The senior hurlers picked up a hard earned win at home to Ballyvarley at Falls Park last Sunday. Played in perfect conditions, we got off to the worst possible start with Ballyvarley getting an early goal and two points to see us trail by five. However, we gradually settled and three points from Canice Mooney and one from Sean Smyth saw us back in the game. Both teams battled hard and we were guilty of shooting many wides and were punished when Ballyvarley scored their second goal of the game. Once again we showed determination, Canice fired over another two points and Alan Rainey drove to the back of the net to finish off a well worked attack. Chris Gallagher got on the score sheet with a point and Canice got another brace of points to see the sides go in level at half time 1-9 to 2-6.
The second half was equally exciting with both teams wanting the win. Ballyvarley went two points in front before three Canice Mooney points gave us the lead for the first time in the match. Points from Gearoid Cosgrove, Alan Rainey and Chris Gallagher extended our lead to four and with time running out it appeared we had done enough to win the game. However, Ballyvarley got their third goal of the game and quickly followed it with a point to level. Time was now down to the discretion of the referee and we pushed one final time to get the winning score. As we crossed the halfway line we were awarded a free and as Canice Mooney stepped forward to take it the referee informed him that this was the final puck of the game. Canice coolly lifted the sliotar and struck it sweetly between the posts to give us the win by the minimum margin, an exciting end to an entertaining game.
