Strong-willed Moneygall reel in Skeheen

GAA: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Moneygall 2-14

Skeheenarinky 2-11

Report: Michael Dundon in Boherlahan

Phil Fanning’s second half goal kick-started a Moneygall rally that swept them to victory over Skeheenarinky in this County Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final on Saturday.

Up to then, Moneygall struggled to control a game that looked to be slipping away from them as two first half goals that could have been prevented, and a succession of wides from play and frees, threatened to cast them in the role of beaten semi-finalists for the second year running.

Junior champions last year Skeheenarinky came into the contest with high hopes, and these were given a huge boost in the first minute when Tomas Vaughan netted a penalty after he had been brought down.

With the fresh breeze in their favour, the South lads were confident and creative as they raced into a 1-6 to 0-3 lead after 26 minutes. Moneygall had enough of the ball, but they made poor use of it.

It got worse for Moneygall, when in injury time, Riain Sweeney finished a Darragh Brennan line ball to the net for a 2-7 to 0-5 lead, but Moneygall then got a crucial break as Phil Fanning was fouled and Joe Fogarty netted the resulting penalty to leave them just five points adrift at the interval, 1-5 to 2-7.

It was by no means an insurmountable lead, but Moneygall were not playing to form, with eight first half wides also jeopardising their chances. A big improvement was required in the second half but an exchange of points in the opening ten minutes showed no sign of it. Again, Moneygall were wasteful – five wides in seven minutes but then things changed dramatically.

Paddy Fogarty, who had a huge game for Moneygall, barged through but his shot for goal was stopped. However, Phil Fanning was on hand to finish the rebound to the net cutting the deficit to two points, 2-6 to 2-8. Sub Ger Kirwan and Joe Fogarty quickly added points to level the game after 42 minutes.

The momentum now looked to be with Moneygall, but Tomas Vaughan hit back with a brace of Skeheenarinky points going into the last quarter. Moneygall’s resolve was being tested but they were equal to the test and regained the lead with points from Joe Fogarty (2) and Sean Kenneally in a three-minute spell, but Vaughan responded for Skeheenarinky as the hour mark passed with the team’s level.

Extra time seemed a distinct possibility but when Sean Kenneally was fouled, Joe Fogarty pointed the free for the lead for Moneygall. A minute later, Brendan Toohey added another, and in the 63rd minute, Kenneally put them three clear and on their way to the final.

It was a courageous performance by Moneygall who despite errors in defence and attack, showed the heart and self-belief to come through on the right side of a fine contest. Better will be required in the final but this is a good Moneygall side and if they get their act together, they will take beating in the final. They will be outsiders going into the final but that will not trouble them, and they have every incentive to overturn their highly regarded opponents.

They lost defender James Carroll after only twelve minutes, but they have heart and determination a plenty as typified by midfielder Paddy Fogarty who drove them on when things were not going so well. Adam Hogan and Roddy Teehan were strong at half-back while Brendan Toohey, Sean Kenneally and Joe Fogarty were the key men in attack.

Skeheenarinky had a most accomplished sweeper in Noel Vaughan who got on a lot of ball and used it intelligently. Tomas Vaughan at midfield was very accurate off frees while Tommy and Conor Sweeney, Darragh Brennan, and Riain O’Callaghan were others to produce eye-catching performances. Having come up from junior grade last year, Skeheenarinky showed they are comfortable at this level, and the challenge for them now is to build on this years’ experience next year to again be in the reckoning for honours.

Player of the Match: Paddy Fogarty (Moneygall)

Moneygall: Ciaran Quinlan (6); Cathal Greene (6), Cathal Kennedy (6), Liam Carroll (6); James Carroll (6), Adam Hogan (7), Roddy Teehan (7); Conor Ryan (6), Paddy Fogarty (9); Bob Kenny (6), Brendan Toohey (0-2, 7), Joe Fogarty (1-8, 1-7f) 7); Sean Kenneally (0-3, 7), Phil Fanning (1-0, 6), Aodhan Ryan (6).

Subs: Ger Kirwan (0-1, 7) for Carroll (12 inj); Mark Fanning (6) for A Ryan (40); Tommy Devereaux (NR) for Fanning (58).

Skeheenarinky: Aidan Treacy (6); Seamus O’Callaghan (6), Riain O’Callaghan (7), Eoin Morrissey (6); Noel Vaughan (8), Fionnan O’Sullivan (0-1, 6), John O’Callaghan (6); Darragh Brennan (0-2, 7), Tomas Vaughan (1-6f, 7); Dean Finn (6), John Martin (6), Conor Sweeney (6); Christopher English (6), Tommy Sweeney (0-2, 7), Riain Sweeney (1-0, 6).

Subs: Glen Walsh (6) for Martin (45); Danny Barrett (6) for R Sweeney (52).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch).