Our Minor hurlers exited the Championship, when they lost out to an impressive Killimor side in Loughrea earlier today. Pearses were playing catch-up from the start and when Killimor opened a seven point lead after twelve minutes of the second half it looked like they would cruise to victory.
The opening quarter was close and Killimor were more economical with their chances. Pearses were guilty of some wayward shooting and so Killimor lead 0-5 to 0-3 at the 15 minute mark. Lee Murphy, Brian Sweeney and Shane Skehill were the Pearses scorers, all from play. Killimor tagged on two more points, to open a four-point lead before Brian Sweeney, now at full-forward was fouled for a 21-yard free. Ronan Bellew went low, but his shot was stopped on the line. Killimor’s lead went to six points, before Brian Sweeney broke Pearses’ scoreless spell, with a pointed free. Half-time: Killimor 0-9 Pearses 0-4.
Pearses had the opening two points of the second half, both from Brian Sweeney and a revival was on the cards. Killimor however, responded well and hit 1-1 in reply. They now led by seven and Pearses were struggling. The next six points of the game were evenly shared, one a super score from the left wing by Ronan Bellew. Killimor were keeping Pearses at arms length and any hopes of a turnaround were fast disappearing.
In the three quarter juncture the score stood at 1-13 to 0-9, but Killimor would add just one more point to this in the final quarter as Pearses had their most productive spell of the game. Ronan Bellew now playing a more advanced role for Pearses was becoming more influential and a point apiece from himself and Brian Sweeney cut the gap to five. Bellew then breached the previously watertight Killimor defence to somehow scramble the ball over the line under pressure.
Killimor hit back at the other end, with a pointed free, 1-14 to 1-11. Bellew hit another excellent score from the left wing and suddenly Pearses looked at though they could steal this game. However the final minutes of the game were marred by two stoppages, which stifled the Pearses momentum and resulted in sendings off for both sides.andamp;nbsp;
Overall Killimor were the better team on the day and deserved the win. Best for Pearses were Keith Connell and Alan Naughton in defence, the Ronans (O’Neill and Bellew) in midfield and Brian Sweeney in attack. Thanks to the Management team of Paul O’Brien, John Jenkins, Kevin Connell and Martin Campbell for the work with the lads throughout the year.
Pearses: John Lally; Ronan Carr, Keith Connell, Paul Lally; Alan Naughton, John Jenkins, Darragh Kelly; Ronan Bellew (1-3), Ronan O’Neill; Shane Skehill (0-1), Gary Hennelly, Brian Sweeney (0-7); Lee Murphy (1-0), Tom Carr, Finbar Healy. Subs used: Thomas Broderick, Darren Naughton, Daniel Masterson.