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WATCH: Athenry hurling manager Niall Sunderland reflects on win over Turloughmore ATHENRY opened their Galway Senior Hurling Championship campaign with an impressive 2-22 to 2-20 win over Turloughmore on Saturday evening in Kenny Park. Two years on from winning the Senior B Hurling Championship, Athenry have now began to establish themselves at senior level. After bowing out of the championship to Tommy Larkins at the preliminary quarter-final stage last year, Athenry have now made an early statement of intent and could emerge as dark horses to reach the latter stages of the championship. “We are a senior team by right, we match ourseleves against any opposition. When you are in a competition, you’re in a competition the same level as anyone else, you give yourself a chance. We gave ourselevs a chance, we were still in the game at the end and luckily enough it went our way. But, we will see what happens in two weeks time (against Ardrahan),” Athenry hurling manager Niall Sunderland told Tribune Sport. Jason Rabbitte was electric in attack for Niall Sunderland’s charges in their victory over Turloughmore. Rabbitte and Cian Hannon combined for an impressive 2-7 between them, with the duo causing plenty of problems for the Turloughmore defence. Sunderland was quick to pay special mention to Rabbitte after the game, highlighting the standout year he has enjoyed with Galway and how he has carried that inter-county form into the club championship. “Jason Rabbitte is absolutely phenomenal , he came back to us two weeks ago he just lifted the training. His presence alone, hopefully he’ll get an all-star, hopefully he’ll get young hurler of the year and that’s great to have in your parish. It’s great for young lads and girls to have something to look up too. There’s nothing I can add that has already been spoken about Jason Rabbitte, we are just very lucky and we are delighted we have him.” After Athenry’s win over Turloughmore, Athenry manager Niall Sunderland spoke with Tribune Sport.