Hillard leads the way as Mountmellick defeat Clonad to maintain unbeaten record

Jimmy Hilliard scored an impeccable 1-13 without a single wide to lead Mountmellick to a crucial win over Clonad on Friday evening in Pairc Acragar. The hosts scored nine points without reply midway through the first half, but it was not until Hilliard's goal that Clonad were finally beaten.

Mountmellick got their Intermediate Hurling Championship off to a fine start two weeks ago. With Hilliard again leading the way, not only did Mountmellick beat The Harps, but did so in Durrow.

Mountmellick 1-25

Clonad 1-17 

Clonad, meanwhile, came up just short at home to Abbeyleix in Round 1, despite the best efforts of Barry Cormack, who registered an impressive 1-10. 

The men in green and gold showed huge resilience in that game and their 'never say die' attitude was on show here once more. The visitors were playing with a strong wind in the first half, but Mountmellick made things too easy for Clonad in the early goings.

Trailing by 0-4 to 0-2, Mountmellick hit a serious purple patch after the 10th minute. Hilliard led the charge scoring four points in 10 minutes as the hosts landed nine without reply. Finn Culleton, Jack Gorman, Laurence Kenny and Mick Bermingham were all instrumental in the fight-back.

PJ Daly stopped the rot for Clonad before Hilliard fired straight back. But the visitors had a fight-back of their own, slotting the last five points of the half to trail by just two points at half time; 0-12 to 0-10.

Mountmellick lodged the first three scores after the break, including two from their main man, Hilliard, but his opposite number, Barry Cormack, kept plugging away for Clonad. Then in the 40th minute, Clonad substitute, Dan McCormack laid the ball off to PJ Daly who raised the game's first green flag to bring his side back to within two points.

Jarlath Connolly was immense for Mountmellick in the second half and found a couple of quick scores to settle his team's nerves.

The two men wearing 15 then completely took over the game; Hilliard and Cormack were responsible for every score for a full 15 minutes, with Hilliard scoring 1-4 to Barry Cormack's 0-6. Hilliard took his goal incredibly well after a tremendous assist from Jarlath Connolly.

Connolly then got the game's final score to give Mountmellick a fully deserved eight-point victory. Their final group game is back in Acragar against an Abbeyleix who have also won two from two. The winners will advance to the semi-finals.

Clonad will host The Harps in the last game of the group, with the winners going into the quarter-finals and the loser heading for a relegation playoff.