Tipperary intermediate champions Grangemockler bow out in Munster

Roanmore 3-10 Grangemockler/Ballyneale 0-16

Grangemockler/Ballyneale exited the AIB Munster Club Intermediate Football Championship at the first hurdle when losing by three points, 3-10 to 0-16, to Waterford champions Roanmore at Bansha on Sunday afternoon.

It was a disappointing outcome for the Tipperary team following the glory of their county title win a week earlier. But unlike in the replay win over Aherlow, they were unable to fully recover from another slow start, going four points down in eleven minutes.

They were beaten by a better side on the day, the Waterford city outfit complementing a polished performance with three goals at crucial times in the game. Roanmore were patient and composed in their build-up play, and clinical when the goal opportunities arose.

They came into the game following a county final win over Rathgormack’s second string, and a promotion/relegation victory over Stradbally after a replay, and their celebrations at the final whistle in Bansha showed how much it meant to them to keep the winning run going.

Waterford senior hurler Billy Nolan was central to most of Roanmore’s best play, with his second half goal restoring his side’s lead that they never again lost.

Grangemockler battled to the end, with superb displays from Dara Shelly, Conor Hahessy, Manus McFadden, Sean O’Meara and inspirational captain Mark O’Meara, with his best game since the county semi-final win, but they just came up short in a hugely competitive encounter.

Their wides didn’t match the double figures total in the county final replay but it was still too high, with once again some careless shooting from play, and two chances coming back off the upright.

In the first minute Alex Millea missed a great chance when he collected a misplaced kickout from Roanmore goalkeeper Josh Sheridan but fluffed his shot. The Waterford side capitalised on the let-off by hitting four points without reply from Eddie Nolan, Billy Nolan, Brian Nolan and Gavin O’Brien by the eleventh minute.

However, Grangemockler have shown in recent weeks how adept they are at recovering from slow starts and they hit the next three points through Sean O’Meara, after great work from Sean Daly; Mickie Lyons from a mark, and Mark O’Meara from a Sean O’Meara pass.

But then they were hit by the first hammer blow in the 18th minute when a Roanmore move down the left wing saw Eddie Nolan cross the ball across the goal line for the unmarked Shane Mackey to shoot to the net off the ground for a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

The Tipperary champions dominated the remainder of the half, outscoring the Deise men 0-6 to 0-2, to tie the score at the break, 1-6 to 0-9. John Lyons and Manus McFadden pointed before Mark O’Meara hit a beauty – drawing a foul, taking the free himself to Sean O’Meara and collecting the return pass before curling the ball over the bar.

Mickie Lyons and McFadden also scored, with Mark O’Meara finishing the Grangemockler scoring of the half. The Roanmore replies came from Paul O’Sullivan and Dean Reidy.

When John Lyons put Grangemockler ahead for the first time 35 seconds into the second half it looked like they might push on for victory, but Roanmore never let them out of their sights. Eddie Nolan equalised in the next minute, and when Mickie Lyons from a free edged the Tipp side ahead again, substitute Sam Pender tied it up again.

Mickie Lyons had earlier hit an upright with a shot, but when he pointed two more frees it put a little daylight between the sides at 0-13 to 1-8 midway through the half.

But it proved to be a false dawn. Eddie Nolan from a free brought the margin back to the minimum again and the tie swung in Roanmore’s direction when Billy Nolan finished to the net from close range from a high ball into the danger area to make it 2-9 to 0-13.

Grangemockler replied immediately when substitute Thomas Regan set up McFadden for a point. Dean Reidy responded for his second of the game, and then following Grangemockler wides from a McManus 45 and John Lyons from play, the Waterford side hit the killer third goal.

They worked the ball upfield from deep in their own half and suddenly Sam Pender found himself in acres of space as he raced through the centre. He appeared to have players better positioned but he took the shot himself, low and hard to goalkeeper David Power’s right for a superb score.

A five-points lead, 3-10 to 0-14, was crucial with just four minutes of normal time left. Referee David Murnane played five minutes extra on top of that, but despite incessant pressure, Grangemockler could manage only two more scores, Mickie Lyons from a free and Manus McFadden’s fourth from play after an onslaught on the Waterford goal.

Mark O’Meara saw another shot come back off the upright, and in a last-gasp effort there was no one on hand to shoot to the net from a ball across the face of the goal.

Grangemockler/Ballyneale had come up short in their bid to add provincial glory to their county triumph. Supporters were unhappy with some of referee Murnane’s decisions - a number of frees against the Tipp side did look on the soft side – but they can have no real complaints about the defeat to a highly motivated Roanmore.

And once this disappointment has passed they can reflect on a very successful season, with silverware in the trophy cabinet and a long-awaited return to senior football in 2024.

Grangemockler/Ballyneale: David Power, Dara Lambe, Sean Daly, Dara Shelly, Conor Hahessy, Leon Kennedy, Manus McFadden 0-4; Michael Meaney, Mark O’Meara 0-3; Paudie O’Shea, John Lyons 0-2; Sean O’Meara 0-1; Alex Millea, Mickie Lyons 0-6, 4 frees, 1 mark; Ben Comerford.

Subs: JP Wallace for Paudie O’Shea, Thomas Regan for Michael Meaney, Tom Dineen for Alex Millea.

Roanmore: Josh Sheridan, Dean Walsh, Emmet O’Toole, Ethan Hayes, Gavin O’Brien 0-1; Charlie Chester, Conor Ryan, Shane Mackey 1-0; Frank McGrath, Dean Reidy 0-2; Billy Nolan 1-1; Ethan Flynn, Eddie Nolan 0-3, 1 free; Paul O’Sullivan 0-1; Brian Nolan 0-1.

Subs: Sam Pender 1-1 for Brian Nolan, Cian Wadding for Dean Walsh, Chris Dempsey for Gavin O’Brien, Rory Furlong for Shane Mackey, Eamon Power for Ethan Flynn.

Referee: David Murnane (Cork).