Fethard progress to intermediate football final in south Tipperary, despite missed chances

Fethard 3-11 Clonmel Óg 1-14

Fethard had a three-point win over Clonmel Óg in this very entertaining South Tipperary Intermediate Football Cup semi-final at Davin Park in Carrick-on-Suir. They now meet Commercials in a repeat of last year’s final, a match that will be played at Monroe at 7pm next Sunday evening.

The young Fethard team’s pace was very much to the fore, and even with three first half goal chances squandered they still led at half-time by three points.

With both teams missing five regular players, the game opened with a lively start when Fethard, after two minutes, had a great goal set up by Liam Kiely, with Brian Healy finishing to the net.

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By the 11th minute Clonmel Óg had bounced back with a goal from Conor Arrigan and two points from the impressive Christopher O’Gorman, one from a free, before the 15th minute.

Fethard roared back with a goal and two points, the goal coming after a great counter attack and finished by Paul Moloney. They also had a point from a free from Brian Healy and one from play by Matt Coen, leaving the score Fethard 2-2 Clonmel Og 1-1.

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Within a minute Fethard added a point from a 20 metre free from Brian Healy.

They also missed two goal chances, with Clonmel Og responding to dominate the scoring until the 28th minute. Conor Arrigan had a two-pointer, Christopher O’Gorman scored 0-2 (one free) and Aaron Arrigan also scored a point from play to see them lead by 1-7 to 2-3.

However, in the last two minutes of the half up popped Mark Neville to kick 1-1 for Fethard, leaving the score at the interval Fethard 3-4 Clonmel Og 1-7.

After the interval Clonmel Óg came out with all guns blazing, Jake O’Donnell scoring a point from play and they had the two- pointer of the game scored by Christopher O’Gorman in the 32nd minute. Then Fethard had a point from a Matt Coen free.
Christopher O’Donnell had a point from play, leaving the scores level, Fethard 3-5 Clonmel Óg 1-11.

From here to the 55th minute Fethard dominated the game, kicking 0-5 with a two-pointer from Brian Healy’s free, and points from Matt Coen and Mark Neville.

Fethard were reduced to 14 players when Paul Moloney received a second yellow card, followed by a red.

In the last five minutes Clonmel Óg subs Jack Kealy scored a point and Jamal Yousif a two-pointer, with the final score of the game, a point from a 20 metre free, coming from Fethard’s Brian Healy.

Best for Fethard were Noah O’Flynn, Liam Kiely, Jody Sheehan, Mark Neville, Charlie Walsh, Paul Moloney and Brian Healy.

For a gallant Clonmel Óg, those who caught the eye were Shane O’Connor, Keith Browne, Dean Kelleher, Conor Arrigan, Aaron Arrigan, Christopher O’Gorman, Jack Kealy and Jamal Yousif.

Fethard: Jamie McCormack, Rory O’Mahony, Brian Delahunty, Noah O’ Flynn, Liam Kiely, Cathal O’Mahony, Jody Sheehan, Gavin Neville, Jack Purcell, Paul Moloney 0-1, Mark Neville 1-2, Charlie Walsh, Matt Coen 0-2 (1f), Ryan Walsh, Brian Healy 1-6 (0-5 f).

Sub: Kieran Bergin.

Clonmel Óg: Fabian Kerton, Brandon Landers, Shane O’Connor, Rhys Lonergan, Ayo Williams, Keith Browne, Dylan Murphy, Graham Quinn, Dean Kelleher, Jake O’ Donnell 0-1, Aaron Arrigan 0-3, Conor Arrigan 1-2, Jayden Cagney, Christopher O’Gorman 0-7 (2 f, 1 0-2), Alex Greene.

Subs: Jack Kealy 0-1, Derry Phelan, Jamal Yousif 0-2, Eoin Condon, Mikey Jones.

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Fr Sheehy’s).