Tubberclair hold off ‘Castle rally to stay in the race

Tubberclair 1-9 Garrycastle 1-7

By Paul Doolin

On Sunday last at TEG Cusack Park, Tubberclair rose like a phoenix from the flames to claim their spot in the playoff stages of the intermediate championship with this hard fought but well merited two-point win against table toppers Garrycastle.

It was a game that Tubberclair looked in total control of as they led by eight points heading into the last quarter and good value they were for that advantage.

But Garrycastle staged a late rally that almost ruined the party and Tubberclair were more than relieved at the final whistle as they got the win that they craved in this battle of the south.

It was a lacklustre display from Garrycastle in the main but they met a Tubberclair rearguard who were excellent throughout and when they broke, they did so at speed and with accuracy.

Based on this display, Tubberclair must be on the shortlist for the minefield that is the intermediate championship as they seem to be hitting form at just the right time.

For Garrycastle - who were already assured of a knockout place - it's time to reflect and get things right for their upcoming semi-final, where they could meet Tubberclair again, as they hope for a swift return to senior status.

Eoin Mulvihill opened the scoring for Garrycastle after a long period of pressure but immediately Tubberclair replied with a swift move involving James Madden and Fred Kelleher for Oisin O’Meara to palm to the net for a wonderful team goal.

Eoghan McCabe from long range and Madden with an individual beauty extended that lead by the end of the first quarter. The game hit a huge lull with Garrycastle unable to penetrate a resolute Tubberclair defence where Stephen McGonagle, Madden, Kevin Claffey and especially Peadar Dolan were superb.

Cathal Mannion did pull one back with a free but it had taken 20 odd minutes from their first score and in truth was slightly against the run of play. Two McCabe points, a free from distance and a fabulous strike from way out after a Madden foray forward, gave Tubberclair a deserved 1-4 to 0-2 lead at half-time. Daniel Sammon's men went in the happier at the short whistle after playing most of the good football.

Garrycastle looked rejuvenated on the restart and Jamie Carroll was unlucky to see his shot some back off the post but Andrew Monaghan snapped up the rebound to point and at last it looked as if we had a game on our hands.

Tubberclair though rode out that setback and hit the next four without reply from McCabe (after a superb Matthew Whittaker pass), Fred Kelleher (an opportunist strike), with two magnificent points from Finn Duffy bookending that period.

In the space of four minutes they had moved eight ahead and looking all over winners.

Michael Monaghan stemmed the tide with possibly the score of the match but when McCabe added a free at the opposite end to restore the considerable advantage the game looked done and dusted.

Garrycastle weren’t going down without a fight and after Mannion was denied a goal when Tubberclair goalie Simon Fagan tipped the ball over the bar, they began to up the ante.

Michael Monaghan from long range and a 45’ from keeper Sean Brennan suddenly had the green and reds back in contention. Mark McCallon was denied a certain goal by a quite brilliant block from McGonagle and was just wide moments later with another goal chance.

Just when it seemed Garrycastle had shot their bolt Michael Monaghan somehow managed to swing a boot to his effort and it rattled the net and as we headed for added time it was game on again.

Garrycastle sub James Sheerin flicked across goal in the dying embers but somehow Tubberclair were able to clear and it proved the last action of a pulsating second half that had us on the edge of our seats until the final blast of Joe Fallon's whistle.

Man of the match: Peadar Dolan (Tubberclair). Jack Mulvihill, the Monaghans and Jason Nugent were best for Garrycastle while Matthew Whittaker, Eoghan McCabe and Stephen McGonagle shone for Tubberclair. But it was the half back line of James Madden, Peadar Dolan and Kevin Claffey that set the tone invariably for the winners and Dolan just gets the nod ahead of his compatriots.

Talking point: While both teams gave good account of themselves it was also referee Joe Fallon who caught the eye with the efficient and no nonsense control of the game and, on his debut in headquarters, he did an excellent job.

SCORERS - Tubberclair: E McCabe 0-5 (2 frees), O O’Meara 1-0, F Duffy 0-2, J Madden and F Kelleher 0-1 each. Garrycastle: M Monaghan 1-2, C Mannion 0-2 (1f), S Brennan (45’), E Mulvihill and A Monaghan 0-1 each

Tubberclair: Simon Fagan, Stephen McGonagle, Aaron Brady, Jason McHugh, James Madden, Peadar Dolan, Kevin Claffey, Gavin Delaney, Sean Claffey, Oisin O’Meara, Fred Kelleher, Finn Duffy, Eoghan McCabe, Matthew Whittaker, Robbie Curley. Subs: Cathal Tighe for Curley (50 mins), Conor Elliot for Duffy (52), Paul Garvey for Delaney (55).

Garrycastle: Sean Brennan, Jack Mulvihill, Jack Donohue, Eoin Monaghan, James Dolan, Mark McCallon, Mattie Guiheen, Eoin Mulvihill, Conor McKiernan, Michael Monaghan, Andrew Monaghan, Jason Nugent, Cathal Mannion, Jamie Carroll, Ben Donegan. Subs: Cian McCarthy for Donegan (H-T), James Sheerin for McKiernan (43 mins), Rory McGowan for Mannion (47).

Referee: Joe Fallon (Athlone).