Galway hurling champions Liam Mellows will finally get their chance to play in an All ireland semi final when they take on Cuala on Saturday in Thurles (4pm), 47 years after they were cruelly deprived of their place in the last 4 of the inaugural club championship by a "fixtures muddle". Offaly and Leinster champions St Rynaghs were given a walkover in the first ever semi-final in 1971,when the Connacht Club Championship was deemed to have not been completed. In a meeting of the Connacht Council in late November 1971 full details emerged as to why Mellowes were denied their shot at history:
"It was claimed at last week's meeting of the Connacht Council of the G.A.A. that Liam Mellowes, the Galway hurling side, were deprived of a place in the All Ireland semi final by a fixtures muddle.
The matter was raised by Mr. Gerry Cloherty, Chairman of the Galway County Board who said that Liam Mellowes were penalised by the lack oi communications between the Council and the county and club. He said that no attempt was made by the Council to have the Connacht Hurling championship finished and consequently Liam Mellowes were deprived of a place in the All Ireland semi finals. Because as there was no championship in Connacht they were not eligible to take part.
They were very aggrieved by this falling down on somebody's pari and he added "it is not good enough and we would like an explanation".
Doctor Donal Keenan (Roscommon) Chairman, said that the Roscommon champions played the Leitrim champions and the Mayo champions did not play the Sligo champions. He said that the Council fixed the final between Roscommon Gaels and Liam Mellowes and Liam Mellowes did not fulfill the fixture. The date of the final was the 28th March. Mr. S. Collins (Liam Mellowes) said they were deeply grieved over the situation. He (Mr. Collins) wrote to the Connacht Council secretary on the 5 th February seeking full details but he didn't get any reply. Doctor Keenan, Chairman, said that he was told by a Galway official that Liam Mellowes could not play the final as they were engaged in another game in Galway. Mr. Collins said that he rang Mr. Fahey who informed him that Roscommon Gaels were not entitled to play as they still had to play Mayo or Sligo. Mr. Fahey said that he had no recollection of this.
Doctor Keenan: "To come in and say it was the fault of the Council is not entirely true". We regret that it happened but as far as this Council is concerned we
With ground advantage, the Galway champions have bright prospects of winning the title. did make the fixture for the final between Roscommon Gaels and Liam Mellowes and Liam Mellowes could not play". Mr. Collins said that Liam Mellowes did not play any game on the 28th March. Doctor Keenan: "It's regrettable and I am sorry it happened." Mr. Cloherty said that it was not too much to say that something; should have been done in all that) time. He asked was it ever re-fixed and if not why wasn't it. The Connacht Council should have made a further effort to fix the game. Mr. Cloherty also said that to have a representative of Connacht at club level would be: much more importnat than at county level.
Mr. Sean Purcell (Galway) said that the whole club championship was badly run from the top. He was not told anything about it since the semi finals were fixed. Mr. Tommy Lyons (Mayo) said that in all fairness to everyone there was always a gentleman's agreement among Connacht Council representative as a member of the Council to convey back decisions to their respective Counties. When the fixtures were made in the first instance he as a member of the Council felt it was his duty to telephone the- Mayo champions Westport axquainting them of the fixture. He said that delegates to the Council had a responsibility to see to it that decisions were conveyed to the clubs concerned. He said that what was said would appear to be a reflection on the chairman and on the Council. Doctor Keenan said he was informed by the Galway official that Liam Mellowes would be engaged in the Reeves Cup on the date on which the final was fixed. Mr. Collins said that Liam Mellowes were absolutely blameless."
Galway hurling clubs record in All-Ireland Semi-finals (wins in bold type):
1971: St Rynagh’s v Liam Mellows (St Rynagh’s win by w/o)
1972: Blackrock 3-7 to 2-8 Tommy Larkins
1973: Glen Rovers 6-9 to 1-7 Castlegar
1974: Rathnure 1-15 to 1-6 Castlegar
1975: Fenians 2-13 to 1-8 Ardrahan
1976: Blackrock 2-15 to 1-12 Ardrahan
1977: No Galway team in semi-finals
1978: No Galway team in semi-finals
1979: No Galway team in semi-finals
1980: Castlegar 2-9 to 0-9 Blackrock
1981: St Finbars 2-11 to 1-3 Sarsfields
1982: James Stephens 1-13 to 1-8 Gort
1983: St Rynaghs 2-8 to 0-8 Kiltormer
1984: Gort 1-11 to 2-4 Midleton
1985: Castlegar 3-5 to 1-5 Sixmilebridge
1986: Kilruane MacDonaghs 3-9 to 0-9 Turloughmore
1987: Rathnure 0-11 to 0-9 Kilimordaly
1988: Athenry 3-12 to 1-4 Rathnure
1989: No Galway team in semi-finals
1990: Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-08 to 0-12 Sarsfields
1991: No Galway team in semi-finals
1992: Kiltormer 1-10 to 2-7 Cashel King Cormacs
Kiltormer 1-14 to 2-11 Cashel King Cormacs (Replay)
Kiltormer 2-8 to 1-8 Cashel King Cormacs (2nd Replay)
1993: Sarsfields 4-13 to 1-10 Buffers Alley
1994: Sarsfields 1-11 to 1-07 St Rynagh’s
1995: Dunloy 2-10 to 1-07 Athenry
1996: Sixmilebridge 5-11 to 1-12 Sarsfields
1997: Athenry 4-17 to 3-3 Camross
1998: Sarsfields 3-14 to 4-11 Dunloy
Sarsfields 1-15 to 1-11 Dunloy (Replay)
1999: St Josephs Doora Barefield 1-13 to 1-12 Athenry
2000: Athenry 2-9 to 1-10 Birr
2001: Athenry 3-20 to 1-10 Dunloy
2002: Clarinbridge 1-15 to 2-8 Ballygunner
2003: Birr 0-15 to 0-6 Athenry
2004: Dunloy 2-13 to 2-10 Portumna
2005: Athenry 3-12 to 1-11 Toomevara
2006: Portumna 2-17 to 0-11 James Stephens
2007: Loughrea 1-11 to 0-9 Cushendall
2008: Portumna 2-18 to 0-12 Dunloy (Replay)
2009: Portumna 5-11 to 1-16 Ballyhale Shamrocks
2010: Portumna 2-18 to 0-12 Dunloy
2011: Clarinbridge 3-22 to 1-27 De la Salle
2012: Coolderry 3-16 to 0-17 Gort
2013: St Thomas 1-25 to 3-19 Loughgiel Shamrocks
St Thomas 0-15 to 0-9 Loughgiel Shamrocks (Replay)
2014: Portumna 1-15 to 1-11 Na Piarsaigh
2015: Ballyhale Shamrocks 2-17 to 1-15 Gort
2016: Cushendall 3-12 to 1-6 Sarsfields
2017: Ballyea 1-19 to 2-14 St Thomas
By Oisin Noone.
