Claim All-Ireland title in rollercoaster final
the resumption, and the likes of Paudie Finucane at midfield, Patrick O’Connor, Coolahan, Wren and Caolam Moriarty sparkling up front, Tarbert ruled the roost in the second half, before that nerve-shredding late, late collapse.
Having blown a seven-point lead in the semi-final against Ballymahon of Longford, the North Kerry school were becoming used to nail-biting finales. How could they bounce back for extra-time on this occasion, however? Momentum was well and truly with St Malachy’s.
Ross Green, Corey Trainor, an improving O’Hanlon, Christopher Kelly McEvoy, Savage and Travers were now leading the way for the Down lads, and the sides couldn’t be separated either after the first ten added minutes, 2-18 to 4-12, Tarbert substitute Tadhg O’Connell with the pick of the points.
As is typical of extra-time, scores were now harder to come by, with the pressure rising, and the bodies beginning to wilt. It was going to take a moment of magic, or a defensive mistake, to finally break the deadlock. Or were we set to endure the torment of a penalty-shoot-out?
Thankfully, for Tarbert Comprehensive, John Coolahan took things by the scruff of the neck, once and for all, in the 76th minute. The towering Finucane caught a kick-out, replacement Darragh Mullane supplied the assist, and Coolahan did the rest, with a bullet of a right-footer that Callum Travers didn’t even see.
Now, with a four-point advantage, the winners were in no mood to commit another act of self-inflicted pain. Travers blasted over from close range for St Malachy’s but, with Mulvihill minding the house expertly, Tarbert’s game management was much, much better on this occasion.
When the final whistle was blown by referee
David Hickey, one group of players jumped to the sky in exultation, the other side slumped to their knees in devastation. Such are the vagaries of sport. Such are the vagaries of a phenomenal, evenly-matched All-Ireland decider.
To the victor, the spoils, and it was left to Wren to send the Tarbert Comprehensive supporters into raptures of joy, when he accepted the winners’ trophy. Part of the ‘dynamic duo’ that proved crucial to ultimate success (he finished with 0-8, to man-of-the-match Coolahan’s 2-3), the captain stood tall throughout.
Mulvihill, Finucane, Callum Buckley, O’Connor and Moriarty were others to play very prominent roles, as Tarbert followed in the footsteps of St Pat’s Castleisland in keeping a piece of silverware, named after a famous Kerryman, residing in the county for another twelve months at least.
They won’t forget this one in a hurry.
TARBERT COMPREHENSIVE: Stephen Kearney (St Senans Foynes); Shane Stack (Tarbert), Callum Buckley (Athea), Michael Coolahan (Tarbert); James Kissane (Moyvane), David Mulvihill (Tarbert), Fionn Mulvihill (Moyvane); Brendan O’Leary (Tarbert), Paudie Finucane (Tarbert); Evan Curry (Athea), Shaun Wren (Tarbert) 0-8 (3f, 1m, 1 ’45’), Patrick O’Connor (Moyvane) 0-2; Jamie Moloney (Moyvane) 1-0, John Coolahan (Tarbert) 2-3 (0-1m), Caolam Moriarty (Tarbert) 0-5 (4f). Subs: Tadhg O’Connell (Tarbert) 0-1 for F Mulvihill (37), Darragh Mullane (Gerald Griffins) for Curry (57), Matthew Quinn (Moyvane) for Kissane (61), Keelan Lonergan (Shannon Gaels) for O’Leary (70), Curry for Moloney (inj, 71).
ST MALACHYS CASTLEWELLAN: Callum Travers; Luke Brannigan, Ross Green 0-1, Shea Baker; Oisin Murray, Corey Trainor 0-1, Harry Keenan; Taidgh O’Hanlon 1-0, Christopher Kelly McEvoy 0-2 (1f); Manus Middleton, James Savage 1-0, Dalach McGreevy; Ruairi Madine 0-3, Eoghan Travers 1-6 (0-4f, 0-1m), Caolan Flanagan. Subs: Odhran McCann for Brannigan (ht), Daire Treanor 1-0 for Baker (46), Ryan McCourt for Middleton, inj (63).
REFEREE: David Hickey (Carlow).