RABBITTE OF BAD FORTUNE!; Galway 6-24 Roscommon 0-5: Joe blow spoils win.
Galway's victory romp in the Connacht Senior Hurling final was spoiled by a nasty injury to Joe Rabbitte.The star forward was taken to hospital after he was knocked unconscious early in the second half.
Play was stopped for over 10 minutes as Rabbitte was given medical attention after receiving a blow to the back of the head.
Roscommon full-back Padraig Feeney was subsequently sent off by referee Pat O'Connor after the incident.
Galway boss Cyril Farrell said: "Rabbitte's injury was most unfortunate but hopefully he will be OK in time for the next game."
Galway led by 3-15 to 0-4 at half-time and continued their dominance immediately on the restart. Eugene Cloonan, who later had to retire injured, pointed twice and then Rabbitte rattled in Galway's fourth goal just before sustaining his injury.
Cloonan showed delightful skill to knock in Galway's fifth goal, and substitute Francis Forde got the sixth minutes from the end.
Roscommon's only score of the second half came in the 32nd minute from Brendan Boyle.
For the winners, Joe Cooney and Vinnie Maher controlled matters with ease at midfield, while the attack looked sharp.
Alan Kearns scored 3-2, Cloonan tagged on 1-7, but the most consistent performer was centre-forward Joe McGrath - his energy and enterpri se left Roscommon bewildered.
Colm Kelly, Michael Mulry, Brendan Boyle and Damian Lohan all battled bravely for Roscommon but the side were out of their depth against a Galway team who are now very much among the All- Ireland favourites.
A stunning hat-trick by right corner-forward Alan Kerins destroyed any Roscommon resistance in the first half.
Kerins struck in the 23rd, 32nd and 34th minute with three beautiful strikes.
And only the brilliance of Roscommon's keeper Adrian Tully denied Kerins another pair of goals.
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Author: | Hennessy, Liam |
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Jul 14, 1997 |
| Words: | 294 |
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