Rockwell Rovers complete smash and grab raid to capture west Tipperary senior football title

Rockwell Rovers 1-9 Arravale Rovers 0-11

A late smash and grab raid in the final 90 seconds, which yielded a goal and a point, ensured Rockwell Rovers got their hands on the O’Donoghue Cup for the first time since 2009 at a sun-drenched Bansha on Wednesday evening.

Trailing by three points as the game headed towards the 60th minute, Pat Halley struck for the only goal to bring the sides level.

Arravale won possession from the resulting kickout, but that possession was turned over.

With extra-time looming as the game entered injury time, Alan Moloney landed the winner from all of 45 metres.

This was the only time that Rockwell were in front in an enjoyable game played played in energy-sapping conditions.

The game started at a very slow pace, with both sides sizing each other up. Micheal Lowry kicked a point to get the scoreboard ticking over after two minutes.

Rockwell, who attacked the village end, were finding scores difficult to come by, mainly due to poor shot choices and wayward shooting in front of goal.

The first good move of the game came after eight minutes. Joe Lawrence won a ball in the middle of the park and advanced down the centre. Supported by Luca Fitzgerald and Kevin Cleary, they opened up the Arravale defence. As Kevin Cleary was advancing on goal he was fouled, resulting in a penalty. Alan Moloney’s hard-struck high shot came off the crossbar, but in the follow-up Moloney pointed to tie the game at one apiece.

Arravale hit a purple patch between the 12th and 21st minutes when Cormac Maher kicked three unanswered points, two coming from placed balls.

TJ Ryan got in for a Rockwell score as their wide count built up. Brian Lowry kept three between the sides, having fielded a long ball from Caleb Hickey that was delivered from out under the stand.

Rockwell cut the deficit when their most versatile attacker, TJ Ryan, kicked his second point of the evening. Cormac Maher restored parity from a placed ball, leaving the half time score, Arravale Rovers 0-6, Rockwell Rovers 0-3.

Rockwell upped their game at the start of the second half and Pat Halley pointed after two minutes. They dominated play for the next five minutes but failed to register a score, and also lost TJ Ryan to injury.

Arravale got back in the game and a good point from Johnny Lowry from out near the sideline kept three between the sides. Evan Hawkins kicked two close-range frees, one from the hand and one off the ground, to extend the town side’s advantage out to five, 0-9 to 0-4, with twelve minutes on the clock.

Rockwell never gave up and points from Joe Lawrence and Alan Moloney left three between the sides with ten minutes remaining.

However, Arravale hit back with a Johnny Lowry point from play and Cormac Maher kicked his fifth of the evening as they went five to the good, with seven minutes remaining.

The last five minutes, including 90 seconds of injury time, were full of drama and good football. First Joe Lawrence converted a close-range free, then Alan Moloney put over a long range effort, thus reducing the deficit to three.

Rockwell continued to attack in numbers and were rewarded in the 29th minute when Pat Halley goaled following a long ball into the goalmouth.

With the sides level, possession was the order of the day. Arravale won the kick out but were then turned over in attack.

Rockwell came back up the field, got the ball to Alan Moloney and the ace marksman kicked over from the 45 metre mark, giving Rockwell the lead for the only time in what was an entertaining game, with both sides ensuring referee David Grogan had an easy evening.

Afterwards, West Board chairman, Tommy Hayes presented the Paddy O’Donoghue Cup to the winning captain Aidan Barron, in the presence of sponsor Michael Devlin, of Michael Devlin Solicitors, Tipperary Town.

Scorers: Rockwell Rovers: Pat Halley (1-1), Alan Moloney (0-4, 1 free), Joe Lawrence (0-2, 1 free), TJ Ryan (0-2).

Arravale Rovers: Cormac Maher (0-5, 4 frees), Evan Hawkins (0-2 frees), Johnny Lowry (0-2), Brian Lowry (0-1), Micheal Lowry (0-1).

Rockwell Rovers: Eoghan Doyle, Paul Halley, Robbie O’Donnell, Kieran McGovern, Diarmaid Lonergan, Kevin Cleary, Liam Lonergan, Tom Downey, Aidan Barron (captain), Luca Fitzgerald, Alan Moloney, Joe Lawrence, Pat Halley, TJ Ryan, Willie Flynn.

Subs: Eoin Byrne for TJ Ryan (injured 34 mins), Michael Barron for Diarmaid Lonergan (45 mins), Conor Hennessy for Willie Flynn (50 mins).

Arravale Rovers: Darren Houston, Evan Carrie, Conal Donovan, Raymond Kelly, Eoin Doocey, Darren Lowry, Tommy Lowry (captain), Niall Fitzgerald, Shane Maher, Niall Sharpe, Cormac Maher, Micheal Lowry, Caleb Hickey, Evan Hawkins, Brian Lowry.

Subs: Johnny Lowry for Niall Sharpe (injured 21 mins), Paddy Dalton for Brian Lowry (45 mins).

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow).