Grangemockler/Ballyneale 2-12 Galtee Rovers 0-7
By Michael Herevin.
Team captain Mark O’Meara proved to be a true leader as his 2-3 from open play helped to steer Grangemockler/Ballyneale to a convincing eleven-points win over Galtee Rovers in the FBD Insurance County Intermediate Football Championship semi-final at Killenaule on Saturday.
O’Meara goals in either half proved crucial as the south Tipp side were much too strong for a below-par Galtee Rovers, who never matched the pace and direct play of Grangemockler.
The Bansha side’s task was made even more difficult midway through the second half when influential half forward Darren McGrath was shown a straight red card by referee Sean Lonergan. McGrath had been one of Rovers’ best players up to then, hitting three first half points.
McGrath’s three and two from Eamonn Quirke were Galtee Rovers’ only scores from play over the hour. They scored just twice in the second half, two Conall Grogan frees in the space of three minutes, as they never threatened the Grangemockler lead.
Grangemockler now face Aherlow in the county final, when they will hope to reverse a league final defeat to the west Tipp side earlier in the season. And based on their performance last Saturday, they will fancy their chances of doing so.
The result never looked in doubt when Mark O’Meara’s first goal midway through the first half gave the side a 1-4 to 0-1 lead. O’Meara, Manus McFadden, Sean O’Meara and Mickie Lyons were taking the direct route to goal, and even though Rovers rallied in the second quarter, Grangemockler deserved their 1-6 to 0-5 lead.
O’Meara’s second goal two minutes into the second half copper-fastened the side’s grip on the game, with the half-time introduction of John Lyons proving to be an inspirational move, with the lively forward kicking three outstanding second half points.
Killenaule was a late venue change for the game, with New Inn ruled out on Friday, but Grangemockler settled in well to the surroundings with a lightning-fast start. A great mark and point from Mickie Lyons set them on their way in the second minute, and although Galtee Rovers replied in the next move with a superb score from Darren McGrath, Grangemockler went on to hit three without reply.
Sean O’Meara restored their lead following slick build-up play from Ben Comerford and Leon Kennedy; Mark O’Meara put them two up with a lovely score and Mickie Lyons from a free made it 0-4 to 0-1 after eleven minutes. Grangemockler were now bossing the exchanges, and when a move started by Dara Shelly from defence was finished with a cracking goal from Mark O’Meara, the lead went out to six points midway through the half.
It might have been greater two minutes later when Paudie O’Shea was fouled in the square but Manus McFadden’s penalty hit the bottom of the post before it ricocheted across Sean Daly’s goal and went wide.
Galtee Rovers were still well in the game, but despite some fine build-up play their final ball often let them down. Eamonn Quirke had their first score in nearly twenty minutes but they were then frustrated when a move involving up to twelve passes finally broke down, Grangemockler cleared upfield and won a free that Mickie Lyons converted.
They regrouped to hit two in a row from Darren McGrath and Eamonn Quirke to make it 1-5 to 0-4. However, they nearly fell to a sucker punch when another move broke down with a Mark O’Meara intercept from a careless pass. O’Meara broke clear to shoot a point but looked disappointed that he didn’t find the net, with goalkeeper Sean Daly well off his line.
The final point of the half went to Galtee Rovers with a superb score from Darren McGrath.
The second half was only two minutes old when Grangemockler hit the score that virtually secured their place in the final. A quick move down the left touchline saw Mickie Lyons feed Paudie O’Shea, whose low shot was well saved by Sean Daly, but the ball rebounded to Mark O’Meara who finished to the net.
Coupled with being reduced to fourteen players with Darren McGrath’s dismissal, it proved to be a bridge too far for Galtee Rovers, and although their heads never dropped and they battled to the final whistle, they never threatened the Grangemockler lead again.
The only concern for the south side was an injury to midfielder Joey Lyons that saw him replaced by Thomas Regan. Half time sub John Lyons put them 2-7 to 0-5 ahead entering the final quarter. A brief flourish from the west Tipp side saw them hit two points in row from Conall Grogan frees but it was just a temporary interruption to the Grangemockler onslaught, as they kicked the last five points of the game.
Mickie Lyons pointed a free, John Lyons hit his second following good work from Manus McFadden, midfielder Michael Meaney popped one over and Mark O’Meara kicked his third, as did John Lyons with the final score.
The result will put them in good heart for the final. A quick brand of direct football reaped its rewards with fine displays from Sean Daly, Leon Kennedy and Manus McFadden in defence, Michael Meaney and Joey Lyons, up to the time of his injury, doing well at midfield, and Mark O’Meara leading an attack in which Sean O’Meara and Mickie Lyons also shone.
Galtee Rovers never got to the level that they are capable of but can look back on good performances from Peter O’Carroll, Robert Byron, Daire Egan, Eamonn Quirke and Darren McGrath, up to the time of his dismissal.
Grangemockler/Ballyneale: David Power, Dara Lambe, Sean Daly, Dara Shelly, Conor Hahessy, Leon Kennedy, Manus McFadden, Joey Lyons, Michael Meaney 0-1; Paudie O’Shea, Mark O’Meara 2-3; Sean O’Meara 0-1; Alex Millea, Mickie Lyons 0-4 frees; Ben Comerford.
Subs: John Lyons 0-3 for Alex Millea, Thomas Regan for Joey Lyons, Michael Meagher for Paudie O’Shea, Lorcan Magorrian for Michael Meaney, James Daly for Dara Shelly.
Galtee Rovers: Sean Daly, Tony Byron, Peter O’Carroll, Liam Finnane, Shane Power, David Harold-Barry, Robert Byron, Bill Quirke, Daire Egan, Stephen Dwyer, Darren McGrath 0-3; Eoin Halpin, Jack Crowe, Eamonn Quirke 0-2; Conall Grogan 0-2 frees.
Subs: Cian O’Dwyer for Jack Crowe, Kevin Power for Stephen O’Dwyer, Jim Quirke for David Harold-Barry, Tony O’Brien for Bill Quirke.
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers).
