Liam Mellows overcome GOH

LIAM MELLOWS GER. O’HANRAHANS 0-11 0-8

LIAM MELLOWS edged past Gerladine O’Hanrahans in a tense opening game in Group B of the Top Oil Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship on Saturday.

Given the pristine conditions in Oylegate, for only 19 points in total to be scored between the sides is slightly disappointing, but it is testament to both teams’ ability to cancel one another out.

The first-half was particularly tight as the sides traded punches without either ever coming on the offensive.

Eoin Kelly scored all five of the New Ross first-half points, three from placed balls. Liam Mellows had a slightly better selection of point scorers, as an Eoin Cullen hat-trick, Brendan Haplin brace and a Danny Gardiner single gave them the slenderest of advantages going into the break (0-6 to 0-5).

Brian Haberlin scored two impressive minors after the re-start but Richard Farrell’s effort in between ensured the match was tied at seven points apiece with a quarter of the game to go.

It was in these 15 minutes where one of the sides finally stepped up, and that was exactly what was required to win the tie, as the Coolgreany side outscored the Geraldines in the closing stages by four to one.

Two Cullen frees gave Liam Mellows an initial two-point lead, and Farrell should have ended the game minutes later when he fired his shot at goal wide from ten yards out.

Kelly clawed it back to one in the 57th minute before quickfire Cullen and Farrell scores made it a three-point game.

Yet, there was still plenty of drama to come in the four minutes of injury time. New Ross earned two frees, both within range of a shot at goal, and had either one hit the net it would have been enough to come away with a share of the spoils.

On both occasions goalkeeper Brandon Gardiner made the long run upfield to launch his strike at the opposite goal.

The first effort cannoned off a defender and across the line before being cleared, and the second was deflected away to safety as Liam Mellows hung on for an opening day win.

Liam Mellows: Darragh Murphy; Frank Roche, Risteárd Kinsella, Andrew Merrigan; Aaron Condren, Danny Gardiner (0-1), Ross Cody; Colin Kennedy, Stephen Moloney; Stephen Rafferty, Brendan Halpin (0-2), Richard Farrell (0-2); Conor Carty, Eoin Cullen (0-6 frees), Gavin Stamp. Sub. - Liam Coleman for Rafferty (31).

Geraldine O’Hanrahans: Brandon Gardiner; Enda Kelly, Jerry Cash, Michael Cleere; Dylan Egan, Conor Cleere, Pádraig Bailey; Brian Haberlin (0-2), Jack Foran; Diarmuid Kehoe, Matt Crowdle, Barry Kelly; Kevin Grangel, Eoin Kelly (0-6, 4 frees), Barry Roche. Subs. - Ned Connors for Grangel (38), Stephen Somers for B. Kelly (47).

Referee:

Harriers). Philip Murphy (Faythe