It was a great day of hurling in Ballymacward on Saturday as the club hosted 4 other teams for the Toddie Byrne Shield (Feile) competition. Referees for the day were Sean Moran (Abbeyknockmoy) and Trevor Barrett (Ahascragh-Fohenagh) with the activity being co-ordinated by Michael Hehir (Tuam HC). There were 8 games played, in the brilliant and unexpected sunshine, with Pearses contesting 4 of the games. Two games had been played the previous evening, with wins for Ballinasloe and Micheal Breathnach.
Pearses played Tuam in their first Group game, Tuam’s second game. Conor O’Neill and Geordan Kenny top scored as Pearses won easily, 2-6 to 0-1. Micheal Breathnach were next up and Conor O’Neill was in top form again, hitting 3-2 as Pearses emerged 5-3 to 0-2 winners. Directly afterwards Pearses played Sarsfields, who we lost to previously this year, in the Championship. Pearses were flying it and led 1-2 to 0-2 at the break, but Pearses legs began to tire and Sarsfields stormed back in the second half, led by the excellent Darren Morrissey at midfield to win 2-7 to 1-3.
There was break then for the lads, as two other games were played. Ballinasloe defeating Micheal Breathnach and Sarsfields accounting for Tuam HC, to set up the last game, between Pearses and Ballinasloe, as a playoff decider. A win for Pearses would have forced a 3 way playoff between Pearses, Ballinasloe and Sarsfields. Our lads went behind to an early flurry of Ballinasloe scores, yielding 1-2. Pearses contested well in the second quarter, but Pearses dangerman Conor O’Neill was watched closely by Ballinasloe’s backline and we couldn’t get any scores on the board. Half-time score was 1-2 to 0-0.
Ballinasloe added another 1-2 in the second half despite the great efforts of Pearses’ Eoghan McCabe and Ronan Flannery in the backline, Pearses points coming again from Conor O’Neill. Final score was 2-4 to 0-2. Ballinasloe centre-back Darragh Kenny is one to watch out for in the future. Ballinasloe played Annaghdown in the Shield Final, in Pearse Stadium on Sunday, but lost by 3 points.
Pearses Squad: Jarlath Healy, Eoghan McCabe, Ronan Flannery, Darragh Healy, Jack Barrett, Stephen Doran, Geordan Kenny, Dylan Grady, Dean Reilly, Darren Lally, Conor O’Neill, Shane Hynes, Tomandamp;aacute;s Carr, Oisin Flannery, Cathal Kitt, Conor Burke, James Friel, Marc Hennelly, Daniel Geraghty, Jacob Geraghty. Manager: Pat Healy.