Turloughmore prove too strong for Liam Mellows in Galway SHC

Mellows were forced to line out without their scorer in chief, Tadhg Haran, who was an immeasurable loss to David Collins’ side. A scoring total of 1-4 from play was disappointing from Mellows’ point of view, and was never going to be enough to overcome their opponents in this contest.

Playing against the wind in the opening half, Turlough registered the first point of the game through Luke Williams. Mellows replied at the other end with a goal, when Conor Elwood finished from close range, after some good work from Conor Hynes.

Turlough dominated the next 10 minutes, outscoring Mellows by 0-5 to 0-1. Conor Walsh (two frees), Matthew Tarpey, Tom Quirke, and Seán Loftus all chipped in with points, while Ronan Elwood registered Mellows’ sole response.

Ed O’Reilly soon sent over a good score from the right wing, but Turlough reasserted themselves, tallying three consecutive points. Efforts from Daniel Madden, Seán O’Hanlon, and Dan Loftus made it 0-9 to 1-2 after 20 minutes.

Adrian Morrissey converted a free to reduce the margin, to which Turlough replied with Seán Loftus’ second score and a free from Walsh. Mellows’ needed a spark from somewhere, and when Morrissey was brought down in the square, Karol Collins awarded them a penalty.

Morrissey made no mistake in dispatching the penalty past Darragh Walsh, and three minutes later, the Mellows’ centre forward pointed a long range free to leave the minimum between the sides. Walsh had the final score of the half at the other end, sending over a ’65 to ensure Turlough took a 0-12 to 2-4 lead into the interval.

Brislane’s charges raised their game early in the second-half, with three consecutive scores. Dara Whelan, Seán Loftus, and O’Hanlon efforts gave them a five point lead. Mellows replied with two scores from Morrissey (one free) to leave a goal between the teams.

The sides exchanged 0-2 apiece during the next 10 minutes. Tarpey and Seán Linnane added to Turlough’s tally, while Morrissey kept the scoreboard ticking for Mellows with 0-2 (one free). However, Turlough soon found another gear.

Brislane’s charges tallied three consecutive points to put themselves in the driving seat. Walsh (two frees), and an excellent effort from Cillian Trayers made it 0-20 to 2-8 with five minutes remaining.

Morrissey tallied his fifth free at the other end, but Turlough finished strongly with Tarpey’s third point, followed by a converted free from Seán Loftus, to run out seven point winners and book their spot in the quarter finals.

Overall, Turlough were convincing winners, and they will also feel that their margin of victory could have been much greater had their shooting efficiency been better on the day. Mellows’ certainly felt the loss of Haran during this game as they struggled to generate scoring opportunities throughout.

Turloughmore: D Walsh; C Whelan, C Trayers (0-1), D Loftus (0-1); L Williams (0-1), D Burke, J Holland; D Whelan (0-1), T Quirke (0-1); C Walsh (0-6, 0-5f, 0-1 65), S O’Hanlon (0-2), S Loftus (0-4, 0-1f); M Tarpey (0-3), S Linnane (0-1), D Madden (0-1). Subs: E Conneely for D Whelan (48mins), A O’Shaughnessy for C Walsh (53mins), E O’Loingsigh for Madden (58mins), B Connolly for Burke (59mins), K Hussey for C Whelan (60mins).

Liam Mellows: L Dee; L O’Donovan, S Morrissey, J Keville; E O’Reilly (0-1), L McPhilbin, B Forde; S Barrett, J Hastings; C Hynes, A Morrissey (1-7, 1-0 pen, 0-5f), C McDonagh; D McPeake, C Elwood (1-0), R Elwood (0-1). Subs: C Kavanagh for McDonagh (41mins), S Killeen for Hynes (52mins), J Kenny for McPeake (59mins).

Referee: Karol Collins.