Tubberclair sink Mullinavat in closing stages

Tubberclair 3-17 Mullinavat 2-9

Eoghan McCabe came up trumps for Tubberclair as they overcame Mullinavat of Kilkenny in the opening round of the Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship last Sunday. Midfielder McCabe launched not one but two beautiful two-pointers in quick succession heading into the last quarter which helped the Westmeath champions to victory.

Amid cold conditions at Breedon Kevin Molloy Park in The Downs and with the game hanging in the balance, the green and gold outfit managed to pull away from the Kilkenny senior champions to secure passage to the Leinster quarter-finals. They will hope to go on a Leinster run similar to their last venture at intermediate level in 2009 when they reached the decider, losing out to Maynooth.

Tubberclair had one change from the starting side which won the Peter Geraghty Cup last Saturday week, with Dáire O’Connor starting in this one instead of Finn Duffy. Their opponents Mullinavat won the Kilkenny title back in May as the county, unsurprisingly, focuses on the hurling championship. Several of the team in black and white have, however, experienced victory in the province with victories over Shandonagh and Offaly side Bracknagh in 2022.

Mullinavat midfielder Michael Malone curled over a point first inside the opening minute to give his side a positive start, but Tubberclair hit the net with their first score as Fred Kelleher was on the end of a neat move to punch Tom Bourke’s pass to the net.

Three Mullinavat points came after Eoghan McCabe had kicked over a free as Malone again raised the white flag alongside the Duggan brothers, Conor and Ian. In an end-to-end contest, James Madden set Matthew Whittaker through and the county star pointed off the inside of the post. With Tubberclair 1-2 to 0-4 in front, the shooting of the home side went astray as no fewer than eight wides (along with dropped short efforts) were registered by the troops of Keith Higgins and Daniel Sammon.

Patience and calm were the aims for Mullinavat as Michael Aylward and Richie Devine constantly called for composure from the sideline. The slower pace suited the Kilkenny men as Ger Malone consistently strode from half-back through the space. Malone teed up Liam Fennelly to point before then bursting through himself and scoring a goal, the ball trickled over the line after Tubberclair teammates Kevin Fagan and Cathal Tighe collided with Malone when trying to stop him.

The closing stages of the first half saw points from Whittaker (two), Tom Kelleher, Fred Kelleher and McCabe (a free). A solo run and point by Ger Malone meant at the break the gap was just one with Tubberclair ahead, 1-7 to 1-6.

Like they did in the opening half, Mullinavat came out of the traps quickest and this time it was Ian Duggan who finished a team move to level the tie before the first minute elapsed. Tubberclair supporters realised they were in a real battle but points from McCabe (a free) and two from Daire O’Connor settled the nerves for a time.

It was short lived, however, as after Tom Kelleher blocked Paudie Gahan’s shot, Mullinavat were awarded a penalty moments later. James Culleton scored the penalty after Ian Duggan was upended by Stephen McGonagle.

The game was on a knife edge at 1-10 to 2-7 as a somewhat leggy and tired Tubberclair looked for someone to steer the ship. Eoghan McCabe then took control and came up with two brilliantly executed two-pointers within three minutes.

With the crowd buoyed by the score and the game in the final 15 minutes, Tubberclair grew stronger as Mullinavat’s lack of competitive football took its toll. As gaps appeared in their defence, quick line balls from Tubberclair created chances and 1-14 soon became 3-17 as Fred Kelleher and Whittaker (two) both scored.

Late goals from Dáire O’Connor and Whittaker put a better look on the final scoreboard as Tubberclair had enough in the final minutes to take the win. They now meet St Martin’s of Wexford on Saturday, November 15 at a Westmeath venue.

Player of the match: Eoghan McCabe (Tubberclair). The midfielder was on song throughout but when his side needed a kick nearing the final quarter, the Westmeath panellist really stood up and kicked two brilliant two-pointers.

Key moment: Dáire O’Connor’s 59th-minute goal ensured that the victory went to the men in green and gold.

Scorers – Tubberclair: M Whittaker 1-5; E McCabe 0-7 (2tp, 3f); F Kelleher, D O’Connor 1-2 each; T Kelleher 0-1. Mullinavat: G Malone 1-1; J Culleton 1-0 (pen); M Malone 0-3; I Duggan 0-2; C Duggan, L Fennelly, P Dempsey 0-1 each.

Tubberclair - Kevin Fagan; Stephen McGonagle, Cathal Tighe, Taylor Slevin; James Madden, Tom Kelleher, Matthew Whittaker; Seán Claffey, Eoghan McCabe; Paul Keegan, Fred Kelleher, Tom Bourke; Gavin Delaney, Kealan Connell, Dáire O’Connor. Subs used: Finn Duffy for Keegan (46), Oisín O’Meara for Bourke (54), Liam Staunton for Slevin (55), Tadhg Moody for T Kelleher (60+1), Kevin Claffey for Delaney (60+1).

Mullinavat - James Walsh; Simon Aylward, Joe Fennelly, Seán Fitzpatrick; Pádraig Dempsey, Ger Malone, John Walsh; Michael Malone, Thomas Aylward; James Culleton, Paudie Gahan, Conor Walsh; Ian Duggan, Liam Fennelly, Conor Duggan. Subs used: Ian Mansfield for Fitzpatrick (39), Peter McDonald for S Aylward (60), Michael Walsh for L Fennelly (60).

Referee - Lar Murphy (Carlow).