‘Church fail to build on lively start in loss to Moyle Rovers
GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 3 Round 1
Moyle Rovers 3-2-11 (22)
Upperchurch/Drombane 1-3-11 (17)
Report: John O’Shea at Canon Hayes Park, Bansha
Moyle Rovers got their Tipperary Senior Football Championship campaign up and running with a spirited second half display to get past Upperchurch/Drombane in this round 1 Group 3 tie on Sunday afternoon.
The game started at a blistering pace, with the Mid side going on all-out attack from the throw-in. A penalty appeal was dismissed as play was called back for an earlier indiscretion with Luke Shanahan opening the scoring from a twenty metre free. On three minutes, Ger O’Sullivan split the posts for a two-pointer with a huge kick from outside the arc.
Following the resulting kick-out, Upperchurch attacked down the centre and Paul Shanahan was hauled down. On this occasion a penalty was awarded, but Luke Shanahan’s well struck shot was brilliantly saved by Shane Ryan. The ‘Church turned over the attempted clearance before Luke Shanahan doubled his total from a placed ball, to bring the sides level.
Shanahan was again on target from a placed ball, but Cian O’Sullivan landed the second two-pointer to ease Rovers ahead. This early hard tackling and concession of frees by Rovers was punished with a black card issued to Richard Power on ten minutes.
Upperchurch capitalised on their numerical advantage with Luke Shanahan slotting over the equaliser and Michael Quinlan finding the net from close range, to go three to the good. Paul Shanahan kicked a free from the right of the posts before Riain Quigley and Conor Fahey traded minors.
Liam Boland kicked the Rovers first score from a placed ball on 22 minutes as they came right back into game. Sean Ryan put four between the sides before Dean English crashed home a goal following a run by Sean Cotter along the end-line.
Upperchurch/Drombane were then reduced to fourteen men following the issuing of a black card to Michael Lavery after the referee consulted with his umpires.
Play was held up for a number of minutes as AJ Shanahan had to leave the field with a leg injury. This loss left a huge gap in the Church defence, with the Rovers taking full advantage, to kick the final three minors of the half from Ger O’Sullivan, Liam Boland, and Sean Cotter to lead 1-9 to 1-7.
The game was effectively decided in the six minutes after the restart. Ger O’Sullivan found the net after 32 minutes, before Riain Quigley added his second minor to put the South men six to the good.
While Conor Fahey hit back with a two-pointer from play, Cathal McKeown rose highest to beat Loughlin Ryan with a palmed goal after a fisted cross from Riain Quigley.
Sean Ryan gave the ‘Church hope with a two-pointer, but again Rovers came back with a Ger O’Sullivan minor to put six between the sides.
Both sides brought on fresh legs for the final quarter, but Upperchurch were unable to make inroads into the deficit, despite Luke Shanahan kicking a two-pointer late on.
Moyle Rovers will be happy with their first outing as it sets them up nicely to tackle Arravale Rovers in round 2, before clashing with the holders, Loughmore/Castleiney in their final group game. Upperchurch/Drombane will play Killenaule in round 2 before taking on Arravale Rovers, a game that could have a big bearing in the final group placings.
Player of the Match: Ger O’Sullivan (Moyle Rovers)
Moyle Rovers: Shane Ryan (7); Jack Harney (6), Graham Vaughan (7), Cathal McKeown (1-0, 7), Killian Butler (6), Conor McGrath (7), Brian McKeown (7), Rory Collins (7), Richard Power (6), Riain Quigley (0-2, 7), Liam Boland (0-3, 2f, 6), Cian O’Sullivan (0-2pt, 6), Sean Cotter (0-2, 7), Ger O’Sullivan (1-4, 1x2ptf, 0-1f, 8), Dean English (1-0, 7).
Subs: Shane Foley (6) for C O’Sullivan (52), Paddy O’Keeffe (6) for G O’Sullivan (52), Dara Ryan (NR) for Power (60).
Upperchurch/Drombane: Loughlin Ryan (6); Michael Lavery (7), AJ Shanahan (7), Pat Ryan (6), Diarmuid Grant (6), Gavin Ryan (7), Michael Quinlan (1-0, 7), Keith Ryan (7), Dean Carew (6), Paddy Phelan (6), Ger Grant (6), Conor Fahey (0-3, 1x2pt, 7), Sean Ryan (0-3, 1x2pt, 6), Paul Shanahan (0-1f, 6), Luke Shanahan (0-7, 1x2pt, 0-4f, 7).
Subs: Oisín Treacy (6) for AJ Shanahan (30+3 inj), Jim O’Dwyer (6) for D Grant (44); Aaron Ryan (6) for S Ryan (52).
Referee: Donie Horan (Eire Óg Annacarty/Donohill).