Galtee Rovers bridge 25-year gap in west Tipperary

Galtee Rovers 1-18 Lattin/Cullen 1-12

Galtee Rovers bridged a 25-year gap to their one and only Ollie’s Bar West Tipperary Under 21 B Hurling Championship title when they got the better of Lattin/Cullen at a sunny Dundrum on Saturday afternoon.

Back in 1998 Pa Morrissey hit a late insurance point when they defeated Aherlow, while Michael White lifted the Bill Hayes Cup on behalf of his teammates.

On Saturday, the earlier freezing conditions gave way to a lovely sunny afternoon, as both teams fought bravely to claim the honours.

Galtee Rovers held a four-point advantage at the break, thanks mainly to the accuracy of Bill Quirke from placed balls. Galtees were probably the better team but Sean Bourke’s tenth minute goal ensured last year’s beaten finalists were well in touch at the interval.

Lattin/Cullen started the second half in determined fashion, cutting the gap to the minimum before another Bill Quirke point settled the eventual winners. The winning of the game was clearly Galtees’ workrate. Almost every ball that went to ground, despite the numbers converging, would generally result in a red jersey coming out of the various rucks with possession.

Galtee Rovers soon restored their four-point advantage and when Joe O’Callaghan goaled in the 49th minute they were eight points up. Lattin/Cullen battled bravely to get back into the contest but were met with strong resistance, as the Galtee rearguard held solid.

Stephen Carey got Lattin/Cullen off the mark with a well-taken point almost immediately from the throw-in. Galtee’s workrate caused problems for the Lattin/Cullen defence, with their indiscipline punished by freetaker Bill Quirke. Quirke had a big say on proceedings not just from placed balls but also in general play.

Callum McCarthy hit their first point from play in the fourth minute and a minute later Bill Quirke had them 0-4 to 0-1 ahead. Jack O’Halloran settled Lattin/Cullen with a well-taken free and then Diarmuid Looby forced his way through for his first point.

Lattin/Cullen had always looked dangerous when running at the Galtee Rovers goal and Gary Quirke was providing plenty of ammunition from wing back and they were rewarded in the 11th minute. Stephen Carey played a long ball into the corner, which was won by Michael Elligott, who in turn fed Sean Bourke and his shot to Robbie McGrath’s left gave the goalkeeper no chance.

It looked at this stage that Lattin/Cullen, many people’s favourites, would push on but that proved not to be the case. Rovers outscored their opponents for the remainder of the half by 0-7 to 0-2. Quirke drew the sides level before Conal Grogan and Jack O’Halloran (from a placed ball) drew the sides level again for the third time.

With eight minutes to go Robbie Byron got more into the game with his first of two first half points, while Bill Quirke continued to punish indiscipline. Lattin/Cullen were not helped by seven first half wides while Galtees didn’t register a single one. At the break Galtee Rovers led 0-12 to 1-5.

Lattin/Cullen, who started the second half without Jack O’Halloran, who appeared to be carrying an injury, came out far more determined. Stephen Carey started the second half as he did the first with a well-taken point. Tomas O’Shea was getting on more ball and he cut the deficit to two.

Bill Quirke steadied the ship for Galtee Rovers with another well-taken free but Lattin/Cullen had the gap back to a point four minutes later, with Stephen and Ben Carey both adding points. It had been a profitable period for Lattin/Cullen but they would score just three more points for the remainder of the game.

Galtee Rovers turned the screw at this point and their workrate increased again. In a five-minute spell they showed their dominance, opening up a five-point lead between the 13th and 18th minutes. Quirke added two more, including one from play, before points from Callum McCarthy and Evan Kennedy. They now led 0-17 to 1-9.

They were in a commanding position a minute later. Robbie Byron claimed possession from a ruck close to goal before passing to Joe O’Callaghan, who shot low past Jack Whelton to put Galtee Rovers eight points clear.

Jack O’Halloran now came back on for Lattin/Cullen. Gary Quirke added their first point in eleven minutes but scores dried up in the last ten. Evan Kennedy pointed in the 23rd minute for what would be Galtee Rovers’ last score.

Lattin/Cullen were now trying to work goal chances but struggled to break down a resilient Galtee defence led by Sean Gubbins and David Harold Barry.

Diarmuid Looby came close as the clock was heading into the red but his quickly-taken free was deflected over the bar by Robbie McGrath. In the end Rovers held on for a deserved six-point win.

Following the game West Board Chairman Tom Hayes presented the Bill Hayes Cup to Galtee Rovers captain David Harold Barry, with Jerry Ryan representing the sponsors Ollie’s Bar.

Scorers: Galtee Rovers: Bill Quirke (0-11, 9 frees), Joe O’Callaghan (1-0), Callum McCarthy (0-2), Robbie Byron (0-2), Evan Kennedy (0-2), Conal Grogan (0-1).

Lattin/Cullen: Stephen Carey (0-3, 1 free), Jack O’Halloran (0-3 frees), Diarmuid Looby (0-3, 1 free), Sean Bourke (1-0), Tomas O’Shea (0-1), Ben Carey (0-1), Gary Quirke (0-1).

Galtee Rovers: Robbie McGrath, Tadhg Gubbins, Sean Gubbins, Cian O’Dwyer, Killian Byrnes, David Harold Barry, Liam Finnane, Evan Kennedy, Robbie Byron, Joe O’ Callaghan, Bill Quirke, Robert Moloney, Conal Grogan Eamon Quirke, Calum McCarthy.

Sub used: Jack Crowe.

Lattin/Cullen: Jack Whelton, Micheal Russell, Moss O’Brien, Darragh O’Brien, Liam Carew, Cillian Barlow, Gary Quirke, Diarmuid Looby, Ben Carey, Tony O’ Neill, Tomas O’Shea, Stephen Carey, Jack O’Halloran, Michael Elligott, Sean Bourke.

Subs used: Paddy Chapman, Willie Perry, Jack O’Halloran, Paudie Bourke.

Referee: Richie O’Connor (Arravale Rovers).