Athlone 0-5 QUB 4-15

After a lengthy bus journey to the centre of Ireland the Queens hurlers got the better of their longstanding opponents, Athlone in last week’s Ryan Cup game. Coming off the back of a heavy defeat to UUJ, Queens had a mountain to climb to maintain their chances of a Ryan Cup semi-final place, and they did so in emphatic fashion with a 4:15 to 0:05 win on a rather damp Wednesday night.
Having travelled material distance to play the game the hurlers could have been expected to start the game the more sluggish of the two competitors, but nothing could be further from reality as the men in green racked up 2:11 to 0:01 point half time tally with goals coming from Davitt’s Marcas Toner and St. Johns’ Conall Bohill, who’s clubman Oisin Donnelly lead the Queens defence from centre back, denying any encroach from the Athlone attack.
The following half was one of some retribution for the Athlone side, who effectively closed down their northern visitors and prevented them from playing the ‘samba’ hurling that had created the deficit in the first half. Eoin McFerran was a powerhouse in midfield, acting as play maker and taking his own scores when the opportunity presented itself. Daire Murphy of Rossa was a reliable marksman, efficiently capitalising on any Athlone error, and finding the net from play in the second half. Stuart Martin of Ballycran was a handful for the home team’s full back line, and powered through the defence with a turn of pace derived from his rugby alter-ego, finishing with a fine major. The midlands side racked up more points this period than last, but ultimately the day belonged to the Belfast men who returned home with a renewed drive, now looking toward another old foe – Thurles – for the ticket to the Ryan Cup Semi Finals.
Team : Adam Murtagh, Caolan McReynolds, Tom Murray (c), Niall McNicholl, Tim Rankin, Oisin Donnelly (c), Fintan Oliver, Sean Campbell, Eoin McFerran, Dermot Maguire, Conall Bohill, Patrick Friel, Daire Murphy, Stuart Martin, Marcas Toner.