Aherlow were always in control of West Tipperary Intermediate Football Championship final

Aherlow 1-10 Galtee Rovers 0-3

Aherlow claimed a fifth Shane Hennessy Agri-Advisor West Intermediate Football Championship title following a comfortable victory over Galtee Rovers in Sean Treacy Park on Wednesday evening.

It was their second trophy in just a few weeks, having claimed the Tipperaryman’s Cup when defeating Grangemockler/Ballyneale in the Division 2 County League Final.

Just like their semi-final victory over Golden/Kilfeacle, Aherlow signalled their intent from the start and had 1-2 on the board in the first five minutes.

It was a start that ultimately laid the foundation for victory and one into which Galtee Rovers could not make inroads.

Barry Grogan opened the scoring in the third minute with a point from play and less than a minute later he got his fist to a high ball ahead of the keeper to rattle the net.

Galtee Rovers struggled to get a hand on the ball, with Mark Russell and Cathal Dillon dominant around the middle of the field.

Galtee Rovers employed Tony O’Brien to sit just in front of dangerman Barry Grogan, who was being marked by Sean Gubbins.
Daire Egan finally got Rovers off the mark in the 13th minute with their only point from play.

Egan got in again a minute later for a goal chance that, had it been converted, would have brought his side back into the game but he was denied by Jack Whelton.

Darren McGrath pointed the resulting forty-five.

Two points from play early in the second quarter from centre forward Michael Elligot had Aherlow 1-6 to 0-2 up by the 23rd minute.

Galtee still failed to find any foothold in the game and any attack they had was being broke down by a well-marshalled Aherlow defence, led by Mark Hanley and Sean Mullins.

Barry Grogan pointed two frees late in the half to put Aherlow ahead 1-8 to 0-2 at the break.

The second half proved a drab affair, with just three scores in total to record for the half. Aherlow controlled the ball well while Galtee Rovers still struggled to penetrate a well-structured defence.

Barry Grogan pointed a free in the fourth minute but they failed to score again until the 27th minute when Grogan added to their total from a placed ball.

Darren McGrath pointed a free in between for Galtee Rovers.

Following the game, West Board Chairman Tommy Hayes presented the Brother Hennessy Cup to Aherlow captain Sean Mullins, with Shane Hennessy present from the sponsors.

It was Aherlow’s fifth title, having last won it in 1995 when they added county honours to reach the senior ranks.

Scorers: Aherlow: Barry Grogan (1-6, 0-4 frees), Michael Elligot (0-2), Stephen Carey (0-1), Mark Russell (0-1).

Galtee Rovers: Darren McGrath (0-2 frees), Daire Egan (0-1).

Aherlow: Jack Whelton, Mark Hanley, Sean Mullins, Tom O’Donoghue, Tadhg Carew, Diarmuid Looby, Graham Bourke, Cathal Dillon, Mark Russell, Ben Carey, Michael Elligot, Jack O’Halloran, Thomas Hanley, Barry Grogan, Stephen Carey.

Subs used: Micheal Russell, Mikey Sean Nash, Liam Carew, Ed O’Meara, Morgan O’Brien.

Galtee Rovers: Robbie McGrath, Peter O’Carroll (captain), Sean Gubbins, Liam Finnane, Robbie Byron, David Harold Barry, Evan Kennedy, Bill Quirke, Shane Power, Tony O’Brien, Daire Egan, Cian O’Dwyer, Darren McGrath, Eamon Quirke, Conal Grogan.

Subs: Ciaran McCarthy, Eoin Halpin, Conor O’Sullivan, Jack Crowe.

Referee: Donie Horan (Eire Óg Annacarty Donohill).