Clonmel Commercials beat Fethard to win their first South Tipperary Intermediate title

Clonmel Commercials 1-13 Fethard 0-14 (after extra-time)

The prospect of a South Tipperary Senior and Intermediate Football Cup double remains a possibility for Clonmel Commercials. Their passage to the senior decider secured courtesy of their big win over Cahir the previous evening, the Clonmel team needed extra-time to overcome Fethard’s stubborn challenge in the intermediate final at Monroe on Monday evening.

Fethard trailed for most of normal time, but when they took the lead in the first minute of additional time courtesy of Dara O’Meara’s point - the first time since the fourth minute that they were ahead -  it looked as if they were on course for a tonic victory.

It appeared at that stage as if Fethard’s more direct approach, as they moved the ball quickly up the pitch, in comparison to Commercials’ more patient, ponderous style, would pay dividends.

However Commercials responded well when their backs were against the wall, with the clock ticking down, and man of the match Darragh O’Connor kicked a great equaliser from distance in the second minute of added time to force extra-time (1-8 to 0-11).

Fethard drew first blood in extra time with an Andrew Connerton score, before Ciaran Cannon - who started in goal for the Clonmel team before being brought outfield for extra-time - kicked the equaliser from a free.

Matt Coen restored Fethard’s slender advantage but it was the last time they led, as points from Darragh O’Connor (from a free) and Aldo Matassa ensured that Commercials led by 1-11 to 0-13 at half-time in extra-time.

They went two ahead through Darragh O’Connor before Brian Healy replied with a converted free. The scorer of the game’s only goal, Cillian McNamara, put Commercials two up again with the game’s final score in the second minute of added time. Fethard’s last chance, from Matt Coen’s free in almost the third minute of added time, was blocked by the massed Commercials defence, and that was that.

For a club that, at senior level, has won 21 county titles, a Munster championship and numerous south titles, this was a first for Commercials, in that it was the first time they won the divisional intermediate title. As well as saving their bacon with the equaliser towards the end of normal time, Darragh O’Connor also scored two vital points in extra-time, and overall was a major influence at centrefield.

The experienced Aldo Matassa was always busy around midfield too while James Power, Sean Kennedy, Ciaran Cannon, Cillian McNamara and Tadhg Sheehan were others who stood out.

Fethard’s fine performance should give them confidence in their push for a return to the senior ranks, via the county championship. They suffered a blow on the stroke of half-time when free taker and full back Cathal O’Mahony was forced to retire injured, but they were always competitive.

Matt Coen and Brian Healy were a constant threat in attack while Darragh Spillane, Charlie Hackett and Dara O’Meara were among their other standout performers. So too was corner back Mo O’Meara, who made two great blocks on goalbound shots from Commercials’ Oisin Forristal and Conor McGeever in the opening 20 minutes.

Above: The Clonmel Commercials team that beat Fethard in Monday evening's final at Monroe. Picture: Michael Boland

Commercials were 1-5 to 0-5 to the good at half-time, although with the lion’s share of the possession they possibly should have been further in front. Their tendency to overplay the ball didn’t help their cause.

Cillian McNamara’s goal was the difference between the teams at the midway stage, that score coming when Darragh O’Connor laid the chance on a plate for him in the fourth minute, after Cathal O’Mahony’s free had given Fethard the lead.

As the half progressed Commercials had further scores from Aldo Matassa, James Power (from a mark), Sean Kennedy, Darragh O’Connor and Cillian McNamara (from a mark).

Fethard, meanwhile, were grateful for the scores from Matt Coen, Cathal O’Mahony (free), Brian Healy and Liam Kiely (a stylish effort kicked off the outside of his right foot) that meant they were still well in the game at the interval.  

Commercials’ goalie Ciaran Cannon extended their lead to four points with a converted free seven minutes into the new half. However, they didn’t disturb the scoreboard again for another 17 minutes, until James Power’s point six minutes from the end of normal time.

In the meantime, Fethard grew into the game with points from Matt Coen’s free, a great effort from Charlie Hackett after a well constructed build-up, and Coen again, this time from play.

They also had two decent glimpses of goal in the second half. In the second minute Ryan Walsh was denied by Commercials ‘keeper Ciaran Cannon, with Charlie Hackett just failing to force the rebound home. Then in the 55th minute, with only two points separating the teams, Darragh Spillane put the ball over the bar from just in front of the posts.

It was no surprise when the Fethard equaliser came in the 58th minute, which was supplied by Matt Coen’s free, which set up the exciting closing minutes and extra-time.

In the end, though, Commercials had just enough to get over the line.   

Clonmel Commercials: Ciaran Cannon (0-2 frees), Jamie O’Keeffe, Tadhg Sheehan, Josh Kennedy, Max O’Dwyer, Billy Tierney, Thomas Charles, Aldo Matassa (captain, 0-2), Darragh O’Connor (0-4, 1 free), Oisin Forristal, Conor McGeever, Sean Kennedy (0-1), Cillian McNamara (1-2, 0-1 mark), James Power (0-2, 1 mark), Darragh Landers.

Substitutes: Cillian Fahey for Conor McGeever (42 minutes), Conor Deely for Josh Kennedy (45), Shane Ryan for Cillian McNamara, Mark Corcoran for Max O’Dwyer, Cillian McNamara for Aldo Matassa, Ryan Lambe for Sean Kennedy (all extra-time).

Fethard: Jack Dolan, Brian Delahunty, Cathal O’Mahony (0-2 frees), Mo O’Meara, Liam Kiely (0-1), Dara O’Meara (0-1), Charlie Hackett (0-1), Darragh Spillane (0-1), Willie Morgan, Andrew Connerton (0-1), Mark Neville, Jack Purcell, Matt Coen (0-5, 2 frees), Ryan Walsh (captain), Brian Healy (0-2, 1 free).

Substitutes: Conor Neville for Cathal O'Mahony (29 minutes), Jody Sheehan for Willie Morgan (44), Paul Moloney for Jack Purcell (51), Keenan Ahearne for Conor Neville, Sean Moroney for Jody Sheehan, Jack Purcell for Mark Neville, Conor Neville for Brian Delahunty (all extra-time). 

Referee: Sean Lonergan (Ballylooby/Castlegrace).