Moyne Templetuohy find extra time rhythm to power into U17A football decider

County U17A Football Championship Semi-Final

Moyne Templetuohy 5-10

Arravale Rovers 2-14

After extra time

By Michael Dundon

Two goals in a 60-second burst in the dying embers of this extra time County U17 A football semi-final tie at Cashel on Sunday saw Moyne Templetuohy snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a pulsating contest which had thrills aplenty from beginning to end.

The sides were tied at the end of normal time with Moyne Templetuohy coming from behind to kick 1-2 unanswered through brilliant full forward Finn Jones to force extra time. And, it looked as though they would be on the wrong end of the result at the end of normal time too but spectators had not counted on Jones and Eoin Sumner snatching two goals in a minute to drive a stake through the heart of the Arravale Rovers endeavour - the Tipp town lads didn't have time to get back into the game and much of their good work came undone in that incredible finale.

This was as good a contest and you will see, and as good a game of football as we have seen for some time. Both sides went at it with real energy and honesty, and while Rovers probably looked the better side, Moyne Templetuohy had plenty of skill about them as well to go along with their incredible spirit which saw them come good at the crucial times in the game.

The match was incredibly tight all the way through - they were level at the interval thanks to two goals from Christopher Dunne and Finn Jones which helped Moyne Templetuohy to a 2-4 tally, against 1-7 for Arravale with Shane Quigley getting their goal midway through - a superb solo effort from a player who was to contribute 2-9 of his sides total in the game.
If Quigley was the star man for Rovers, Finn Jones proved to be the man for Moyne Templetuohy and he finished the day with a tally of 3-7 - a brilliant showing from a fine player.

Arravale Rovers had been coasting early on and were 1-5 to 0-2 in front after Quigley's goal in the 15th minute. But, Christopher Dunne's goal helped swing the mid-champs into action and points from Jones (2) and Conor Campion made a big difference even if Sean Lewis and Jimmy Carey had Arravale points too.

Quigley bagged his second goal in the 5th minute of the second half and Moyne Templetuohy were again five points in arrears by the 12th minute with Luke Walsh adding to two points from Quigley. Moyne Templetuohy responded with three in succession from Cathal Guilfoyle and Finn Jones (2) but they were cancelled by three in a row from Quigley to again open a five-point gap with three minutes of normal time to go.

Jones struck his second goal to cut the deficit and remarkably he followed up with two points to tie the game three minutes into injury time - the final score from a pointed free resulting in Arravale full-back Alan Delaney getting a second yellow card and therefore his marching orders - the side were down to fourteen men for only thirty seconds though as extra time saw a return to a full complement with Donncha Quigley coming into his place.

Although Quigley had been the main score-getter for Arravale Rovers, few in attendance could have predicted that he would remain scoreless in extra time and that they would only bag one point - a seventh-minute effort from Sean O'Mahony.
Moyne Templetuohy failed to score in the first period and were in arrears by that O'Mahony point, and it would take them nine minutes of the second period before they registered - Jones' third goal brilliantly putting them in front.

No sooner was the ball in play than it was back in the Arravale Rovers net again - Eoin Sumner lashing in the ball to beat the helpless Aaron O'Donoghue for the fifth time.

A remarkable game of football between two sides who gave it a great lash. Arravale Rovers will be kicking themselves for not seeing out the game when they seemed to have been in the driving seat - they seemed to run out of steam in extra time and had to give best to the midmen whose spirit and fight was unmatched.

Apart from Jones who was excellent, Cathal Guilfoyle, David Doyle who later that afternoon rode in the last race at Thurles Racecourse, Christopher Dunne, Sean Lyons, Eoin Sumner, Leo Cleere, Paul Maher, and Conor Campion were best for Moyne Templetuohy who lost Jimmy Campion with a recurring shoulder injury before the end of normal time.

For Rovers, Shane Quigley was the star man, but Sean Lewis, Adam Ryan, Evan Ryan, Sean O'Mahony, Luke Walsh, and Michael Bowers were also very prominent on what was a disappointing outing for them.

Moyne Templetuohy: Kevin Ryan; Jimmy Campion, Sean Lyons, Jack Reddan; John Cleere, David Doyle, James McBrearty; Cathal Guilfoyle (0-2), Eoin Sumner (1-0); Ben Moore, Christopher Dunne (1-0), Leo Cleere; Paul Maher, Finn Jones (3-7), Conor Campion 0-1.

Subs used: Frank Doyle for Jimmy Campion.

Arravale Rovers: Aaron O'Donoghue; Darragh Brennan, Alan Delaney, Alex Webster; Michael Bowers, Adam Ryan, David O'Brien; Evan Ryan, Sean Lewis (0-1), Luke Walsh (0-1); Sean O'Mahony (0-2), Brendan Delaney; Shane Quigley (2-9), Jimmy Carey (0-1), Ciaran Kelly.

Subs used: Donncha Quigley for (red-carded) Alan Delaney; Jaye Cilvinas for Jimmy Carey; Robert O'Brien for Evan Ryan, Stephen Ryan for Luke Walsh; Sean O'Keeffe for Alex Webster.

Referee: Daniel Long (Moyle Rovers)