Clonmel Commercials maintain perfect record in Tipperary senior football championship

Clonmel Commercials 1-13 Grangemockler/Ballyneale 0-6

One suspects that Clonmel Commercials manager Tommy Morrissey may have spelled out some home truths to his players at half-time in Sunday evening’s FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship Group 2, Round 3 game at Monroe.

They certainly didn’t look like a side that many have tipped as among the favourites for the title, as they trailed at the interval by a point, 0-5 to 0-4, to a Grangemockler/Ballyneale side battling against relegation.

If Morrissey did have some harsh words, then they certainly struck home. Commercials shook off the lethargy that appeared to dog their first half play, as they outscored Grangemockler by 1-9 to 0-1 in the second half, the losers’ solitary score coming from a free in added time.

READ NEXT: Funeral arrangements announced for Tipperary pensioner who died following assault

Once Michael Quinlivan struck for the game’s only goal midway through the second half, the result was never in doubt, as Commercials finish the group stages with three wins from three. Grangemockler are now in a relegation dogfight, as Ardfinnan’s win in Ballina consigned them to the bottom spot in the group.

SEE MORE: PICTURE: Two young Tipperary men compete at National Ploughing Championships

The first half was a largely forgettable thirty minutes of football, not helped by a swirling breeze. Commercials were ahead by three points to no score after 18 minutes of less than inspiring football from both sides, their scores coming from Ryan Lambe, Michael Quinlivan and Seanie O’Connor. Equally significant during that opening period was an injury to full back Mark Corcoran that saw him leave the field to be replaced by Thomas Charles.

Grangemockler drew level in the space of four minutes, Mark O’Meara opening their scoring in the 20th minute and then Ben Comerford hit a great two-pointer to equalise. O’Meara then put his side ahead for the first time. Jack Kennedy, from a free, equalised for the Clonmel side before Leon Kennedy gave Grangemockler a one- point advantage at the break, 0-5 to 0-4, after good play in the build-up from Joey Lyons and Thomas Regan.

The third quarter was more reflective of the football that Commercials can play when at their best. After two minutes Peter McGarry and Seanie O’Connor were involved in the move that set up Michael Quinlivan for the leveller. McGarry then put them ahead four minutes later when finishing off a quick transition from defence to attack.

All-Ireland-winning Tipperary hurler McGarry was now becoming more influential in the game and set up Quinlivan for the next score. Midway through the half, Darragh O’Connor, Seanie O’Connor and Kevin Fahey were all involved in the build-up that led to the Quinlivan goal with a low shot to the corner of David Power’s net to make it 1-7 to 0-5.

Commercials were now controlling midfield, and getting a great return from Grangemockler kickouts, with Jack Kennedy in particular displaying his fielding skills. Points from Cian Smith, who fisted over, and Tadhg Condon extended the lead, before another All- Ireland winning hurler and team captain Seamus Kennedy made it 1-11 to 0-5 with a superb two-pointer that sailed over with room to spare.

They didn’t need any extra help but got it when Grangemocker were penalised for just having two players up in the Commercials half, and Seanie O’Connor tapped over the free.

Grangemockler avoided going the entire half without a score when Kevin Fahey was penalised, and the free was brought forward when he delayed in releasing the ball, giving goalkeeper David Power an easier free to tap over. That was in added time and a minute later Cian Smith completed the Clonmel side’s scoring with the final point.

Commercials will need a much improved performance for the bigger tests that lie ahead in the knockout stages, but will have been encouraged by big games from Michael Quinlivan, Peter McGarry, Rory O’Dowd, Seamus Kennedy and Cian Smith.

Grangemockler have to regroup to avoid becoming one of the three teams of the four bottom teams to be relegated. Their scoring return was poor on Sunday but they have players such as Mark O’Meara, Leon Kennedy, Joey Lyons and county players Ben Comerford and Manus McFadden who can rise to the big occasion.

Clonmel Commercials: Shane Ryan, Jamie Ahearn, Mark Corcoran, Ross Slattery, Kevin Fahey, Seamus Kennedy 0-2, 1x2pt; Tadhg Condon 0-1; Jack Kennedy 0-1f; Darragh O’Connor, Cian Smith 0-2; Seanie O’Connor 0-2, 1f; Rory O’Dowd, Ryan Lambe 0-1; Michael Quinlivan 1-3; Peter McGarry 0-1. Subs: Thomas Charles for Mark Corcoran, Ross Peters for Ryan Lambe.

Grangemockler/Ballyneale: David Power 0-1f; James Daly, Conor Hahessy, Darragh Lambe, Thomas Regan, Leon Kennedy 0-1; Manus McFadden, Joey Lyons, Ben Comerford 0-2, 1x2pt; Brian Walsh, Sean Daly, Sean O’Meara, Darragh Shelly, James O’Meara, Mark O’Meara 0-2. Subs: John Lyons for James Daly, Alex Millea for Darragh Shelly, Jamie Walsh for Sean O’Meara, Michael Meaney for Sean Daly, Paidi O’Shea for Joey Lyons.

Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly).