Hyland leads Clough/Ballacolla charge into Premier IHC semi-final
Kevin Hyland hit 12 points as Clough/Ballacolla secured their place in the last four
Clough/Ballacolla booked their place in the Premier Intermediate semi-final after producing a commanding second half display to bring Mountmellick’s championship campaign to an end in Colt on Saturday afternoon.
There was only a goal between the teams at half-time, but Clough/Ballacolla took complete control after the restart. They outscored Mountmellick by 13 points to four in the second half as they pulled away to secure a 12-point victory.
Kevin Hyland was in outstanding form for the winners, finishing with 12 points, and he got the scoreboard moving inside the opening minute. Clough/Ballacolla then struck for their first goal after just two minutes.
It was a well-worked move, with Gary Whelan finding John Dwyer, who in turn picked out John Coonan at the back post. Coonan got the crucial touch to flick the sliotar into the Mountmellick net.
However, Mountmellick responded immediately. From the resulting puck-out, Finn Culleton drove through the Clough/Ballacolla defence before unleashing a low shot that flew past Peter Rafter.
Podge Brennan restored the advantage for Clough/Ballacolla before Pete Culleton opened his account for Mountmellick. Hyland then added a 65 and followed that up with a point from play to put his side three clear.
The 65 came after Sean Corby had gone for goal and Mountmellick goalkeeper Jimmy Hilliard stopped the effort with his hand rather than his hurl.
The sides then exchanged four points, with Jake Colbert and Oisin Hade on target for Mountmellick, while CJ Brennan and Hyland replied for Clough/Ballacolla. Mountmellick drew level after nine minutes when Culleton converted two frees, with Eli Colbert also getting on the scoresheet.
That was as close as Mountmellick would get, though. Clough/Ballacolla immediately responded with a crucial 1-2 without reply. Hyland converted two frees before CJ Brennan got a touch to a Hyland sideline cut and flicked it into the net.
Culleton kept Mountmellick in touch with three more frees, but Clough/Ballacolla continued to find scores at the other end. Brennan added three points from play to maintain a five-point advantage. Mountmellick finished the half with two more Culleton points, the second of which was a superb effort from close to the sideline. Clough/Ballacolla went into the break leading 2-12 to 1-12.
The winners quickly established control after the restart. Ben Delaney and Rafter, with a free from inside his own 45, extended the lead before Culleton got Mountmellick’s first point of the second half from a free.
Mountmellick struggled to find scores from play and that trend continued as Clough/Ballacolla began to dominate possession. Coonan came close to adding another goal, but Redmond McEvoy produced a vital clearance off the line.
Hyland continued his excellent afternoon with another free and a second 65, while CJ Brennan added his second point. Culleton replied with his second score of the half with 15 minutes remaining, leaving six points between the sides.
Mountmellick needed goals at that stage to revive their hopes, but they never came. Hyland added two more points before he and Culleton exchanged frees. Culleton’s fourth point of the half, with five minutes left, proved to be Mountmellick’s final score.
Clough/Ballacolla still had time to add five more points from five different players. Hyland converted a free before Coonan, Padraigh Brennan, Rafter from another free and substitute Jim Hyland all raised white flags as Clough/Ballacolla comfortably saw out the victory and secured their place in the semi-final.
FINAL SCORE
Clough/Ballacolla 2-25
Mountmellick 1-16
SCORERS— Clough/Ballacolla: Kevin Hyland 0-12 (0-7 frees, 0-2 65s), Padraigh Brennan 0-5, CJ Brennan 1-2, John Coonan 1-1, Peter Rafter 0-3 (frees), Ben Delaney and Jim Hyland 0-1 each. Mountmellick: Pete Culleton 0-13 (0-11 frees), Finn Culleton 1-0, Jake Colbert, Eli Colbert and Oisin Hade 0-1 each.
CLOUGH/BALLACOLLA: Peter Rafter; Eoin Duggan, Evan Cassin, Sean Hayes; Paddy Meade, Kyle Handcock, Emmet Saunders; Padraigh Brennan, Ben Delaney; John Coonan, Sean Corby, Kevin Hyland; Gary Whelan, John Dwyer, CJ Brennan. Subs: Jim Hyland for Delaney (35 mins, inj)
MOUNTMELLICK: Jimmy Hilliard; Rory Culleton, Redmond McEvoy, Aidan Byrne; Liam Connolly, Jack Gorman; Jake Colbert, Jack Weston; Eli Colbert, Finn Culleton, Oisín Hade; Ja Connolly, Finn Lyons, Pete Culleton. Subs: John Connolly for F Culleton (35 mins, inj), Tadhg Culliton for Byrne (Blood 41-48 mins), Jack Mahon for Hade (51 mins), Tadhg Culliton for E Colbert (58 mins), Kevin Scott for L Connolly (59 mins).
Referee: Brian Farrell (The Harps)