Heartbreak for Tubberclair as Ennis seals victory for Maynooth

A valiant effort by Tubberclair fell agonisingly short last Saturday as a late Karl Ennis goal proved the springboard for Maynooth to claim victory in this Leinster Club IFC final. Playing on home soil, Maynooth were probably regarded as slight favourites going into the game. Tubberclair led for the majority of the contest, but Ennis' 54th minute goal proved the turning point. Before the Kildare county player struck, Tubberclair held a 0-8 to 0-6 lead but a couple of near misses in the second half ultimately proved costly. Maynooth's all-important goal came after substitute Michael Fahey lofted the ball into the Tubberclair goalmouth. Ennis, who had been switched to full-forward, outfielded Tubberclair captain James Martin, turned smartly and fired a left-foot shot off Gary Connaughton's right hand post and into the net. It was a brilliantly-taken goal by Ennis but, on another day, the ball may have rebounded back into play. Such are the breaks that can decide finals. For long spells, Tubberclair looked the knackier and more skilful team, although Maynooth had a clear edge in terms of physical size. Ultimately, the contribution of Karl Ennis swung this final in the Kildare side's direction. For Tubberclair, Gary Connaughton, Simon Lawless, 'Beano' Cassells and Niall Walker were frequently heroic in defence, while Thomas Doogan and David Ganly toiled hard at midfield. Conor Elliott (particularly in the first half) and the excellent Fergal Wilson led the way in attack. Unfortunately for the Westmeath side, Elliott and Wilson lacked consistent support, with the likes of Jeffrey Farrell and Francis Spollen not showing their true form. Given the miserably wet weather and the slippery underfoot conditions, these two teams served up an entertaining decider, which was superbly refereed by Dublin's Gary McCormack. Maynooth GAA Club certainly pulled out all the stops in hosting this final; the welcome and hospitality extended to officials and spectators alike was absolutely top class. In addition, the assistance of greenkeepers from Carton House Golf Club was enlisted to ensure the pitch was just about playable. However, with no stand or press box at the ground, press personnel, along with Leinster Council officials and various others, found themselves positioned on the side of a lorry, with some amusing consequences. Many reporters couldn't see the corners of the pitch from their vantage points and had to rely on the eyes of their better placed colleagues, while some had to stand rather than sit on chairs in order to see the play unfold! More than one hack detected echoes of a 'Father Ted' episode and the general feeling of amusement was further embellished by the often hilarious commentary delivered by two Maynooth stalwarts, Eamonn O'Flaherty (a brother of Athlone-based solicitor, Declan) and his analyst Mick Gillick. With rain falling steadily as the game began, Pierre Ennis hit an early wide from close range, before Fergal Wilson set up Conor Elliott for the game's opening score (4th minute). After Maynooth wing-forward Conor Canning had his shot deflected out for a 45', Pierre Ennis struck the dead ball beautifully for an equalising point. Maynooth's greater height in the midfield area was becoming evident when it came to securing primary possession, but they struggled to put scores on the board in the first half. The home side went in front in the 12th minute - they would not led again until Ennis netted in the closing stages - when midfielder Hugh Purcell sent over a splendid point from an acute angle. A minute later, a foul by Colin O'Neill on Francis Spollen was punished by Fergal Wilson. On the balance of play, Tubberclair had to be happy with being level and they soon went ahead. Following a great fetch by Tubberclair midfielder Thomas Doogan, the lively Conor Elliott played a one-two with Francis Spollen and made an incisive run goalwards. When Elliott was fouled, he was very close to being inside the 'square'; in any case, Jeffrey Farrell pointed the free. In the 16th minute, a Maynooth move involving Conor Canning and Pierre Ennis ended with the latter's brother, Karl, fisting the ball over the bar to draw the sides level (0-3 each). But a terrific individual point by Fergal Wilson - now being marked by Maynooth No 10 Kevin Comerford - put Tubberclair in front again. Wilson increased his side's lead with a pointed free in the 24th minute, after the Westmeath star had been fouled himself. Declan Cryan's men got the last score of the first half courtesy of a pointed free from Pierre Ennis, leaving Tubberclair leading 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time. The home side were frustrating some of their supporters by holding on to possession - at one stage, one of the aforementioned commentators pleaded with a Maynooth player to "please give it long" - and Tubberclair had just cause to be satisfied at the interval. Within 15 seconds of the restart, Pierre Ennis (once of Aston Villa) had the sides level with a fine point. Moments later, the outstanding Simon Lawless underlined Tubberclair's appetite for the battle with a wonderful dispossession of Ennis. Good work by David Ganley and Niall Walker then paved the way for a tremendous point by Fergal Wilson (35th minute), leaving Tom Lennon's charges ahead once more. Conor Elliott - surely one of the most improved players in Westmeath - was still causing the Maynooth defence problems and he earned a free-in, which allowed Wilson to extend Tubberclair's lead (0-7 to 0-5) in the 40th minute. After a dubious free was awarded to Maynooth, Gary Connaughton prevented Pierre Ennis' effort from going over the bar in trademark style. Fergal Wilson and Karl Ennis were then unlucky with point attempts at either end. Midway through the second half, Maynooth produced one of the game's best moves, with full-back Colin O'Neill driving forward, and Karl Ennis was again on hand to fist the ball over the bar. Fergal Wilson (free) and Francis Spollen were both unlucky to see their shots at goal tail narrowly wide as the game entered the closing ten minutes. Niall Walker and Spollen were involved in the build-up to a foul on Wilson, and this time the latter judged the tricky wind perfectly with the free. This left Tubberclair leading by 0-8 to 0-6. Tubberclair were unable to go any further in front and, when Ennis struck for that precious goal, the men in black and white were ahead. In such circumstances, the next score would be crucial and it was Maynooth who got it, Pierre Ennis pointing a free after a foul on substitute John McAndrew. The Westmeath intermediate champions needed a score quickly but Conor Elliott was well off target with a left-foot shot. Tubberclair were guilty of a couple of unnecessary fouls at this juncture and Karl Ennis punished one such discretion with a superbly-struck free, to give the Kildare men a three-point lead. The visitors now needed a goal and their last chance fell to Fergal Wilson, albeit a very difficult opportunity, with his shot hitting the side netting. The final whistle soon followed, paving the way for Maynooth captain Cillian Carr to lift the Seán Eiffe Memorial Cup. Maynooth will now meet Kerry intermediate champions Spa in the All-Ireland semi-finals early next year. Scorers - Maynooth: K. Ennis 1-3 (0-1f); P. Ennis 0-4 (2f, 1 '45'); H. Purcell 0-1. Tubberclair: F. Wilson 0-6 (4f); C. Elliott 0-1; J. Farrell 0-1. Maynooth: Paul Flood; Peter Warren, Colin O'Neill, Adam Gunn; Sean Kennedy, Alan McAndrew, Kevin Comerford; Michael Bennett, Hugh Purcell; Karl Ennis, Cillian Carr (captain), Conor Canning; Vincent Hanrahan, Pierre Ennis, Niall Naughton. Subs: Joe Brennan for Warren (h-t); Michael Fahey for Hanrahan (37 mins); John McAndrew for Naughton (47); John Comerford for Purcell (51). Tubberclair: Gary Connaughton; Simon Lawless, James Martin, Rory Walsh; Bernard 'Beano' Cassells, Niall Walker, Enda McGee; Thomas Doogan, David Ganly; Michael 'Junior' Hopkins, Jeffrey Farrell, Conor Elliott; Fergal Wilson, Francis Spollen, David Cassells. Subs: Enda Dooley for Walsh (h-t); Liam Doogan for Hopkins (56). Referee: Gary McCormack (Dublin).