Jack Mullen leads Claregalway to victory over Moutbellew Moylough in Galway SFC
CLAREGALWAY secured second place in Group One of the Galway Senior Football Championship with a 3-14 to 1-13 win over Mountbellew Moylough at Tuam Stadium on Saturday evening.
Claregalway have been one of the standout teams at underage level in recent seasons, but victory over a Mountbellew-Moylough a side who won the county title in 2021 will provide Austin Sammon and Alan Daly’s side with huge confidence heading into the knockout stages.
The winners outscored their opponents 2-5 to 0-4 after half-time, which ultimately proved decisive as Claregalway secured their second victory of the campaign. Mountbellew Moylough could only manage two pointers through Eoin Finnerty and Billy Mannion in the second half.
Mountbellew-Moylough made the brighter start, with John Daly sending over a two-pointer after five minutes before Eoin Finnerty found the net two minutes later. Barry McHugh, back available after serving a two-match suspension, then saw his effort come back off the post, with Patrick Kelly fisting the rebound over the bar as the men in black and amber moved into a 1-3 to 0-2 lead after eight minutes.
Galway senior football substitute goalkeeper Conor Flaherty, who plays at full-forward for Claregalway, converted a placed ball, while Padraic Commins added a free as the Balchies attempted to stay in touch.
Claregalway gradually worked their way back into the contest, with Ger O’Riordan and Brion Connolly registering important scores. Owen Morgan then found Jason Reilly at the back post and his fisted effort just cleared the crossbar to leave the minimum between the sides.
Leo Donnellan and a two-pointer from Barry McHugh restored some breathing space for Mountbellew-Moylough, who led 1-6 to 0-5 after 22 minutes. Claregalway responded through another Commins score before O’Riordan found the net following excellent build-up play from Dara Whelan and Morgan.
However, Mountbellew-Moylough finished the half strongly, with McHugh, Sean Kelly and Ciaran Mulhern all finding the target to leave the 2021 county champions 1-9 to 1-7 ahead at the interval.
Claregalway upped their intensity after the restart and Commins and O’Riordan combined to level the contest at 1-9 apiece after 34 minutes.
Mountbellew-Moylough responded through Billy Mannion, who drove forward and struck an inspirational two-pointer to restore their lead. However, Claregalway then took control, hitting 1-3 without reply over the next 11 minutes.
Jack Mullen was introduced in the 39th minute and made an immediate impact, showing great composure to finish his shot past Michael Foley. Reilly followed with a score before Mullen added two more points to put Claregalway firmly in command.
Finnerty ended Mountbellew-Moylough’s 13-minute scoring drought with a two-pointer in the 48th minute, but they failed to score again.
Daniel Fitzmaurice’s effort then deceived Foley and found its way into the net, effectively ending Mountbellew-Moylough’s hopes. Conor Campbell and Mullen added further insurance scores as Claregalway secured an impressive seven-point victory.
Conor Campbell, Jack Glynn, Jason Reilly, Ger O’Riordan and Jack Mullen all stood out for the victors. For Mountbellew Moylough, getting McHugh, Finnerty and Patrick Kelly back on the pitch was a positive, but they know a big improvement is needed if they are to go further in this championship.
Claregalway now face Bearna Na Forbhacha in the Preliminary quarter-final and Mountbellew Moylough take on Tuam Stars in the Preliminary quarter-final.
CLAREGALWAY: E McGrath; D Hughes, C Campbell (0-1), J Glynn; R Flaherty, D Whelan, C Callaghan; D Tarmey, B Connolly (0-1); J Reilly (0-2), J Lonergan, P Commins (0-4, tpf, 0-1f); G O’Riordan (1-2), C Flaherty (0-1, 0-1f), O Morgan.
SUBS: M Morrin for Callaghan (Half-time), J Mullen (1-3, 0-1f) for Commins (37), L O’Connor for R Flaherty (43), D Fitzmaurice (1-0) for C Flaherty (49), J Ramsey for Reilly (59).
MOUNTBELLEW MOYLOUGH: M Foley; B Noone, B Mannion (0-2, tp), C Murray; J Foley, J Daly (0-2, tp); F Colleran; O O’Reilly, M Burke; C Mulhern (0-1), L Donnellan (0-1), C Ryan; E Finnerty (1-2, tp), P Kelly (0-1), B McHugh (0-3, tp, 0-1f).
SUBS: S Kelly (0-1) for J Foley (25, injury), T Shields for Ryan (44), M Barrett for O’Reilly (55), P Mannion for McHugh (59, injury), C Fallon for Colleran (59).
REFEREE: Austin O’Connell (Caherlistrane).