Mulhern, Kelly and Shields on goal trail in big win
Mountbellew-Moylough 3-11
St Michael’s 0-11
By Eanna O’Reilly at Tuam Stadium
MOUNTBELLEW-Moylough claimed their first victory of the Senior Football Championship when overcoming St. Michael’s at Tuam Stadium on Saturday.
Goals proved decisive for Fergal O’Donnell’s charges on the day, and it was the ability of the north Galway side to generate three pointers which separated them from their opponents.
St. Michael’s displayed plenty of endeavour throughout the contest, but the city side lacked the same level of cutting edge in attack as their opponents. With two defeats in two matches for Coley Kelly’s side, combined with other results not going their way, it means that St. Michael’s are already out of the senior title race for 2025.
Mountbellew-Moylough’s goal threat was evident from the opening minutes of the first half, with Barry McHugh creating a goal chance but seeing his shot hit the side netting. McHugh opened the scoring with a fisted point after ten minutes, before John Daly made it 0-2 to 0-0, with a well taken point from the left wing.
St. Michael’s were level within four minutes, thanks to scores from Eoin Kerin and Ethan Fiorentini. However, O’Donnell’s charges soon struck for their first goal of the game. McHugh was the creator, when he broke inside the St. Michael’s defence, before hand passing across the square to Tony Shields, who finished to the net.
St. Michael’s got the next score when Darragh O’Malley took a neat point from 20-yards. A minute later, Mountbellew-Moylough wing forward Colm Mannion kicked an excellent score from out on the right wing.
O’Malley was lively in attack for St. Michael’s, and he drew a foul which Brian Harlowe converted from close range. However, the north Galway side struck for their second goal shortly after.
A well worked move saw Mountbellew-Moylough open up their opponents’ defence. John Daly and James Foley were involved and moved the ball with pace inside to Michael Kelly, who finished with a low shot to the bottom corner.
The city side registered the final point of the first half, with a well taken score from Fionan Cruise from the right corner. Mountbellew-Moylough went into the interval with a four point lead, on a 2-3 to 0-5 scoreline.
Pictured: St Michael's Darragh O'Malley tries to break free from Adam Colleran of mountbellew-Moylough during the clubs' Senior Football Group 1 tussle at Tuam Stadium. Photos: David Cunniffe.