Clonmel Commercials snatch victory from jaws of defeat in South Tipperary final
Grangemockler/Ballyneale denied famous victory after extra time
Clonmel Commercials 3-16 Grangemockler/Ballyneale 2-16 (after extra time)
Clonmel Commercials added more silverware to their illustrious roll of honour when they beat Grangemockler/Ballyneale by a goal after extra-time in this evening’s South Tipperary Senior Football Championship final.
But that only tells half the story of this closely-fought encounter, played on a glorious summer’s evening at the revamped Kilsheelan venue, when Grangemockler were on the cusp of pulling off a major upset in normal time, before Commercials’ greater experience and nous got them across the line in the 20 minutes of extra time.
Both sides had their chances to win the game in normal time. Grangemockler were arguably the better team in the second half of normal time but failed to press home their advantage. They were in front by 2-7 to 1-8 at half time in normal time, a state of affairs that lasted for most of the half until the very end.
When Tom Brett supplied the pass for Sean O’Meara to kick the point that put Grangemockler two points clear in the third of the four minutes of additional time, they looked set to pull off a famous victory, and claim their first south senior title since their success as part of a combination with St Patrick’s way back in 1990.
The reigning south and county champions were on the ropes, but somehow they found a way back into the game. There was only a half a minute of added time left when Sean O’Connor’s shot was blocked on the line, but the county player followed up to smash the rebound to the net and regain the lead for Commercials, the first time they were ahead in 41 minutes.
They seemed to have snatched an unlikely victory, but Grangemockler weren’t finished.
They won a free around the middle of the field that was moved forward when a Commercials player tried to prevent them from taking it quickly, and Mark O’Meara popped the ball between the posts for the equaliser that sent the final to extra time (3-10 to 2-13).
There wasn’t much to choose between them in extra time either, but Commercials were just about the stronger, and they stayed strong to grind out a win that earned them their 25th senior divisional crown.
Commercials’ Dara Maher set the ball rolling in extra time with an early point that was answered by Grangemockler’s Paudie O’Shea. With limbs and minds tiring all over the pitch the wides mounted on both sides, but significantly Commercials were ahead by two points at half time in extra time when Sean O’Connor converted a two-pointer free.
Once the game resumed Manus McFadden cut the deficit with a point, before Commercials' talisman Seamus Kennedy struck a fine point with his left boot.Grangemockler kept battling and Mark O’Meara’s score kept them in the hunt.
However, the momentum was with the Clonmel team at this stage, and they closed out the victory with late scores from Joe Higgins and Kevin Fahey. They were also grateful for goalie Ciaran Cannon’s intervention to punch away an inviting ball launched into the danger zone by Grangemockler’s Ben Comerford.
Commercials will be pleased to have won the game without being at their best. With a clutch of their players away in Boston for the summer, including James Morris, Peter McGarry, Cian Smith, Rory O’Dowd and Oisín Forristal, it was also a test of their strength in depth, one that they passed.
Seamus Kennedy was at the heart of most that was good about this Commercials performance. The contributions of a few of their other more experienced campaigners, including Kevin Fahey and Sean O’Connor, were also crucial. Darragh O’Connor, Dara Maher and Ross Peters had their moments too, while Joe Higgins improved as the game progressed.
Grangemockler/Ballyneale’s selectors included Charlie McGeever, the manager of the Commercials team that secured the club’s greatest triumph, when they won the Munster senior title 11 years ago. Throughout the contest they worked overtime all over the pitch and with a greater rub of the green a historic victory could have been theirs.
Mark O’Meara led their attack with some aplomb,scoring 1-5. Manus McFadden, who has pace to burn, weighed in with two points, while Paudie O'Shea and Sean Daly were always a threat in attack. Ben Comerford and the outstanding Thomas Regan were others who typified the tremendous spirit shown by Grangemockler all evening, and their teamwork was always a joy to witness.
Their overall performance should offer them great encouragement heading into the county championship.
Mark O’Meara struck the first decisive blow of the contest when he converted a penalty in the 12th minute after Sean Daly had been taken down (1-4 to 0-4). Commercials drew level in the 19th minute when Kevin Fahey first-timed the rebound to the net after Sean O’Connor’s shot was saved (1-5 each).
Grangemockler were ahead by two points at the midway stage after Mark O’Meara did well to work the ball across the face of their goal and Paudie O’Shea supplied a decisive finish for their second goal.
They continued to lead the way in the second period of normal time, even after Sean O’Connor scored the first of his two goals, from the penalty spot in the 57th minute, sending the goalie the wrong way, after Ross Peters was fouled. That was before the late drama unfolded, as Commercials lasted the distance better in extra time.
Clonmel Commercials: Ciaran Cannon, Mark Corcoran, Liam Ryan, Conor Deely, Tadhg Sheehan, Kevin Fahey (1-3), Tadhg Condon, Seamus Kennedy (captain 0-3), Joe Higgins (0-2), Ross Peters, Aldo Matassa, Darragh O’Connor (0-2), James Power, Sean O’Connor (2-4, 1-0 penalty, 1 two-point free, 0-1 free), Niall Deely.
Substitutes: Dara Maher (0-2) for Kevin Fahey (temporary), Dara Maher for Niall Deely (43 minutes), Finn Napier for James Power (53 minutes), Cillian Fahey for Aldo Matassa (56 minutes), Aldo Matassa for Darragh O’Connor (extra time), James Power for Ross Peters (extra time), Darragh O’Connor for Tadhg Sheehan (extra time).
Grangemockler/Ballyneale: David Power (1 two-point free), Darragh Shelly, Conor Hahessy, James Daly, Sean O’Meara (0-1), Michael Meagher, Thomas Regan (0-2), Ben Comerford (0-1), Brian Walsh, Manus McFadden (0-2), Sean Daly (captain), Tom Brett, Paudie O’Shea (1-2), Mark O’Meara (1-5, 1-0 penalty, 1 two-point free), Conor McGuire (0-1).
Substitutes: Ian Brett for Sean O’Meara (temporary, 24 minutes), Jack Bourke for Tom Brett (extra time), James Flynn for David Power (extra time).
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan).