It’s better late than never as Turloughmore power to U21 title

Turloughmore 2-22

Liam Mellows 0-13

A 15-point victory in the much delayed 2017 U-21 A Hurling final saw this particular crop of Turloughmore players put an impressive end to their glittering underage careers. This team, led by the likes of Jamie Holland, Seán Loftus and Seán Linnane, have been unbeatable at their age group and have swept all before them, including an All-Ireland Féile and numerous county titles, and it was no different last Saturday.

Having met in a number of county finals in recent years, Turloughmore and Liam Mellows were familiar opponents in an unfamiliar setting last weekend. Not only had game the novel factor of being played a year late, it also took place in the ‘home’ of Galway football, Tuam Stadium. The strange setting made little difference to Turloughmore, however, and it was clear from early on that they had too much for their opponents.

Mellows opted to play with the aid of the wind in the first half but, unfortunately, the decision helped Turloughmore hit the net inside the opening 45 seconds. Jamie Holland lined up a free on the halfway line and while his effort was held up in the breeze, Richard Doyle was on hand in the crowded goalmouth to get the decisive touch and send Turloughmore on their way.

The city outfit might look back at a couple of key decisions in the first half that didn’t go their way. The first came in the fourth minute when Jack Forde was fouled under a high ball. The Mellows full-forward looked to be inside the large square but referee Alan Kelly only awarded a 21m free though, to be fair, there weren’t many complaints from the vanquished.

Ronan Elwood converted the resulting free and while Seán Linnane opened his account soon after, a long-range Elwood score saw just a goal separate the sides after ten minutes, 1-2 to 0-2. The games next three scores came from placed balls, two for Elwood and one for Conor Walsh, before Turloughmore looked to open up a gap between the sides.

Seán Loftus got his first of the game in the 13th minute after a strong run before Brian Callanan showed good strength and a fine finish to fire over a minute later. Good pressure up front allowed Cillian Hurney to point soon after before a Conor Walsh free had Turloughmore six points in front, 1-7 to 0-4, after 20 minutes.

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

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