Moneygall come out on the right side of massive semi-final battle in The Ragg

FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi Final 

Moneygall 1-17 

Cappawhite 1-15

By Liam Hogan

Favourites Moneygall are back in a county final after a two-year lapse when they were made to fight to deny a game Cappawhite side in a well-contested battle played at a wet and windy pitch in The Ragg last Sunday afternoon. 

Level nine times, the cold and wet conditions made hurling life difficult as every player had his share of mistakes and handling errors but this was entertaining nonetheless and approaching the 55th minute, when it was 1-14 each, the experienced Moneygall team pulled away to outscore the westmen three points to with Sean Kenneally and two Joe Fogarty’s frees, the second in the 63rd minute free ensuring that Moneygall’s place in the county final was safe.

Despite the handling errors the game gave much enjoyment to the good size attendance with notable performances by Cathal Kennedy, Jack Kirwan, Adam Hogan, Bob Kenny and Sean Kenneally for the winners while Sean Ryan, Gearoid Ryan, Tom Treacy, Conor Martin as well as Rian Doody who made a difference to the side when he came on as a substitute at half time. 

It was a very sporting game but things got a small bit out of hand midway through the second half when Cappawhite team coach Declan Deere and their manager Michael McCarthy were both red carded in separate incidents within two minutes of each other. 

It took ten seconds for a combined move involving Aodhan Ryan and Sean Fogarty to see Bob Kenny score for Moneygall after ten seconds. The ideal start but after Willie Barry equalised with a close in free in the third minute there was consternation around the Moneygall goal when the decision to use the short puckout but the operation went wrong when Cathal Kennedy gifted Dara McCarthy possession out near the corner flag and the Cappawhite full forward needed no invitation to race towards goal and blast the ball past Ciaran Quinlan. 

The goal was a comfort to the Westmen who increased their lead to five when Willie Barry made it 1-3 to 0-1 after six minutes. By the next six the margin was down to four (1-4 to 0-3) when disaster struck at the Cappawhite goal area when a short puckout move involving goalkeeper Jerry O’Neill and Rian Renehan was intercepted by Sean Kenneally who took full advantage by driving the ball into an empty goalmouth. 

Conor Martin moved Cappawhite two clear but scores were level 1-5 each after Sean Kenneally and Paddy Fogarty each bisected the posts to see the North champions in front for the first time in 20 minutes. 

It was timely as Moneygall had begun to find their rhythm thanks to their defence where Cathal Kennedy, Jack Kirwan, Brendan Toohy and Eoin Whyte had overcome their nervous start. Bob Kenny was ever so busy at wing forward. 

Likewise, the Cappawhite defence had the measure of the Moneygall defence where Gearoid Ryan, Tom Treacy and Conor Martin and with both defences on top it meant that scores were limited.

Sean Kenneally was one who did score as he gave Moneygall the lead. Dara McCarthy levelled and Cappawhite regained the lead through Conor martin before scores were level for the fourth time after Joe Fogarty pointed a free in the 24th minute. 

However, Cappawhite regained the lead once more when Willie Barry secured two points the first from a 65 followed by a close in free before Joe Fogarty scored his fourth free to leave the minimum between the teams at half time. Cappawhite 1-9 Moneygall 1-8.  

Helped by the breeze, Moneygall come good in the opening six minutes of the second half as Adam Hogan, Joe Fogarty (free) and Sean Kenneally had the North champions back in front. Cappawhite hit back needing six minutes to draw level after the busy Rian Doody and Conor Martin bisected the posts. Both Martin and Doody were a thorn in the Moneygall side. 

 Both Willie Barry and Joe Fogarty swapped frees. Sean Kenneally was Moneygall’s driving force as he won one more free which allowed Joe Fogarty converted his latest free. a quick reply from Dara McCarthy had the teams level for the eight time in the 49th minute. 

It was all to play for as Kenneally and McCarthy each found the target to create equilibrium in the 55th minute. Seconds later, Sean Kenneally had Moneygall in front and the lead doubled after Joe Fogarty scored a fine point from the left wing.  

David Buckley reduced the margin but with the hour mark just past it was all to play for in added time before Joe Fogarty sealed the win for Moneygall with a sixty five metre free in the third minute of added time. 

Moneygall: Ciaran Quinlan; Cathal Kennedy, Jack Kirwan, Cathal Greene; Cian Ryan, Brendan Toohey, Eoin Whyte; Adam Hogan (0-1), Aodhan Ryan; Joe Fogarty (0-9, 0-7f), Sean Fogarty (0-1), Bob Kenny (0-1); Paddy Fogarty (0-1), Tadhg Whyte, Sean Kenneally (1-4). 

Subs used: Mark Fanning for T Whyte (39); Andy Hoolan for Cian Ryan (58). 

Cappawhite: Jerry O’Neill; Kevin Stapleton, Sean Ryan (W), Philip Gantley; Ryan Renehan, Gearoid Ryan, Tom Treacy; Conor Martin (0-4), Brendan Murphy; Colm O’Dwyer, David Buckley (0-1), Sam Carmody; Daire Duggan, Dara McCarthy (1-5, 0-2f), Willie Barry (0-5, 0-2f, 0-1 65). 

Subs used: Rian Doody for Duggan (HT); Gearoid Lennon for O’Dwyer (55). 

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)