Ballinasloe

Cutting

Connacht Tribune 5 Nov 1993: Athenry's perfect blend helps secure Junior hurling title — Athenry 1-8 Fohenagh 0-9 in the county Junior hurling final at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe; Fohenagh team includes S. Mochlair, T. Kirwan (0-2), John Devine and A. Madden (0-5, all frees); VANQUISHED team photo names Tony Kirwan, Padraig Leonard, John Devine, Alan Madden and Seamus Mocklair. S. Mochlair / Seamus Mocklair (print) = Séamus Moclair; Padraig Leonard (print) = Pádraic Leonard

Connacht Tribune · 5 Nov 1993 · p.14 · INA

VANQUISHED... the Fohenagh side which failed in their bid to win the county junior title for the first time in history when they were defeated by Athenry in the final at Ballinasloe on Sunday. Back row, left to right: Tony Kirwan, Michael Barrett, Gerry Madden, Padraig Leonard, Joe Fallon, Gerry Burke, Seamus Lohan and Padraig Daly. Front row: John Devine, Alan Madden, Colin Kirwan, Noel Higgins, Paul Kennedy, Seamus Mocklair and Michael Coen, Team mascot Daniel Lyons. … Athenry's perfect blend helps secure Junior A hurling title Athenry 1-8 Fohenagh 0-9 by John Fallon BEFORE a ball was ever pucked in this year's junior A hurling championship Athenry, with their blend of experience and youth, were installed as firm favourites for the title. They lived up to that billing at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, on Sunday but only after they fought off a dogged battle from a Fohenagh side who refused to surrender the chance of their first smidgen of glory since their famous County Cup wins of '59 and '60. Victory would have crowned a great year for Fohenagh. They packed in training after they lost their first two games in this year's championship but got back into the title race with victory in a group play-off which saw them twice beat Salthill. The exploits of Tony Kirwan for the victorious Galway U21 side — and his subsequent elevation onto the senior side — provided a great boost to Fohenagh and they showed great spirit when lowering Castlegar in the semi-finals. But on Sunday they were beaten by the better team with Athenry's experience in crucial positions, coupled with the containment of Kirwan until the closing stages by captain Michael Higgins, proving decisive in an open game of hurling which provided plenty of entertainment for the relatively large crowd. … Fohenagh full-back Colin Kirwan led as a captain should while wing-backs Michael Coen and Gerry Madden had some great moments. Padraig Leonard and Padraig Daly hurled well around the middle of the field but they were unable to stop Declan Higgins' dominance of this area. The containment of Tony Kirwan robbed Fohenagh of their most dangerous forward and while Seamus Lohan, John Devine and Alan Madden threathened with sporadic forays, it was not with the same sort of dash that Kirwan has led the Fohenagh attack all season. … Fohenagh: N. Higgins, P. Kennedy, C. Kirwan, S. Mochlair, M. Coen, M. Barrett, G. Madden, P. Leonard, P. Daly (0-1), T. Kirwan (0-2), S. Lohan (0-1), John Devine, G. Burke, J. Fallon, A. Madden (0-5, all frees). Subs: Jimmy Devine for Fallon, 34 mins; N. Leonard for Coen, inj. 39 mins. Referee: Michael Hedderman.