The Mágh Cuilinn Junior hurlers know all about agonising defeatad they just fell short of overcoming Ballinasloe in the C1 Championship semi final in Castlegar on Saturday. Ballinasloe won by virtue of making a greater return from the chances on offer, even though Magh Cuilinn probably had more time in attack. Mágh Cuilinn got of to a great start when play was waved on as Luke Bohan appeared to be clearly fouled. The ball ran loose to Richard Neylon who finished to the net. However they were only to add two further points in the second half, an superb effort from the right sideline by Conor Noone and a Frank Enright free. Ballinasloe notched six points and only one wide while Moycullen saw the ball go outside the post six times.
The second half brought a similar pattern with Ballinasloe achieving a three point margin on two occasions. Two points from Conor Noone clawed back the deficit to two. Mágh Cuilinn were awarded a penalty but Frank Enright's shot rebounded off the crossbar. With six minutes left it was still a three point game again and Mágh Cuilinn cut the lead to one point with two Frank Enright frees. In injury time another free from 55 m on the right offered the chance of a draw. Frank Enright's shot was on target but was just gathered at the crossbar by the goalkeeper. The final whistle signalled a bitter defeat. Despite the difficult underfoot conditions the game was played at a lively pace with Ballinasloe's obvious quality as a first team matched by Magh Cuilinn throughout.
