Western Gaels 2-6 Easkey 8-24

Easkey, the current Sligo senior hurling champions set out their stall for this year's

championship with a very comprehensive win over local rivals Western Gaels on

Saturday last.

Playing at Castleconnor’ St Brendan’s Park, . Western Gaels had the aid of a strong

cross field win in the opening half  but it was Easkey who were first on the

scoreboard with three unanswered points, all from Andrew Kilcullen. 

Ciarán Keenan pointed from a free to give Western Gaels their first score but Easkey

continued to dominate proceedings and added 2-5 to their tally before their

opponents could establish any foothold.

Both goals were finished by Kilcullen following great team work while Adam Rolston

got his first point of the evening with a fine skilful strike.

Niall Crean of Western Gaels capitalised on an error in front of goal to finish to the

net and give his team with a much needed score.

Easkey then added three further points before Western Gaels had their best period

in the game scoring 1-3 in the period immediately before the half time break – the

the three points from frees and their second goal coming after a goal mouth

scramble.

The champions however finished the half with three consecutive points to hold a nine

point half time lead, 2-13 to 2-4.

Western Gaels Keenan pointed a free shortly after the break but with the wind now

at their backs, there was no stopping the Easkey attack. 

Their third goal came from the stick of Adam Rolston after the perfect pass from

Andrew Kilcullen. 

Ciarán Keenan interrupted the Easkey flow briefly with a Western Gaels free but this

would be his team's  final score of the game. With conditions deteriorating and heavy

rain accompanying the wind the Easkey men continued their scoring spree.

Full forward Kilcullen was the game’s dominant actor finishing four more goals

himself and laying in another for Stephen Mulligan

While the game was over as a contest from early on, Western Gaels continued to

battle with Ciarán Keenan being their best performer on the day. Easkey put on a

great team effort, but Andrew Kilcullen's  6-15 tally for the day was undoubtedly the

performance of the day.

Western Gaels: Simon Wade,  Michael Connolly,  Patrick Flynn,  Thomas Cawley, 

Lee Gilmartin,  Eoghan Durkan,  Aidan Morrison,  Fergal Ryan,  Ciarán Keenan (0-

5f), Niall Crean (1-0), Daniel Kirby (0-1f), Oisín Quinn,  Michael Sheridan,  Derek

O'Boyle,  Darragh Flynn (1-0).

Subs used: Darragh Burke,  Nathan Hannon,  Jack Byron, Niall Hallinan. 

Easkey: Jimmy Gordon,  Cormac Hallinan,  Shane Molloy,  Emmett Brennan,  Kevin

Mc Gee,  Rory Mc Hugh,  Bernard Feeney (0-1), Finnian Cawley (0-1), Fionn

Connolly (0-1), Joe Mc Hugh (0-1), Fionn Moylan (0-1), Thomas Rolston,  Adam

Rolston (1-2), Andrew Kilcullen (6-15(4f), Stephen Mulligan (1-2).

Sub used: John Harte.

Referee: Timmy Mc Carthy