Clarinbridge ease past Liam Mellows to book place in last eight

Cathal Coen’s side have produced some breathtaking spells during their group campaign and that ability to punish opponents when they gain control will please the Clarinbridge manager. Once the Bridge get on top, they have shown a ruthless edge in putting teams away.

Liam Mellows made life difficult for their opponents during an impressive first half but struggled to maintain that level after the interval. One concern ahead of their preliminary quarter-final against Turloughmore will be their scoring return, with more than half of their total coming from placed balls and a 65.

Mellows brought huge intensity and work rate around the middle third during the opening period and denied Clarinbridge time and space in possession. By the 18th minute, last year’s Senior B champions had established a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage.

Conor Elwood provided Mellows with an effective outlet on the edge of the square, pointing twice, while Adrian Morrissey converted two placed balls. Tadhg Haran, Jack Hastings and Sean Morrissey also contributed impressive scores as Mellows looked in control.

Clarinbridge, however, gradually began to find their feet. Aaron and Evan Niland, along with Shane Ryan, had raised three flags inside the opening 16 minutes, and the Bridge then began to chip away at the deficit.

An Evan Niland point followed by two placed balls from his brother Aaron reduced the gap to the minimum, with Mellows holding a slender 0-7 to 0-6 lead at half-time.

Cathal Coen was able to strengthen his side after the restart with the introduction of some real quality from the bench. David Lee, Sean Kilduff and Galway senior vice-captain Gavin Lee, returning from injury, all made an impact.

Their direct running and ability to spread the scoring burden proved decisive as Clarinbridge took control.

The men in maroon and white outscored Mellows by 1-7 to 0-3 during the opening 13 minutes of the second half. Evan Niland continued his accuracy, while David Lee, Dylan Dunne and Sean Kilduff also got on the scoresheet before Aaron Niland struck the first goal.

That major helped Clarinbridge move 1-13 to 0-10 ahead before the third-quarter mark.

Mellows tried to keep the scoreboard through Adrian Morrissey and Conor Elwood, but the contest was beginning to slip away from them. They were forced to move away from their structure and gaps subsequently began to appear in their defence.

Galway U20 hurler Darragh Counihan extended Clarinbridge’s lead before Tadhg Haran replied with a 65.

Clarinbridge then produced the decisive burst, hitting 1-5 without reply in a five-minute spell. Dylan Dunne spotted TJ Brennan in space and released the sliotar to Gavin Lee, who smashed it into the roof of the net to put Clarinbridge 2-19 to 0-11 ahead with six minutes remaining.

Mellows could only add late scores through Adrian Morrissey, while Evan and Aaron Niland added further points to complete a comprehensive victory for Clarinbridge.

CLARINBRIDGE: C Callanan; M Fallon, S Bannon (0-1), P McCann; C Bannon, J Ryan, TJ Brennan; L Leen, C Brennan; D Dunne (0-1), E Niland (0-9, 0-5f), S Ryan (0-3); M Kennedy, C Salmon, A Niland (1-4, 0-2f).

SUBS: D Lee (0-2) for Kennedy (30), S Kilduff (0-1) for C Brennan (30), G Lee (1-0) for Salmon (Half-time), D Counihan (0-1) for Leen (44), A Monaghan for S Ryan (54).

LIAM MELLOWS: L Dee; J Keville, S Barrett, S Morrissey (0-1); E O’Reilly, L McPhilbin, B Forde; J Kenny, J Hastings (0-1); D McPeake, A Morrissey (0-8, 0-7f), T Haran (0-2, 0-165); C McDonagh, C Elwood (0-3), R Elwood. SUBS: S Killeen for McDonagh (57), K Hourigan for Kenny (57), C Kavanagh for R Elwood (60).

REFEREE: David Earls (Killimordaly)