Clonad’s late surge sinks Mountmellick and secures knockout qualification

Laois Shopping centre Premier IHC Group A Round 2 

Clonad 2-14 

Mountmellick 1-14 

CLONAD secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Laois Shopping Centre Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after two Fionn Holland goals helped them overcome Mountmellick in a dramatic contest in Trumera on Friday evening.

David O’Brien’s side remain in contention for top spot in the group and a direct route to the semi-finals, with victory over Camross in their final fixture enough to achieve that.

Clonad looked in control after using the strong breeze to their advantage in the first half, taking a five-point lead into the interval. However, Mountmellick struck just 20 seconds after the restart through Pete Culleton and eventually moved three points clear with seven minutes remaining. Clonad responded brilliantly, ending an 18-minute scoring drought with an unanswered 1-3 to claim their second win from two games.

Mountmellick entered the game needing a result after their opening-round defeat to Camross, and they now require victory over Clonaslee St Manman’s in their final group match to avoid a relegation play-off.

With the breeze behind them, Clonad opened the scoring inside 40 seconds when Patrick O’Callaghan found Daniel Thornton, who converted. Mountmellick full-forward Oisin Hade responded with two superb points from near the sideline before Clonad hit the game’s first goal.

A Ross Holmes sideline eventually broke to Holland, who fired past James Hillard, and the forward added another point shortly afterwards. The next six points were shared, with Pete Culleton and Jack Gorman keeping Mountmellick in touch, while Barry Cormack and John Onions responded for Clonad. Onions’ second score sparked a strong spell for the winners as he added two more points, with Holland also increasing his tally.

Culleton converted two more frees before the break, but another Holland point meant Clonad went into half-time leading 1-9 to 0-7. They were forced to finish the half with some concern, however, as Liam Whelan and Gareth O’Brien were both shown yellow cards.

Mountmellick immediately reduced the deficit after the restart when Hade’s effort dropped short and Jimmy Farrell lost sight of the ball in the sun and could only bat it down and it allowed Culleton to finish to the net.

Cormack settled Clonad with a free, but Mountmellick continued to push and cut the gap to one point through Culleton and Finn Lyons. Onions restored a two-point advantage for Clonad after 38 minutes, but they would not score again until the 54th minute as Mountmellick struck five unanswered points to take control.

Culleton and Jack Weston both added points before Culleton looked set for another goal, only for Liam Whelan to produce a superb block after the forward had collected Weston’s delivery and rounded Farrell. Jack Mahon and two more Culleton frees then put Mountmellick ahead for the first time since the opening stages.

Farrell also produced a brilliant save to deny Hade as Clonad looked in trouble, but they produced a stunning finish.

Holmes’ sideline delivery found Onions, who pointed before Jack Aherne’s long ball picked out Holland. The forward powered through the Mountmellick defence and buried the ball to the net to put Clonad back in front. Late frees from Onions and Cormack sealed victory, while Mountmellick’s final chance of forcing a draw went wide as Finn Culleton missed from close range.

Clonad now face Camross’ second team in a potential winner-takes-all clash for top spot, while Mountmellick must beat Clonaslee St Manman’s to avoid a relegation play-off.

SCORERS:

Clonad: Fionn Holland 2-3, John Onions 0-7 (0-4fs), Barry Cormack 0-3 (fs), Daniel Thornton 0-1.

Mountmellick: Pete Culleton 1-8 (0-5fs, 0-1 65), Oisin Hade 0-2, Jack Mahon, Jack Gorman, Finn Lyons and Jack Weston 0-1 each.

CLONAD: James Farrell; Gareth O’Brien, Jack Ahern, Liam Whelan; Charlie Hand, David O’Brien, Shane Cahill; James Whelan, Barry Cormack; Daniel Thornton, Fionn Holland, Patrick O’Callaghan; John Onions, Daniel O’Sullivan, Ross Holmes.

Subs: Jim Holland for G O’Brien (43m), Dan McCormack for Thornton (45m), John Noonan for J Whelan (53m), Jimmy Norton for Holmes (57m).

MOUNTMELLICK: James Hilliard; Rory Culleton, Redmond McEvoy, Aidan Byrne; Liam Connolly, Jack Gorman, Laurence Kenny; Jake Colbert, Jack Weston; Finn Lyons, Jarlath Connolly, Finn Culleton; John Connolly, Oisin Hade, Pete Culleton.

Subs: Eli Colbert for John Connolly (45m), Jack Mahon for Lyons (45m), Jordan Downey for Jarlath Connolly (57m).

Referee: Jamie McDonald (Rosenallis)