Nov 11,2024
Tinahely (Wicklow) 1-07 Tullamore (Offaly) 2-10
Tullamore have finally won a game in the AIB Leinster club SFC, their first since 1977, but they left it late to strike the scores that killed off Tinahely.
Fresh off a surprise win over Portarlington last weekend, hosts Tinahely were pushing for back-to-back wins and led by a point at the three-quarter mark but were heavily outscored in the closing minutes as Tullamore finished strongly.
Mike Fox, brother of earlier goalscorer Dan, came off the bench for Tullamore and hit the stoppage-time goal that set the seal on a landmark six-point win for the Offaly champions.
Harry Plunkett was influential for Tullamore too, scoring five points in what was their first win in Leinster since beating Longford side Newtowncashel in a replay all of 47 years ago.
With three of the last four Offaly SFC titles in the bag, Tullamore badly wanted to push on and were led by centre-back John Furlong along with captain Declan Hogan.
It's the end of the road for Tinahely, who lost no face in defeat after a breakthrough season that yielded a first Wicklow SFC title success since 1984.
Tullamore arrived as firm favourites though their poor provincial record meant they couldn't take anything for granted, losing their last six games in Leinster.
They may have been surprised too by the ferocity of the home support with Tinahely bringing a sizeable and vocal red-and-white clad crowd to Aughrim.
Dan Fox's sixth-minute goal separated the sides at half-time as Tullamore led by 1-04 to 0-05 at that stage but it was anyone's game in reality.
Tullamore were marginally the better side but half a dozen first-half wides and a couple of goal chances that came to nothing undermined their efforts.
Oisin Keenan-Martin, one of three Tullamore players to have won an All-Ireland U-20 medal with Offaly in 2021, blazed a wild shot wide at one stage and Tullamore argued that they should have had a penalty on another occasion in the 24th minute.
Diarmuid Egan, wearing number 21 for Tullamore, went up with Tinahely goalkeeper Alan Nolan for a 50:50 ball in the air and a free-in was awarded to Tullamore, as opposed to a penalty, referee Alan Coyne content that the foul was just outside the box.
Matthew Ging fired a dozen points for Tinahely in the county final, helping them to overcome Baltinglass and to secure a first title in 40 years.
Ging, son of manager Martin, hit an important goal in last weekend's surprise win over Portarlington was quieter here.
Eoin Darcy, the Wicklow attacker, was more efficient in Tinahely's attack and struck three first-half points as he operated close to goal despite wearing number 11.
The first score of the second half didn't come until the 39th minute but it was a huge one, swinging the momentum in Tinahely's favour, as Rory Stokes netted.
He pounced at the end of a lightning counter-attack with Darcy latching onto a long delivery and feeding full-forward Stokes to palm in from close range.
The game was level two more times and while the quality wasn't nearly as high as last night's Cuala/Naas encounter, the big hits and high stakes made for a gripping final quarter.
Furlong had a great chance for a 50th minute goal to ease Tullamore's concerns but opted for a palmed attempt which was easily saved when he had time for a catch and kick.
Still, it wasn't a fatal error as a couple of converted frees from Plunkett put Tullamore into a lead that they held onto.
They led by three early in stoppage time when Mike Fox pounced for Tullamore's second goal. Furlong did the spade work this time with a brilliant run through the centre and lay off and Fox finished at the second attempt.
Tinahely finished with 14 players as wing-forward Paddy O'Rourke picked up his second booking just seconds before full-time.
Tullamore: Corey White; Daire McDaid, Paul McConway, Declan Hogan; Nigel Bracken, John Furlong (0-02, 0-02f), Oisin Keenan-Martin; Aaron Leavy, Arron Hensey; Cormac Egan, Michael Brazil (0-01), Cillian Bourke (0-01); Diarmuid Egan, Dan Fox (1-01), Harry Plunkett (0-05, 0-03f)
Subs: Luke Egan for Leavy h/t, Niall Furlong for Diarmuid Egan & Mike Fox (1-00) for Dan Fox 51
Tinahely: Alan Nolan; Kevin Mulhall, Bradley Hickey, Michael Byrne; James Hedderman, Noel Mulhall, Cillian McDonald; Eoghan Byrne (0-01), Daniel Hedderman; Paddy O'Rourke, Eoin Darcy (0-04, 0-02f, 0-01m), Larry Kinsella; Matthew Ging (0-01), Rory Stokes (1-00), Jason Cush
Subs: Thomas Kelly (0-01) for Cush 48, Shane Hogan for Kinsella 51, Brian Walsh for James Hedderman 54, Curtis Keating for Hickey 60
Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath)
