A Darragh Flynn goal for Western Gaels on 48 mins not only put his side into the lead for the first time in the game, but was enough for Western Gaels to hold on to victory over home side Tourlestrane in this Sligo senior hurling championship tie.

The slightest of margins separated the teams in the second half, and despite there being just a point in it at half time, Tourlestrane were rampant in the opening stages.

Aiden Marren started the scoring for the home side after just two minutes after a nice solo run, before points from Brennan brothers Ruairi and Tom, and one from midfielder Kevin O’Kennedy gave Tourlestrane a four point advantage after four minutes.

Granted, they only managed three more points in the remaining 25 minutes in the half, but considering Western Gael’s wide count it was Tourlestrane who were the more accurate.

It took eight minutes for Gaels to register their first through Darragh Flynn, which was followed seconds later by an MJ Crean free.

Tourlestrane brought their lead back out to three points with the score of the half from centre half forward JP Lang. With some nice footwork to get past his marker, his effort from distance off his left side sailed over the crossbar.

Marren and O’Kennedy added scores for Tourlestrane to keep the visitors at arm’s length, but a couple of scores from Aidan Morrison and Jack Byron closed the gap to just a point before Gus Chapman’s half time whistle.

O’Kennedy hit his third pointed free after the restart, and the first clear goal chance of the game came just minutes later.

An effort from distance for Tourlestrane forced goalkeeper Seamus Foody to bat the ball down in front of him. The oncoming Conor Surlis connected but failed to get the sliotar over the line, thanks to some good recovery work from Foody.

Alan Cawley capitalised with a score for Gaels before two splendid efforts from Marren and Diarmuid Brennan gave Tourlestrane a lead of three points.

Heading into the final quarter of the game and Gaels started to build momentum, working well to overturn and halt some direct Tourlestrane attacking. With primary possession vital, Cawley and Morrison worked well to supply the forward line, resulting in pointed frees from Cawley himself.

With just a point between the sides, the game’s only goal came. Darragh Flynn looked lively throughout, and evaded his marker to find the perfect goal scoring opportunity. From just inside the penalty area, he showed great composure to strike home past the helpless Patrick Quinn in the Tourlestrane goal. A two point lead for Gaels, and a very interesting ten minutes ahead.

It was tit for tat for the game’s closing scores – Ruairi Brennan hit another free, cancelled out by Cawley. O’Kennedy got his fourth, Marren added to it, and again Gaels had a response.

With just a point in the game, Tourlestrane broke up the stand side of the field heading toward the scoreboard end. O’Kennedy showed a clean pair of heels to his man, weaving by challenges before eventually being fouled 25 yards from goal. He pointed the resulting free with just seconds left in normal time. Again, primary possession vital.

Western Gaels won the play back from the puck out, and earned a free in front of their own dug out, roughly 65 metres from the target on the angle. Up stepped Cawley, but his effort fell short and led to a scramble for possession. Amidst the carnage, Darragh Flynn gained control, slotting over from close range followed by a mighty roar from the sideline.

His score would not only be the winner but the last act of the game, as Western Gaels ran out winners 1-11 to 0-13.

Tourlestrane scorers:

A Marren (0-4), K O’Kennedy (0-4f), R Brennan (0-2, 0-1f), T Brennan, D Brennan, JP Lang (0-1 each).

Tourlestrane team:

P Quinn; P Tobin, C Walsh, C McVeigh; T Brennanm, R Brennan, A Walsh; C Surlis, K O’Kennedy; D Brennan, JP Lang, A Marren; E Gallagher, K Brennan, D O’Dowd.

Subs used:

R Forkin, S Roddy.

Western Gaels scorers:

D Flynn (1-2, 0-1f), A Cawley (0-4, 0-3f), MJ Crean (0-2, 0-1f), J Byron (0-1), C Flynn, A Morrison (0-1f each).

Western Gaels team:

S Foody; M Connolly, T Cawley, L Gilmartin; O Quinn, A Morrison, N Hallinan; A Cawley, F Ryan; N Crean, MJ Crean, J Byron; C Flynn, D O’Boyle, D Flynn.

Subs used:

S Donegan, P Ruane.

Referee:

G Chapman.