Moneygall oust Rovers in extra-time drama

GAA: Kelly’s of Fantane North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Moneygall 3-22

Shannon Rovers 2-21 (AET)

Report: James Hayden in Borrisokane

Moneygall were forced to go to extra-time in order to shake off Shannon Rovers in an enthralling North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final at a pristine Borrisokane pitch on Friday evening.

The Rovers, minus the services of no less than seven starting players from last year’s county relegation final, took the game to last year’s county finalists with great gusto and led 1-1 to 0-1 after just four minutes following an early Eamonn Hough goal coupled with a Tom Hogan free.

Moneygall, playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, were slow out of the blocks but once they settled, added to Joe Fogarty’s second minute free with five points on the bounce ensuring a two-point cushion for Paul O’Brien’s charges on thirteen minutes .

While Paddy Fogarty was the danger man in attack with three points in the opening half, it was in defence where Moneygall impressed, Cathal Greene’s decisive flick denied George Hannigan a clear-cut goal chance on eleven minutes before Phil Fanning cleared Eamonn Hough’s goal-bound effort off the line on fifteen minutes. Moneygall were dealt a blow though when goalkeeper Ciaran Quinlan was forced off with a head injury on twenty minutes with Kevin McCormack coming on to make his championship debut. He slotted in with ease and indeed his accurate puckouts were responsible for a number of scores as the half progressed, including Sean Kenneally’s goal on 28 minutes, a timely goal which fired his side into a deserved 1-10 to 1-5 lead.

Shannon Rovers replied with a brace of frees from Tom Hogan but a flurry of points from Joe Fogarty (free and 65’) and Bob Kenny saw Moneygall take a seven-point lead to the dressing room, 1-13 to 1-6.

Moneygall emerged determined to put the outcome beyond doubt but a deflating seven wides in the opening ten minutes of the half hampered their aspirations. The Rovers, on the other hand, kept plugging away with points from John O’Meara, Michael Tierney, Andy Byrne and Tom Hogan (2 frees) narrowing the deficit to just three points by the 41st minute.

Tierney added another fine effort in the 44th minute before Moneygall finally emerged from their bout of squanderlust with a Joe Fogarty free coupled with a cracking Bob Kenny goal on 47 minutes following great approach play from Paddy Fogarty.

The Rovers’ responded again thanks to cracking Tom Hogan goal from a 51st minute close-range free to bring John Tierney’s side to within a point, 2-14 to 2-15.

Bob Kenny and Andy Byrne quickly traded points before a huge intervention from Moneygall’s full-back Phil Fanning denied George Hannigan a strike on goal. The Rovers kept pushing hard though with Tom Hogan converting a 65’ and free to bring them level as injury-time approached.

Moneygall fought a rearguard action in the closing moments as the Rovers went in search of a winner before the full-time whistle consigned the two sides to extra-time at 2-16 apiece.

The opening half of extra-time was embellished by the heroics of Paddy Heenan in the Rovers’ goal, with two fantastic saves drawing the appreciation of the fine crowd. Tom Hogan drew first blood for the Rovers with a close-range free before Joe Fogarty (free) and Paddy Fogarty edged Moneygall in front. Joe added another free before Tom Hogan converted from a placed ball for the Rovers to see his side trail by the minimum at half-time, 2-18 to 2-19.

Moneygall opened a two-point gap with a fine Joe Fogarty point off his left close to the sideline but back came a resolute Rovers again with points from Tom Hogan and substitute Alan Hogan restoring parity.

With the gauntlet once more thrown down to Moneygall they had to respond or face defeat, and respond the did, with a brace of Joe Fogarty frees aiding their cause.

John O’Meara arrowed over a fine effort in response to leave just one between the sides again before this ‘battle royale’ was finally put to bed by a decisive goal from substitute, Mark Fanning. Paddy Fogarty was instrumental in the build-up and it was his incisive ball which provided Fanning with the opportunity to rattle the Rovers net from close-rang.

Paddy Heenan denied Moneygall a fourth goal with abrave save, one that embodied Shannon Rovers’ overall approach to this tie. In the end though Moneygall had the necessary wherewithal to progress.

Player of the Match: Phil Fanning (Moneygall)

Moneygall: Ciaran Quinlan (6); Cathal Greene (7), Phil Fanning (8), Liam Carroll (7); Conor Ryan (7), Adam Hogan (0-1, 7), Andy Hoolan (7); Brendan Toohey (0-1, 8), Aodhán Ryan (7); Paddy Fogarty (0-4, 8); Cathal Hogan (7), Joe Fogarty (0-12, 10f, 1 65’) 8); Sean Kenneally (1-2, 7), Sean Fogarty (6), Bob Kenny (1-2, 7).

Subs: Kevin McCormack (7) for Quinlan (20 inj); Mark Fanning (1-0, 6) for S Fogarty (ET).

Shannon Rovers: Paddy Heenan (8); Jack O’Sullivan (8), Alan Hannigan (7), Oisín McMahon (7); Matt Tierney (7), Conor Ryan (7), Padraic O’Meara (7); Eamonn Hough (1-0, 8), Derek Horan (7); Andy Byrne (0-2, 7), George Hannigan (7), Tom Hogan (1-13 (1-11f, 0-1 65’), 8); John O’Meara (0-3, 7), Michael Tierney (0-2, 7), Shaun Belfry (1-0, 7).

Subs: Cathal Hogan (7) for Byrne (58); Alan Hogan (0-1, 7) for Belfry (58); Sean Moran (6) for C Ryan (ET); Alan Byrne (6) for J O’Meara (ET).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess).