Tipp ETB defeated in Inter-Firms final
Safety Direct (Galway) 2-27
Tipperary ETB 1-16
The education staff of Tipperary ETB were beaten by a strong Safety Direct team from Galway in the All-Ireland Inter-Firms Intermediate Hurling Final, held in Dolla last Wednesday evening.
Tipperary ETB has been represented during this year’s campaign by a selection of its post-primary teaching staff from ten schools, Further Education and Training tutors and administration staff, as well as staff from the ETB’s head office.
In the final however, the strength of Safety Direct was too much to overcome, led by St Thomas’s All-Ireland Club winner Éanna Burke and former Galway hurler Kevin McHugo.
The match stayed close for the first twenty minutes in a sun-drenched evening, but Safety Direct finished the half the stronger to pull clear by 0-17 to 0-11. McHugo did a lot of the damage from centre forward, picking off five points from play in the first thirty minutes.
Tipperary ETB staged a mini-revival in the third quarter, with full-forward David Butler from Drom & Inch finishing to the net after good work from Carrick Swan clubman Dean Waters.
That closed the gap to three points but Safety Direct would soon settle the game by scoring two goals of their own through a long range free from Sean Connaughton and a well taken strike from David Donohue.
Led by Comeragh College Principal Kevin Langton and All-Ireland winner David Young, who works at Tipperary FET College in Templemore, Tipperary ETB had wins over Dublin Fire Brigade and Limerick Garda, and a further draw against Suir Engineering during this year’s campaign.
Tipperary ETB: Graham Fahey (Roscrea); Luke O'Donovan (Slieverue, Kilkenny), Paddy Codd (Killenaule), Colm Boyle (Borris-Ileigh); Donnacha Quirke (Clonoulty/Rossmore 0-1), Michael Mahoney (Ballygunner, Waterford 0-1), Craig Delaney (Camross, Laois); Sean Ryan (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Conor Byrne (Kiladangan); Jack Dwan (Holycross/Ballycahill 0-2 (1f), Matthew Cleary (Kiladangan 0-1), Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen, Limerick 0-2); Conor Sheedy (Roscrea 0-4 (1f), David Butler (Drom & Inch, 1-0), Dean Waters (Carrick Swan, 0-4 (3f).
Subs used: Liam Lonergan (Rockwell Rovers), Conor Ryan (Moneygall), Cory Ryan (Carrick Swan 0-1), Stephen Buckley (St Mary's), Raymond Cooke (Carrick Davins), Killian Cloona (St Molleran's, Waterford), Paul O'Connell (Broadford, Clare), James McEvoy (Killimor, Galway).
Additional panel: Aaron Whelehan (Birr, Offaly), Sean Ryan (Birr, Offaly), James Heffernan (Clonoulty/Rossmore), Gearoid Larkin (Moneygall), Eoin Craddock (Holycross/Ballycahill), Sam Conlon (Roscrea), Thomas Pollard (Ballingarry), Ger Cummins (Rosegreen), David Young (Toomevara), Darragh Maher (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Shane Russell (Lattin Cullen).
Safety Direct, Galway: Aaron Bindon (Clarinbridge); Brian Hickey (Kilconieron), Phelim McCann (Clarinbridge), Conor Lee (Clarinbridge); Matthew Tarpey (Turloughmore 0-1), Vincent Doyle (Turloughmore), Sean Loftus (Turloughmore 0-1); Dara Whelan (Turloughmore 0-2), Dean Callanan (Craughwell 0-1); Sean Connaughton (Kilconieron, 1-7 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘65’), Kevin McHugo (Tommy Larkins 0-5), Thomas Quirke (Turloughmore 0-3); David Donohue (Athenry 1-2), Éanna Burke (St Thomas’ 0-3), Barry Callanan (Turloughmore 0-2).