Galtee Rovers dethrone Arravale Rovers to reach West Tipperary senior football final

For the third time in five seasons Galtee Rovers have ended the reign of defending champions Arravale Rovers in the Shane Hennessy Agri-Advisor West Senior Football Championship, winning 3-5 to 0-10.

The result puts Galtee Rovers through to their third final in succession while defending champions Arravale Rovers have failed to get back to the final twelve months after winning the competition for the third time in a row. Following Eire Og Annacarty Donohill’s’ win over Aherlow Gaels twenty four hours earlier the winners of this game would join Eire Og in the final though a draw would be sufficient for Galtee Rovers who had won their opening two games.

When the sides met in the County championship in September Arravale Rovers enjoyed a comfortable victory but this would not be the case. Galtee Rovers strong first half performance laid the foundation for their win though they had to withstand a strong Arravale Rovers second half comeback, a late Stephen O’Dwyer goal sealing victory for Galtee Rovers.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with Arravale Rovers leading by the minimum by the seventh minute 0-2 to 0-1. Daire Egan opened the scoring for Galtee’s before Bryan Lowry (free) and Donagh Leahy had Arravale ahead. It would be the only time in the game they would lead. In the next attack Tony Egan got through on goal and gave goalkeeper Timmy Dalton no chance. This was quickly followed up by a point from Eric Grogan.

While Cormac Maher did point for Arravale it was the Galtee Rovers attack in particular their full forward line of Bernard Fitzgerald, Tony Egan and Darren McGrath who were causing problems. Eric Grogan was running at the Arravale defence setting up the attacks as Arravale struggled to find their feet. Galtee Rovers had goal on their mind. Bernard Fitzgerald saw his shot well saved by Timmy Dalton while Tony Egan’s follow up shot just went the wrong side of the post. Darren McGrath and Eric Grogan pointed before Daire Egan pounced for goal number two. Galtee Rovers now leading 2-4 to 0-3 after twenty minutes. The last ten minutes saw just one score that a point from play from Arravale Rovers midfielder Conal Donovan. Galtee Rovers ahead at the break 2-4 to 0-4. 

Scoring was slow at the start of the half with just the two centre forwards Tony O’Brien and Donagh Leahy pointing in the opening eight minutes. Arravale though gradually started to take over and went about reducing the deficit. Cormac Maher pointed and this was quickly followed by one from half time substitute Niall Donovan. Donovan had another effort drop just short and this had to be palmed away by the alert Callum Fanning. Slowly they cut the deficit, Bryan Lowry pointed from a free while James Hogan continued his good form with his first of the game.

Niall Donovan continued to make an impact and his pointed 45 cut the deficit to the minimum with ten to play. Both sides had chances though Arravale certainly could have been level. Galtee’s though were now finding their legs again and started to attack on the break. With two minutes to go a sweeping move down the field resulted with Stephen O’Dwyer raising green flag number three. Arravale tried to fight back but needing to win they would have had to get two goals. The Galtee defence though stood firm as they held out for a four point win. 

Galtee Rovers were best served by Eamon O’Connell, Conor O’Sullivan and Sean Daly in defence while their midfield partnership of Daire Egan and Eric Grogan caused plenty of problems for Arravale Rovers. In attack Tony O’Brien and Bernard Fitzgerald caught the eye. 

Best for Arravale Rovers were Ciaran Lowry, Conal Donovan and Donagh Leahy while Michael O’Dwyer and Cormac Maher shone in the attack. Niall Donovan and James Hogan did well on their introduction.

Arravale Rovers: Timmy Dalton, Pearse Richardson, Ciaran Lowry, Oscar O’Dwyer, Tommy Lowry, Paddy Dalton, Cian Ryan, Darren Lowry, Conal Donovan (0-1), Matthew Moroney, Donagh Leahy (0-2), Tony Byrnes, Bryan Lowry (0-2f), Michael O’Dwyer, Cormac Maher (0-2)

Subs Used: James Hogan (0-1), Niall Donovan (0-2, (0-1(45))), Niall Fitzgerald

Galtee Rovers: Callum Fanning, Robert Doyle, Eamon O’Connell, Pat Marnane, Shane Power, Conor O’Sullivan, Sean Daly, Eric Grogan (0-2), Daire Egan (1-1), Adam McGrath, Tony O’Brien (1-1), Shane Ryan, Bernard Fitzgerald, Tony Egan, Darren McGrath (0-1)

Subs Used: Stephen O’Dwyer (1-0), Ian O’Brien, Darren McGrath

Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly)