Castlegar’s late, late show was high drama

By BILLY COSS Castlegar .1-17 Craughwell .1-14 THE opening weekend of group matches in the Salthill Hotel-sponsored Galway S.H.C. produced a host of tight finishes but none matched the drama of last Saturday eveningâ€â„¢s frantic finale as Castlegar edged their Group C clash with Craughwell at Kenny Park, Athenry thanks to a match-winning injury-time goal from Dean Higgins. It was a thrilling end to a full-blooded second half in which Craughwell recovered brilliantly from seven points down during a wretched first half to the verge of a stirring victory. They hit the front entering the second of three added minutes following a series of late points but just when the win looked theirs, it was snatched away by Castlegar when Higgins pounced and wing-back Donal McGreal followed up with a point in the next passage of play.[private] With 17 County titles to their name, Castlegar top Galway club hurlingâ€â„¢s roll of honour but almost thirty years have passed since their last title arrived in 1984 and these days theyâ€â„¢re rated among the outsiders for the County Cup. Of the 16 teams that lined up in the group stages, only Kinvara and Killimordaly were available at longer odds in the outright betting markets but John McIntyreâ€â„¢s charges are playing with huge levels of spirit and commitment and theyâ€â„¢ve now backed up a superb second-half comeback against Sarsfields, in which they overturned a seven-point deficit to win by ten, to move firmly into contention for a quarter-final berth. This defeat turns up the pressure on Craughwell and theyâ€â„¢ll likely need to defeat Kinvara â€â€ who fell to Loughrea 0-17 to 0-13, in Group Câ€â„¢s other fixture on Saturday â€â€ next time out if theyâ€â„¢re to keep their Championship hopes alive. Their first-half failings, in which they spurned a number of decent chances and struggled to match the intensity and physicality brought by Castlegar, left them chasing the match and was every bit as much of a factor in their defeat as the concession of that late, late goal. Niall Healy returned after a torn bicep resulted in him missing Craughwellâ€â„¢s opening two Championship matches. The Galway panelist was on the receiving end of some hefty challenges from Castlegar defenders early on and while he finished with eight points, three from play, and was among Craughwellâ€â„¢s top performers, he was uncharacteristically off-form from frees and saw a late penalty fly over the Castlegar crossbar. In a tight match, it proved significant especially when the opposition could call on Ger Farragher, one of the finest placed ball exponents around. The Castlegar midfielder offered a reminder of his talents and showed occasional flashes of brilliance with a trademark sideline cut â€â€ his fourth in just two Galway SHC matches â€â€ and a glorious second-half point among his haul of seven points. With Tomás Mannion, Kevin Keane and Donal McGreal all dominant in Castlegarâ€â„¢s half-back line, the winners largely controlled the first half and took a 0-10 to 0-4 lead at the break. Farragher exerted a major influence while Enda Concannon was the pick of an attack that made good use of a steady stream of ball. Things looked bleak for Craughwell at half-time but they stormed back after the re-start with the Healy brothers, Niall and Fergal, Cathal Greaney, Mark Horan and Michael Coughlan, who struck 1-2 in the second period, all prominent in their revival. Castlegarâ€â„¢s chances were hampered by the loss of Jason Oâ€â„¢Gorman, Kevin Brady and Tomás Mannion â€â€ all to injuries by the 34th minute â€â€ but they still looked to be holding their opponents at armâ€â„¢s length with Pa Connell and Kevin Keane superb in defence and rallying scores coming from Farragher and Ronan Oâ€â„¢Flynn, who provided vital leadership during the second half. That was until a storming finish saw Craughwell hit the front for the first time in added time, 1-14 to 0-16. Healy had blazed a penalty over in the 57th minute but Dermot Ryanâ€â„¢s equaliser was quickly followed by a Michael Coughlan point from distance soon after, as the clock ticked into the 62nd minute. In a match of several momentum shifts, it looked to have run away from Castlegar but there was still time for one more twist. Centre-back Keane, immense throughout, set an attack in motion that ended with Dean Higgins netting from close range and securing what may turn out to be a vital win for John McIntyreâ€â„¢s team and one that Craughwell â€â€ under the management of McIntyreâ€â„¢s Connacht Tribune colleague Stephen Glennon â€â€ could come to rue by the end of the group phase. Castlegar: J. Murphy; O. Teagle, P. Connell, P. Oâ€â„¢Flynn; T. Mannion (0-1), K. Keane, D. McGreal (0-2); G. Farragher (captain, 0-7, four frees, one 65, one sideline), S. King; D. Higgins (1-1), E. Concannon (0-2), D. Oâ€â„¢Gorman; J. Oâ€â„¢Gorman (0-1), R. Oâ€â„¢Flynn (0-2), K. Brady (0-1). Subs: S. Connolly, for J. Oâ€â„¢Gorman inj., 12 mins; A. Farragher, for Brady inj., 30 mins; B. Hartnett, for Mannion inj., 34 mins. Craughwell: A. Ryan; G. Oâ€â„¢Halloran, I. Daniels, M. Monaghan; John Ryan, C. Greaney, A. Cullinane; M. Horan (0-1), J. Greaney; F. Healy (0-2), D. Ryan (0-1), M. Coughlan (1-2); K. Cullinane, Jamie Ryan, N. Healy (captain, 0-8, four frees, one penalty). Sub., K. Greene, for K. Cullinane inj., half-time. Referee: Gerry Donoghue (Kilnadeema-Leitrim). Herald Sport Man of the Match: Kevin Keane (Castlegar). [/private]