Moneygall run riot in hammering of Shannon Rovers in Tipp north championship

Kelly’s of Fantane North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Moneygall 8-25  

Shannon Rovers 2-10

By Liam Hogan

Moneygall proved far too strong for an understrength Shannon Rovers outfit in a very one-sided North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final tie on Sunday afternoon last.

Four first-half goals, including three in the space of two minutes between the 12th and 14th minutes, provided Willie Greene’s side a major 33-point victory. Moneygall had all the aces and Seán Kenneally bagged a whopping 3-5 from play while Joe Fogarty was another ace as he added 2-11 but there were more with Adam Hogan and Tadhg Whyte impressive.

The Rovers were dealt a blow just before throw-in when experienced defender Alan Hannigan failed to come through the pre-match warm-up while last year’s county semi-finalists, with Kiladangan’s Dan Hackett as manager, could call on the very experienced Brendan Toohey to anchor the centre back role.

Within minutes of the throw-in, the impressive Joe Fogarty had rattled the Rovers net as Moneygall went by 1-4 to 0-2 ahead with ten minutes elapsed. 

There was more and a three-goal salvo in the space of two minutes effectively blew the Rovers clean out of the water as Mark Fanning, Tadhg Whyte, and Seán Kenneally all raised green flags before a shell-shocked Shannon Rovers side hit back with a goal of their own from the stick of Conal Moran.

Moneygall were proving far too slick in attack for the Rovers and were also scoring at will at this stage with three points on the bounce from Joe Fogarty (65’ and a free) and Seán Kenneally ensured they led by 4-7 to 1-2 by the 22-minute mark. 

Shannon Rovers hit back with their second goal of the game seconds later with George Hannigan setting up Andy Byrne but it was to be their final score of the half as Moneygall tacked on five further points without reply with Joe Fogarty and Sean Kenneally firing over two each and Tadhg Whyte chipping in with a sublime score of his own from the stand side touchline.

Moneygall took an extremely comfortable 4-12 to 2-2 lead to the dressing room and in reality, the 16-point gap should have been even wider with Moneygall squandering at least two further clear-cut goal chances as the half drew to a close.

Credit to Shannon Rovers they battled for all they were worth following the resumption with the impressive Conal Moran adding two further points to his side’s tally while George Hannigan chipped in with a fine effort on the 40-minute mark.

Moneygall were still running the show though with Adam Hogan and Aodhán Ryan dominating in the middle of the park while Cathal Greene, Jack Kirwan, and Brendan Toohey were all impressive in defence. It was in attack however where Moneygall were running riot with Seán Kenneally, Joe Fogarty, Bob Kenny and Tadhg Whyte all making their mark on the game.

Adam Hogan enhanced Moneygall’s tally with his side’s sixteenth point of the game on 41 minutes before Seán Kenneally raided again for his second goal of the game, a beautifully struck finish on 44 minutes after the county man evaded the attentions of the Rovers rearguard.

Shannon Rovers responded with a brace from Andy Byrne but Moneygall continued to heap pressure on the Rovers defence with Seán Kenneally netting his third goal on 50 minutes. Further points from Bob Kenny, Seán Kenneally, Joe Fogarty served to pile further misery on the Rovers as their challenge now began to noticeably peter out.

Moneygall refused to take their foot off the gas though and with little or no mercy shown the continued to rack up the goals with Tadhg Whyte and Joe Fogarty both rattling the Shannon Rovers net in the closing stages to ensure a wholly deserved victory for Willie Greene’s charges.

Moneygall: Ciaran Quinlan, Andy Hoolan, Jack Kirwan, Roddy Teehan; Toohey, Cathal Greene, Cian Ryan; Adam Hogan (0-4), Aodhán Ryan; Joe Fogarty (2-11, 0-7f, 0-1 65), Bob Kenny (0-2), Seán Kenneally (3-5); Seán Fogarty (0-1), Mark Fanning (1-0), Tadhg Whyte (2-1).

Subs used: Eoin Whyte (0-1) for S Fogarty (45); Conor Ryan for Hoolan (45).

Shannon Rovers: John Flannery; Oisin McMahon, Conor Ryan, Marcus Esmonde; Jack O’Sullivan, Matt Tierney, Emmet Moran; Eamon Hough, Andy Byrne (1-3); George Hannigan (0-2), Austin Tierney, Derek Horan; Cathal Hogan, Conal Moran (1-5, 0-3f), John O’Meara.

Subs used: Michael Tierney for Horan (15); Tom Hogan for C. Hogan (HT); Sean Hough for O’Meara (45); Shaun Belfry for E. Hough (53).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea)