Daryl Darcy U17 Football Final – Tipperary 3-13 Limerick 0-15

Daryl Darcy U17 Football Tournament Final

Report by Tommy Fitzgerald on behalf of Tipp U17 Football

Monday October 25, Semple Stadium

In the inaugural final of the U17 Inter County football Tournament dedicated to the memory of the late Daryl Darcy of the Shannon Rvs club, Tipperary and Limerick renewed rivalry at Semple Stadium on Monday afternoon last and following a hard and competitive sixty minutes football, Tipp having led from start to finish emerged deserved winners with seven points to spare. Having finished runners up by a six point margin to Limerick in the preliminary rounds Tipp went out determined to reverse the result and made the early pressure pay off as T.J.Ryan opened the scoring with a cracking goal and followed up with a pointed free to go four points clear after ten minutes.

But Limerick quickly recovered from the early setback and hit back with three points including two frees before Michael Quinlivan burst through to restore Tipps four point advantage with goal number two. With Limericks Patrick Brislane gaining a lot of possession around mid field they continued to make inroads on the Tipp defence adding three well taken points and in a fiercely contested final ten minutes of the first half Tipp regrouped with Greg Henry, Craig Condon, T.J.Ryan and Michael Quinlivan all adding points each to bring Tipps first half tally to 2-5

The twin Limerick scoring duo of Denis O’Dea and Patrick Delee continued to pose a threat to Tipps defence with a number of points each and when Kieran Larkin raced through only to see his goal bound shot diverted away to safety with a brilliant fingertips save by Gearoid Slattery, Tipp knew they would have to dig deep in the second half to forge a victory as the Limerick side were still within striking distance at 0-9, two points adrift at the break The introduction in the second half of Loughmore/Castleineys Liam McGrath who had played a huge part in Moyle Rvs elimination from this years Tipperarys Senior Football championship less than twenty four hours earlier proved a timely stroke of genius by the Tipp selectors as his presence caused mayhem in the Limerick defence with his superb opening point as Tipp raced into a six point lead with two pointed frees by T.J.Ryan and one by Greg Henry.

At the other end of the field with Limerick pressing forward Tipps goalie Gearoid Slattery was again called into play with a superb double save but any chance of a Limerick upset was effectively ended with ten minutes remaining when Cathal Quigleys perfect pass found Greg Henry who raced through the Limerick defence and gave the Limerick goalie Conor Bonfil no chance stretching Tipps lead to nine points with a brilliant goal. Limerick continued to fight back finding the target with a number of points but Tipps ability to turn possession into scores paid rich dividends as T.J.Ryan (2) and Jason Lonergan and Michael Quinlivan all added points in the closing stages bringing Tipps final tally to 3-13 to Limericks 0-15, to finish convincing seven point margin winners . For Tipperary a sweet victory with some great performances throughout the field notably by Gearoid Slattery, David Mulcahy, Thomas O’Donoghue, Adrian Maguire, Cathal Quigley, Greg Henry, T.J.Ryan , Craig Condon, Michael Quinlivan and Liam McGrath.

For Limerick, goalie Conor Bonfil, Patrick O’Dea, Kevin Brosnan, Patrick Brislane, Patrick Delee, Denis O’Dea, Eoin Farrell and Dean Lillis were always prominent over the hour. After the game Tipperary Captain Dara Butler was presented with the Daryl Darcy Memorial Trophy by members of the Darcy family.

Final Score, Tipperary 3-13 Limerick 0-15.

Tipperary, Gearoid Slattery (Cashel KC), Eoin Donaghy (Cahir), Seamus Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), David Mulcahy (Moyle Rvs), Thomas O’Donoghue (Lattin/Cullen), Oisin O’Flynn(Ardfinnan), Adrian Maguire (Kilsheelhan/Kilcash), Dara Butler (Loughmore/Castleiney) Capt., Cathal Quigley (Moyle Rvs), Shane Dooley (Borrisokane), Greg Henry (Killenaule) 1-2, Craig Condon (Moyle Rvs) 0-1, Eoin Fitzgerald (Fethard), Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) 1-2, T.J.Ryan (Rockwell Rvs) 1-6, 0-4 frees.

Subs used, Conor Davin Murphy (Kilsheelhan/Kilcash) , Liam McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) 0-1, Aiden O’Connell (Golden/Kilfeacle), Jason Lonergan (Cahir) 0-1, Brian Delahunty (Cahir), Leonard Vance (Emly), Dan McCormack (Borrisleigh), Chris Guilfoyle (Lorrha).

Michael Parlon (Inane Rvs) completed the squad.

Limerick, Conor Bonfil (Monaleen), Patrick O’Dea (Deel Rangers), Shane O’Connor (Fr. Caseys), Brendan McCarthy (St. Kierans), Kevin O’Donoghue (Hospital), Kevin Brosnan (Monagea), Alan Cuneen (Ahane), Darragh Tracey (St. Kierans), Patrick Brislane (Abbeyfeale), Patrick Delee (Mountcollins) 0-4, Denis O’Dea (Kilteely) 0-6, Kieran Larkin (Banogue), Kevin Doody (St.Senans), Eoin O’Farrell (Croom) 0-2, Dean Lillis (Ahane) 0-1

Subs. Eoin O’Donnell (St Marys/Sean Finns) 0-1 for Kieran Larkin, Darren Nolan (Monaleen) 0-1 for Kevin Doody, Gavin Hayes (St. Kierans) for Shane O’Connor, James Haugh (St. Kierans) for Kevin O’Donoghue, Danny Neville (Ballysteen) for Patrick Delee.

Others included, Denis Greaney (Athea), David Mulhall (Monaleen), Tommy Hannon (Knockaderry), Luke Murphy (Monaleen).

Photos courtesy of George Hatchell