Cappa make Moneygall earn place in final

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Moneygall 1-17

Cappawhite 1-15

Report: Liam Hogan at The Ragg

Photos: Bridget Delaney

Moneygall are back in the County Intermediate Hurling final for the second time in three years but were made fight all the way by Cappawhite in a well-contested semi-final on Sunday afternoon.

Level nine times, the wet and windy conditions made hurling difficult as every player had his share of handling errors but was entertaining nonetheless, and approaching the 55th minute, when it was 1-14 each, the experienced Moneygall team pulled away to outscore the west-men three points to one with Sean Kenneally and two Joe Fogarty’s frees ensuring their place in the final.

Despite the handling errors, the game provided 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 coach Declan Deere and 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.

The ideal start, but after Willie Barry equalised with a close range free in the third minute, there was consternation around the Moneygall goal when a short puckout went wrong with Cathal Kennedy gifting possession to Dara McCarthy 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 West-men who increased their lead to five when Willie Barry pointed after six minutes.

The margin was at four when disaster struck in the Cappawhite goal when a short puckout move involving goalkeeper Jerry O’Neill and Rian Renehan was intercepted by Sean Kenneally who took full advantage by firing the ball into an empty net.

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 after twenty minutes.

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

Likewise, the Cappawhite defence had the measure of the Moneygall attack where Gearoid Ryan, Tom Treacy and Conor Martin and with both defences on top it meant that scores were limited while Tom Treacy kept a close eye on Joe Fogarty.

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.

Cappawhite regained the lead once more when Willie Barry converted two placed balls before Joe Fogarty scored his fourth free to leave the minimum between the teams at half time: Cappawhite 1-9 Moneygall 1-8.

Now aided by the strong 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 to draw level after the busy Rian Doody and Conor Martin bisected the posts. Both men were a thorn in the Moneygall side.

Willie Barry and Joe Fogarty traded frees as Sean Kenneally was Moneygall’s driving force, winning another free which allowed Fogarty to convert once more. A quick reply from Dara McCarthy had the teams level for the eighth 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, 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 passed, it was still all to play for before Joe Fogarty sealed the win for Moneygall with a sixty-five metre free in the third minute of added time.

Player of the Match: Sean Kenneally (Moneygall)

Moneygall: Ciaran Quinlan (6); Cathal Kennedy (7), Jack Kirwan (7), Cathal Greene (7); Cian Ryan (6), Brendan Toohey (6), Eoin Whyte (7); Adam Hogan (0-1, 8), Aodhan Ryan (7); Joe Fogarty (0-9, 7f, 7), Sean Fogarty (0-1, 6), Bob Kenny (0-1, 8); Paddy Fogarty (0-1, 6), Tadhg Whyte (6), Sean Kenneally (1-4, 8).

Subs: Mark Fanning (6) for T Whyte (39); Andy Hoolan (NR) for C Ryan (58).

Cappawhite: Jerry O’Neill (6); Kevin Stapleton (6), Sean Ryan (W) (7), Philip Gantley (7); Ryan Renehan (6), Gearoid Ryan (8), Tom Treacy (8); Conor Martin (0-4, 8), Brendan Murphy (6); Colm O’Dwyer (6), David Buckley (0-1, 6), Sam Carmody (6); Daire Duggan (6), Dara McCarthy (1-5, 0-2f, 7), Willie Barry (0-5, 2f, 1’65) 7).

Subs: Rian Doody (7) for Duggan (HT); Gearoid Lennon (6) for O’Dwyer (55).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh).