Fethard turn the screw in closing stages to reach final

Fethard 1-16 Galtee Rovers 1-9

A superb final quarter, when they outscored Galtee Rovers by 1-5 to 0-1 in the FBD Insurance County Junior A Hurling Championship semi-final at Leahy Park, Cashel on Sunday saw Fethard advance to the final against Lattin/Cullen.

Down to 14 players at the time, following the dismissal of Stephen Maloney in the 53rd minute, Galtee Rovers failed to match the intensity of Fethard down the home stretch.

Fethard had started in blistering fashion, going four points clear in the first six minutes, but the sides were level at 1-5 to 0-8 at the break and they were still level, 1-8 to 0-11, with just over ten minutes to go.

But inspired by outstanding displays from Noah O’Flynn, Jack Quinlan, Joedy Sheehan, Matt Coen and Danny Barry, Fethard finished stronger to maintain their impressive form in the county stages since their divisional final defeat to neighbours St Patrick’s.

Matt Coen restored their lead and they stretched it to five points, 0-16 to 1-8, with four more in a row from substitute Conor Neville, two frees from Danny Barry and one from Jack Quinlan. They had the chance to extend it further when Matt Coen was taken down in the square when running on to a long pass from Rory O’Mahony, but Barry’s penalty was well saved by Eoin White.

The West Tipp side reduced the margin two minutes into added time with a Robbie Byron free, but thirty seconds later Coen wrapped up the deserved victory for the Blues when he blasted a free to the net.

Following on from their quarter-final win over Thurles Sarsfields, Fethard appear to be hitting form at just the right time, and along with the intermediate footballers who are through to the county semi-final – comprising much the same panel – they are on a winning run.

They opened like a team full of confidence, and none more than Danny Barry who hit their first three points inside four minutes – the first from a free, the others from playl. Joedy Sheehan then set up Jack Quinlan to make it 0-4 to no score.

Playing with the advantage of the stiff breeze, Galtees hit the next three points, from two Robbie McGrath frees, and Robbie Byron from play, to reduce the margin to a single point, and the sides were level at 0-5 each after twelve minutes, with another Barry free for Fethard, and Galtee points from another McGrath free and a huge score from a free by goalkeeper Eoin White.

A second monster free from White produced an even better result, this time the free dropping short but Jim Quirke reacted quickest to shoot to the net from close range. Fethard then hit back with three in a row to level the game by half time – all three from Barry frees following fouls on Coen, Ryan Walsh and Sheehan.

The south side then made it five scores on the bounce with the first two of the second half, Jack Quinlan from a free followed by Coen from play.

Galtee Rovers responded with two in a row, both super points from Shane Power and Stephen Maloney. Fethard regained the lead again with an equally impressive score, Quinlan and Sheehan involved in the build-up, before O’Flynn floated over a lovely score.

Rovers then missed a chance for their second goal. Team captain David Harold Barry put Bill Quirke through on goal and he was brought down for a penalty. McGrath’s penalty was well struck but Fethard ‘keeper Brian Delahunty pulled off a brilliant save at the expense of a 65 that McGrath then converted to tie the scores again at 1-8 to 0-11 after 47 minutes.

But the Rovers challenge faded then with their only remaining score coming in the third minute of injury time. The loss of Stephen Maloney to a red card didn’t help their cause, and Fethard took full advantage to hit 1-5 on their way to victory.

Fethard’s performance may not have matched that produced against Sarsfields in the quarter final, but they are showing the grit and determination to pull off big wins. Noah O’Flynn is a commanding presence at the heart of the defence, with Rory O’Mahoney and Jack Quinlan hurling well. Joedy Sheehan and Luke Lacey got through an amount of work in midfield, while upfront Danny Barry is crucial from placed balls, while also a threat from open play, with strong support from Matt Coen and Ryan Walsh.

Galtee Rovers’ performance may have dipped in the final quarter, but team captain David Harold Barry led by example at the heart of the defence, where Eric Grogan and Sean Daly also played well; Robbie Byron and Stephen Maloney worked hard at midfield, and Robbie McGrath and Shane Power did well in attack.

Fethard: Brian Delahunty; Rory O’Mahony, Darragh Spillane, Liam Kiely; Jack Quinlan 0-3 (2f), Noah O’Flynn 0-1, Charlie Walsh; Joedy Sheehan, Luke Lacey; Gavin Neville, Ryan Walsh, Mark Neville; Jack Davey, Matt Coen 1-2, Danny Barry 0-9 (7f). Subs: Conor Neville 0-1 for Davey (37), Micheál Quinlan for Mark Neville (49), Keenan Ahearne for Walsh (52).

Galtee Rovers: Eoin White 0-1f; Peter Carroll, Eric Grogan, Cian O’Dwyer; Sean Daly, David Harold Barry, Eamonn Quirke; Stephen Moloney 0-1, Robbie Byron 0-2 (1f); Shane Power 0-1, Bill Quirke, Darren McGrath; Callum McCarthy, Jim Quirke 1-0, Robbie McGrath 0-4 (3f, 1x65). Subs: Jack Crowe for McCarthy (42), Eoin Halpin for McGrath (50), Tony Byron for Jim Quirke (50).

Referee: Mark Gennery (Portroe).