Phelan's late point keeps Upperchurch's 100% record intact in Tipperary football

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

UPPERCHURCH/DROMBANE 2-12    ARRAVALE ROVERS 2-11

Upperchurch Drombane maintained their 100% record in this round 3, group 3 game of the FBD County Senior Football championship, thanks to an injury time point from substitute Paddy Phelan at Pairc Ciocaim Dundrum on Saturday.

A spirited Arravale Rovers comeback after the half-time break just came up short, when it looked like a 64th minute goal from Niall Sharpe would share the spoils. Arravale were a different team for the second half, having trailed at the break by 2.9 to 1.3. as they outscored the Church by 1.8 to 0.3. 

This was certainly a game of two halves, on a day when conditions were excellent and with little or no wind to cause problems. The Mid men were in control for the opening 30 minutes with six different players getting on their score sheet. From the off, they dominated the game on the scoreboard and converted most of their possession into scores, whereas Arravale who created at least five first half goal scoring chances, had to be content with one green flag. James Griffin in the Upperchurch goal also pulled off two point blank saves during this opening half.

Upperchurch set an early pace with Luke Shanahan putting over two points, one from a free, inside two minutes. The opening goal came on four minutes following an Upperchurch move from outfield. Keith Ryan pumped a high ball into the Arravale goalmouth at the dressing room end, Paul Shanahan rose highest to knock the ball down to the in-running Luke and the corner forward made no mistake, fisting the ball past Darren Heuston.

Arravale hit back from the kick-out and Mikey O’Dwyer had two attempts blocked down when a goal looked on. The Upperchurch forwards were always looking dangerous with good build ups, with the Shanahan’s and Loughlin Ryan to the fore. Paul Shanahan got his first score from a mark on seven minutes to go 1.3 to 0.0, but following good work Mikey O’Dwyer got his side ticking over on the scoreboard with a point from the Station Road side. 

Luke Shanahan and Aaron Ryan extended the Church lead before Mikey O’Dwyer crashed home a goal for the town side when he received an over the top ball from Cian Ryan who had intercepted a kick-out at the far end and lobbed the defence. Luke Shanahan replied with his fourth point of the day to restore a five point advantage at the quarter mark.

While Arravale continued to create goal chances, their finish let them down and also James Griffin was at his best between the posts, saving at least two certain goals. Mikey O’Dwyer cut the advantage to four following two converted frees around the twenty second minute. 

The Church’s second goal came five minutes before the break. This time it was Luke Shanahan who turned provider, with a pin point pass from out near the Stand side, finding Paul on the edge of the square, who gave Darren Heuston no chance from close-in. Loughlin Ryan and Conor Fahy closed out the scoring with two late points extending the lead to nine. Half time score, Upperchurch Drombane 2.9, Arravale Rovers 1.3.

Arravale came out a different team for the second half, moving the ball at pace and attacking down the wings. Cormac Maher put over a free after two minutes and wing back Cian Ryan kicked two long range points, either side of a Paul Shanahan similar score with five minutes gone. Slowly the town side ate into the lead with points from Donough Leahy, Cormac Maher, from a free, and Mikey O’Dwyer, to leave four points between the sides after forty five minutes.

Arravale continued to take the game to the Mid men, who were finding scores hard to come-by during the second half. Donough Leahy and Paul Shanahan traded points with seven minutes remaining before Mikey O’Dwyer reduced the deficit to three as the clock ticked down. 

As the game entered injury-time Arravale pushed on and a shot from Donough Leahy came back off the post when an equaliser beckoned. With 64 minutes on the clock, Niall Sharpe found the net from close quarters to tie the game but following the kick out, substitute Paddy Phelan gained possession, attacked the Railway end and put over what was the winning score to bring an entertaining game to a conclusion. 

Upperchurch, last year’s finalists, are through to the quarter-finals with 100% record from the round robin series and will be happy enough with their season so far. Arravale Rovers, who lost all three games in their group,  now go into the relegation series and with three teams making the drop this year, they need to win two games in order to retain senior status for 2024.

Scorers: 

Upperchurch/Drombane: Luke Shanahan (1.4, 2 frees), Paul Shanahan (1.3, 2 frees), Aaron Ryan (0.1), Niall Grant (0.1), Conor Fahy (0.1), Loughlin Ryan (0.1), Paddy Phelan (0.1).

Arravale Rovers: Mikey O’Dwyer (1.5, 2 frees), Niall Sharpe (1.0), Cormac Maher (0.2 frees), Cian Ryan (0.2), Donough Leahy (0.2).

Upperchurch/Drombane: James Griffin, Mikey Lavery, Dean Carew (Captain), Colm Ryan, Pat Ryan, Gavin Ryan, Diarmaid Grant, Keith Ryan, Ger Grant, Aaron Ryan, Conor Fahy, Loughlin Ryan, Luke Shanahan, Niall Grant, Paul Shanahan.

Subs used; Padraig Greene for Loughlin Ryan (39 mins), Mikey Griffin for Conor Fahy (39 mins), Ailbe O’Donoghue for Diarmaid Grant (51 mins.), Paddy Phelan for Aaron Ryan (54 mins.).

Arravale Rovers: Darren Heuston, Jack Lowry, Tommy Lowry (Captain), Raymond Kelly, Cian Ryan, Niall Fitzgerald, Johnny Ryan, Matthew Moroney, Micheal Lowry, Eoin Doocey, Donough Leahy, Niall Sharpe, Caleb Hickey, Mikey O’Dwyer, Cormac Maher,

Referee; Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens).