AIB Munster GAA Football Junior Club Championship Quarter Final – Kildangan (Tipperary) 1-9 Sean Finns (Limerick) 0-10

Kildangan (Tipperary) 1-9 Sean Finns (Limerick) 0-10

Report by Ed Donnelly (Munster GAA PRO)

Kildangan (Tipperary) secured a two point victory over Sean Finns (Limerick) following a close and entertaining first round match in the AIB Munster Club Junior Football Championship on Friday. Played in good conditions under lights in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick, this game came to life within 13 seconds when Sean Finns goalkeeper Anthony Supple pulled off a top class save from Kildangan full-forward Rory Whelan who had been put through following a pass from Darragh Egan. This save seemed to inspire the Limerick champions as they took a three point lead by the 6th minute courtesy of a couple of frees from Eoghan O’Connor and a point from play by Sean Sheahan. Darragh Egan opened Kildangan’s account with a pointed free after 7 minutes and though the same player added a point from play soon afterwards, Sean Finns continued their domination and further points from Eoin O’Donnell, Keith Harnett and Eoghan O’Connor (free) put them 0-6 to 0-2 in front after 16 minutes.

Despite the four point deficit, Kildangan were beginning to take control at midfield and eventually, the North Tipperary outfit began to turn possession in to scores with four points in five minutes to bring the side’s level, the points coming from 2 Darragh Egan frees and points from play by Fergal Hayes and Ruairi Gleeson. Just before the interval, Paraic Kelly scored a point from play to put Kildangan in front for the first time and at the interval, Kildangan a 0-7 to 0-6 lead which looked unlikely midway through the half.

Both sides were playing open, attractive football and despite some wayward shooting in the second half, those in attendance were treated to an exciting second half. Sean Finns centre-forward Mark O’Sullivan kicked a point from play to level the scores before the only goal of the match arrived. Kildangan gained possession in their own half when a promising Sean Finns attack broke down and Kildangan worked the ball upfield with speed and pace before Eoin Gleeson finished off the move to raise the only green flag of the night. Strangely, this score seemed to inspire Sean Finns more than Kildangan and the Rathkeale side earned 3 close-in frees in a 4 minute period, all converted by Eoghan O’Connor to leave the sides level with 12 minutes remaining.

The next score was going to be crucial and it arrived in the 52nd minute courtesy of a well taken point from play by Kildangan full-forward Rory Whelan. Ruairi Gleeson doubled Kildangan’s lead a minute later and though both teams had scoring opportunities in the remaining minutes, the scoreboard operator were not required again and by the final whistle, Kildangan were 2 points in front and through to the semi-final against the Waterford champions Sliabh gCua on Sunday week November 13th at a Tipperary venue. The main difference between the teams was Kildangan’s greater scoring potential from play, outscoring Sean Finns by 1-6 to 0-4 in this department while the Limerick champions only scored once from play from the 12th minute onwards. Best for Kildangan were Liam Kelly, Ruairi Gleeson, Dan Hackett, Fergal Hayes and Darragh Egan. For Sean Finns, Anthony Supple, Keith Harnett and Eoghan O’Connor did well.

Kildangan (Tipperary): Michael Ryan; Eddie Fogarty (Captain), Liam Kelly, Martin Minehan; Ruairi Gleeson (0-2), Dan Hackett, Eanna Gleeson; Fergal Hayes (0-1), Joe Gallagher; Tadgh Gallagher, Darragh Egan (0-4, 0-3 frees), Paraic Kelly (0-1); Eoin Gleeson (1-0), Rory Whelan (0-1), Tommy Connors
Sub: Jack Loughnane for Eanna Gleeson (51st minute), James Flannery for Tadgh Gallagher (58th minute), Paddy Lynch for Eoin Gleeson (61st minute)

Sean Finns (Limerick): Anthony Supple; Sean O’Shea, Gary Enright, Shane Hourigan; Darren Jones, Patrick Sheahan, Paul White; Keith Harnett (Captain, 0-1), Damien Quaid; Sean Sheahan (0-1), Mark O’Sullivan (0-1), Johnny Markham; Eoin O’Donnell (0-1), Eoghan O’Connor (0-6 frees), Barry Riordan
Subs: Sean White for Johnny Markham (36th minute), Stephen Power for Darren Jones (42nd minute), Timmy Hogan for Barry Riordan (54th minute)

Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)

Match Tracker

1m – Rory Whelan 1 on 1 with the Sean Finns goalie Anthony Supple pulling off a great save

For the Record

Munster GAA FOOTBALL Club Junior Championship 2011

Quarter-Finals

Friday November 4^th (Replay date – Saturday November 12th)

@ Gaelic Grounds Limerick           Kildangan (Tipperary) v Sean Finns (Limerick) 2:00pm

Sunday November 6^th (Replay date – Saturday November 12th)

@ Meelick                             Meelick (Clare) v Dromid Pearses (Kerry)        2:00pm

Semi-Finals
Sunday November 13^th (Replay date – Saturday November 19th)

@ Tipperary or Limerick venue     St Marys / Sliabh gCua (Waterford) v Kildangan (Tipperary) or Sean Finns (Limerick)

@ Cork or Kerry venue                     Cork representatives v Meelick (Clare) or Dromid Pearses (Kerry)

Final

Sunday November 27^th (Replay date – Saturday December 3rd)

2:00pm throw-in

Odds and Ends

The Munster Club Junior Football Champions have captured All-Ireland honours in the last 4 years courtesy of Canovee, Cork (2007/2008), Skellig Rangers, Kerry (2008/2009), Castlegregory, Kerry (2009/2010) and St. Mary’s (2010/2011).

Cork clubs have lost their first round game in the Munster Club Junior Football Championship in each of the last 3 years. In the same period, Limerick have won their first round game during the past 3 years having failed to win any game in the first 5 years of the competition.

Kerry clubs have won 17 of their last 18 matches in the Munster Club Junior Football Championship – a 2-9 to 2-6 victory for Canovee (Cork) over Keel (Kerry). Canovee went on to win Munster and All-Ireland Club honours.

Cappawhite’s 2-11 to 0-15 victory over Eire Og (Cork) is the only success to date for a Tipperary club in Munster Club Junior Football Championship, resulting in a record of 1 win out of 9 matches played.

Munster GAA Club FOOTBALL Junior Championship Roll Of Honour

Kerry (6) – 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010

Cork (2) – 2003, 2007

Munster GAA Club FOOTBALL Junior Championship – List of Winning Teams

Visit the Munster GAA web site History section to view the complete list of each winning team since the competition began 1888 – https://munster.gaa.ie/history/jfclub_teams/

All Ireland GAA Club FOOTBALL Junior Championship

In the Club Junior Football All Ireland Roll of Honour, Kerry top the charts with 5 titles while Cork have 1 title courtesy of Canovee in 2007/2008.