Understrength Fermoy still comfortably into the final

Fermoy 2-6 MoyneTempletuohy 0-8

FERMOY advanced to the Munster Intermediate Football Final with a comfortable win over Tipperary champions Moyne-Templetuohy, but the win did show that the north Cork side have a long way to go to put in the perfect 60 minute display.

After winning through to the last four the previous week Fermoy came into this clash full of confidence, even though they took to the field in Templetuohy with no fewer than four of their recognised starters unavailable for selection.

On the field, the attacking prowess of Shane Aherne, Kieran Morrison, Pádraig De Róiste, Martin Brennan and Dale Dawson were crucial on the day with keeper Liam Coleman adding to Fermoy’s tally with a brace of first half points from placed balls.

As good as Fermoy’s attack was in the opening half their defensive pack needed to be up for the test throughout as the Moyne-Templetuohy attackers grew into the game and looked dangerous for long periods, especially in the second period when they made the most of the conditions putting Fermoy under serious pressure.

Moyne-Templetuohy’s Diarmuid

Leahy, Tomás Hamill, Diarmuid Fogarty, Tom Meade, Conor Bowe and Jason Bergin were key to the Tipp champions campaign and while their challenge ultimately failed they really lost nothing in defeat as the boys in green gave it everything all the way to the final whistle.

Right from the off Fermoy looked much the more comfortable side which was certainly aided by their decision to play with what turned out to be a strong wind. The boys in black and yellow pushed forward at every opportunity and were far more clinical than their hosts on the day.

That said, the sides shared just two wides in the opening 30 minutes as in the main the wind kept Moyne-Templetuohy too far out from the Fermoy posts.

Moyne-Templetuohy first three attempts at the posts dropped into the waiting arms of Fermoy keeper Coleman’s waiting arms and the home side were punished emphatically on six minutes when Shane Aherne finished sublimely after good approach work by Martin Brennan and Alan O’Connor.

Points from O’Connor and Coleman followed and while Moyne-Templetuohy hit back with a brace of their own scores Fermoy again hit the opposition hard, this time it was Brennan that raised the green flag to rock the opposition.

Three more scores from the visitors sent

them in leading by nine at the break 2-6 to 0-3 which was no less than Fermoy deserved for their opening 30 minute display.

Fermoy went back into their shell after the interval and despite having a few early efforts in the main their attempts went wide as Moyne-Templetuohy outscored them by 0-5 to 0-0 for the second 30 minute spell.

Moyne-Templetuohy played well when the result was all, but done and did themselves proud however the better side took the spoils.

The game ended poorly for the home side as they had no fewer than three players sent to the line in the last three minutes for a selection of indiscretions that on another day may well have gone unpunished.

A brace of straight reds and a second yellow meant that Moyne-Templetuohy finished with just twelve on the pitch, but the end really didn’t have any bearing on what was a deserved if not a little nervy win for the Cork champions.

A date with the Kerry title contenders Kilcummin awaits and, while Fermoy will need to be much better for that one, there is no doubting that the required improvement is well within the Avondhu side’s compass

Tomás Clancy, Brian O’Sullivan, Eoin Clancy and Ruairi O’Hagan were marked absent through injury last Sunday however it is hoped all three will be ready for the big provincial showdown next time out.

FERMOY: L Coleman 0-2 (0-1 45, 0-1f); P Clancy, J Daly, R Morrison; P Murphy, D O’Carroll (c), A Baragry; R McEvoy, J Hutchings; S Aherne 1-0, P De Róiste, D Dawson 0-1; M Brennan 1-0, A O’Connor 0-1f, K Morrisson 0-2 Subs: R O’Callaghan for A O’Connor (50), A Aherne for J Hutchings (54), E Clancy for D Dawson (60)

MOYNE-TEMPLETUOHY: J Leahy; E Gorman, C Ely, J Grady; T Hassett 0-3f, D Leahy 0-1, L Everard; T Hamill, J Bergin; D Lowe, C Bowe 0-2, T Meade 0-2; D Fogarty, J Hassett, O Lloyd Subs: B Kelly for D Lowe (35), N Russell for O Lloyd (38), M Ryan for E Gorman (55), M Kelly for J Hassett (59)

REFEREE: Alan Kissane (Waterford)