An impressive Turloughmore outfit claimed the Division One title at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.
By Kevin Egan
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Turloughmore hurling club in Galway joined a very select group of GAA clubs this weekend when their 0-8 to 0-6 victory over Durlas Óg meant that they became just the seventh club to win multiple Féile na nGael Division One titles – and only the second that comes from anywhere other than Cork city or Kilkenny city.
A strong first half performance when playing into a strong breeze on the main pitch at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence at Bekan was key for the Galway side as they took an 0-4 to 0-2 lead into the break.
Some stunning long range frees from Tommy Maher and a wonderful defensive display, led by James Ayilaran, helped Durlas Óg to work their way back into contention but two excellent late points from full forward Tom Nolan, both struck under heavy pressure, delivered the Christy Ring Cup to Turloughmore, adding to the title they won in 2010.
St. Finbarr’s are another team in that select group, and they secured the Division 1 shield title with a 2-11 to 0-2 win over Ballygunner. William and Cian Buckley scored freely for the Barrs, while full forward Ben O’Connor added a number of excellent goals for the Rebel county men over the course of the competition.
Naas are the Division Two champions, also for the second time, after they fired in five goals in their semi-final win over Ballyduff of Kerry and then four more in their final victory over St. Colm’s of Ballinascreen, while Kilnadeema-Leitrim beat Tommy Larkins by 3-6 to 0-3 in the Shield final at that level.
Ben O Connor, St Finbarrs, Cork, and Evan O Connor, Monaleen, Limerick, during the John West Feile na nGael Division One Shield Final.
The Division Three final was one of the best events of the day as Emeralds of Kilkenny overcame Mount Leinster Rangers of Carlow by 2-9 to 2-8 in a riproaring final, also played at Bekan. The Shield final was another all-Galway affair, with Kinvara overcoming Carnmore.
Cathal King and Andrew Coakley were among the star performers for Offaly side CRC Gaels in their 1-4 to 0-6 win over Cois Farraige, another Galway side, in the Division Four cup final. Fellow midlanders Castletown-Geoghegan were the Shield winners in that division.
Commercials are the Division Five champions after beating Mullagh-Kiltormer at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar, with Clann na nGael picking up the Shield honours in their home county, while the other winners were Clonea (Waterford), Abbeyknockmoy (Galway), Clara (Offaly), Ennistymon (Clare), Four Roads (Roscommon), East Cavan Gaels, Longford Slashers and Ringtown (Westmeath).
Arguably the highlight of the day was the Camogie decider in which Sarsfields, aiming for their third Division One title in a row, shared the honours with Kilrush of Wexford, 1-5 each after extra time. Four times the South Leinster side took the lead, four times the champions came back and there was huge relief at the end when the referee confirmed that the crown would be shared, rather than forcing the teams to contest a freetaking shootout.
Ballygalget of Down won the Division Two camogie cup, while a great day for Laois Camogie resulted in the Harps (Division Three) and O’Moore’s (Division Four) winning their respective divisions.
