Kirwan strikes late for Rathgormack

Rathgormack sub Jamie Kirwan grabbed a decisive goal in injury time at Fraher Field on Saturday to secure their first win of 2014 and inflict a second defeat on Clashmore.

With both sides suffering losses last weekend, a positive result was vital to turn thoughts towards a quarter final spot. John Prendergast kicked five points as Clashmore entered the dying embers with a slender advantage (0-10 to 0-9). Gavin Nugent, who claimed three points, spurned the chance of an equaliser from a free in the second added minute. Their chance had disappeared or so it seemed. They won the resultant kickout and two substitutes combined as Ciaran Fogarty fed Kirwan to nail down that prized opening pair of points (1-9 to 0-10).

Steered by Shane and Robert Ahearne, Stradbally dusted off the early cobwebs to deny De La Salle and stay unbeaten at a damp Walsh Park last night (1-12 to 1-6). De La Salle’s lightening start caught the Reds unawares. They accumulated four points in seven minutes (Colm Morris pair and one apiece by Mitchell Casey and David Kennedy). Stradbally gathered themselves through three points each from David Grey and Robert Ahearne to reach the interval with two in hand, 0-8 to 0-6. A Robert Ahearne penalty after 40 minutes offered security although a gallant De La Salle countered with a Stephen Dalton three pointer.

Three goals in three first half minutes allowed Ballinacourty gallop away from Ardmore at Bushy Park, winning 4-10 to 1-8.

After a cagey start, Shane O’Donovan thumped to the roof of the net on 22 minutes. Gary Hurney followed two minutes later before the pick of the bunch from Mark Gorman. David Gartland briefly lifted Ardmore spirits with a green flag on 41 minutes but substitute Jason O’Brien’s powerful blast with eight minutes left sugar-coated Courty’s Saturday.

The Nire sauntered past St Saviours 2-10 to 1-3. Shane Ryan helped himself to 2-3 to become the top scorer in the championship with 3-8 filed in two games. The Ballymacarbry men used the wind to leave matters at eight points to nil by half time. St Saviours failed to score for 43 minutes before Brian Power broke their duck. Joey Phelan missed a penalty on 20 minutes but made amends with an injury-time spot kick.

Ballinameela and Gaultier drew 0-12 apiece at Fraher Field yesterday. The game was riddled with 46 frees and JJ Hutchinson equalised for Gaultier from a placed ball in added time. Tom and Jim Curran combined for ten points on the Ballinameela side but Hutchinson, accountable for nine, clawed them back.