Fethard too strong for St Patrick's in Tipperary Football League Division 3 final

Fethard 1-11 St Patrick's 0-9

Fethard proved too strong for neighbours St Patrick’s in the FBD Insurance County Football League Division 3 final at Ned Hall Park, Clonmel on Sunday evening, winning by five points.

Fethard had stars throughout the field, from inspirational captain Dara O’Meara at full back; fellow defenders Joe Morgan and Charlie Hackett, to brilliant forwards in Mark Neville, Matt Coen and Keenan Ahearne.

Their pressing and link-up play was too strong for an understrength St Patrick’s, who were missing key players. Leaving Certificate student Daithi Hogan wasn’t used in the first half but made a significant contribution when introduced for the second, pointing three frees and hitting a fine point from play as the Drangan/Cloneen side upped their performance at the Clonmel Og venue.

Traditionally one of the powerhouses of Tipperary football, Fethard still have a way to go to return to those glory days but have some fine young players coming through to speed up the process, and claiming league silvereware will do their confidence no harm.

Matt Coen hit three superb points from play, while a goal from Mark Neville just twenty seconds into the second half proved crucial to their victory.

An understrength St Patrick’s struggled to match their intensity but five points without reply in a fifteen-minute spell in the second half was testament to their resolve and attitude. Daithi Hogan’s introduction added punch to their attack, while Finn Madigan and Cathal Mahony were also prominent.

The early exchanges were even on a lovely evening for football. Ciaran O’Meara opened the scoring for the Blues after three minutes before Pauric O’Brien set up Cathal Mahony for the equaliser four minutes later.

By the end of the first quarter St Patrick’s took the lead for the first and only time when Conor Duggan was fouled, and goalkeeper Tony O’Brien came upfield to kick a superb point into the breeze.

However, the lead only lasted three minutes before Keenan Ahearne levelled with a great point, and Fethard regained the lead when a break from deep in defence ended with a foul on Mark Neville, and the full forwarded dusted himself down to convert the free.

The Fethard attack, with a stiff breeze behind it, was now getting into its stride and sustained pressure ended with Matt Coen extending the advantage. Wayward shooting was a problem for St Patrick’s at the other end and they went three points behind, 0-5 to 0-2, by the 25th minute.

Conor Duggan had their first score in 13 minutes with a fine point, but Fethard finished the half stronger to lead at the break by four, 0-7 to 0-3 - Sean Moroney pointed the first before the impressive Matt Coen wrapped up the first half scoring.

The Drangan/Cloneen side had wind advantage in the second half, but they were rocked back within twenty seconds, Fethard winning possession from the throw-in and Mark Neville finished a lightning-fast break with a low shot to the net past Tony O’Brien.

A seven-points deficit left St Patrick’s with a mountain to climb. Daithi Hogan’s first involvement was to point a free three minutes later, but three in a row in three minutes from Fethard – from Paul Moloney, a Neville free and a third point from play from Matt Coen – pushed the gap out to nine points, 1-10 to 0-4, six minutes into the half.

It could have got ugly for St Patrick’s if they had let their heads drop, but instead they dug deep to more than match Fethard for the remainder of the game. Gradually they ate into the Blues’ lead.

Daithi Hogan started the comeback when he pointed a free following a foul on Cathal Mahony. And then three points from play really got them back into contention – two super scores from Finn Madigan, with another from Hogan sandwiched in between.
And when another Hogan free brought the margin down to just four points with three minutes left to play, alarm bells started to sound for Fethard.

However, Fethard managed those last few minutes well. They dominated possession and team captain Dara O’Meara put more daylight between the teams when he came forward from defence to complete the scoring with a late point.

In the end it was a deserved win for a Fethard side, well prepared by manager Tommy Sheehan and his backroom team. With a blend of youth and experience, they were more economical in taking their chances and used the wind to better advantage.

Jamie McCormack, Joe Morgan and Willie Morgan linked up play well between defence and attack, and Matt Coen and Mark Neville in particular took their scoring chances.

St Patrick’s weren’t as accurate in front of goal and will regret missed chances. However, the true character of the side shone through in the second half as they chased down the Fethard lead, with Daithi Hogan and Finn Madigan leading the charge. In the end they just ran out of time.

Fethard: Jack Dolan, Charlie Hackett, Dara O’Meara 0-1; Michael O’Meara, Jamie McCormack, Joe Morgan, Liam Kiely, Andrew Connorton, Willie Morgan, Paul Moloney 0-1; Andrew Connorton, Matt Coen 0-3; Keenan Ahearne 0-1; Sean Moroney 0-1; Mark Neville 1-3, 0-3 frees; Ciaran O’Meara 0-1.

Subs: Jack Davey for Liam Kiely, Peter Gough for Ciaran O’Meara, James Barry for Sean Moroney.

St Patrick’s: Tony O’Brien 0-1 free; Nicky Kearney, Paddy Moroney, Evan Holohan, Eoin Fitzgerald, Keith Morrissey, Pauric O’Brien, Conor Duggan 0-1; Eoin Ryan, Frank Meagher, Cathal Mahony 0-1; Finn Madigan 0-2; Joey Noonan, Conor Brett, Richie Needham.

Sub: Daithi Hogan 0-4, 3 frees for Conor Brett.

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Fr Sheehy’s).