Tyrrellspass propelled to Division 2 title by Harte and Ryan goals
ACFL Division 2 final: Tyrrellspass 2-10, Moate All Whites 0-6
Undefeated table-toppers Moate entered the Division 2 final as slight favourites over Tyrrellspass, having enjoyed a four-point win when the sides met in the group last April, writes Jason Keelan.
It was a case of the best defence in the group in Tyrrellspass against the highest scorers. Inside the first minute, Robbie Forde got the All-Whites off the mark with a free and perhaps the Moatemen sensed a repeat of the previous encounter.
That score, however, would be their single score for most of the half. When Nigel Harte equalised with a long-range score minutes later, it began a wave of Tyrrellspass dominance that would last until the final whistle.
Moments later a block by Daragh Lowry was all that stopped Evan Connell finding the back of the net. In midfield, long-serving Denis Glennon was pulling the strings in terms of playmaking. In the seventh minute confusion from a kickout left Tommy Ryan through on goal and he slotted past Price to make it 1-1 to 0-1.
From then on, the scores for the men in blue continued. Connell charged at the Moate defence and the resulting free was converted by Ger Egan. Kieran Geraghty shored the well-drilled Pass defensive setup as the sweeper but was equally threatening going forward.
Tyrrellspass utilised the running power of Jamie Gonoud throughout and his score after twelve minutes was the end of a great move. Another Egan free immediately followed. Egan then found his only score from play when he leaped over two Moate defenders to fetch a high-ball before turning to curl over.
Moate relied on Forde up front but the sheer weight of numbers meant he was constantly stifled. When he did get through his fisted cross came to nothing and Tyrrellspass broke free. Glennon eventually would split the posts the other end from the 45-yard line and the gap was out to nine inside the twenty-minute mark.
Moate’s issues with kickouts continued and David Lynam’s physical presence was unmatched by any of the opposition. Before the break, Forde tapped over his second free but the half would end without a score from play from Moate and they trailed by eight heading to the dressing rooms.
Tobby Conteh was introduced at the break to help his side respond to the pressure they were under. Forde moved out to midfield to add some height while Ruairí Cunningham moved into the full-forward role. In reality, it did little to break the Tyrrellspass focus.
A great move involving Glennon, Pierson and Harte resulted in the latter powering the ball to the net to all but end the game. In the resulting celebration, Harte was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident.
On the forty-minute mark, Moate, now a man up, found their first score from play. A clever move involving Fiachra Cunningham, Philip King and John Corbally ended with a neat Corbally finish. Moate continued to find it difficult to puncture the Tyrrellspass defence and their frustrations were summed up in some wayward long-range shots. Tyrrellspass were content with holding possession and maintaining their sturdy lead.
Forde pointed again from a free and this was soon followed by a well-taken score from full-back Daragh Lowry who emerged from a hefty shoulder battle between himself and his opposite number, Cormac Monaghan.
With time running out and Tyrrellspass with an unassailable lead and a title assured, Moate found themselves down to 14 men also. A foul on Ger Egan in the middle of the field by Robert Gorman appeared insignificant until the Moate captain retaliated and left referee Enda Kelly little option but to show Gorman the line for a second offence.
The scoring for the victors was rounded off by substitute Dean McNicholas. Moate’s main attacker, Forde, finished the game’s scoring with his fourth free. Captain Conor Slevin received the trophy to the delight of those in attendance.
Both sides advance to Division 1 next season but it is Tyrrellspass who will be much the happier of the sides after their performance. A ten point victory over the unbeaten Moate side was a fair reflection in the end.
Scorers – Tyrrellspass: G Egan 0-5 (4f), N Harte 1-2, T Ryan 1-0, J Gonoud, D Glennon and D McNicholas 0-1 each. Moate: R Forde 0-4f, J Corbally and D Lowry 0-1 each.
Tyrrellspass: Darren Quinn; Stephen Quinn, Cormac Monaghan, Jamie Gonoud; Jamie Corcoran, Conor Slevin, Nigel Harte; Denis Glennon, David Lynam; Kieran Geraghty, Aaron O’Brien, Ger Egan; Peter Pierson, Tommy Ryan, Evan Connell. Subs used: Kai Harte for Pierson (40), Evan Connell for McNicholas (55), Sean Deegan for Monaghan (57), Brian Slevin for Ryan (59), Conor Gavigan for S Quinn (60).
Moate All Whites: Richie Price; Dean Corbally, Daragh Lowry, Dylan Ennis; Gareth Murray, Fiachra Cunningham, Eoin Bracken; Ronan Conway, Ruairí Cunningham; Jonathan Rooney, Robert Gorman, Conor Sheridan; John Corbally, Robbie Forde, Billy Berry. Subs used: Tobby Conteh for Murray (30), Philip King for Berry (30), Andrew Gorman for Bracken (44), Aaron O’Neill for Corbally (52), Nicky Hamm for Conway (60).
Ref: Enda Kelly (Castledaly).