Sharper forwards the difference as Daingean set up local derby final

SHARPER forwards proved to be the difference as Daingean grinded out a deserved win over Tullamore in a very enjoyable Intermediate Football Championship semi-final in Geashill on Sunday afternoon.

Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Championship semi-final

Daingean 0-14

Tullamore 0-9

While they had their share of poor misses, especially in the second half, Daingean's forwards looked more dangerous and took a greater percentage of their chances than Tullamore. Coupled with key players standing up to be counted all over the field in the crunch closing quarter, this was the reason Daingean advanced to the final.

The win was nowhere near as comprehensive as the final scoreline suggests. It was way tighter than that and it would have taken very little more for Tullamore to have won. There was just two points in it as it drifted into injury time and Shane Dooley was wide with a very scoreable free that would have reduced it to just one. Extra time would have loomed large then but instead Daingean rallied the forces and Shane Tierney (two frees) and sub Adam Sheeran kicked three injury time points to secure the win.

The five point winning margin definitely flattered Daingean but they were the better side and deserve their place in the final – where they will face local neighbours, St Brigid's. That final pairing will bring all the tribal, historical passions to the surface in both clubs and will create huge local excitement – while from different parishes, these two clubs border each other and a lot of people from Croghan socialise in Daingean.

Daingean were delighted with the win and the way they dug deep when serious questions were asked. Tullamore had a handful of players back from playing sanctions in the USA, greatly strengthening their hand, and Daingean knew they were in for one very tough hour plus.

There was very little between them in the first half but Tullamore's seven wides were much more damaging than Daingean's 4 – not just the volume but the clearcut nature of them.

Tullamore were the better side in the first quarter and deserved to lead by 0-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes but they didn't score again in the half. Daingean got three points to lead by 0-5 to 0-3 at half time – their final point from Shane Tierney caused confusion among the umpires, who didn't seem to know: it looked wide from where I was but it was awarded after referee Chris Dwyer spoke to his officials. A factor in Tullamore losing their way was the departure of centre half back Pa Robiliard with a hamstring injury, as he had been playing very well and Daingean were able to rampage through the middle when he was gone.

Daingean upped the ante impressively in the third quarter. Jack Connolly and Odhran Connolly got quick fire points for a 0-7 to 0-3 lead and it was 0-9 to 0-4 after 37 minutes. Tullamore were in bother and they did well to get back into it - Luke Bourke made a big impact off the bench, adding pace and drive to Tullamore's play. A lovely Evan Fitzpatrick point got them going and it was 0-10 to 0-7 after 45 minutes.

Tullamore rallied and fine points from Ryan Sheeran and Fitzpatrick had the gap back to one after 50 minutes. Daingean showed great character at this stage with Adam Bolger, Ciaran McEvoy, Cathal Ryan, Scott Milne and Shane Tierney all winning and carrying crucial ball. A noticeable feature of Daingean's afternoon was their ability to cut through the centre and they made inroads here again when their need was at its greatest.

An excellent Odhran Connolly mark in the 53rd minute after a super Ciaran McEvoy pass gave Daingean a measure of breathing space and those three injury time points got them across the line. Tullamore got frustrated late on, looking for some frees in and it eventually boiled over with Patrick Fahey getting a red card just before the final whistle for something he said to the referee.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ciaran McEvoy (Daingean): Ciaran McEvoy had a terrific game in the Daingean defence. He mopped up a lot of ball, defended solidly and attacked very well – his distribution and ability to find his man was a big asset to Daingean. Tullamore's Evan Fitzpatrick was a contender. On a day when the Tullamore forward line largely fired blanks, he was very lively, even if he occasionally tried to jink and dummy a bit too frequently and obviously, and four points, three from play and one mark, was an excellent haul.

THE SCORERS

Daingean: Shane Tierney 0-6 (4f), Jack Connolly, Jamie Hayes (1f) and Odhran Connolly (1 mark) 0-2 each, Cathal Ryan (f) and Adam Sheeran 0-1 each.

Tullamore: Evan Fitzpatrick 0-4 (1 mark), Pa Cosgrove 0-2 (2f), Jack Daly, Shane Dooley (f) and Ryan Sheerin 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

DAINGEAN: Conan Curley; Colm Brophy, Adam Bolger, Stephen Joyce; Ciaran McEvoy, Cathal Ryan, Casey Evans; Danny Mangan, Scott Milne; Jamie Hayes, Shane Tierney, Cian O'Reilly; Charlie Hayes, Jack Connolly, Odhran Connolly. Subs – James Kelly for Danny Mangan (48m), Adam Sheeran for Charlie Hayes (52m), Jamie Duffy for O'Reilly (60m), Davy Walsh for Odhran Connolly (62m).

TULLAMORE: Sean Kavanagh; Devon Henchy, Ben Heffernan, Shane Enright; Jack Daly, Pa Robiliard, Patrick Fahey; Ken Hogan, Cathal Kavanagh; Tom Furlong, Pa Cosgrove, Evan Fitzpatrick; Sean McCabe, Shane Dooley, Ryan Sheerin. Subs – Ciaran Burns for Robiliard, inj. (24m), Mike Feeney for Henchy (HT), Luke Bourke for Furlong (35m), Liam Dillane for Cosgrove (47m), Ben Connolly for McCabe (59m).

Referee – Chris Dwyer (Clara).