Cathal Dillon stars as Lattin/Cullen record five-point win in west Tipperary Junior A Hurling Championship

Lattin Cullen 1-21 Rockwell Rovers 1-16

A Cathal Dillon-inspired Lattin/Cullen got the better of Rockwell Rovers in this round 4, Gleeson Concrete West Junior A Hurling Championship tie at Bansha on Thursday evening.

Played in mild humid conditions with the threat of rain ever-present, this was an enjoyable contest from start to finish. 

Dillon got his first score, from a 65, after eight minutes and was unerring for the remainder of the game. He hit 1-15, including 0-3 from play and was the difference between the sides.

Lattin/Cullen were reduced to 14 players following the sending off of Ed O’Meara after nineteen minutes for a second yellow card. 

The opening minutes were evenly matched, with the scores level for the third time by the ninth minute, with Alan Moloney hitting three frees during that period.

Dillon hit his opening score, from a 65, after eight minutes and went on to score three more in the next three minutes as Lattin raced into a three-point advantage.

Alan Moloney, from a free, and Kevin Cleary cut the deficit to the minimum with two good points before Cathal Dillon hit his fifth of the evening.

Ed O’Meara was then sent for an early shower following his second yellow card and this seemed to have an adverse effect on Lattin, as Rockwell had the next four points.

However, a fortuitous goal from a Cathal Dillon free, which went all the way untouched to the net from ninety metres, gave Lattin a one-point advantage with four minutes remaining before the half-time break.

Two further Dillon frees, either side of a Kevin Cleary point from play, gave Lattin a two-point half-time advantage, 1-10 to 0-11. 

Rockwell were back in the game following the throw-in, when Kevin Cleary goaled after twenty five seconds. Dillon tied the game for the fifth time as play moved from end to end.

A Joe Lawrence point edged Rockwell to the front but three Lattin points, including a long range effort from Barry Grogan, had Lattin two up after six minutes. By the 17th minute Rockwell trailed by the minimum, but Lattin hit five of the next six points to go five to the good as the clock ticked down.

In the final minute of normal time, Liam Ashmore saved a penalty from Alan Moloney, as Lattin/Cullen held out for a five point victory. 

With their round robin games completed, both sides now advance to the semi-final stage. 

Scorers: Lattin/Cullen: Cathal Dillon (1-15, 1-12 frees), Diarmaid Looby (0-2), Stephen Carey (0-2), Barry Grogan (0-1), Kevin Franks (0-1).

Rockwell Rovers: Alan Moloney (0-9, 8 frees), Kevin Cleary (1-4), Willie Flynn (0-1), Joe Lawrence (0-1). 

Lattin/Cullen: Liam Ashmore, Tom O’Donoghue, Mark Hanley (captain), Shane Russell, Ed O’Meara, Barry Grogan, Lawrence Coskeran, Ben Carey, Tadhg Carew, Diarmaid Looby, Cathal Dillon, Stephen Carey, Kevin Franks, Michael Elligott, Pat O’Donoghue (Lattin).

Subs: Sean Mullins for Mark Hanley (H.T.), Gary Quirke for Lawrence Coskeran (H.T.), Liam Carey for Michael Elligott (52 mins), Michael Elligott for Tadhg Carew (58 mins). 

Rockwell Rovers: Colm Moloney, Diarmaid Lonergan (captain), Robert O’Donnell, Paul Halley, Liam Lonergan, Aidan Barron, Joe Lawrence, Liam Fahey, Kieran McGovern, Tom Tobin, Kevin Cleary, Alan Moloney, Willie Flynn, TJ Ryan, Michael O’Donnell

Subs: Tom Downey for Tom Tobin (H.T.), Diarmuid O’Brien for Kieran McGovern (54 mins). 

Referee: Tom Dawson (Eire Og Annacarty Donohill).