TERRIFIC TINAHELY
Dunlavin hit for six in super display of attacking football
TINAHELY DUNLAVIN
Walsh and Willie Dillon around the middle showing no signs of easing off. Any lingering hopes Dunlavin had were wiped out from the resultant kick out which was again played short and a high pressing Tinahely succeeded in turning it over and a brilliant hand flick from Paddy O’Rourke was buried by Rory Stokes to give Tinahely a 4-4 to 1-1 lead in the 37th minute.
The remainder of the game seen Dunlavin play plenty of good football as Eoin Murtagh who had been positioned at half forward was moved more central and he drove forward to better effect.
Noel Mulhall had a fine block as Shane Carthy looked for a Dunlavin goal before Daniel Dawson worked hard to win a free for Gary Allen to point. McGuirk was out fast from his line to smother a Tony Darcy shot as Tinahely went looking for more goals.
McGuirk was then called in to action at the opposite end of the field as he pointed a 45. Harry Coleborn won another free for Dunlavin and again Allen pointed as a retreating Tinahely invited Dunlavin on to them with the result in the bag.
The 46th minute welcomed the score of the game when Darcy finally got the better of McGuirk. Willie Dillon came forward after another turnover and passed to brother Stephen who found Rory Stokes 25 metres from goal in a perfect position to swing over a point off his left boot, such was the Tinahely insistence on going for the jugular he disguised his shot with a sublime through ball to Darcy running from deep who done the rest without hesitation. Cush was in for his deserved goal soon after and this time it was Stephen Dillon who found the killer pass as they reached the half dozen.
Dunlavin closed out the game with three points from Murtagh who also had a goal attempt saved by Alan Nolan and two frees from Cian O’Sullivan as Tinahely gave game time to some of their panel.
Costello will be delighted with the clinical edge Tinahely now seem to have in front of goal but a tally of four points may be a concern and bigger still the fact that only one point was kicked from play. Against a less porous defence will they struggle for scores? Dunlavin fared little better only getting two points from play but as the old saying goes “goals win games” and they certainly did in this instance. When the opportunities arose Tinahely took them with an assured calmness.
Dunlavin have a massive game on Saturday next against another of the fancied teams in Coolkenno. Jonathan Daniels will be well aware that every game from now on is knock-out and they are capable of lifting their performance levels. They have had a tough few weeks and a win would be massive for the team and their supporters to kick start their campaign. Tinahely play Stratford on Friday night with the west team needing a win to stay in contention for qualification. All may not be done and dusted in this group just yet.
Alan Nolan; Conor Hatton, Mick Byrne, James Gilbert; Kevin Mulhall, Willie Dillon, John Blake; Noel Mulhall, Brian Walsh (1-0); Patrick O’Rourke (1-0), Jason Cush (1-2, 0-2f’s), Stephen Dillon (1-0); Tony Darcy (1-1, 0-1f), Rory Stokes (1-0), James Hedderman (0-1). Subs: Alan Dillon for Walsh 50 mins, Curtis Keating for Blake, Daniel Ging for S Dillon, James Tyrrell for O’Rourke all 52 mins, Jamie Cullen for Hedderman 57 mins.
Tinahely:
Tom McGuirk (0-1,45); Harry Coleborn, Scott Phelan, Padraig Carmody; Mark O’Sullivan, Daniel Dawson, Fionn Deegan; Aaron Phelan, Shane O’Rourke; Mark Reid, Gary Allen (0-2f’s), Eoin Murtagh (0-1); Cian O’Sullivan (1-2, 0-2f’s), James Walsh, Shane Carthy (0-1). Subs: Timmy Metcalfe for A Phelan 52 mins.
Anthony Nolan.
Dunlavin: Referee: