Clonmel Commercials win local derby in South Tipperary senior football semi-final

Clonmel Commercials 1-21 Moyle Rovers 2-15 (after extra-time)

Clonmel Commercials and Moyle Rovers served up an entertaining game of football in the Clonmel Oil South Tipperary Senior Football Championship semi-final played in Kilsheelan on Sunday, a game that Commercials won by three points.

The game had all the turns and twists of a very competitive encounter that swung this way and that, with several two-pointers scored that had a big influence on the result. There was the drama of penalties taken and penalties saved, and a two-pointer to level the game in normal time. Both clubs are to be complimented on a sporting and competitive match that was well handled by referee Martin Doyle.

Commercials had the advantage of the breeze in the first half. They were expected to dominate the early stages of the game with wind assistance and they did to a certain extent. But when Moyle Rovers got possession they ran at the Commercials defence and caused endless trouble to a backline who did not seem ready for the onslaught, as Diarmuid Foley broke through the Commercials defence to score the first goal of the game for Moyle Rovers.

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Commercials hit back with a pointed free from Sean O'Connor and shock number two hit Commercials when Brian Morrisson broke through from an angle and without a hand laid on him hit an unstoppable shot to the net. Sean O'Connor struck two fine points for Commercials to leave Moyle Rovers four points ahead by the end of the first quarter, Moyle Rovers 2-1 Commercials 0-3.

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Moyle Rovers had a great chance to extend their lead at the start of the second quarter when they were awarded a penalty but Liam Boland’s well-taken shot was brilliantly saved by Shane Ryan in the Commercials goal. From there on the second quarter belonged to Commercials, and with Sean O'Connor wreaking havoc on the Moyle Rovers defence they turned the earlier deficit of four points into a lead of four.

Three two-pointers, one from Darragh O'Connor and two from Sean O'Connor, were a huge haul in a short space of time. Two more points from Sean O'Connor and one from Thomas Charles put their side in the driving seat, with the only reply coming from Moyle Rovers, a pointed free from Liam Boland, to leave the half-time score Commercials 0-12 Moyle Rovers 2-1.

Commercials dominated the early stages of the second half and extended their lead with a Darragh O'Connor point.  Moyle Rovers, however, never let Commercials get out of sight and John Cronin, who gave a strong performance at centerfield, sent over a two-pointer to narrow the gap.

Dean English had a great chance to close the deficit further for Moyle Rovers when he burst clean through the Commercials defence with only the goalie to beat, but Shane Ryan was up to the task and knocked the shot out for a 45. Just three points separated the sides at the end of the third quarter.

Moyle Rovers came more into the game as the half progressed. Liam Boland pointed two close range frees to narrow the gap, with a Commercials reply from Cian Smith to leave two between the sides. Liam Boland, who was a huge threat all through,  brought the sides level with a great shot from outside the arc.

With the game on a knife edge and time running out, Commercials looked to have secured the decisive score when Sean Kennedy broke through the Moyle Rovers defence to score a great goal. Moyle Rovers responded in style to this setback with a Dean English point, followed almost on the stroke of full time by a two-pointer free from Liam Boland to send the game into extra time,  Commercials 1-15 Moyle Rovers 2-12.

Commercials started extra time playing against the wind but attacked strongly from the outset. Sean O'Connor had a powerful shot saved by Shane Ryan in the Moyle Rovers goal, but the same player shook off a number of tackles minutes later to put his side ahead with a punched point. Cian Smith added another to put two between the sides, but a Liam Boland point left the minimum between the sides at the break.

It was all to play for as the game entered the final phase and with wind assistance Commercials went on the attack. Corner forward Ryan Lambe was Commercials star of extra time, as he put over a point to extend his side's lead. But once again that man Liam Boland replied with a two-pointer to level the game again.

Ryan Lambe popped up again in the closing minutes and put over two points in quick succession and Commercials added another through Sean O'Connor. More drama was to follow, as referee Martin Doyle awarded a penalty to Moyle Rovers after a player was dragged down in the square. Liam Boland, who was a star for his side all day, had the unenviable task of converting it but again outstanding Commercials goalie Shane Ryan was equal to the task and pulled off a great save to secure victory for his team.

Both sides are to be complimented on an excellent sporting and competitive game. There were outstanding players throughout the field and the two Shane Ryans, the opposing goalkeepers, pulled off some tremendous saves. The standout players on both teams were Commercials' Sean O'Connor and Moyle Rovers' Liam Boland.

Clonmel Commercials: Shane Ryan, Jamie Ahearne, Ross Slattery, Thomas Charles (0-1), Danny Morris, Tadhg Condon, Billy Tierney, Tadhg Sheehan, Darren O'Connor (0-3), Rory O'Dowd, Cian Smith (0-3), Ryan Lambe (0-3), Sean Kennedy (1-0), Sean O'Connor (0-11), Tadhg Walsh.

Subs: Conor Deely, Ross Peters.

Moyle Rovers: Shane Ryan, Nathan Croke, Graham Vaughan, Cathal McEoin, Killian Butler, Conor McGrath, Shane Foley, John Cronin (0-2), Richie Power, Dara Ryan, Liam Boland (0-11), Dean English (0-2), Brian Morrisson (1-0), Diarmuid Foley (1-0), Sean Cotter.

Referee: Martin Doyle: Ardfinnan.