“Clonmel Credit Union” South Tipperary Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Final
Shelly and Walzer goals create historic win
Mullinahone C.J.Kickhams 2-11 Fethard 1-11
Report by Ricky Sheehan
A pair of goals in the 15th and 22nd minutes of the first half from Jack Shelly and Kevin Walzer were ultimately the scores which decided this” Clonmel Credit Union” semi-final played in Anner Park, Cloneen on Saturday evening last.
The second goal left the score Mullinahone 2-05, Fethard 0-02. It turned out to be a deficit that Fethard never made up, though in the last quarter, as Mullinahone seemed both to tire and lose concentration, Fethard got within two points. In the last almost seven decades, the Kickhams could only point to one championship victory over the Blues in adult championship football.
This win, at senior level in 2001 seemed to herald a bright new football future for Mullinahone, but this didn’t happen, as the Kickhams seem to have devoted too much of their talents and resources to the small ball game. Now, more than a decade later, Fethard have fallen down to intermediate ranks and Mullinahone have alternated between intermediate and senior grades without any great ambition to advance. Perhaps, this latest win over an ancient rival will revive old dreams. However if one is to judge by the mood of the Kickhams supporters at the second half display of their team, they will have to wait somewhat longer.
For Fethard the result was a grave disappointment. A win would not only have put them into the South final but also have given them a place in the county championship and a chance to win their way back up to senior status. In the first half they were well behind Mullinahone and when Mullinahone let them back into the game they were unable to take advantage of the Kickhams lack of concentration. A flare up almost on the final whistle spoke volumes about the game. It was good to see one of Tipps minor football heroes of Sunday attending the game in Cloneen in which St.Patricks were not involved. Well done Aidan Buckley and well done on that valuable point on Sunday too.
Mullinahone scored the first two points of the game in nine minutes and also missed a goal chance after six minutes. Fethard levelled with two points in the 13th and 15th minutes. Jack Shelly goaled for Mullinahone in 16 minutes. This was followed by three points and then Kevin Walzer’s goal after 22 minutes. In the run in to half time we had a mini comeback from Fethard who outscored Mullinahone by four points to one to leave the half time score Mullinahone 2-06 Fethard 0-06.
The second half looked fair for the Kickhams. They led by six points on the scoreboard, they now had the advantage of the breeze and the slope and the sun was shining into the eyes of the Fethard defenders yet they almost managed to lose the game. Mullinahone began the half with a point from a free in two minutes but they didn’t move on. Fethard pointed in the 3rd and 10th minutes. Mullinahone missed a close in free in 14 minutes and when Ciarán O’Meara goaled a penalty in 18 minutes Fethard were back in the game. A Micheál Dunne point and another from a free by Gary Cronin in 19 and 21 minutes eased Mullinahone worries. Fethard points from Ciarán O’Meara and Kenny O’Donnell revived their hopes in 24 and 26 minutes. A minute later, a mass brawl which erupted out of nothing took place. Play resumed and Mullinahone pointed twice in added time courtesy of Jack Shelly.
In the sixth minute of added time, Mullinahone keeper Michael Lonergan pushed a fierce drive over the cross bar and this left the Kickhams three points clear as Paul Guiton sounded the long whistle to leave the Kickhams in another divisional final as well as the county championship. For Fethard their adult football season for 2015 is over and plans for a football revival will have to be revised. A final note. Patrons are always appreciative of team sheets supplied by the Board for games but to be helpful such sheets should be accurate.
Teams:
Mullinahone C.J. Kickhams: Michael Lonergan, Kyran Vaughan, Alan Walsh, Michael Cody, Graham Horan, Niall Curran, Kevin Walzer, Paul Curran, Alan Curran, Sean Curran, Eoin Kelly, Jack Shelly, Paul Kelly, Gary Cronin, Micheál Dunne.
Fethard: Paul Fitzgerald, Owen Dillon, James Smyth, Gavin Fitzgerald, Brian Delahunty, Cian Maher, Alan O’Connor, Joe Sheehan, Declan Doyle, David Hayes, Carol Maher, Jack Purcell, Ciaran O’Meara, Kenny O’Donnell, Brian Healy.
Referee: Paul Guiton (Killenaule)
