Mellows defensive mindset does them few favours against Cuala

LIAM Mellows travelled to Thurles last Saturday with a plan, but it was the wrong one. The Galway champions operated a sweeper system in a bid to restrict the scoring potential of title holders Cuala, but the tactic smacked of damage limitation in the club’s first ever All-Ireland semi-final appearance and, unfortunately, the city men didn’t even achieve that basic aim.

Nine points separated the teams at the finish and, on the balance of play, it could have been more. Mellows were honest, committed and never gave up, but bringing such a defensive mindset to Semple Stadium meant it was almost impossible for them to turn over such quality, well-honed and experienced opponents.

Mellows can be consoled by the reality that no mater what way they set up last Saturday, they would have lost such was the gulf in standard between the teams, but had they lined out in more orthodox fashion and tried to take the game to Cuala, they would have had less regrets this week. The opposition’s reputation spooked them and the failure of the Galway title holders to be more positive did them no favours.

With David Collins the free-man and no shortage of numbers in their defensive zone, Mellows ought to have been difficult to break down, but they started poorly and had fallen 0-6 to 0-2 in arrears after 18 points with three of Cuala’s points coming from Con O’Callaghan, the very player Louis Mulqueen and his management team had sought to restrict.

Only some terrific free-taking from Adrian Morrissey was keeping Mellows in the hunt – they rallied to only trail by two points at the break – but their attack was seriously under-staffed as Cuala defender Sean Moran cleared a world of ball. Conor Kavanagh did instinctively fly over a terrific point from the new stand side of the field but Tadgh Haran never got going while Aonghus Callanan got going too late.

Basically, they were numerically overpowered and with Cuala operating a more running game after the break, they began to pull away.  The impressive Darragh O’Connell ought to have found the net after a long solo run, sending his effort just over the bar, while Kenneth Walsh subsequently did well to deny Mark Schutte at his near post.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.