Rovers prevail in shootout drama

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

Shannon Rovers 3-25

Borrisokane 4-22

(After Extra Time, Shannon Rovers win 4-3 on penalties)

Report: James Hayden in Puckane

Shannon Rovers progressed to the North Tipperary Intermediate hurling final following a dramatic encounter with near neighbours Borrisokane on Friday evening.

In a dramatic game that will live long in the memory of the sizeable crowd, Shannon Rovers prevailed after penalties were required to separate the sides following eighty minutes of hugely entertaining fare.

The sides finished level at the end of normal time (3-17 to 2-20), with a late Rovers point from a Tom Hogan free sending the tie to extra-time. An additional twenty minutes failed to separate the sides with a dramatic and late Shannon Rovers surge sending a North Intermediate championship game to penalties for the first time in history.

John Flannery and former Kiladangan manager Brian Lawlor sure had their homework done on a Borrisokane side many fancied to reach the decider and their hallmarks were all over the men in red and white. Touch tight defending smothered a hitherto potent Borrisokane forward line and in attack Conal Moran, Andy Byrnes and Tom Hogan provided the necessary fulcrum upon which the Rovers offence revolved.

Borris,’ who were minus the services of their influential attacker Conor Ryan, were not without their stars either with the wizard-like Oisín Larkin, Roan Murphy, Mike Heenan, and Mike Kelly all catching the eye but a poor opening half definitely proved detrimental to their efforts. Larkin notably racked up a whopping 2-17 in a man-of -the match performance, with 1-5 coming from play.

Shannon Rovers raced into an early lead with points from the excellent Conal Moran and Tom Hogan (65). Borrisokane retorted with an Oisín Larkin brace but further efforts from Emmet Moran and Conal Moran ensured the Rovers led 0-5 to 0-2 with thirteen minutes elapsed.

Efforts from Gary Ryan, who was well-marshalled by Matt Tierney throughout, and Mike Heenan cut the deficit to a solitary point before points from George Hannigan, Eamonn Hough and Marcus Esmonde fired the Rovers into a four-point lead. Tom Hogan stretched the lead further with a well-struck 65’ after Colm Larkin had parried Conal Moran’s 20th minute penalty out over the end line.

The Rovers dominated the second quarter and despite the penalty miss they continued to heap pressure on a struggling Borrisokane side. Further points from Tom Hogan (2) added to their tally before a fine strike from Michael Tierney and a sublime 27th minute Conal Moran point ensured the Rovers led by double scores, 0-14 to 0-7.

Borrisokane rallied slightly though as the interval approached with a brace from Oisín Larkin ensuring his side trailed by just five at the whistle, 0-14 to 0-9.

Seamus Gleeson rallied his troops and within minutes of the restart Borris had cut the deficit thanks to 1-1 from Oisín Larkin, the goal coming after a quickly taken close-range free which caught the Shannon Rovers defence napping.

Tom Hogan and Michael Tierney responded for the Rovers before a second Borrisokane goal edged the men and green and white into the lead for the first time, 2-13 to 0-16. Mike Heenan netted on this occasion after his speculative shot appeared to get a slight deflection from Philip Austin on route to the back of the Rovers net. Borrisokane continued to get the better of the exchanges before a third goal from the boot of Oisín Larkin put them well in control with ten minutes remaining, 3-14 to 0-18.

The Rovers refused to die soft though and hit back with a 58th minute Conal Moran goal and the drama didn’t end there with an injury time Tom Hogan major leaving just the bare minimum between the sides, 3-17 to 2-19.

Referee Tommy Ryan, who in fairness let the game flow, looked at his watch but there was time left for one last Rovers’ chance and it came in the guise of a Tom Hogan free from long range after Roan Murphy was adjudged to have fouled Conal Moran. Hogan duly flighted over the placed ball to send the Rovers support into raptures and the game to extra time.

The opening half of extra-time saw the Rovers surge into an early lead with an Eamon Hough goal putting three between the sides. Oisín Larkin (free) and Mike Kelly (goal) responded for Borris’ after Kelly deftly lobbed Paddy Heenan in the Rovers goal.

Tom Hogan (free) and John O’Meara kept the Rovers ticking over before two Oisín Larkin frees late in the half ensured Borrisokane led 4-20 to 3-22 at half-time in extra-time.

The dramatic nature of this absorbing encounter continued unabated with Oisín Larkin and Tom Hogan exchanging points. Kevin Cleary and Conal Moran reciprocated before a quick free from Conal Moran to Andy Byrnes right at the death saw Byrnes bisect the uprights and send the clash to a penalty shootout.

Borrisokane were first up with Oisín Larkin converting. Conal Moran, Jack Larkin, and Austin Tierney all converted with aplomb for the Rovers before Colm Larkin’s effort was saved by Paddy Heenan. Alan Hannigan and Gary Ryan both found the net before John O’Meara’s low strike put the Rovers 4-3 up. Heenan was again on hand to save Borrisokane's final penalty, batting Bryan Davis' effort away and in doing so sending a jubilant Shannon Rovers through to the final.

Player of the Match: Oisín Larkin (Borrisokane)

Shannon Rovers: Paddy Heenan (7), Kieran O’Sullivan (7), Matt Tierney (8), Marcus Esmonde (0-1, 7); Alan Hannigan (7), Michael Slattery (7), James O’Sullivan (7); Emmet Moran (0-1, 8), Austin Tierney (7); Conal Moran (1-5, 7), George Hannigan (0-1, 7), Andy Byrnes (0-2, 7); Michael Tierney (0-2, 7), Eamon Hough (1-1, 7), Tom Hogan (1-11 (0-6f, 0-2 65’s) 7).

Subs: John O’Meara (0-1, 7) for Michael Tierney (57); Derek Horan (6) for Slattery (60+1)

Borrisokane: Colm Larkin (7), Kevin Cleary (0-2, 8), Bryan Davis (7) Jimmy Hough (7); Liam Cleary (7), Roan Murphy (8), Liam Dooley (7); Dylan Power (7), Shane Nevin (7); Mike Heenan (1-1, 8), Oisin Larkin (2-17 (1-12f) 8), Mike Kelly (1-1, 7); Philip Austin (7), Gary Ryan (0-1, 7), Jack Larkin (7).

Subs: Seody Cleary (6) for Power (54); Brian Dooley (NR) for L Dooley (ET); Dylan Power for Nevin (ET); Liam Dooley for S. Cleary (ET inj) Gordon Harding (NR) for Cleary (ET).

Referee: Tommy Ryan (Kiladangan).