frees). Subs: B Foley (0-1) for Clarke inj. D Nash for Begley.

Referee: Sean McMahon (Clare).