Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Carlow S.F.C. semi final
Tinryland 0-8 Bagenalstown Gaels 0-3
Tinryland senior footballers last years beaten finallists are back in another Co. final after a thoroughly professional performance in difficult conditions against Bagenalstown Gaels in the first semi-final played at Netwatch Cullen park on Sunday last 25th September.
In a game masterminded by Tinryland coach Steve O’Meara, Tinryland set up with their now trade mark tactic of a long patient build up together with starving the opposition of possession and breaking the tackle when the opportunity presented itself.
Danny Moran opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a wonderful trademark point but Bagenalstown replied only to be denied scores with 2 successive wides. The men from the banks of the Barrow eventually opened their account with a Robbie Kane point at the sugar factory end that many in attendance except the umpires felt had gone wide. Amazingly this was to be the Gaels last score for a further 33 minutes as they fluffed a litany of scoring chances in that time. Tinryland on the other hand kept their composure and shape and decorated the scoreboard in the 14th minute with a brilliant point from Paul Broderick after good play by Jonah Dunne and Conor McGrath. In the next few plays both teams had chances with Danny Moran narrowly missing another point and Robbie Kane hitting the upright at the other end. Tinryland were living dangerously at this stage and Bagenalstown pressure nearly paid off when the Tinryland rearguard spilled the ball in the difficult conditions.
Further good play by Danny Moran resulted in a brilliant point from Diarmaid Walshe to edge Tinryland 2 points clear. Tinryland had a good few more chances to add to their tally but were narrowly wide on a number of occasions as the first half drew to a close. The men from Rathcrogue were dealt a blow in the latter stages of the half when Mark Mullen was forced to retire with an ankle injury to be replaced by Michael Hosey. Half time score Tinryland 0-3 Bagenalstown Gaels 0-1.
The early stages of the 2nd half saw a gilt- edged goal chance for Tinryland being denied by Bagenaltowns Co. goalie Ciaran Cunningham while at the other end a defensive Tinryland error was saved at the last minute when Conor Ryan got his hand to a Robbie Kane shot that was heading towards the net. In the 37th minute Danny Moran won a free that was brilliantly converted by Paul Broderick to put his team 3 points ahead. Bagenalstown then threw the kitchen sink at Tinryland and they eventually broke through after 33 scoreless minutes when Paddy McDonnell converted a free. Liam McDonnell was then introduced as Peter Hennessy entered the action for Tinryland. Bagenalstown were pushing up on the Tinryland kick out at this stage but they did not have their scoring boots on today and it was Tinryland that went further clear with a Conor O’Toole point in the 44th minute after great play by John Murphy, Niall Lowry and Jonah Dunne. Bagenalstown kept pressing at this stage but another miss by Kane after a good delivery by Jamie Clarke kept the Tinryland 3 -point advantage intact. Robbie Kane eventually hit the target when he converted in the 47th minute but Tinryland quickly responded with a brilliant Diarmaid Walshe point after great play by recently introduced sub. James McGrath. Jack McCullagh fluffed another Bagenalstown chance with 10 minutes remaining as Tinryland introduced Rory Doyle for Danny Moran who had run himself to a standstill. Man of the match Paul Broderick then gave Tinryland some breathing space when he converted a 45 with 7 minutes remaining as the Tinryland bench were making an impact with Rory Doyle and Peter Hennessy showing plenty of energy.Tinryland supporters began to breath a little more lightly with 2 minutes left when Conor McGrath slotted over a great point. Matthew O’Toole then entered the fray for Tinryland as Robbie Kane let his frustrations get the better of him and he received a red card for an illegal challenge on James McGrath which proved to be the final fatal blow for his team who have now lost to Tinryland in their last 3 championship meetings.
Fenagh referee John Hickey who had a suberb game in the difficult conditions then sounded the final whistle after 5 minutes of stoppage time and Tinryland were now in another final on Sunday next 1st October 4 p.m. when Eire Og will be their opponents after they defeated Rathvilly in a sudden death penalty shoot- out in the 2nd semi-final at headquarters.
Tinryland: Cathal Gaffney, Danny Moran 0-1, Jonah Dunne, Conor Ryan, Niall Lowry, Shane Redmond captain, Mark Mullen, John Murphy, Cormac Walshe, Conor McGrath 0-1, Paddy Regan, Conor O’Toole 0-1, Diarmaid Walshe 0-2, Paul Broderick 0-3, Maurice Lawler. Subs: Michael Hosey, Peter Hennessy, James McGrath, Rory Doyle and Matthew O’Toole.
Bagenalstown Gaels: Ciaran Cunningham, Jason Wall, Alan Corcoran, Sean Wall, Jack McCullagh, Darragh Nolan, Darren Crooks, Oisin Dillon, Kealan Guidera, Jamie Clarke, Robbie Kane 0-2, Danny Doyle, Paddy McDonnell 0-1, Cian Doyle, Shane Clarke captain. Subs: Liam McDonnell
Referee John Hickey Fenagh
