Mullagh blast title warning in putting paid to city men

Date Published: {J}

Mullagh 1-19

Liam Mellows 2-8

Darren Kelly at Kenny Park

THEIR ability to take scores was the chief ingredient for Mullagh at Kenny Park last Saturday as they set up a quarter-final date with the All-Ireland Club champions.

Johnny Rafferty’s first half goal plus three David Glennon points, along with accurate shooting from Niall Cahalan and substitute Donal Reilly in the second half, allowed Mullagh pull away for this eight point victory, but they will need to be tighter at the back if they are going to overcome Clarinbridge for a final four spot.

Liam Mellows will be disappointed even though they remained in the contest until the final quarter as they had chances, especially in the first half, to gain an advantage but finished the game with just three scorers and nine wides.

The first attack after 44 seconds resulted in Brian Lee’s low strike hitting the woodwork but when Conor Hynes opened the scoring in the fourth minute, the city outfit were ready for an early assault.

It was an entertaining first half even though there was some unforced errors from both sides as Mullagh were taking time to settle, while the extra man around the middle was allowing Mellows get plenty of ball into attack. But when Glennon opened Mullagh’s account on five minutes, Padraig Donohue’s charges slowly got to grips with this encounter as Liam Mellows weren’t punishing their opponents.

Hynes restored Mellows’ lead two minutes later and while they continued to create chances, they weren’t converting and points from Kevin Briscoe, Glennon and a Cahalan free put Mullagh 0-4 to 0-2 ahead by the 10th minute.

The gap was reduced to the minimum 60 seconds later when Hynes got his third score but Liam Mellows reaped richer dividends in the 12th minute when they finally breeched the Mullagh rearguard.

Tadhg Haran picked out David Collins on the right flank and his delivery into the danger area saw Callanan get the touch ahead of Eric Ward for the first goal.

1-3 to 0-4 now, the points immediately following this score would be crucial but Mullagh responded with their own major to regain the initiative.

Conor Dervan’s ball on the right went to Cahalan who picked out Finian Coone. The full forward forced an excellent save from Paddy Gannon but Rafferty was first to the breaking ball and goaled in the 13th minute.

It was a lead Mullagh wouldn’t relinquish again as they went in at half-time 1-7 to 1-6 in front as Glennon and two Cahalan frees cancelled out a Hynes brace from placed balls and a Callanan point, while both keepers produced further saves.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.