Kirwan strikes late for Rathgormack
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.
