Mallow blow off the cobwebs in workman-like victory

fast becoming their Holy Grail (the premier hurling title).

First up in Mallow’s way in round one of this season’s championship was Courcey Rovers – difficult opposition who had all the incentive and quality required to take down one of the pre-season favourites.

Mallow have shown in recent years that the pressures of running a dual club. Competing at the premier section in both, is a mighty challenge, however, credit to the Avondhu club they persist and should again find themselves in the reckoning when silverware is being discussed.

Last season’s one point loss in the semis to a Bandon side that impressed all was a bitter pill to swallow, particularly when they had their chances to win. For Courcey Rovers, a disappointing campaign in 2016 was incentive enough to hunt improvement this time round.

Last Saturday evening’s affair could be at best described as workman like for the victors, however, those who attended may well have a case if they appealed to Judge Judy to get their money back.

A poor game that could easily have seen the boys in red and yellow lose eventually turned out to be a three point win and for Mallow cobwebs blown off – job done. They say the sign of champions is when they can win ugly and if that adage is to be believed then Mallow will be crowned sooner rather than later.

This was ugly, but it was a win and at the end of the day that really is all that counts.

Sean Hayes was again the talisman for Mallow with eight points, seven from placed balls, with Cork star Cormac Murphy raising their only green flag of the afternoon inside 10 minutes.

Murphy’s strike came at just the right time as Courcey’s had stolen a 1-1 lead inside five.

Fergus Lordan netted from a free and also added another seven points in what was a very credible shift.

Both sides will want to work on their stats in front of the posts however with a particular emphasis on conversions from placed balls. Mallow will be happy with how they responded to the early setback and led by a single score at the interval 1-6 – 1-05.

The second half saw Mallow open up a four point gap of their own with Aaron Sheehan, Denis Hayes and Murphy all performing well when it counted.

Mallow’s surge clear didn’t last long however as Courcey’s showed plenty of bottle to gain parity by the end of the third quarter.

There were plenty nerves evident in the Mallow camp at this point, but a late score from Sheehan and some terrific attacking efforts from both Gerry and Denis Hayes, which brought the best out of Courcey keeper Stephen Nyhan on two occasions.

Mallow will take positives from this display, mainly of course the win, and Courcey’s will also look for something to hang their hat on however overall on the day neither will want to dwell on what wasn’t a great day for either.

Mallow will look to improve for their next round fixture against a Blarney side they know well at this stage while Courcey’s will need to improve dramatically if they are to get past Watergrasshill in round 2B.