Mellows in a stunning title upset
LIAM MELLOWS manager Louis Mulqueen said winning the county title is a huge boost to the sport in the city. Liam Mellows finally ended their 47-year wait for glory when they shocked favourites Gort at Pearse Stadium in Salthill.
Adrian Morrissey scored eight points, while Aonghus Callanan, Tadhg Haran and Conor Kavanagh struck the goals for the city side.
They led by 2-7 to 0-8 at halftime and Michael Mullins was sent-off for Gort, with Richie Cummins’ late goal only a consolation.
‘There were green and white flares, bodhrans, they tell me all week up in the schools, young children. The atmosphere in the city has changed because we gave them a little bit of success or something to look forward to,’ said Clareman Mulqueen.
‘That’s the big thing we needed from the whole lot from Mellows was to turn up and start, to turn up and play well and to revitalise hurling in the city.’
Adrian Morrissey scored early for Liam Mellows before Jason Grealish equalised and things looked to be going according to play for Gort when Aiden Helebert scored his fourth point.
It gave them a two-point lead in the 16th minute, but three minutes later Callanan brushed past Andy Coen on the endline and rifled his shot high past Gavin Lally.
It gave Liam Mellows a cushion and before half-time they hit 1-2 in a devastating two-minute blitz. Haran’s goal came in the 31st minute and they held a comfortable lead at half-time.
Gort came back at them on the resumption but Kavanagh’s 48th minute goal was crucial, and Mullins got involved with David Collins, off the ball, before being shown a straight red card five minutes later.
Richie Cummins did give Gort a life-line with his goal in the 62nd minute but it was too late.
‘Getting a Galway county title medal is like hen’s teeth. The likes of Aonghus Callanan and David Collins. It was their one shot, one chance and they had to take it today,’ said Mulqueen.
‘Fair play both of them stood up as leaders on the pitch with everybody else out there.’
It was a huge day for Liam Mellows but Gort must re-group again, as they did after last year’s 1-11 to 0-10 defeat in the final.
They only lost by a goal on this occasion but Liam Mellows were the dominant side throughout. And Gort manager Michael Browne conceded that his side didn’t play their best game.
‘Any defeat in a county final is going to be tough. But you can’t take away from Mellows’ victory,’ said Browne.
‘They were absolutely fantastic. They were starved hungry out there, they went for everything, worked like tigers for every single ball and fair play to them they deserved their victory.
‘If we had got a goal near the end and drawn it, it would have been daylight robbery.’