Michael Kiely

Hit it quick: Trevor Costelloe (Stradbally) tries to get his strike in as Noel Ó Murchadha attempts a block during their relegation play-off at Fraher Field. | Photo: Michael Kiely

Stradbally 2-11; An Rinn 1-11

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As expected Stradbally retained their senior status for the 2010 championships when they recorded a four-point win over 2008 intermediate champions An Rinn at Fraher Field on Sunday last.

Even though the standard of hurling was not of the highest quality, there were some decent passages of play over the course of the hour. Both sides were level on no less than eight occasions and in the end, had the game ended in a draw, it would possibly have been the fairest result.

The turning point of the game came in the five minutes from the break when John Michael Kelly awarded Stradbally a slightly dubious penalty which Shane Ahearn blasted to the net.