TIPPERARY STAR
Saturday 26th April 2003

Storming finish earns Killenaule victory

County Under-21 'A' Football Semifinal

Killenaule 1-12 Galtee Rovers 1-9

• A point behind at the end of normal time, Killenaule U/21 footballers 'erupted' and scored no fewer than four points in 'stoppage' time to defeat Galtee Rovers in a dramatic County semifinal, at Boherlahan, on Monday 21st April.
  
  Certainly, the South champions left the best wine til last! In a highly competitive, nip and tuck affair, Rovers seemed destined to hold out for a hard earned victory after top scorer Declan Peters put them in front in 60th minute (1-9 to 1-8). The score resulted from a misdirected clearance out of the Killenaule defence. Paul McCarthy won possession before setting up Peters for what seemed a crucial point. Killenaule held their nerve, however, and they certainly made maximum use of the additional three minutes.
  
  Their scorer-in-chief, dual player, Tony Doyle combined with hard working Noel O'Grady to send Simon McMenamin through to punch the leveller in 61st minute (1-9 each) and the score seemed to inspire the side no end. Their confidence soared when Michael Farrell struck a magnificent point to push them ahead, and, they dictated the closing minutes, availing of the breaks for Joe Ceaser and Stephen Brennan to put the game out of Rovers reach with smart points.
  
  A game of high quality football contested with great fervour saw the sides level three times over the hour. Rovers, thanks in the main to the scoring exploits of sharpshooter Declan Peters, led from the start and held a slender grip throughout the first half to deservedly lead by two points at the break (0-6 to 0-4). Indeed the game was in the main a scoring duel between Peters and the equally dangerous Tony Doyle. Peters scored five of his sides points in the first half with David Morrissey contributing the sixth score of the game just before the break. Killenaule saw Doyle hit two of his tally in the opening period with John Grace and Richard Maher also getting their names on the scoresheet.
  
  While at the break Killenaule were left to bemoan what might have been had Rovers keeper Eamonn O'Connell not made a wonderful save from Simon McMenamin, they came out with fire in their bellies for the second half and Tony Doyle with three points on the trot in as many minutes shot the side into the lead for the first time in the game (0-7 to 0-6). An urgent response was required from Rovers and after Kieran Bergin levelled matters Declan Peters availed of a break against the run of play to slot home a 37th minute goal, Christopher Higgins provided the pass (1-7 to 0-7).
  
  Rovers held the whip hand again and expectations were that the goal would have a critical bearing on the outcome. Significantly, Killenaule quickly regained the momentum and McMenamin and Keith Kennedy combined to set Tony Doyle up for a very important point. Then in 52nd minute they scored a crucial goal to bolster their late challenge. Good work by Doyle and Kennedy saw McMenamin boot home from close range to put his side back in front (1-8 to 17).
  
  The closing stages provided a thriller as the lead changed hands. Killenaule missed chances of extending their lead before Declan Peters from a free brought his side on level terms again with four minutes of normal time remaining. In the rip-roaring final exchanges Rovers looked good for victory when Declan Peters edged them in front right on the call of normal time. Killenaule will go down as the 'stoppage' time experts, however, as incredibly they turned everything that came their way to gold in the vital closing minutes.
  
  Not surprisingly, Killenaule were thrilled with their accomplishment that scarcely seemed possible as the game carried into injury time. No doubt they would have settled for a draw at that stage, and to achieve victory in such a spectacular fashion was certainly a great tribute to their character. Having defeated Fethard in the South final this was another notable scalp for the side, and should do the world of good for their confidence going into the final.
  
  Goalie David Maguire, and all defenders stood firm in the closing stages repelling Rovers attacks, with Vincent Hannigan prominent. Michael Farrell worked very hard in this time too, and over the hour Keith Kennedy had a fine game. Joe Ceaser was always busy in a workmanlike attack in which Tony Doyle (he scored three from play) and Simon McMenamin were key figures.
  
  Understandably enough, Galtee Rovers were bitterly disappointed with the outcome. Certainly, they spurned a great chance of victory. They held the initiative in the first half, and having moved a point ahead in 60th minute they had a great chance of victory. They will bemoan poor finishing at a vital stage. Declan Peters was always dangerous finishing with 1-2 from play while Denis Peters, David Morrissey, Andrew Morrissey, Paul McCarthy, and Tony Lonergan were always in the thick of the action. In fairness the entire side gave a wholehearted effort
  
  Killenaule: D. Maguire, J. O'Dwyer, I. Murphy, M. Shelly, V. Hannigan, N. O'Grady, J. Gleeson, J. Grace (0-1), M. Farrell (0-1), J. Ceaser (0-1), K. Kennedy, R. Maher (0-1), T. Doyle (0-6), S. McMenamin (1-1), S. Brennan (0-1).
  
  Galtee Rovers: E. O'Connell, M. O'Brien, A. Bowles, C. Higgins, P. Ryan, P. McCarthy, P. Murnane, D. Byron, D. Morrissey (0-I), A. Morrissey, Denis Peters (0-1), Kevin Bergin, Kieran Bergin (0-1), Declan Peters (1-6), T. Lonergan. Sub: M. O'Connell.
  
  Referee: J. Kissane.