Tinryland bridge 57-year gap to lift SFL Division 1 title
Michael Doran, former Carlow GAA Co Secretary presents the Carlow Credit Union SFL Div 1 trophy to Danny Moran, with Jim Bolger and Tom Cullen, Carlow Credit Union. Photo: Pat Ahern
Carlow Credit Union Senior Football League Division 1 Final
Tinryland bridged a 57-year gap to 1968 when they annexed the Carlow Credit Union Senior Football League Division 1 title at Netwatch Cullen Park on Friday. Their last championship senior win dates back to 1989 so Rathvilly, the reigning league and championship holders, came up against a side who were ravenous and wanted to create their own bit of history.
Tinryland dominated the first half in what was a cagey affair. A brace of two-pointers from Diarmaid Walshe helped the eventual winners into a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead where Brandon Kelly was Rathvilly’s most dangerous player. His two points from frees probably didn’t tell the whole story of his performance in the half.
On the restart, a free from Eoghan O’Connor Byrne narrowed the deficit but Conor Carew pointed from play for Tinryland. Gradually Rathvilly imposed themselves and going into the last quarter the sides were tied at 0-9 each after Padhraig Bolger found a Rathvilly leveller.
Jonah Dunne and Kelly exchanged points to keep supporters on their toes. The drama continued when Peter Hennessy punched over after he was on the end of a Carew delivery.
When Cormac O’Brien added a two-pointer, Rathvilly needed a goal. It never looked like coming. Instead, O’Brien’s point in two minutes of injury time meant Tinryland supporters could relax and enjoy the moment.
D Walshe 0-5 (2-2ps), C O’Brien 0-4 (1-2p), C Carew 0-3 (1-2pf), P Hennessy, J Dunne 0-1 each.
B Kelly 0-5 (4fs), E Finnegan 0-3, Padhraig Bolger, E O’Connor Byrne(f) 0-1 each.
Chris Townsend; Danny Moran, Ross Moran, Jonah Dunne; Lorcan O’Connor, Conor O’Toole, Niall Lowry; Conor Ryan, Shane Redmond; Peter Hennessy, Diarmaid Walshe, Cormac O’Brien; Matthew O’Toole, Conor Carew, Jamie Walker. Subs: Maurice Lawler for Walker (h/t), Cormac Walshe for O’Connor (45), Conor Byrne for D Moran (51).
Regan Murphy; Robbie Ryan, Daire Byrne, Paraic Deering; Brian Smith, Josh Moore, Pádhraig Bolger; Darragh Murphy, Eoghan O’Connor Byrne; Ed Finnegan, Brandon Kelly, Ryan Sibbald; Conor O’Neill, Diarmuid Gavin, Jake Elliot. Subs: Dara Curran for O’Neill (h/t).
Marion Hayden (Éire Óg).
