Craughwell turn the screw in second half to take the spoils

Craughwell 1-19

Liam Mellows 2-9

Ivan Smyth in Loughrea

CRAUGHWELL secured Junior A honours in their replay with Liam Mellows as a powerful second half display helped them atone for their 2020 final defeat to Clarinbridge.

The winners fired nine points without reply in an 18 minute spell during the second half which decided a contest that in the opening 30 minutes looked as if the winner would not be known until the concluding stages. The win means Craughwell will now field at senior and intermediate level next year as the club’s stock continues to rise.

The Pat Monaghan and Stephen Glennon managed side survived a challenging opening quarter and the subsequent concession of a soft goal just after the first water break to prevail. A Fergal Healy penalty in the 24th minute gave Craughwell a lead they would not surrender as Brian Dolan’s accuracy up front combined with a rock solid defence proved enough to curb the threat of a Liam Mellows side that simply did not perform in the second half.

They only scored one point from play in the concluding period of action with a late Luke Byrnes 20m free finding the net, but the effort only served to keep the losing margin to single digits. Owen Burke’s side did pile forward after conceding nine points on the spin, but Craughwell looked the fresher outfit and were able to use their pace on the counter attack.

Liam Mellows will look back on the opening quarter with regret as they dominated the action,but were only on level terms at 0-4 apiece when referee Gerry Donoghue blew for the first water break. They were in control of the game, but allowed Craughwell into the contest, mainly through their own poor shooting as they struck five opening quarter wides.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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