Arravale Rovers 0-11 Galtee Rovers 1-6
Arravale Rovers claimed a 19th McGrath Oil West Tipperary Under 21 A Football Championship title when they got the better of neighbours Galtee Rovers at a windswept but dry Sean Treacy Park, Tipperary Town on Sunday morning.
With the original venue Annacarty unavailable, both teams tossed for venue, with the Tipp Town side winning the toss for home advantage. Amazingly, for such great rivals the sides had only met on six previous occasions in the decider, with the record heavily stacked five to one in Galtee Rovers' favour.
Home advantage for games has not always worked out for Arravale in the past and by the quarter mark Galtee Rovers had got the grips with the conditions a lot quicker to lead by five points to two. However, they would add just 1-1 for the remainder of the game, failing to score in the second half until injury time, though Conal Grogan’s goal certainly made for a lively finish.
Arravale, on the other hand, who took longer to get a grip on the conditions dictated terms for the majority of the game after the opening quarter. The presence of Adam Ryan, a late addition for Evan Carrie; Evan Ryan, Micheal Lowry, Ciaran Kelly and Orrin Jones played a big factor in Arravale Rovers taking the honours. Cian O’Dwyer, Evan Kennedy and Conal Grogan were best for Galtee Rovers.
A strong wind blew across the field, which maybe slightly favoured Galtee Rovers in the first half. Conal Grogan had two points on the board for Galtee Rovers in the first eight minutes, including one from a placed ball.
Both teams found the wind a serious hindrance when shooting. Arravale, in particular in the first half, had a number of shots dragged wide by the wind.
It was the tenth minute before Orrin Jones opened Arravale’s account and then Caleb Hickey palmed over the bar after Robbie McGrath had saved well in the Galtee Rovers goal. By the beginning of the second quarter Galtee Rovers had built up a strong three-point lead with Eoin Halpin, Robbie McGrath and Conal Grogan all on target.
The game changed after this, with Arravale taking control for the remainder of the half. Eoin Doocey, Orrin Jones and the lively Ciaran Kelly had the game tied four minutes from the break. Arravale now looked the more dangerous and Robbie McGrath had to get down low to make a fine save in denying Caleb Hickey. A well-taken Evan Kennedy point gave Galtee Rovers a slender one point lead the break, 0-6 to 0-5.
Marcus Kinane was called into action in the Arravale goal early in the second half to deny Eoin Halpin when he reacted quickest to a breaking ball. Adam Ryan levelled in the second minute after the resumption and thereafter for the next thirteen minutes a stalemate ensued, with neither side able to add to their tally. That stalemate finally ended with Sean O’Mahony opening his account for Arravale and thereafter they would not be led.
Adam Ryan powered through to add a second and three points from the Ciaran Kelly had Arravale five to the good with about two minutes to play, and well in control. Galtee Rovers had seen a number of efforts overrun or thwarted by the Arravale defence but they got a slice of luck two minutes into injury time when Conal Grogan’s effort was caught by the wind and ended up in the Arravale net. Despite Arravale looking comfortable, it was now game on.
Galtee Rovers claimed possession on the next kickout out and Marcus Kinane was forced into making a good save to deny Robert Moloney, for would have been a famous snatch and grab. Galtee Rovers again went for goal but Arravale now had numbers back to protect Kinane’s goal and they held out for victory.
Following the game West Board Chairman Tommy Hayes presented the JJ Kenneally Cup to Arravale Rovers joint captains Raymond Kelly and Micheal Lowry.
Arravale Rovers will now face South champions Clonmel Commercials in the county semi-final next Sunday, December 1 at 1.30pm in New Inn.
Scorers: Arravale Rovers: Ciaran Kelly (0-4, 0-1f), Orrin Jones (0-2, (0-1f), Adam Ryan (0-2), Caleb Hickey (0-1), Eoin Doocey (0-1), Sean O’Mahony (0-1).
Galtee Rovers: Conal Grogan (1-3, (0-2f), Eoin Halpin (0-1), Robbie McGrath (0-1f), Evan Kennedy (0-1).
Arravale Rovers: Marcus Kinane, Raymond Kelly, Shane Maher, Adam Ryan, Michael Bowes, Micheál Lowry, David Ryan, Evan Ryan, Eoin Doocey, Seán O’Mahony, Eoghan Lonergan, Ciarán Kelly, Alex Webster, Orrin Jones, Caleb Hickey.
Subs used: Sean Lewis, John Paul Lohan.
Galtee Rovers: Robbie McGrath; Tadhg Gubbins, Ciaran McCarthy, Eoghan Byrnes, Joe O’Callaghan, Dermot McCarthy, Cian O’Dwyer, Bill Quirke, Evan Kennedy, Liam Finnane, Conal Grogan, Emmet Bonner, Jack Crowe, Callum McCarthy, Eoin Halpin
Subs; Ger Quinn, Alex Harold Barry, Robert Moloney.
Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly).
