Moyle Rovers make winning start to Tipperary senior football championship campaign

Moyle Rovers 3-13 Upperchurch/Drombane 1-14

Moyle Rovers, last year’s beaten semi-finalists, got their current campaign up and running with a spirited second half display against Upperchurch/Drombane in this Round 1, Group 3 FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship game at Canon Hayes Park, Bansha.

With a 12 noon throw-in and played before a small crowd, the game certainly got off a lively start, with an Upperchurch penalty claim inside the opening minute being waved aside by referee Donie Horan.

On their next attack a penalty was awarded when Paul Shanahan was pulled down, but goalie Shane Ryan came to the rescue of the south men with a top class save.

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Upperchurch were putting huge pressure on the Rovers defence, who were finding it difficult to get into any sort of a rhythm. However they did kick two early two-pointers before being reduced to fourteen players as a result of a black card.

Those early exchanges were intense, with both sides playing on the edge with hard but fair tackles going in. Upperchurch took advantage of the numerical difference and Michael Quinlan crashed home the opening goal on twelve minutes.

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By the second quarter Rovers were up to the pitch of the game and a Dean English goal cut the deficit to the minimum. Upperchurch lost AJ Shanahan to injury and were also reduced to fourteen players for the final minutes of the half following the second black card of the game.

Following the restart the Powerstown/Lisronagh men hit the ground running and two majors inside four minutes gave them a cushion that would last to the end, despite Upperchurch giving their all.

The game started at a blistering pace, with the Mid side going on all-out attack from the throw-in. A penalty appeal was dismissed as play was called back for an earlier indiscretion.

Luke Shanahan opened the scoring from a twenty metre free. On three minutes Ger O’Sullivan split the posts for a two-pointer with a huge kick from outside the arc.

Following the resulting kickout, Upperchurch attacked down the centre and Paul Shanahan was hauled down. On this occasion a penalty was awarded, but Luke Shanahan’s well-struck shot was brilliantly saved by Shane Ryan.

“The Church” turned over the attempted clearance before Luke Shanahan doubled his total from a placed ball, to bring the sides level for the first time.

Shanahan was again on target from a placed ball, but Cian O’Sullivan landed a second two-pointer to ease Rovers ahead. This early hard tackling and concession of frees by Rovers was punished, with a black card being issued to Richard Power on ten minutes.

Upperchurch capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Luke Shanahan slotting over the equaliser and Michael Quinlan finding the net from close range, to go three to the good. Paul Shanahan kicked a free from the right of the posts before Riain Quigley and Conor Fahy traded minors.

Liam Boland kicked Rovers’ first score from a placed ball on 22 minutes as they came right back into game.
Sean Ryan put four points between the teams before Dean English crashed home a goal following a run by Sean Cotter along the end line from the stand side.

Upperchurch were then reduced to fourteen players following the issuing of a black card to Michael Lavery, after the referee consulted with his umpires. Play was held up for a number of minutes, as AJ Shanahan had to leave the field with a leg injury. This loss left a huge gap in “the Church” defence, as Rovers took full advantage to kick the final three minors of the half from Ger O’Sullivan, Liam Boland and Sean Cotter.

The half-time score was Moyle Rovers 1-9, Upperchurch Drombane 1-7.

The game was effectively won and lost in the six minutes after the restart. Ger O’Sullivan found the net after 32 minutes, before Riain Quigley added his second minor to put the South men six to the good.

While Conor Fahy hit back with a two- pointer from open play, Cathal McKeown rose highest to beat Loughlin Ryan with a palmed attempt after a fisted cross from Riain Quigley.

Sean Ryan gave “the Church” hope with a two- pointer, but again Rovers came back with a Ger O’Sullivan point to put six between the sides. Both sides brought on fresh legs for the final quarter but Upperchurch were unable to make inroads into the deficit, despite Luke Shanahan kicking a two-pointer late on.

Moyle Rovers will be happy with their first outing, as it sets them up nicely to tackle Arravale Rovers in round 2 before clashing with the holders Loughmore in their final group game.

Upperchurch will play Killenaule in round 2 before taking on Arravale in round 3, a game that could have a big bearing in the final group placings.

Scorers: Moyle Rovers:Ger O’Sullivan (1-4, 1x2ptf, 1f), Liam Boland (0-3, 2f), Dean English (1-0), Cathal McKeown (1-0), Sean Cotter (0-2), Riain Quigley (0-2), Cian O’Sullivan (0-2, 2pt).

Upperchurch/Drombane: Luke Shanahan (0-7, 4f, 1x2pt), Sean Ryan (0-3, 1x2pt), Michael Quinlan (1-0), Conor Fahy (0-3, 1x2pt), Paul Shanahan (0-1f).

Moyle Rovers: Shane Ryan, Jack Harney, Graham Vaughan, Cathal McKeown, Killian Butler, Conor McGrath, Brian McKeown, Rory Collins, Richard Power, Riain Quigley, Liam Boland, Cian O’Sullivan (captain), Sean Cotter, Ger O’Sullivan, Dean English.

Subs: Shane Foley for Cian O’Sullivan (52), Paddy O’Keeffe for Ger O’Sullivan (52), Dara Ryan for Richard Power (60).

Upperchurch/Drombane: Loughlin Ryan, Michael Lavery, AJ Shanahan, Pat Ryan, Diarmuid Grant, Gavin Ryan, Michael Quinlan, Keith Ryan, Dean Carew, Paddy Phelan, Ger Grant, Conor Fahy (captain), Sean Ryan, Paul Shanahan, Luke Shanahan.

Subs: Oisín Treacy for AJ Shanahan (inj. 33), Jim O’Dwyer for Diarmuid Grant (44), Aaron Ryan for Sean Ryan (52).

Referee: Donie Horan (Eire Óg Annacarty Donohill).