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Late Moran injury mars Gaels deserved victory By
Larry Cooney
In the clash of the titans Tir Chonaill Gaels had six points to spare
over St. Brendans after they claimed their first piece of silverware this
season.
However the Gaels deserved victory in the Tipperary Cup final was somewhat
overshadowed by a late injury to St. Brendans substitute Mattie Moran
who suffered a freak fracture in a clash with the opposing goalkeeper
Gavin McEvoy.
The game was delayed for more than 20 minutes as the unlucky teenager
was treated for a fractured cheek-bone while the ambulance and paramedics
arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital.
However the Gaels were well in charge and were leading by 0-13 to 0-7
before the enforced disruption eight minutes from time.
Leading by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time Tir Chonaill Gaels were good value
for their lead.
Their midfield partnership of Declan Dixie Meehan and Aidan McGeehan
who had enjoyed the better of an intriguing battle with their rivals Sean
McAlinden and Dave O’Riordan provided the perfect platform for their
early control and with Dara Kinneavey and David O’Brien in sparkling
form in their attack it was no surprise that they led by 0-6 to 0-3 after
20 minutes.
However St. Brendans battled gamely and scores from Niall Clinton (0-3)
and Paddy Bowles kept them very
much in contention up to the interval.
When Clinton and Killian Phair pointed to cut the deficit to the minimum
within five minutes of the resumption it looked as if a real contest was
in the prospect.
However Tir Chonaill Gaels had other ideas with three points from Kinneavy,
McGeehan and O’Brien in reply to another Clinton free opening up
a 0-12 to 0-7 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Substitute Niall Quinn had their final score three minutes later just
before St. Brendans substituted Cathal O’Donoghue with Mattie Moran.
Within two minutes of taking the field Moran clashed with the Tir Chonaill
Gaels goalkeeper in attempting to field a high ball into the square.
After a 20-minute delay St. Brendans forced a penalty in their first attack
when Adrian Brett was fouled.
Unfortunately a miserable day for Brendans was complete when Niall Clinton
saw his spotkick saved by the McEvoy. |
