Moneygall’s forward power too much for Portroe

Moneygall had to steer through muddy waters before entering calmer seas in the second half to earn a decisive eight-point victory over Portroe in this County Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final on Saturday.

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Finals

Moneygall 2-24

Portroe 3-13

Report: Liam Hogan at MacDonagh Park, Cloughjordan

In a repeat of the North final which Moneygall won comprehensively in July, this game was much more competitive and was in the balance up to the 36th minute when two points separated the sides, 2-14 to 3-9, before Moneygall hit five unanswered points in the next twelve minutes before Portroe were reduced to fourteen men when they lost Michael Breen to second yellow card in 47th minute from where Moneygall eased away.

Portroe had one major change before the throw-in with Diarmuid Boyle taking over in goal from the injured Darren Gleeson, but they attacked from the start and twenty seconds in they forced Moneygall keeper Ciaran Quinlan to make a good save when he denied Jack Moloney. They failed to clear and Anthony Bourke opened the scoring ten seconds later.

From the restart, Moneygall were in the danger zone where Paddy Fogarty had the ball in the net after Joe Fogarty provided the assist. Portroe responded with Sam Madden bisecting the posts with a brilliant sideline ball before AJ Willis sliced through a nervous Moneygall backline to have the ball in the net on four minutes and the Arra men were in front 1-2 to 1-0.

However, there was no panic with Moneygall and three unanswered points, two from Joe Fogarty (1 free) had them in front after twelve minutes.

The teams begun to settle but six minutes later the Moneygall rearguard was opened up again as John Sheedy and Willis put Anthony Bourke through for Port’s second goal and in front by three. Was there a shock in store?

Not a bit of it as the North champions took charge again and in the next nine minutes outscored Port 0-5 to 0-2 with Adam Hogan leading the charge in midfield, well supported by Sean & Joe Fogarty who weaved their magic with points either side of a Sean Kennelly score which brought the sides level, 1-8 to 2-5.

A poorly executed puckout saw Adam Hogan take advantage and edge Moneygall in front and it increased to three after Sean Kenneally and Joe Fogarty added a point each.

But true to form there was another piece of Portroe cuteness. John Sheedy’s sideline ball very close to the corner flag was short and swift to AJ Willis who turned his marker and gave Ciaran Quinlan no chance to make the scores were level 1-11 to 3-5 as the sides headed towards the dressing rooms.

After the restart, Joe Fogarty moved Moneygall into the lead with a free before Sean Kenneally brushed through a number of challenges before finding the net from a Joe Fogarty assist after he had disposed Diarmuid Boyle who was about to clear.

The teams then shared parity in scoring six points in as many minutes including a brace from Sean Kenneally to make made it 2-15 to 3-8. Robert Byrne replied with a long range free only to see Adam Hogan respond from distance, the first of five unanswered points by the North champions as wing back Cian Ryan scored followed by Sean Kenneally, Mark Fanning and Adam Hogan who had taken over the free-taking duties from Joe Fogarty who had just missed two-in-a-row.

Portroe then had the misfortune to see Michael Breen sent off and play had become ragged as both managements introduced a number of substitutes. Port kept working hard and two John Sheedy frees in the 50th & 53rd minutes kept them in touch.

However, the pendulum swung back in Moneygall’s favour as their midfield of Adam Hogan and Aodhan Ryan crowned their performances with a point each in quick succession as Moneygall went seven clear with five minutes remaining.

Points by AJ Willis and Sam Madden brought Port back to within five but that was as far as it got for the North runners-up as the divisional champions upped the ante with another flourish as Adam Hogan (free), Aodhan Ryan and Sean Fogarty added a point each to seal victory and a place in the last four.

Player of the Match: Joe Fogarty (Moneygall).

Moneygall: Kieran Quinlan (7); Cathal Kennedy (7), Jack Kirwan (6), Cathal Greene (6); Cian Ryan (0-1, 7), Brendan Toohey (7), Eoin Whyte (7); Adam Hogan (0-6, 3f, 8), Aodhan Ryan (0-2, 7); Joe Fogarty (0-7, 3f, 8), Sean Fogarty (0-2, 7), Bob Kenny (0-1, 7); Paddy Fogarty (1-0, 7) Tadgh Whyte (7), Sean Kenneally (1-4, 8).

Subs: Niall Maher for Kenny (20-23 blood); Mark Fanning (0-1, 7) for T Whyte (44); Niall Maher (NR) for Kenny (58).

Portroe: Dermot Boyle; Christopher O’ Riordan (7), Adrian O’Halloran (6), Cian Hogan (6); Michael Breen (6), Brian Keating (6), Robert Byrne (0-2f, 7); Jack O’Callaghan (6), Colm Gleeson (6); AJ Willis (2-2, 8), John Sheedy (0-4f, 7), Sam Madden (0-3, 7); Jack Moloney (0-1, 6), Mark Gennery (6), Anthony Bourke (1-1, 7).

Sub: Justin Conroy (6) for Hogan (50).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).