Golden/Kilfeacle edge all-west Tipperary County Junior B Football final

Golden/Kilfeacle 1-5 Galtee Rovers 1-4

Golden Kilfeacle won the FBD Insurance County Junior B Football championship for the second time when they overcame the challenge of neighbours Galtee Rovers, in what was a repeat of the West final, at a wet and cold Fethard GAA Park on Sunday.

Appearing in their first final since overcoming Mullinahone in 2010, it took a last five minute comeback to get Golden over the line against a Bansha side who had struggled to convert their opening half possession onto the scoreboard, but picked up their game considerably after the short whistle.

Golden Kilfeacle led at the break by 1-2 to 0-1, with the goal coming from Andy Byrnes after 18 minutes. Galtee’s lone first half score came on 30 minutes from Shane Egan.

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Galtee Rovers came out after the half-time recess and took the game to their opponents, kicking two early minors to cut the deficit to two points, as Golden looked leg-weary and struggled to get to the pitch of the game.

The continuous Galtee pressure paid dividends after 43 minutes, following a move that ended with Colin Morrissey putting Dermot McCarthy through and the midfielder finished well to get the ball past Tyler Barry, putting his side in front for the first time.

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Golden were then reduced to fourteen players following an altercation in the aftermath of that goal, which saw corner back Michael Coman red-carded. Things looked ominous at that stage for the Fontenoys, as Galtee had all the momentum as the game headed towards the final quarter.

The Bansha side had doubled their advantage as the game headed towards the 55th minute, but seemed to run out of gas for the final minutes as the conditions took their toll. While Golden had made heavy weather of it for most of the second half, they came thundering back over those last few minutes, with Andy Byrnes getting on a lot of ball as he moved out around the middle third.

With defeat staring them in the face, their response was very impressive during those final minutes. Lee Hayes put over the only converted free of the game, before being called ashore. Tom Byrnes quickly added the equaliser and then followed up with what was the winner on 59 minutes, before having to withstand a final onslaught from Bansha, which saw a 45 in added time drift to the left and wide. That meant the Dr Marsh Cup was on its way Suirside for the second time.

On a heavy pitch, Golden Kilfeacle, who had already defeated their neighbours twice already this year in the West championship, got the scoreboard moving after four minutes when Andy Byrnes kicked over the opener. Byrnes, who started well, was beginning to cause problems for the Galtee inside line of defence, and was involved in a four-man move that ended with a goal-bound shot from Brendan Moloney being saved by Eoin Gallagher after eight minutes.

Galtee were matching their opponents in most areas but were unable to convert possession onto the scoreboard, with a lot of ball dropping into Tyler Barry, who handled well in the conditions. Golden battled for every ball and got the opening break after 18 minutes. Tom Byrnes picked up a loose ball around midfield and found Brendan Moloney in the left corner. Moloney rounded his marker and his square pass was punched home by the in-running Andy Byrnes for the game’s opening major.

In these energy-sapping conditions, this game became a war of attrition, with scores hard to come by. With 25 minutes on the clock, Golden went five in front after Andy Byrnes showed all his experience from a quick free to pick out brother Tom, who split the posts from thirty yards. Eventually, on 30 minutes, Shane Egan got Galtee off the mark with a minor from open play after he latched onto a 45 metre free from his brother Tony. The half-time score was Golden Kilfeacle 1-2, Galtee Rovers 0-1.

After the restart, Galtee were a different side. Josh O’Dwyer came into the defence while Colin Morrissey joined the attack. Morrissey began to cause problems for the heretofore tight Golden defence and this manifested itself on the scoreboard. Shane Egan doubled his tally after 34 minutes, following a move from a 45 out under the stand, before Tony cut the deficit to two, three minutes later.

Golden were finding it difficult to get back to the pitch of the game, spilling a lot of ball in the tackle. After a period of constant pressure Colin Morrissey set up Dermot McCarthy and the midfielder made no mistake from close range when he beat Tyler Barry. This goal put Galtee into the lead for the first time, with 43 minutes on the clock.

Golden were hit a double whammy when, after an altercation following the goal, they were reduced to fourteen players when Michael Coman was red- carded. All the momentum was now with the Bansha side and Cian Collins doubled their advantage after latching onto a crossfield ball from Ger Quinn, before splitting the posts from the right-hand side.

Golden then brought Andy Byrnes out around the middle third and this began to yield dividends. He picked up a lot of ball and along with Ronan Hayes, they found a rhythm. Lee Hayes kicked a point from a placed ball to cut the deficit to the minimum, with five minutes of normal time left.

This was a significant score, as it was their first since five minutes before the break. From the kickout Tom Byrnes won possession and put over the equaliser, and it looked as if the game may go to extra-time.

However, Byrnes became the hero of the hour when he kicked his third minor from open play to give Golden the lead on 59 minutes.

Galtee had one last chance to bring the game to extra time, but a 45 trailed to the right and wide, as Golden held on in added time.

After the game, Tipperary Football Committee Chairman, Fearghal McDonnell presented the Dr Marsh Cup to Golden Kilfeacle captain James O’Connell.

Scorers: Golden Kilfeacle: Andy Byrnes (1-1), Tom Byrnes (0-3), Lee Hayes (0-1f).

Galtee Rovers: Dermot McCarthy (1-0), Shane Egan (0-2), Tony Egan (0-1), Cian Collins (0-1).

Golden Kilfeacle: Tyler Barry, Colin Tuohy, Jonathan Wade, Michael Coman, Brian Marnane, Cian Lonergan, Ning Brennan, Aidan Tuohy, Ronan Hayes, Harry Fogarty, Tom Byrnes, Lee Hayes, James O’Connell (captain), Brendan Moloney, Andy Byrnes.
Subs: Jason Morey for Lee Hayes (56).

Galtee Rovers: Eoin Gallagher, Eoin Brennan, Davy Byron, Tadhg Gubbins, Eoghan Byrnes, Sean Gubbins (captain), Danny Ryan, Kevin Power, Dermot McCarthy, Cian Collins, Jim Quirke, Ger Quinn, Tony Egan, Chris Higgins, Shane Egan.
Subs: Josh O’Dwyer for Eoin Brennan (HT), Colin Morrissey for Jim Quirke (HT), Andrew Morrissey for Davy Byron (52), Fionn Kelly for Danny Ryan (55).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens).