Former All-Ireland Club champions defeat Mellows to secure senior status

St. Thomas’ 0-19

Liam Mellows 0-12

A strong opening half showing by St. Thomas’ was crucial in their victory over Liam Mellows in their senior hurling relegation play off tie in Clarinbridge on Sunday. By half time, the 2012 county champions led by 0-14 to 0-6 with Mellows largely out of sorts during this half.

However despite being the better team, St.Thomas’ were fortunate to record such a comfortable looking victory. Liam Mellows surged into the game in the third quarter when restricting St.Thomas’ to a solitary Eanna Burke point, while they registered five points to narrow their arrears to 0-15 to 0-11.

Indeed, Liam Mellows could have been closer to St.Thomas’ as in the 45th minute following a foul on Aonghus Callanan, a penalty was awarded. David Collins though saw his penalty effort blocked by Sean Skehill. Amazingly, Liam Mellows also missed a second penalty two minutes from time with Collins’ shot being repelled by David Burke.

That said, a wasteful St.Thomas’ side were the sharper outfit and deservedly carried the day – they shot 12 wides, seven in the second half.

Anthony Kelly, lining out at full forward, caused serious problems for the Liam Mellows defence in the opening quarter. His four points helped St.Thomas’ into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead. Their other points came from Eanna Burke, James Regan and Conor Cooney, from a free.

Liam Mellows relied on two Adrian Morrissey scores from the placed ball. A third Morrissey effort coupled to scores from Enda Fallon and David Collins, with Richie Murray replying for St. Thomas’, saw Mellows cut the deficit, 0-8 to 0-5, nine minutes from half time.

Mellows were to add only one further score in the half, that an excellent Sean Morrissey effort, on 27 minutes. St. Thomas’ were impressive during this time – Conor Cooney pointed three frees, Eanna Burke scored from a sublime sideline cut with Cian Kelly and James Regan, operating to good effect from the middle of the field, also hitting the target as the former All-Ireland champions opened up a six point interval lead.

The sides traded early second half scores through Adrian Morrissey and Eanna Burke with his side’s only point of the third quarter. Liam Mellows eventually settled into the game as Morrissey, Tadhg Haran, Enda Fallon and Morrissey, again, all hit scores to leave only  four points between the sides, at 0-15 to 0-11, with 11 minutes remaining.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.