Late, late show from GOH
A LATE Barry Roche goal saved the day for Geraldine O’Hanrahans in the Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship, as they came from behind to deny Liam Mellows in an entertaining Group B encounter in Oylegate.
This was a closely-fought contest from start to finish, but after Liam Mellows held the New Ross side scoreless for a 20-minute period in the second-half, it looked like they had done enough to hold on for the win.
However, after several failed attacks, the ball eventually broke loose to Roche whose first-time stroke flew to the top corner of the net, leaving the Coolgreany side with no reply.
Liam Mellows started brightest, going ahead by three thanks to Stephen Maloney and Richard Farrell, but the Gers ended their first dry spell of 14 minutes with a well-taken goal by Stephen Grangle.
The accurate Eoin Kelly traded scores with Colm Morris and then with Maloney to put his side ahead by a point at half-time.
The Gers were much quicker on the re-start and were unlucky not to have found the net early into the new half, but David Crowdle’s effort was somehow kept out, before Kelly again traded scores on two occasions, this time with Farrell and Kennedy.
Amazingly, his second effort after 38 minutes would be his side’s last score until Roche’s winning effort 20 minutes later.
In the time in between, Liam Mellows produced some great scores from Kennedy, Ross Cody and Yusif Frih, while their defence hung on for dear life as the Gers piled on the pressure.
But led by some inspirational play from Dylan Egan and Enda Kelly, the New Ross crew eventually got their reward through Roche in the 58th minute, along with a point from Kelly to put Liam Mellows away.
Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Brendan Furlong; Mick Cleere, Tony Murphy, Jerry Cash; Barry Kelly, Dylan Egan, Enda Kelly; Jack Foran, Matt Crowdle; Shane Murray, Eoin Kelly (0-6, 4 frees), Stephen Somers; Kevin Grangel (1-0), David Crowdle, Barry Roche (1-0). Subs. - Danny Ellis for Murray, Ned Connors for Murphy.
Liam Mellows: Darragh Murphy; Frank Roche, Conor Cleary, Risteárd Kinsella; Aaron Condren, Andy Merrigan, Marc Halpin; Danny Gardiner, Colin Kennedy (0-2 frees); Stephen Maloney (0-2), Yusif Frih (0-1), Ross Cody (0-1); Seán Roche, Richard Farrell (0-3, 1 free), Colm Morris (0-1). Subs. - Stephen Rafferty for Roche, Eoin Cullen for Frih.
Referee: Aidan Foley (Shelmaliers).