Tullylish reach the Intermediate Championship final

Drumgath 2-8

PAIRC Esler in Newry provided perfect conditions for the Intermediate Championship Semi Final clash between Tullylish and Drumgath.

Tullylish had taken valuable positives from their last three games – possession, attack the ball and most importantly – as the saying goes - it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

The midfield as always has a vital impact on the game and from the first throw- in it was the two young midfielders from Tullylish, Gareth Johnston and Kevin Murphy, who had the job of quelling the big guns from Drumgath, Jack Lynch and Declan Sheeran.

While Lynch collected the first ball, he wasn’t given any space to use it and when Johnston got the hold of the ball through sheer persistent foraging from the Tullylish half backs he charged forward and took the first point from play.

Tullylish attacked the resultant kick out and impressive tackling from Seamus O’Hare kept the ball in the Tullylish half. A deft flick from O’Hare found McKivergan who strolled into the scoring zone and fisted the ball over the bar to give Tullylish a two point lead.

Shannon Drainey converted a free kick and John McAreavey collected a sharp, forward pass from Seamus O’Hare to further extend the lead.

Shannon Drainey secured another point from play before Drumgath came onto the score board with a Packie Downey point.

Consistent support play from Kevin McKivergan, Michael McCartan and Ronan Barry ensured constant ball feed to the Tullylish forwards. Shannon Drainey matched a Drumgath point and James McDermott matched the next one.

Tullylish were then unfortunate to fall foul of a trigger happy referee when Shannon Drainey was shown a second yellow.

John McAreavey took the last point of the first half to give Tullylish a five point lead going into the dressing rooms.

Drumgath stormed out of the blocks in the second half and a fierce battle for supremacy was fought. Jack Lynch slipped through the Tullylish net to hammer home a goal and the first score of the second half.

Belligerent defending from Tullylish back line O’Dowd, Donnelly and Magee kept the Drumgath men out but conceded three free kicks, and three more scores courtesy of Marc Connolly.

Tullylish now had a draw on their hands. Manager Keith Farrell responded to the challenge, bringing Davy Corbett and Fiontainn O’Dowd into the fray.

A Drumgath onslaught on the Tullylish goal was thwarted by on form keeper, Stephen O’Hare who denied two attempts on the Tullylish goal.

James McDermott finished a well worked move from full back Niall Donnelly and gave Tullylish back the lead with a point.

Gareth Johnston took a speedy pass from Davy Corbett and found himself with the goalie to beat. The ball smacked into the back of the net and the Tullylish supporters leapt into the air. However the cheers were hardly silent before Packie Downey found the Tullylish goal with an opportunist deflection.

With only minutes remaining Tullylish were once again asked to dig deep. Pete Quinn entered the forward line and took the game to the fourth draw. Again Drumgath answered and again the match was drawn. A foul on the edge of the 45metre line gave kicker John McAreavey a pressure kick to balance the sides.

This was the fifth draw of the game and just when it looked all but over Pete Quinn intercepted a low clearance, found himself inside the 21 yard line, but surrounded. A split second decision, a deft fist and the ball was over the bar.

Tullylish were in their first Intermediate Championship Final.

A consistent high level workrate throughout the Tullylish ranks, undoubtedly actioned this result.

Tullylish will take on local rivals Annaclone in the Intermediate Championship Final next Sunday, October 17 at Pairc Esler.

Club sponsor Martin Fegan of Fegan Transport was delighted with the result, “This result has come at just the right time – we were all very disappointed that Down came so close to a All Ireland win.

“This result will help us to get over it. Tullylish club football has sent a buzz back into the community.

“The boys have really come together at this stage of the season and to compete for the first ever Intermediate Championship is great progress. I wish them all the best.”

A wish that is echoed throughout the Tullylish community.

Tullylish: Stephen O’Hare, Rony O’Dowd, Niall Donnelly, Chris Magee, Kevin McKivergan, Michael McCartan, Rony Barry, Gareth Johnston, Kevin Murphy, John McKivergan, James McDermott, Seamus O’Hare, Shannon Drainey, John McAreavey, Kevin McCartan, Davy Corbett, Fiontain O’Dowd, Pete Quinn.