O’Neill’s incredible winner seals dramatic comeback for Clonbullogue

Jarlath Gilroy’s men were made to fight hard and until the final moment of the game as Offaly star Keith O’Neill stood up to kick over a heroic score from just over 40 yards out to cap off a never say die fight back from Clonbullogue to see off Tubber on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-11 in Mucklagh. 

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior B Football Championship Group 1 Round 3

Clonbullogue 1-12

Tubber 1-11

Tubber held a one point advantage going into injury time however, a long range free from Jack McEvoy and Keith O’Neill’s fantastic late score means that Tubber will head into the quarter finals off the back of two defeats in the group stage. Despite Bernard Allen’s best efforts, Tubber fell short and will be kicking themselves as they did not score for the final 20 minutes of the game. They could also be without Nigel Farrell after he received a red card after the final whistle for words exchanged to referee Fergal Smyth. 

Both teams came into this game off the back of wins against Ballycumber as well as each tasting defeat in their encounters with Cappincur, so both were aiming to end the group stage in a positive way and secure themselves with the easier side of the quarter finals and it was Clonbullogue came out with the two points required – Clonbullogue now meet Gracefield in the quarter-finals while Tubber face Clara.

The opening seven minutes was end to end stuff and was highly entertaining with both sides going for it. Keith O’Neill got the game's opening point before Bernard Allen, as we've come to expect, blasted the back of the net when he broke the tackle of his marker after just three minutes. Jamie Guing got a score for Clonbullogue but it was Tubber who were on top early on, as Allen and Patrick Farrell left them in front by four after 11 minutes, but they were then pegged back with Ruari O’Neill similarly taking his effort expertly to claw them back into the game. Guing and Keith O’Neill sent over some splendid individual scores, but they also will have been envious of some goal chances going to waste as Guing’s effort on goal late in the first half came crashing off the post, as Tubber ended the first half stronger as further scores were added by Bernard Allen along with a scintillating effort from Conor Fox and two from Offaly U20 Hurler Donal Shirley. Tubber holding the advantage at the break and having played with a strong wind. 

Half time Tubber 1-8 to 1-5 Clonbullogue.

The game began to get a little bit more heated and high tempered once the second half commenced, to add to an already exhilarating fixture, and Tubber almost shot themselves in the foot as their centre back Nigel Farrell clipped Keith O’Neill as he was running towards goal and was thus given a black card, however, Jamie Guing’s strike from the spot was sent over the bar and sparing the Tubber man’s blushes. Tubber will not be content with how the second half overall went, as they only managed to tag on three more points to the first half tally, with Eoin Murphy’s 38th minute point their last from play albeit a very nicely taken one. 

Clonbullogue were easily the better side in the second half despite kicking a number of unnecessary wides which they’ll want to fix for the next day, but the final 10 minutes was simply breathtaking in terms of their resilience and drive to win. Two beautifully curled efforts from the boots of Ryan and Lee Dempsey closed the gap as they had been four off the lead not so long before. They kept driving on and despite some push backs and at times poor usage of the wind, they kept going and were rewarded for their efforts soon after. 

Jamie Quinn was advancing more up through the middle from his natural full back position and won a free which was duly converted from Jack McEvoy and just in time for a grand slam finish as that man O’Neill popped up with one of the scores of the year and start the mass scenes of celebrations from the Clonbullogue crowd as they cemented their second win of the season and can now look forward to a final eight meeting with Gracefield, while Tubber will face off against Clara.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Keith O’Neill (Clonbullogue): Donal Shirley, Bernard Allen and Ciaran McGuinness were all excellent for Tubber. Scoring, winning kick outs, turning over possession, they were outstanding. Lee Dempsey had a solid outing and his late score for Clonbullogue was crucial in getting them back into the game. Jamie Guing caused hassle over the 60 minutes too.

For the winner alone, Keith O’Neill deserves his flowers, but he was also top class in causing issues for the Tubber back line with his quick movement, silky skills and clinical finishing. If Clonbullogue are to win the Senior B, they need him fit at all costs.

THE SCORERS

Clonbullogue: Jamie Guing 0-5 (0-1 penalty, 2marks), Keith O’Neill 0-4, Ruairi O’Neill 1-0, Ryan Dempsey, Lee Dempsey and Jack McEvoy (1free) 0-1 each.

Tubber: Bernard Allen 1-5 (3frees, 1 mark), Donal Shirley and Eoin Murphy (1free) 0-2 each, Conor Fox and Patrick Farrell (1mark) 0-1 each. 

THE TEAMS

Clonbullogue: Cian Corcoran; David Dempsey; Jamie Quinn; Diarmuid O’Neill; Harry Judge; Ian Curry; Ryan Dempsey; Jack McEvoy; Peter Byrne; Daryl Quinn; Ruairi O’Neill; Lee Dempsey; Jamie Guing; Keith O’Neill; Peter Bennett (Capt) . Subs- Cian O’Neill for Quinn (48m); Eoghan Kinsella for Dempsey (48m) .

Tubber: James Langan; Ciaran McGuinness; Eddie Kavanagh; Enda McLoughlin; Olsen North; Nigel Farrell; Conor Fox; Lee Colgan; Ciaran McManus; Ronan Farrell; Donal Shirley; Sean Farrell; Patrick Farrell; Bernard Allen (Capt); Eoin Murphy. Subs- Padraig McLoughlin for North (42m); Ciaran Kinahan for Ronan Farrell (56m); Joe Higgins for Fox (57m) .

Referee – Fergal Smyth (Kilclonfert).

REFEREE WATCH

Fergal Smyth kept a cool head during the game and showed his experience throughout, and decisions that had to be made from cards especially being dished out were fully justified. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Keith O’Neill’s last minute winner was simply the game's most dramatic moment, and when the game needed that little bit of quality to crown a winner, the young man as he’s done multiple times for club and county popped up once again with a curling effort from 40 yards out and hence seal his position as Man of the Match. 

VENUE WATCH

Mucklagh hosted the game and did so very well, with plenty of stewards on show for a big crowd to watch this final round encounter. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Clonbullogue will have a quarter final meeting with Gracefield, while Tubber will face off against Clara in the same stage.

STATISTICS

Wides: Tubber –  8 ( 5 in first half, 3 in 2nd half); Clonbullogue –  15 (7 in first half,  8 in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: Tubber - (1) Enda McLoughlin; Clonbullogue – (2) Diarmuid O’Neill and Jack McEvoy

Black cards: Tubber - (1) Nigel Farrell

Red cards: Tubber– (1 ) Nigel Farrell; Clonbullogue – (0)