HAMMER TIME IN TIPP Final fling Kevin sent The ‘Nacon effect is 19
Clonoulty-rossmore Nenagh Eire Og
0-23 2-13 CLONOULTY-ROSSMORE BOSS John Devane believes his players were professional in their approach as they held their heads to secure a first county title since 1997 with victory over Nenagh Éire Óg.
Timmy Hammersley scored 12 points at Semple Stadium in Thurles, and despite the concession of goals to
Philip Hickey and
Paddy Murphy either side of half-time, Clonoulty-rossmore made history.
“It’s easy to say ‘you had this right and that right’, it’s 21 years and we lost one in 2010 and we lost one in 2011. It’s hard to get over the line,” said Devane.
“The one thing we said (was) emotion just didn’t come into it. It was a clear message over the last two weeks – emotion had no place until the final whistle. Because if you let emotion take over fellas get too caught up in that and they don’t perform.”
Clonoulty-rossmore were 0-12 to 1-8 in front at half-time. Hickey hit the net in the 19th minute after he latched onto a rebounded effort from Andrew Coffey.
Jake Morris scored five frees in that first half but he wasn’t doing enough from open play and Nenagh Éire Óg were still too reliant on him.
Meanwhile Timmy Hammersley led the fightback and he scored three first half points as Clonoultyrossmore led by one at half-time.
Timmy Hammersley was on target again on the resumption and with the breeze at their backs Clonoulty-rossmore looked to be heading for victory when they led by 0-17 to 1-11.
But Murphy scored a goal after Morris blocked down John O’keeffe’s attempted clearance in the 53rd minute.
Still Hammersley fired over the frees up the other end and Nenagh Éire Óg couldn’t find enough to launch a comeback.
“We brought a huge work-rate, we came in here full of confidence today, not overly confident or arrogant, but full of confidence,” said Nenagh Éire Óg manager John Fitzgerald.
“They had their homework done, but listen 23 scores to 15 the better team won the match.”
Ballintubber Breaffy
1-8 0-12 BALLINTUBBER boss Kevin Johnson was delighted to repay the faith placed in him by the club as they became Mayo champions for the first time since 2014 with victory over Breaffy.
Cillian O’connor scored seven points under lights at Machale Park in Castlebar, as Ballintubber won their fourth Paddy Moclair Cup.
They go on to face Sligo champions Tourlestrane in the Connacht quarter-final and Sligo native Johnson was proud of his players.
“They took a gamble on me. I have worked with and coached a lot of teams. But it was my first managerial job,” said Johnson.
“For Ballintubber to take the gamble on someone new like that, they deserve massive credit.
“I’m delighted but it’s the players that have delivered. It’s not about me.”
Carnacon Knockmore
9-10 0-4 CARNACON showed no mercy to Knockmore in the Mayo ladies senior football decider yesterday.
After the row that saw them thrown out of the competition before being reinstated, Cora Staunton and the All-ireland champs did their talking on the pitch to claim a 19th title.
First half goals from Erina Flannery (2), Amy Dowling and Staunton set the tone for the fired-up holders.