Tonic victory for Fethard in South Tipperary Under 19 A Football Championship final

Fethard 0-11 Clonmel Commercials 1-7

Fethard took a significant step towards what they hope will be their eventual return to Tipperary football’s top table by beating old rivals and holders Clonmel Commercials in Sunday’s South Under 19 A Football Championship final at Monroe.

They captured the title after a stirring second half comeback that saw them turn this contest on its head. Trailing by five points at half-time, 1-6 to 0-4, they were a team transformed on the turnover. Seven points without reply saw them seize control of the game and a great sense of spirit and togetherness got them across the line.

Commercials looked a safe bet to retain their title at the midway stage but they completely lost their way in the second period. Remarkably, they could only manage a single point in the second half; and that came from Cian Smith in the final minute of normal time.

The Clonmel team will reflect on this final with much regret, particularly for the total of 18 wides (ten in the first half) that they kicked.

The Blues, whose 21 County Senior Football Championship titles is the most won by any club, may be plying their trade at the intermediate level these days, with a county quarter-final against Thurles Sarsfields to come in Littleton at 4pm next Saturday. But they’ll hope that a success such as this will be the platform for a long-awaited return to the glory days.

These clubs had some famous battles at senior level in the 1980s, and while this game won’t go down in the annals as one of their classic encounters that won’t concern Fethard, as they savour the sweet taste of victory.

The second half was still in its infancy when Fethard built a promising move between Andrew Connerton and Jack Quinlan that threatened a goal but faltered in its final execution. Good work by Commercials’ Adam Cooney foiled Fethard when they came raiding again, but they were soon making an impression on the scoreboard.

Matt Coen converted a free when Mark Neville was fouled six minutes into the new half and two minutes later Sean Moroney found his range from another free further out the pitch.

When Matt Coen was on target from another free in the 39th minute, Fethard were only two points in arrears and right back in contention.

As the game approached the three-quarter mark, with Commercials still struggling to gain a foothold since the change of ends, Fethard captain Darragh Spillane picked out Charlie Hackett with a neat pass and he reduced the deficit to a single point.

It really was game on with eleven minutes remaining when Matt Coen raised another white flag from a free to level the scores (1-6 to 0-9), before Fethard regained the lead that they had last held in the ninth minute when Conor Neville kicked a mighty point with ten minutes remaining.

Confidence was coursing through the Fethard veins at this stage and they enhanced their advantage a minute later when Charlie Walsh created the opening for Mark Neville’s point.

Fethard didn’t score in the remaining nine minutes, plus additional time, but they had enough about them to hold Commercials at bay. 

Dara O’Meara, Charlie Hackett and MJ Phelan were always solid in defence. Jack Quinlan, Gavin Neville, Charlie Walsh and captain, Darragh Spillane also put in the hard yards while Matt Coen’s scores from play and frees proved invaluable. 

Commercials’ struggles in front of goal continued in the closing stages, when they had opportunities to force extra-time or even snatch victory. Substitute Cillian Fahey, who was always busy from the time of his introduction, had a low effort that skimmed inches wide, while a few chances for points were also squandered.

On an overcast, misty evening in Monroe, Commercials were the better team in the opening half. Tadhg Sheehan, Billy Tierney and the centrefield pairing of Joe Higgins and Oisin Forristal were dominant figures while Cian Smith, Niall Deely and Cillian McNamara were moving with menace in attack.

Tadhg Sheehan had the game’s opening score after just thirty seconds, before Charlie Walsh and Matt Coen responded to put Fethard in front.

Niall Deely provided the assist for Billy Tierney’s equaliser before the only goal of the contest arrived after a quarter of an hour. Cian Smith did well to win possession before combining with Ruairi Leahy to present a chance for Oisin Forristal, whose shot took a deflection on its way to the net.

Fethard’s MJ Phelan did well to thwart Cillian McNamara when it looked as if Commercials were in for another goal. As it transpired, Commercials had to be content with a Niall Deely point a few minutes later, following Darragh O’Connor’s assist, before Fethard hit back with a Matt Coen point following a great solo run.

The Blues continued to grow into the game when Darragh Spillane and Dara O’Meara were involved in the build-up to Matt Coen’s point in the 24th minute.

Commercials were building well from the back but they ran into problems when they reached the scoring end of the pitch, with several shots at the posts trailing off-target. However, they had some reward for their endeavours with three points in the closing two minutes of the first half, which came courtesy of Niall Deely, Cian Smith and Darragh O’Connor.

Those quickfire scores opened a five-points gap and looked as if they would have a major bearing on the outcome.  

However, Fethard had other ideas.

Fethard: Jack Davey, MJ Phelan, Dara O’Meara, Michael O’Meara, Charlie Hackett (0-1), Gavin Neville, Noah Ryan, Jack Quinlan, Darragh Spillane (captain), Charlie Walsh (0-1), Sean Moroney (0-1 free), Matt Coen (0-6, 3 frees), Shane Lawrence, Conor Neville (0-1), Mark Neville (0-1).

Substitutes: Liam Kiely for Michael O’Meara, Andrew Connerton for Shane Lawrence, Rory O’Mahony for Sean Moroney.

Clonmel Commercials: Shane Ryan, Conor Guiry, Eoghan Walsh, Billy Tierney (0-1), Thomas Charles, Tadhg Sheehan (0-1), Adam Cooney, Joe Higgins, Oisin Forristal (1-0), Darragh O’Connor (0-1), Jamie O’Keeffe, Cian Smith (0-2), Ruairi Leahy, Niall Deely (0-2), Cillian McNamara.

Substitutes: James Power for Niall Deely, Cillian Fahey for Ruairi Leahy.

Referee: Keith Delahunty, Moyle Rovers.