Winning start for Swatragh hurlers in Owenbeg

Swatragh 1-16 ... Banagher 0-17

It was a slow burner but once it got going the sides produced an exciting second half as Swatragh got their Leadon Timber Frame Hurling Championship Group B campaign off to a winning start in Owenbeg on Saturday.

The opening half produced more wides than scores but on the resumption it turned into a very exciting encounter that went down to the wire. The sides had met in last year’s senior semi-final, with Banagher booking their place in the decider and sending Swatragh to the Intermediate final, which they were to win. However, Swatragh gained revenge with a deserved win, led by the excellent Cathal Murray.

The sides were level at the break with just 12 scores between them while they contributed 16 wides in that opening half.

However, the goal from PJ O’Connell on the stroke of half-time was to prove crucial and was the score that settled this evenly contested affair at the end. The eventual winners will feel they let a few goal behind them over the hour, but credit must go to Banagher ‘keeper Darrell McDermott who made a string of fine stops.

Swatragh raced three points clear with Declan Quinn (2) and James Friel both converting frees before Banagher hit their scoring spree to level as Callum O’Kane, Liam Eoin Campbell and Shane Farran (free) were on target.

Both sides were guilty of wasting opportunities with Swatragh in particular shooting a number of wides with nine in all by the break, Banagher hit seven. Last year’s runners-up almost got in for a goal but super defending from Sean Francis Quinn cut out the final pass that would have put Ruairi Biggs clear. Cathal Murray edged the winners back in front before the all-important goal arrived. Murray again involved, found Fintain McGurk who cut open the defence with a pacy run and then laid the ball off to PJ O’Connell to rifle home.

Banagher dug deep to respond and in the blink of an eye they rattled off three successive points before Callum O’Kane levelled to leave it at the break Banagher 0-7 Swatragh 1-4.

IN PICTURES: Swatragh hurlers winning start in Owenbeg against Banagher

Friel with a ’65 on the resumption edged Swatragh in front but a superb catch above the crossbar from McDermott denied them the score and from his clearance Cathair McGilligan levelled again. Friel converted another ’65 but three in-a-row saw Banagher move two clear, Farren with two of these from frees. Back came Swatragh with that man Murray to the fore and he hit two and substitute Paddy Quinn, who was to have a huge impact, also hit a brace.

The sides were level for the sixth time as the game entered the final quarter but Swatragh were to move into a lead they never let slip again. Murray on target between two from Declan Quinn. Farren with a brace looked like dragging Banagher back into the game but Murray was to hit another huge point at the other end to make sure Swatragh were to stay clear. McDermott was again called on to deny Dominic Bradley but when Paddy Quinn found the range it looked like Swatragh had done enough.

Banagher did not lie down and came back with Farren and Biggs points to leave it a one point game entering added time. Friel won vital possession for Swatragh and also a free as he tried to get out of a ruck of players and he stepped up to fire between the posts to leave two between them at the finish.

The sides will return to action in round 2 on Saturday week with Swatragh facing Ballinascreen and Banagher facing Lavey.

Team and Scorers

Swatragh: C Murray 0-5, J Friel 0-4 (2 ’65, 2f), D Quinn 0-4 (2f), P Quinn 0-3, PJ O’Connell 1-0.
Banagher: S Farren 0-8 (5f), Callum O’Kane 0-3, D Martin 0-2, C McGilligan, L E Campbell and R Biggs 0-1 each.

Swatragh: Niall McQuillan; Ben Kearney, Patrick Turner, Sean Francis Quinn; Sean Martin Quinn, Tiarnan Walsh, Cathal Quinn; James Friel, Paul Gunning; Fintain McGurk, Cathal Murray, Declan Quinn; Dominic Bradley, PJ O’Connell, Shea Walsh.

Subs: Paddy Quinn for Walsh (HT), Brendan Bradley for McGurk (61).

Banagher: Darrell McDermott; Cathal O’Kane, Darragh McCloskey, Gabriel Farren; Shane Murphy, Brian Og McGilligan, Fiontain McGilligan; Cathair McGilligan, Ben McCullagh; Liam Eoin Campbell, Callum O’Kane, Keelan O’Kane; Darragh Martin, Shane Farren, Ruairi Biggs.

Subs: Ciaran Lynch for K O’Kane (42), Senan Lockhart for G Farren (48), Callum Armstrong for McCullagh (48), Oisin McCloskey for Martin (52).

Referee: Owen Elliot.

Player of the Match - Cathal Murray turned in a superb display and finished with five points to his name. His scores all came at vital moments in the game to guide his side to victory. It was not all about the scores as he was involved in so much that was good about what Swatragh offered and was key to the win. Declan Quinn was also key as too, was Sean Francis Quinn. For Banagher Darrell McDermott was excellent.

Turning Point - A goal in any game is huge and PJ O’Connell’s was massive and crucial at the end. With Swatragh leading 0-4 to 0-3 and half-time approaching O’Connell fired to the net and a score that finally ignited a game that was badly needing something to get it started.

Score of the Game - Many contenders with most of Murrays all in the running as well as the goal. However, the point from Cathal Murray that made the score 0-11 to 1-7 in favour of Banagher as Murray fired over on the run along the stand side.