Big surprise as Arravale dethrone Kickhams in West Tipperary intermediate hurling

Tipperary Credit Union West Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Arravale Rovers 2-19 Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: 3-13

Arravale Rovers caused somewhat of a shock when they dethroned defending champions Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams in the semi-final of this year's Tipperary Credit Union West Intermediate Hurling Championship at Bansha on Saturday afternoon.

Played in glorious sunny conditions, the result puts Arravale Rovers into a first final in the grade since 2013 but also halts a run of eight successive defeats in the West championship since that final victory over Sean Treacy’s in Annacarty. This was a close game throughout with both sides having periods of dominance before Matthew Moroney’s late goal eventually sealed the win for the Tipp town side.

It was a repeat of last year’s semi-final which Kickhams won having played most of the game with fourteen men. The sides had only met twice previously at this level – having played mostly at different grades - with Arravale’s last win over their opponents coming in the opening round of the 1992 championship before Kickhams just down from Senior would go on to win West and County honours.

Both sides started without a few regulars though Arravale had the notable absence of County Senior Johnny Ryan and this would certainly have helped give Kickhams the favourite tag.

The first score of the game came in the second minute when Cormac Maher opened his account for Arravale. Kickhams though quickly responded with Orrin Jones, Stephen Browne and Pa Ryan to go, three points to one up after just four minutes. By the ninth minute Kickhams went 0-5 to 0-2 ahead when Dean Thompson got his first of the game. Kickhams looked as if they would lay their mark on the game but credit to Arravale they turned the game around and stamped their authority on proceedings. For the remainder of the half, they would dictate the terms of the game with tenacious workout rate and turnovers. They also had two to three half goal chances but just couldn’t make them count. Importantly though they limited Kickhams to just two more points for the remainder of the half.

Mikey O’Dwyer started the ball rolling with two well taken scores before Stephen Browne responded. By the 20th minute points from Cormac Maher, Darren Lowry and Eoghan Lonergan had Arravale one point ahead. O’Dwyer and Browne swapped points but Cormac Maher and then Niall Sharpe on the stroke of half time had Arravale Rovers ahead 0-10 to 0-7 at the break.

While Darren Lowry pointed for Arravale on the resumption it was Kickhams who would now enjoy a spell of dominance. Pa Ryan goaled in fourth minute and three minute later Paudie Slattery received a pass unmarked near the edge of the square sending his shot past Paddy O’Donnell. Pa Ryan quickly extended that lead to two and it looked as if Arravale Rovers failure to take goal chances in the first half was about to go against them. Cormac Maher pointed a free for Arravale but the defending West champions were in control. Points from Stephen Browne and Dean Thompson was followed by a good goal from Conor Farrell. Kickhams were feeding well off breaking ball and heading into the final quarter led by six.

On the three-quarter mark Cormac Maher pointed another free before the game took another twist. Paddy Dalton on the field just a few minutes forced his way in to find the net. With six to go Mikey O’Dwyer had the game in the melting point with just a point in arrears. Following a stoppage due to an injury Cormac Maher pointed another free. It was tit for tat with Browne responding with two more either side of a Brian Roche effort. The game tied 3-12 to 1-17. Kickhams missed a chance in the next attack and when Arravale won another free Cormac Maher obliged. Arravale now one up in injury time.

Three minutes later Arravale hit for home following a move which saw Kickhams defending fanatically with hoking and blocking Matthew Moroney became the hero of the hour when he steered the sliotar to the net. The most Kickhams could respond with was a point from Stephen Browne. Arravale Rovers advancing to a final meeting with either Golden/Kilfeacle or Cappawhite.

Arravale Rovers will certainly be pleased with this performance and their work rate as the game progressed was certainly worth noting. Their response to two early sucker punches in the second half and then and eventual third showed real character. Shane Maher was very solid at full back as was Captain Conal Donovan at centre back while Brian Roche and Niall Fitzgerald battled hard. Playing Darren Lowry at centre forward was a gamble that paid off. Mikey O’Dwyer worked hard throughout while Matthew Moroney was a constant threat at full forward. Their full forward line chipped in with 1-6 from play with Eoghan Lonergan contributing three points while Cormac Maher showed well especially from placed balls. Their bench especially the introduction of both Paddy Dalton and Peter Ryan had a huge impact on the advancement especially with Dalton’s leadership and the work rate of Ryan.

Kickhams have been thwarted in the defence of their title for the second time in three seasons. Michael Shanahan and Walter O’Carroll (until his injury) were solid as was Ben Loughman at centre back and Elliott Thompson at wing back. Paudie Slattery worked hard throughout as did Stephen Browne. Dean Thompson’s running was a constant problem for the Arravale defence and he took his two points well. Having failed to create a goal chance in the first half they definitely showed their ability in the second half and it was those goals that put them in the driving seat but Kickhams though will be left to rue eighteen wides to Arravale’s ten at the full-time whistle.

Scorers and Teams:
Arravale Rovers: Cormac Maher (0-8, (0-5f)), Mikey O’Dwyer (0-4), Eoghan Lonergan (0-3), Paddy Dalton (1-0), Matthew Moroney (1-0), Darren Lowry (0-2), Niall Sharpe (0-1), Brian Roche (0-1)

Kickhams: Stephen Browne (0-7, (0-3f)), Pa Ryan (1-0), Paudie Slattery (1-0), Conor Farrell (1-0), Dean Thompson (0-2), Orrin Jones (0-1), Adam Daly 0-1)

Arravale Rovers: Paddy O’Donnell, Conor Leahy, Shane Maher, Tommy Lowry, Niall Fitzgerald, Conal Donovan, Brian Roche, Jack Lowry, Niall Sharpe, Mikey O’Dwyer, Darren Lowry, Donagh Leahy, Cormac Maher, Matthew Moroney, Eoghan Lonergan
Subs Used: Odhran O’Dwyer, Paddy Dalton, Peter Ryan, Johnny Lowry

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Jack Breen, Shane Farrell, Michael Shanahan, Walter O’Carroll, Jamie Duncan, Ben Loughman, Elliott Thompson, Adam Daly, Paudie Slattery, Stephen Browne, Kieran Breen, Orrin Jones, Dean Thompson, Conor Farrell, Pa Ryan
Subs Used: Ben Ryan, Cathal Carr

Referee: Donnacha Horan (Eire Og Annacarty Donohill