More drama off field than on
LIAM MELLOWS GER. O’HANRAHANS 0-14 0-7
LIAM MELLOWS marched on to the semi-final of the Permanent TSB Junior ‘B’ hurling championship after a comfortable seven-point win over Geraldine O’Hanrahans on Sunday.
Most of the drama came before a ball was thrown in as the match was moved from Fr. Murphy Park to Ferns at the last minute, after the Shamrocks were apparently unaware the game was supposed to be taking place at their ground.
Neither team, nor the officials, were aware of this mix up until they arrived at the ground, meaning the throw-in was delayed by an hour which caused inconvenience for all involved.
When the game finally did get going it was Liam Mellows who looked the brighter, with wing-forward Chris Callanan causing real problems.
Playing with a strong wind, they raced into a 0-7 to 0-1 lead helped by a point from Anthony Masterson and six from Callanan including two from play.
Geraldine O’ Hanrahans were struggling to get scores against the breeze and had only points from David Purcell and Anthony Purcell to show as half-time approached.
A nasty injury to Liam Mellows man Daniel Kennedy, leading to an ambulance being called, meant a further delay to the game and a change of pitch. At half-time Liam Mellows were ahead by 0-9 to 0-2.
Geraldine O’Hanrahans had the breeze in the second-half but Liam Mellows opened the scoring through Anthony Masterson.
David Purcell was doing his best to inspire the New Ross men from midfield and hit two points in as many minutes, leaving his side trailing by 0-11 to 0-5 with one quarter of the game left to play.
The next five minutes were crucial, with Liam Mellows putting the game to bed with points from Masterson, Callanan and Stephen Gardiner leaving the score at 0-14 to 0-7.
Liam Mellows now march on to a semi-final after a game that will be remembered for what happened off the field rather than what happened on it.
Liam Mellows: Mark Kennedy; Des Doyle, Barry McGlynn, Frank Kavanagh; Peter Fogarty, Daniel Kennedy, Patsy McGlynn; Colm Morris, Noel Morris; Robbie Brooks, Anthony Masterson (0-3), Chris Callanan (0-8, 5 frees, 1 ‘65); Danny Dixon, Stephen Gardiner (0-2), Seán Roche. Subs. - George Sunderland (0-1) for Kennedy, inj. (27), Donie Kavanagh for Roche (30), Alan Halvey for Brooks (43), Eoin Cullen for D. Kavanagh, (49).
Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Mark Purcell; Ciarán St. Ledger, Jack Power, David Merrigan; Jake Byrne, Robbie Donovan, Tommy Doran; David Purcell (0-3), Michael Cullen; Kyle Grangel, Danielius Niekis (0-1), Shane Murray; Ben Walsh, Anthony Purcell (0-1), Jimmy Smith (0-2 frees). Subs. - David Malone for Niekis (60), Seán Murray for A. Purcell (60).
Referee: Roly Buckley (Ballyhogue).