Gavin Whelan scores 2-4 as Ardfinnan win well to ensure Tipperary senior status

FBD Insurance - County Tipperary Senior Football Championship - Group 2 Round 3

ARDFINNAN 2-16 MOYCARKEY/BORRIS 1-5

Needing a victory on the final day of the round-robin championship to preserve their long-held senior status, Ardfinnan duly obliged their supporters with a comprehensive 14 points win over Moycarkey/Borris at Fethard on Saturday afternoon.

Having lost their opening games against Ballina and Loughmore/Castleiney, Tom McGlinchey’s side knew they would require at least a four points win over their opponents to absolutely avoid the dreaded relegation play-off. They easily accomplished that task, and, indeed, almost managed to book an unlikely quarter-final place before Loughmore eventually saw off Ballina in the other group game being played simultaneously.

For Moycarkey, who stunned Loughmore on the opening day, they must now win two consecutive relegation play-off games to retain their senior status which they achieved in 2019. On today’s showing they have a big task ahead of them.

On a perfect sunny day for football Moycarkey opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Kyle Shelly pointed; it would prove to be the only occasion they would lead all day.

Within three minutes Michael Barlow, with his first free of the day had levelled and for the remainder of the first half, the Maroons pretty much had it all their own way.

By the end of the first quarter they had built up an 0-5 to 0-1 lead, the margin they needed to hold to guarantee themselves trumping the Mid men in the event of a Ballina win over Loughmore.

Aaron Lonergan on a counter-attack had Ardfinnan’s second point before Oisin Ryan forced a fine save from Paul Dempsey at the expense of a point for a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after 11 minutes.

John Condon (Ardfinnan) in possession chased by Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris) during Saturday's FBD Insurance County SFC game at Fethard GAA Park. Pic: Michael Boland.

Ardfinnan were then awarded a penalty after Billy Hewitt was bundled over but Dempsey got down low to his left to deny Jason Coffey in what was a big let-off for Moycarkey.

But Ardfinnan kept at the job in hand and the next five scores all went the way of the Suirsiders, including two frees from Michael Barlow, a cracking point from Colm O’Shaughnessy from 40 metres, and another pair from play from the impressive Gavin Whelan at half-forward. Whelan’s first white flag came when he capitalised on a poor kick-out and returned it promptly over the crossbar. His second point in the 23rd minute might have been a goal but his effort blazed just over leaving Ardfinnan 0-8 to 0-1 to the good

Moycarkey had their first score in over 20 minutes when Conor Hayes pointed well from 30 metres out before Rhys Shelly had the last score of the opening half after his effort bounced awkwardly in front of Michael Goonan who was glad to deflect it over.

On the re-start Ardfinnan pushed their advantage out to seven within five minutes with further points from full-forward Darragh O’Brien and Gavin Whelan when finishish off a nice inter-linking move out of defence and through the lines.

Kyle Shelly, with a free, had Moycarkey’s first score of the second half in the 36th minute before the game briefly came alive with two goals inside a minute.

Gavin Whelan soloed through the Moycarkey defence before his effort was superbly parried by goalkeeper Paul Dempsey before Whelan himself had the composure to volley home again when the ball wasn’t cleared. However, from the kick-out Moycarkey struck for a green flag of their own when a Rory Ryan delivery into the goalmouth was touched home by Rhys Shelly to make it a 1-10 to 1-4 game after 38 minutes.

However, the possibility of a revival by the Eddie Brennan managed Moycarkey was never to materialise and in the final 22 minutes of the encounter they were to add just one further point. 

Two scores in a row from Michael Barlow (one free) preceded that final well-taken Moycarkey point, scored in the 49th minute by Kieran Morris.

Moycarkey/Borris midfielder Kieran Cummins under pressure from both Billy Hewitt and Sean Nagle (Ardfinnan) during Saturday's FBD Insurance County SFC game at Fethard GAA Park. Awaiting developments were Jack O'Neill (Ardfinnan) and Kevin Moran (Moycarkey/Borris). Pic: Michael Boland.

Three further points from play from Michael Barlow, Aaron Lonergan and substitute Andrew Browne - after just coming on - stretched the lead to 1-15 to 1-5 with five minutes remaining.

With the Ballina v Loughmore game still in the melting pot at this time, Ardfinnan kept trying to improve the scoreboard and Gavin Whelan had his second goal two minutes from time, finishing off some good work by Michael Barlow when he was at the end of a delivery across the goalmouth.

Whelan concluded the scoring with a point in time added-on for an impressive personal tally of 2-4 and a 2-16 to 1-5 victory, and while the margin of victory ultimately didn’t matter with Loughmore prevailing, the win nonetheless maintains Ardfinnan’s place in the top 16 senior clubs in Tipperary for another year. On this showing they will look forward with a degree of confidence to a good rattle at the Tom Cusack Cup.

Ardfinnan: Michael Goonan, Aaron Lonergan (0-2), Darragh O’Leary, Darragh Boyle, Jack O’Neill, Colm O’Shaughnessy (0-1), Billy Hewitt, Gerry Cronin, Sean Nagle, Oisin Ryan (0-1), Jason Coffey, Gavin Whelan (2-4), Michael Barlow (0-6, 0-4F), Darragh O’Brien (0-1), Jonathan Ryan.

Subs: John Condon for Darragh O’Leary (inj. HT); Evan Barrett for Boyle (36 mins); Shane Keating for Condon (51 mins); Andrew Browne for O’Brien (54 mins).

Moycarkey/Borris: Paul Dempsey, Bill Maher, Peter Melbourne, Stephen Walsh, Conor Hayes (0-1), Rory Ryan, Kevin Moran, Eoghan Hayes, Kieran Cummins, Kieran Morris (0-1), Kyle Shelly (0-2, 0-1F), Jack Fallon, James Dillon, Rhys Shelly (1-1), Darren Flood.

Subs: Liam Corcoran for Dillon (40 mins); Diarmuid Maher for Fallon (47 mins); Mark Heffernan for Flood (51 mins).

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow)