Junior C Hurling, Round 1

Loughrea 2-14 Pearses 1-10. Pearses started well in this game played in Loughrea, with two points from Paul Bellew and Niall Barrett in the opening three minutes. Loughrea, lead by Nigel Shaughnessy, Stephen Morgan and Gordon Glynn, hit three points in-a-row to take the lead, 0-3 to 0-2. The next six points were shared equally, Pearses scores from Pandamp;aacute;raic Hillary and two David Cunniffe frees, 0-6 to 0-5. Loughrea finished well to leave the half-time score 0-9 to 0-6.
Loughrea pulled five clear on the restart. Niall Barrett and a solo effort from Pandamp;aacute;raic Hillary cut the gap, 0-11 to 0-8. But again Loughrea pushed the lead to five. The loss of injured Sean Kelly at full-back was a blow to Pearses and Loughrea took advantage forcing a penalty and raising the green flag. Pearses added points from Seandamp;aacute;n Walsh and Pandamp;aacute;raic Hillary, with Walsh also going close with a goal chance, 1-11 to 0-10. In an eventful few minutes Loughrea struck 1-1 and Damien Mannion goaled for Pearses to leave it 2-12 to 1-10. Loughrea however killed off the game with two more points.
Pearses: E Daly; B Raftery, S Kelly, T Carr; D Burke, E Barrett, A Burke; P Hillary (0-3), N Barrett (0-2); S Walsh (0-1), P Bellew (0-1), D Naughton; D Mannion, D Cunniffe (0-3), A Queeney. Subs used: C Queeney, K Murphy (1-2).