Our Senior hurlers complete their Group D Championship games this Sunday evening against Tommie Larkins, in Loughrea (5pm). This will be the third year in-a-row that the sides have met in the Championship, with one win each to date. Larkin’s were favourites in this Fixture last year, but a powerful performance by Cyril Donnellan (scoring 2-2) helped Pearses to a 4-13 to 2-11 win in Athenry. The previous year, in Killimor, Larkins were two point winners in a goal-less game, in which the Pearses wide count was testament to the absence of freetaker Tomandamp;aacute;s Flannery.
This game is of little importance as regards Group standings. Pearses have already qualified for the Quarter-Finals and Tommie Larkin’s can’t, having lost to both Kiltormer and Beagh in previous Group games. The Woodford-Ballinakill team will however be keen not to finish their Group schedule without a win. Pearses are unbeaten in this year’s Championship and can approach the Quarter-Final with greater confidence if that record is extended on Sunday. Beagh play Kiltormer, also on Sunday evening, with the winner of that game qualifying, with Pearses, for the Quarter-Finals.
Tommie Larkins have lost some key players from last year, but they retain the likes of young Jason Flynn and Peter English, who will be looking to prove that they are no pushovers. Pearses will be again without Emmett Ward and Kerrill Hardiman, both with hand injuries sustained in the Kiltormer game. Darragh Skehill has now also been added to the injury list, so there will be a wing-forward spot up for grabs.
The Pearses game will be refereed by John Keane and is followed by the SHC meeting of Killimordaly and Portumna at 6.30pm. The weather promises to remain dry so please come along and support the lads!