Delahunty delivers double delight for Rovers in South final victory over Commercials
Clonmel Oil South Tipperary Senior Football Championship Final:
CLONMEL COMMERCIALS 0-9 MOYLE ROVERS 1-8
A goal by Luke Delahunty in the 60th minute decided the Clonmel Oil South Tipperary Senior Football Championship final in favour of Moyle Rovers in an always-tight and competitive game played at the Barracks Field, Fethard on Wednesday evening last. It ensured the Monroe club their first divisional crown since 2017 and continued their good run in 2024 against their arch-rivals whom they have now beaten three times this year, twice in the County League (including the final) and now in the South division’s showpiece game.
A low-key atmosphere prevailed at the midweek fixture agreed by both clubs to accommodate players’ summer plans, and it took until the second half for the final to come to anything like the excitement that is expected when these neighbours clash with silverware at stake.
At the end of a disappointing first half the Powerstown/Lisronagh side were 0-6 to 0-4 to the good with eight of those ten scores from frees. In that opening 30 minutes the reigning county champions, Commercials, failed to score from open play.
Thankfully the second half proved much more lively and eventful, culminating in the winning goal in the final minute of normal time scored by Luke Delahunty. Cutting in from the left his initial shot was parried by Commercials’ keeper Shane Ryan before Delahunty coolly managed to find the net with the rebound.
That goal, and the victory it more or less guaranteed, gave great satisfaction to the Scotch Road side who had been reduced to 14 men for the final 20 minutes after county player Luke Boland was red-carded for an off-the-ball incident. To their credit, when their backs were to the wall, John McGrath’s side seemed to play their best football with a numerical disadvantage, never allowing the town side to re-take the lead.
The clubs will now quickly turn their attentions to the forthcoming county championship where Commercials will know they need to get their act in order if they are to make it five titles in six years and complete a first three-in-a-row since 1965-1967. Moyle Rovers, with the addition of some new talent to their squad this year, will have their eyes on a treble of their own in 2024.
Nicholas Moroney, Chairman South Board and Riain Condon representing the sponsors Clonmel Oil, presenting the South Senior Football trophy to Shane Foley, Moyle Rovers captain.
Both sides took to the field somewhat understrength, the Rovers impacted further in the warm-up to the game when captain Liam Boland had to pull out with an injury. However, on the positive side for them they had former Tipperary captain and club legend Peter Acheson available to tog out while home from holidays from Dubai.
In a tense and teasing first 10 minutes, Commercials had the better of the possession and led by 0-3 to 0-1 into the town goal after 12 minutes, courtesy of three frees from Jack Kennedy (2) and Cian Smith, to Moyle Rovers’ sole reply from play from man of the match Ger O’Sullivan from 35 metres.
In a game of few goal chances, the first arrived in the 13th minute. A high ball delivered in by Killian Butler was held up by Ger O’Sullivan before a chance was created by Rory Collins whose shot went just over the crossbar. As things transpired this would be the last score from play in the half.
Two minutes later the sides were level at 0-3 each when O’Sullivan sent over a 45 metre free won by former St Finbarr’s player Cian O’Sullivan.
Kerryman O’Sullivan with another free put his side ahead for the first time in the 20th minute but parity was restored three minutes later by Jack Kennedy with a free from the edge of the D. It was to be Kennedy’s last involvement in the game, Ross Peters coming on immediately after that free had sailed over.
Rovers then had three frees inside three minutes from almost the same 40-50 metre range with O’Sullivan managing to convert one for a 0-5 to 0-4 lead after 26 minutes.
In the final minutes of a rather nondescript half Cian Smith saw a goal chance go narrowly wide for Commercials before O’Sullivan made it a two-points half-time advantage for his side with a free won by the hard-working Killian Butler.
Two substitutions at the break for Commercials livened matters up and having gone 30 minutes without a first half open-play point, like the proverbial bus, two arrived within a minute following the resumption with Ciaran Cannon and Cian Smith obliging. The sides were now level for the fourth time in the game and those in attendance were teed-up for the traditional combative conclusion to this final.
Rovers edged back in front in the 40th minute when after a good run by Cian O’Sullivan, Dara Ryan converted with a sweet point off his left leg.
Man of the match Ger O’Sullivan receiving his trophy from John Quirke.
A big moment in the game soon followed when after Rovers had been awarded a free some developments in the follow up saw centre-back Luke Boland receive a straight red card after a tussle with Peter McGarry. A minute later McGarry himself was booked for a sideline challenge on Shane Foley, as referee Derek O’Mahoney took control of matters and issued another half-dozen yellow cards over the next few minutes to ensure matters didn’t develop.
Veteran Peter Acheson, obviously enjoying being in the thick of it in his cameo appearance, was involved in the next point, his quick-thinking free releasing Brian McKeown on a run before Ger O’Sullivan finished off the move with a fine point for 0-8 to 0-6 to Rovers with 13 minutes to play.
Ryan Lambe, was getting more involved as the second half progressed, and he played a big part in the creation of a score for Cian Smith in the 49th minute to narrow the gap to the minimum.
Ryan Lambe was again involved in the next move which ultimately forced a good save from Shane Ryan in the Moyle Rovers goal (both goalkeepers had the same name) before Lambe, a grandson of the legendary Tipperary footballer Bunny, was fouled with Smith converting the equalising free in the 55th minute.
Level for fifth time, the odds would have favoured Tommy Morrissey’s side to drive on with momentum and a numerical advantage, and they should have taken the initiative only for a Michael Murphy effort to fall just wide.
Rovers then had a great chance of their own when a backwards Commercials sideline kick was badly misplaced giving Luke Delahunty the opportunity to drive through but his effort at lead point went wrong side of the post also.
With the light fast-fading and extra-time a probability, the game was decided in the final minute of normal time. Having missed his opportunity of a point a minute earlier, Delahunty once again used his pace to get clear and decided to go low for goal. The initial attempt was repelled but credit to Luke for a cool hand and head, he dispatched the rebound to the net and victory for the Rovers.
The last point of the game was a Ciaran Cannon free for Commercials but there was to be no denying Rovers this time around.
For the winners there were some solid displays. Former Kilnamartrya (Cork) player Graham Vauhan was solid at the edge of the square with Killian Butler, Cillian Crowe and Brian McKeown also defending well. Around midfield Ben Owens and Rory Collins held their own while Cian O’Sullivan, Dara Ryan, Ger O’Sullivan and Luke Delahunty were the pick of the forwards.
Without getting anywhere near their top game, Clonmel Commercials were in this final right up to the death. For a seriously understrength team on the night, that in itself will tell them where they are right now. If and when they can get back to near their full panel they will, most definitely, be the side that they all have to beat once again in the county championship. They will have to be concerned though with only three players on the scoresheet and only three points from play over 60 minutes.
Shane Ryan, Tadgh Condon, Enda Dunphy, Ciaran Cannon, Padraic Looram, Conal Kennedy, Cian Smith and Ryan Lambe all put in good shifts for the town side over the hour.
A minute’s silence: Before the game a minute’s silence was poignantly observed in memory of Pat Coen, Fr Tirry Park, Fethard. As a mark of respect to the family and the Fethard GAA Club, the Dr O’Hurley Band who had been arranged for the pre-match parade was cancelled.
Clonmel Commercials: Shane Ryan, Thomas Charles, Tadgh Condon, Michael Connellan, Billy Tierney, Ciaran Cannon (0-2, 0-1F), Padraic Looram, Conal Kennedy, Jack Kennedy (capt., 0-3F), Peter McGarry, Cian Smith (0-4, 0-2F), Ryan Lambe, Sean Kennedy, Darragh O’Connor, Rory O’Dowd.
Subs: Ross Peters for J. Kennedy (inj., 23 mins); Enda Dunphy and Michael Murphy for O’Connor and Charles (HT); Cillian Fahey for Kennedy (57 mins);
Moyle Rovers: Shane Ryan, Killian Butler, Graham Vaughan, Michael O’Reilly, Cillian Crowe, Luke Boland, Brian McKeown, Ben Owens, Rory Collins (0-1), Cian O’Sullivan, Peter Acheson, Dara Ryan (0-1), Sean Cotter, Ger O’Sullivan (0-6, 0-4F), Shane Foley.
Subs: Luke Delahunty (1-0) for Cotter (40 mins); Diarmuid Foley for O’Reilly (53 mins); Anthony Phelan for O’Sullivan (50 mins).
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan).
