The Junior C hurlers went down to Clarinbridge yesterday evening in Ballymacward, despite a spirited second half performance. Ultimately though, the half-time deficit (0-13 to 0-3) was too big a lead to pull back.andamp;nbsp;
The Bridge started well and opened a three point lead, aided by a strong breeze. Keith Murphy hit Pearses’ first score, but it would be 10 minutes before another as the Bridge profited from Pearses’ fouling to go 6 clear. Pearses were creating scoring chances, but were not putting scores on the board. Pairic Hillary uncharacteristically off target from placed balls.andamp;nbsp;
Niall Barrett then pointed after a good Pearses move, involving Shane Ruane and Hillary to end that scoreless spell. However, the Bridge tacked on 3-in-row before Pandamp;aacute;iric Hillary hit back from play. The Bridge again hit back with three more to leave the half-time score 0-13 to 0-3 and at this stage it looked like the outcome could be bleak.
However Pearses stormed into it in the second half and now with the wind advantage held Clarinbridge scoreless for the first 23 minutes, scoring 1-3. Substitute Declan Lawless was causing problems for the Bridge defence and it was his hard work that created the goal for David Cunniffe, as well as adding a point from play himself not long after. Pairic Hillary was back on target from placed balls and hit the other two points. The gap was down to 4.
Substitute Colm Queeney and Paul Bellew went close with goal efforts, before Clarinbridge finally got their tally moving again from a free, to push their lead to 5. Hillary pointed another long range free, but it was the Bridge who finished with the final two points of the game to run out 6 point winners.
This was an entertaining game despite the bad conditions and a marked improvement from Pearses on last week’s outing against Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry. The lads showing great character to make a game of it in the second half. The next Championship game is scheduled for July 6th against Kilbeacanty. There will be challenge games between now and then and new players are always welcome.
Pearses: Rory Treacy; Tom Ryan, Seandamp;aacute;n Kelly, Tom Carr; Brendan Raftery, Paul Bellew, Paul Scarry; Pairic Hillary (0-4, 3f), Ollie Laheen; Shane Ruane, Niall Barrett (0-1), Damian Mannion; David Cunniffe (1-0), Keith Murphy (0-1), Adrian Queeney. Subs: Colm Queeney, Declan Lawless (0-1), Darren Burke, Joe Flannery.