Padraig Pearses 5-9 Tynagh 2-7. Report from Connacht Tribune. Pádraig Pearses won their first East Board title when they beat Tynagh in the Junior Hurling Final at Ballinasloe on Sunday and so brought the first championship cup to the parish of Gurteen and Ballymacward since 1940.
This was an exciting hard-fought game up to the final whistle. Tynagh were he first to break away and led by two points after five minutes, but a goal from a melee soon had Pearses ahead in the sixth minute and they stayed in front. With the advantage of a slight breeze the winners lead at the interval by 3-5 to 0-4.
From possession at the restart Tynagh piled on the pressure and a defensive slip by Pearses led to a goal to which Dervan added points to cut the lead to five points. At this stage it looked like the losers still had a chance, but a breakaway by Pearses captain Tim Burns resulted in a great goal by Vin Connor, which was followed by another by full-forward Jim Molloy. Henceforth the Tynagh men were fighting a losing battle against a hard pulling Pearses side that seemed to be improving as the game progressed.
This was a team triumph for Pearses and their first time pulling on the ground and over head played a significant part in their win. In addition they were yards faster to the ball than their opposite numbers. It was Pearses’ greatest hour since the recent formation of the club and it was a great performance on the part of the new combination to have brought a title to the parish so soon, after a lapse of twenty-seven years. outstanding for the winners were Tim Burns, Gerry Murray, Jim Molloy, Joe Molloy, Tom Cloonan and Martin Kilkenny. Best for Tynagh were the three Dervan brothers, Harney, Reilly and Robinson.
PEARSES: T. Rock, P. Hillary, Joe Molloy, T. Molloy, M. Kilkenny, T. Cloonan, B. Hardiman, K. Blehein, P. Ryan, K. Raftery, G. Murray, T. Burns, S. McDonagh, Jim Molloy, V. Connor. Subs: M. Finnerty, A. Doyle, M. Lally and P. Walsh.
Tynagh: J. Gordon, S. Conroy, D. Burke, D. Robinson, K. Slattery, N. Dervan, M. Reilly, C. Hynes, M. Dervan, I. Harney, W.J. Cunningham, J. Dervan, M. Felle, P. Robinson, M. Kelly.
Referee: Mr. T. Boyle (Ballinasloe).