Senior Hurling Championships Group 1 Round 2

Venue: St. Brendan's Park, Castleconnor 

Referee: Pat Maguire 

Final score: Easkey: 1-26 Western Gaels: 0-7

This game was played in perfect conditions on Sunday afternoon between the local local rivals with Easkey as firm favourites, having defeated Western Gaels comfortably in the league.  

Thomas Cawley opened the scoring for Easkey with a fine point from play. This was matched for the Gaels by MJ Crean with an equally excellent point from play.

Easkey then dominated proceedings when lovely passing from both Dónall Hanley and Rory Mc Hugh which led to two consecutive points for Thomas Cawley from play. 

Joe Mc Hugh followed with the only goal of the game and also tacked on a point.  With Thomas Cawley in top scoring form Easkey led comfortably at the water break by 1-8 to 0-2. Western Gaels second point came courtesy of a free taken by Aidan Morrison. 

Easkey continued their dominance until half time with points from a number of players. Finnian Cawley added a long-range point and also saw his shot on goal blocked for a 65". Fionn Connolly, who worked tirelessly in the half back line added a point and both he and Rory Mc Hugh assisted with two consecutive long range points from Dónall Hanley.

Western Gaels two points in this period came from Alan Cawley, one from play and one from a free to leave the half time the score at Easkey 1-15, Western Gaels 0-4.

Although the result was never in doubt and the game was over as a contest Western Gaels kept battling after the break however, with good work from Simon Wade and Tom Mahon featuring prominently and scores coming from placed balls by Alan Cawley. 

Easkey continued with some excellent point scoring from play and led 1-22 to 0-6 by the second water break. Easkey, too had the luxury of giving their substitutes a run in the latter period. 

In the final period it was substitute Andrew Kilcullen who added three points, including a superb sideline cut. He also scored a lovely point following a terrific catch from a puckout.

Alan Cawley got his sides final point from a free. The difference between the sides shown in the scoring with Western Gaels scoring only two points from play for the afternoon in contrast to Easkey 's 1-24 from play. 

Easkey now play Calry/St. Joseph's in the next round of the championship.  Western Gaels bow out of this year's championship following two defeats. 

Easkey: Jimmy Gordon, Daniel Rolston, Gavin Connolly, Bernard Feeney, Fionn Connolly (0-1), Rory Mc Hugh, Stephen Mulligan, Finnian Cawley (0-5), Mikey Gordon(0-1),  Kevin Mc Gee, Éanna  Moylan(0-1), Dónall Hanley(0-2), Joe Mc Hugh(1-2), Thomas Cawley(0-10(2f),  Cahán Hallinan(0-1).

Subs used: Luke Maloney, Harry O'Donnell, Kieran Devaney, Andrew Kilcullen (0-3(2f).

Western Gaels: Morgan Fitzsimmons, Bryan Coen, Patrick Flynn, Tomas Cawley, Michael Connolly, Daniel Kirby, Simon Wade, Tom Mahon, Colin Naughton, Ronan Wilson, Alan Cawley(0-5(4f) MJ Crean (0-1), Niall Crean, Aidan Morrison(0-1f), Dáire Barrins.