Having won their first Galway senior crown in 47 years, Liam Mellows were unable to advance to their first All Ireland club final when losing to Cuala by 1-17 to 0-11 in Sunday's semi-final at Semple Stadium.
The champions proved too strong for Mellows, producing a strong third quarter and sealing their win with a late goal.
Mellows kept in touch with five frees from Adrian Morrissey and a point from Conor Kavanagh, but Cuala's David Treacy and Con O'Callaghan had them front by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break. However Cuala took control to extend their lead to 0-15 to 0-8, a nd there was no comeback when substitute Brian Fitzgerald added a late goal.
Liam Mellows: K Walsh; C Reilly, M Conneely, S Morrissey; M Hughes, D Collins, S Barrett; J Hastings, K Lee; C Hynes, T Haran (0-1f ), R Elwood; A Morrissey (0-7f ), A Callanan (0-2 ), C Kavanagh (0-1 ). Subs: J Forde for C Hynes, D Fahy for R Elwood, S Killeen for C Kavanagh, B Leen for M Conneely, C Elwood for T Haran.
