Silver jubilee for Tipp Intermediates
By Shane Brophy
This year marks the 25th anniversary since Tipperary won the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2000, and this Sunday evening in the Lakeside Hotel, Ballina, members of the team will gather together for a reunion.
On Saturday, 23rd September 2000, Tipperary defeated Galway 2-17 to 1-10 in the final played in St Brendan’s Park, Birr, a year after Galway had gotten the better of Tipp in the decider but the rules of the competition meant none of the players involved in the 1999 success could be part of the 2000 panel.
In fact, that Tipperary used no subs in the final was down to manager Brendan Bonnar (Cashel King Cormacs) and selectors Gerry McKeogh (Ballina) and Richie Looby (Moyle Rovers) opting not make more players ineligible for the 2001 campaign.
In the final, points from Declan Browne (free) and captain Declan Corcoran got Tipp moving and in the ninth minute, a move begun by Browne and continued by Corcoran and Pat Maguire, ended with Knockshegowna’s Ray Killeen goaling as they went 1-4 to 1-2 in front after the first quarter.
It was tit for tat coming up to the interval. Galway, with a strong wind to favour them did require to be reasonably well ahead to entertain hopes of holding off the expected Tipp second half rally but when Darren O’Connor set up Declan Browne, the Moyle Rovers star took on the defence and blasted the ball in the Galway net. A point from a Browne free left the advantage firmly in Tipp’s favour, at 2-8 to 1-7.
Pat Maguire had a goal at his mercy three minutes into the half having been put through by Ray Killeen, but fluffed it. Then came a great point from Declan Corcoran, a rallying score for his colleagues.
Darren O’Connor began to come more into it and sent over some fine points. Tipp’s authority could not be denied. Long before Tommy McIntyre’s long blast, the game was over as a contest.
There was plenty of reason to rejoice, when eventually the game did end. A team that in the opening round had found itself 2-6 to 0-0 in arrears against Waterford but recovered to win 4-17 to 3-9 with Declan Browne scoring a phenomenal 4-12, had gone all the way, beating Clare, Cork, Meath, and Galway. It was the Meath game that caused the greatest problems, providing the least margin, that of two points.
For players like Seamus Butler, Michael Ryan, Sean Maher, Ray Killeen, and subs Tommy Hogan & Sean O’Meara who were part of previously defeated sides making the break-through was very welcome.
There was added glory for Colm Bonnar who completed the full set of All Ireland medals at senior, under 21, minor and intermediate.
Tipperary: Seamus Butler (Sean Treacys); Brendan Hogan (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Michael Ryan (Fethard), Martin Gleeson (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Dan Hackett (Kiladangan), Colm Bonnar (Cashel King Cormacs), Dermot Gleeson (Ballinahinch); Sean Maher (Ballybacon/Grange), John Teehan (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Darren O’Connor (Cahir 0-3), Colin Morrissey (Galtee Rovers), Declan Corcoran (Silvermines, Capt 0-3), Ray Killeen (Knockshegowna 1-0), Pat Maguire (Lattin Cullen), Declan Browne (Moyle Rovers 0-11, 6 frees, 1 ‘65).
Subs: Brian Enright (Cahir), Donal Keogh (Silvermines), Sean Stritch (Ballina), Kevin Nealon (Burgess), Eamonn Ryan (Sean Treacys), Sean O’Meara & Tommy Hogan (Shannon Rovers), Michael Spillane (Fethard), Philip Rabbitte (Borris-Ileigh).
Galway: Kevin Boyle, Richie Brady, Eugene McEntee, Ronan Reilly, Sean Forde, Eamonn Hyland (Capt 0-1), Shane McLernan, Keith Carr (0-2), Justin Cummins, Ger McGlacin, Brian Cunningham (1-4 frees), Shane Tierney, Maurice Headd (0-1), Michael Greaney (0-2), Michael Fahy. Subs: Brian Connolly for Tierney, Aidan Connolly for McLernan, Michael Corcoran for Cummins, Michael Curtin for Corcoran, Michael Lynskey for Curtin.
Referee: Tommy McIntyre (Antrim).