South Tipp “Clonmel Credit Union” Intermediate Football Final
Mullinahone surprise Clonmel Óg
Mullinahone C.J. Kickhams 2-8 Clonmel Óg 0-8
In the run up to Saturday’s South Tipp “Clonmel Credit Union” Intermediate Football Final in Davin Park, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel Óg were the popular favourites. In the semi-finals, C.J. Kickhams had played poorly, but eventually overcame Fethard. On the other hand, Clonmel Óg had played Grangemockler three times. The first game and the replay had finished level, but the second replay had resulted in a fourteen point win for “Óg”. While the two replays were going ahead, the Kickhams had been concentrating on hurling with their clash with Thurles Sarsfields uppermost in their minds. It seemed then that Clonmel Óg had been getting match fit and had also been sharpened while Kickhams had concentrated on the small ball. An easy win then, for Clonmel was on the cards, but a canny few remembered last year’s final when an unheralded Mullinahone had pushed favourites Grangemockler to the very limit before eventually losing out.
Patrons at the final were somewhat scarce. Both sides started with a change or two from the published line-outs. Mullinahone started without the absent Eoin Fennelly and the injured Eoin Kelly. They were replaced by 2011 captain, James Connolly and under 21 player, Micheál Dunne. For Clonmel Óg, Dwayne Burns replaced Ciaran Barrett. A respectful silence was observed before the game began for former Tipp player, Eddie Connolly and also for the Davin Park groundsman Martin Henzey.
Referee, Martin Doyle threw in the ball and Mullinahone drew first blood in two minutes when Sean Curran pointed a free which had been brought forward for “backchat”. Dwayne Burns pointed a free to put the sides level a minute later. He did the same in seven minutes and in between Johnny Cagney had pointed for Clonmel as they started the better. In the 10th minute, wing back Kevin Walzer pointed for Kickhams as they found their feet. In 13 minutes the speedy Graham Horan pointed to level. It was game on, but within a minute came a seminal moment. Sean Curran, one of Mullinahone’s most influential players was injured as he tried to point them into the lead. He failed and worse still, his injury forced him to leave the field. Mullinahone responded to adversity and Kevin Walzer led from the front to point, putting the Kickhams into the lead in 19 minutes. At this stage, the Mullinahone backs were making it very difficult for Óg to score. In 26 minutes Graham Horan failed with a Mullinahone free and before half time Dwayne Burns pointed twice to give Clonmel the half time lead 0-5 to 0-4.
The second half began with Óg having the advantage of the slope but the Kickhams being favoured by a slight breeze. In the 5th minute Michael Lonergan made a great save in the Mullinahone goal. He conceded a free which was pointed but a goal had been prevented. Two minutes later Paul Kelly pulled back that point from a free and in the 9th minute came a third “seminal moment”.`Clonmel’s centre back Conor Morrissey was injured and had to leave the field. Clonmel were unable to respond to adversity with the same fortitude as Mullinahone had. Kevin Walzer levelled the score with a well pointed free. In the 10th minute came another of those moments. Paul Kelly found Jack Shelly who parted to Enda Keane and the 16 year old player cracked the ball to the net for the game’s first goal. A minute later Kevin Walzer had another point to increase the lead to an important four points.
Six scoreless minutes followed, with the Kickhams defending well. Burns cut the gap to three when he pointed a free. Mullinahone were guilty of missing some chances at this stage as they tried to up the pressure. On 22 minutes Paul Kelly pointed a free to push the lead out to four points. Two minutes later, the veteran Kelly got a beautiful flick on the ball as it dropped to the square and the green flag waved. Five or six minutes left and the gap was now seven points. It was too late for Clonmel to rally, though they attempted to do so. The Mullinahone defence which had been good all the afternoon refused to yield. Here the big men were ex-Tipp footballers Niall Curran (35) and Kyran Vaughan (39). Plenty of support came from Luke Mullally and Kevin Walzer. Yet another Clonmel Óg point from a free brought the scoring to an end, but when referee Martin Doyle blew the final whistle, it was Mullinahone C.J. Kickhams who were South Tipp Intermediate football champions for the first time since 2011 and the 6th since 1989.
Clonmel Óg will be very disappointed. They may point to the three hard games against Grangemockler, but in truth, the third one was hardly that tiring. On the other hand, only two of Clonmel’s eight points came from play. We mentioned two of Mullinahone’s veterans and should not forget Clonmel’s Brian Gentles who could have been the oldest player on the field. Clonmel Óg will now play Rockwell Rovers at 7:30pm on this Wednesday night September 23rd in Newcastle in the County Quarter-Final. Mullinahone are through to the County Semi-Finals after receiving a bye from Cashel King Cormacs.
After the game, the cup was presented to C.J. Kickham’s captain Paul Curran by South Board Chairman, Michael Cooney and Tony Brosnan on behalf of the sponsors “Clonmel Credit Union”. When it comes to veterans, one should mention the role of Commercial’s veteran and Mullinahone coach, Franny Kelly. Even towards the end of the game, Franny could be seen and heard displaying his craft sending on Chris Horan and John O’Grady to play and win their medals on the field and no doubt to allow the clock run down.
Teams:
Mullinahone C.J. Kickhams: Michael Lonergan, Michael Cody, Niall Curran, Kyran Vaughan, Kevin Walzer, Luke Mullally, James Fennelly, Alan Curran, Paul Curran, Jack Shelly, Sean Curran, Graham Horan, Paul Kelly, Enda Keane, Micheal Dunne
Subs used: Keith Mullally, Chris Horan, Colin Shelly and John O’Grady
Clonmel Óg: Keith Madigan, Kevin McGrath, Cilon O’Mahony, Brian Gentles, Noel Walsh, Conor Morrissey, Aaron Arrigan, Darrragh Kearney, Graham Quinn, Dwayne Burns, Johnny Cagney, M Ahearn, Eoin Fallon, Matthew Norris, Coror Arrigan
Sub used: Chris O’Gorman
Referee: Martin Doyle (Ardfinnan).
Report by Ricky Sheehan
