Mellows show no mercy 2nd time around

NO mercy this time around from Liam Mellows as a combination of small things done well helped them overcome the challenge of Ardrahan in this preliminary quarter-final replay at Kenny Park, Athenry on Sunday. The pre-lunchtime start to the match didn’t exactly swell the terraces but the few hundred who turned out and parted with their 'tenner’ — maybe a bit 'Irish’ for one game — got reasonably good value from the tie.Referee Sean Moran hadn’t to bother with his 'pack of cards’ but there was certainly no shortage of intensity or endeavour in this encounter, although crucially when it came to attacking snippets of inspiration, it was Mellows who held the edge.The game swung dramatically the way of the city side in the five minute period before half-time, and all this after they had endured a serious moment of adversity. Wing back David Collins, who had hurled with great power and passion, had to retire with a hamstring injury in the 25th minute to be replaced by John Hughes — the rest of the half though brought nothing but good news for Mellows.Prior to that, the sides were 'tied at the hips’ on 0-5 apiece as Aonghus Callanan, Jeffrey Lynskey (2), Bernard Fahy and Brian Lee were on target for Mellows with Richard Mullins, Maurice Callanan, John Greene and Joseph O’Leary replying for Ardrahan.Then Brian Lee put Mellows in front before Aonghus Callanan drove a '21’ low to the back of the Ardrahan net — points followed from Niall McInerney (2) and Shane Minton to put a six point gap (1-9 to 0-6) between the sides by the time Sean Moran sounded the interval whistle.John Hughes, who had replaced Collins at wing back, hurled with great gusto in front of the stand during the second half, while beside him, John Lee and Brian Howley, made up a very strong half back line.Lee in particular was a real bulwark at the heart of the Mellows defence when the pressure came on in the second half.Ardrahan tried...