Mountbellew-Moylough survived a scare last Sunday in Pairc Seán MacDiarmada against Leitrim champions Ballinamore Seán O’Heslins. Val Daly's team eventually progressed to this weekend's Connacht club semi final.
Ballinamore struck for two opening period goals to take a six point lead in Carrick-on-Shannon. The goals came from Niall McGovern and Tom Prior which gave the Leitrim outfit a 2-5 to 0-5 interval advantage over their Galway counterparts.
Barry McHugh’s frees had kept Mountbellew-Moylough in the game throughout the first half and once again it was his placed balls which allowed his side to regain the upper hand. Within 15 minutes of the second half, albeit assisted by a slight breeze at their backs, Mountbellew-Moylough had turned the game around to lead 0-12 to 2-5.
The Daly brothers and Barry McHugh spearheaded this turnaround with Michael kicking both the equaliser and the point that edged his side in front. From that point onwards, Mountbellew-Moylough never really looked back as McHugh continued to tap over the frees and their defence held firm. Mountbellew-Moylough eventually progressed, 0-16 to 2-8.
Val Daly and his backroom team will swiftly have turned their attention to a clash with Padraig Pearses in what is an attractive fixture. Padraig Pearses won their second Roscommon football title this year following a 2-8 to 0-11 victory over Clann na nGael.
Mountbellew-Moylough possess a formidable forward unit who can play it high and aggressive with the height and power of Eoin Finnerty and Patrick Kelly. These players also possess the nimbleness and skill to play intricate passes to cut teams open. Elsewhere, it will be the battle of the Dalys in the middle of the field on as Michael Daly is likely to be marked by Padraig Pearses Niall Daly.
Also John Daly could be tasked with picking up dangerous Pearses forward, Lorcán Daly. The other main threats for Padraig Pearses are Hubert Darcy and Paul Carey. Both of whom were in fine form throughout the Roscommon championship, with Carey contributing 1-3 in the county final. These two teams will be well able to match each other with physicality and skill.
The Intermediate Connacht club quarter final will take place this Saturday in Ballinamore. Naomh Anna Leitir Mór face Leitrim's St Patrick’s Dromhair. Naomh Anna will be hopeful that a win on Saturday could be the start of a long journey in the competition.
The Kilkerrin-Clonberne ladies are also in action on Sunday against Clann na nGael in the Connacht semi-final in Roscommon.
