Oh they came mightily close.
With six minutes of normal time remaining, it looked as if the fairytale victory was on for Kildangan. Trailing by three
points at half time and facing into the wind, it looked set for Toomevara to ease home to another title.
But the script didn't go along those lines and thank god it didn't as Kildangan once again delved into their reserves
of spirit and courage to fight back and give themselves a chance of victory.
The comeback was terrific. Six minutes into the second half, the gap had grown to six points but from then on, the momentum
of the game swung in Kildangans favour. With nothing to lose; to a man they gave it their all and it began to work forcing
Toomevara into conceding frees and with Darragh Egan in top from placed balls, the lead was whittled down.
As the game wore on, you felt whoever got the first goal, if there was to be one, would go on and win the game and that's
how it turned out. But the way it came was cruel to say the least.
For most of the second half, the game was played in driving rain but it was clearing. It cleared at the wrong time for
Kildangan goalkeeper Dermot Hogan. With four minutes to go, a Benny Dunne free from inside him own half ended up in the back
of the net with Dermot Hogan losing sight of the high ball in the sun that had just come out from behind the rain clouds just
a minute earlier.
Toomevara didn't deserve such a soft goal, Kildangan didn't deserve to concede one in such a fashion but when you are
the underdog, the breaks usually go with the favourites.
It was a game that provided many talking points. The main one being that this was a game Kildangan could and maybe should
have won. They had the chances, particularly in the first half when they shot thirteen wides with the usually accurate Paddy
Lynch shooting six of them in what was the worst time for the sharp shooter to have an off day.
The wind didn't seem to help either side as Toomevara struggled in the second half shooting seven wides themselves. As
well as that, their forwards were well held with only Paddy O'Brien being prominent in carrying the ball and creating opportunities
for his team mates when he could have been more selfish and taken his own score but he did finish with two points to his name
with the most crucial being in the 55th minute when Kildangan had reduced the gap to one.
The way the game turned out will be of benefit to the 2006 champions. They were nowhere near their best and still managed
to grind out a win. They looked rusty and will benefit from a prolonged period of training as a team with the Tipperary senior
panelists available once again.
Only Benny Dunne of their key players stood out and how Babs Keating would have loved to have had him as an option last
Sunday. His brother Barry had a fine game at corner back dealing well with danger man Darragh Egan.
Paul McGrath in the other corner was another to star in a backline that needed to play well with David Young backing him
up in the half back line.
Toomevara wont be happy with their midfield performance as John Maher and Brian Kelly hurled a lot of ball in this sector
as Ken Dunne and Eoin Brislane had a rare off day. Michael Bevans and Francis Devanney began well while Willie Ryan was once
again the most potent forward shooting three points.
Most of the prominent players from the North Final were on the losing side. Kildangans half back line once again were
to the fore as Karl Hogan, Dan Hackett and Gerry Slattery enhanced their reputations as the best half back line in the county.
Brian Kelly had a fine game at midfield along side John Maher in a sector Kildangan dominated with Tommy Connors coming
deep to great effect as a third midfielder and won a lot of possession for his side.
The Kildangan attack was their weakest link bar far. Of their twelve points, nine came from placed balls while eleven
of Toomevara's sixteen scores came from play. Darragh Egan was prominent in the second half with his over the shoulder point
in the 34th minute going down as score of the game. He needed help but it wasn't forthcoming with Paddy Lynch and Conor Hayes
being well shackled.
Toomevara made one change from their semi-final win over Borris-Ileigh with Paddy O'Brien returning after suspension for
the unlucky John Delaney.
Michael Bevans got Toomevara off to the ideal start inside the first minute and Francis Devanney followed it with another
in the fifth minute.
A great roar greeted Kildangans first point in the eighth minute with Tommy Connors having the honour. By that stage,
the underdogs had already recorded three wides with the unlucky Paddy Lynch missing from play and frees.
Kildangan were dominating the early exchanges but the forwards were letting the backs down by snatching and their shots,
a sure fire sign of nerves among some of the players.
Willie Ryan extended the Toomevara lead and by the 20th minute, the lead had grown to five points with Ken Dunne (free),
Thomas Dunne and Francis Devanney punishing Kildangans wastefulness at the other end. By this stage, Kildangan had shot eight
wides to Toomevara's one.
Paddy Lynch started a Kildangan recovery with a free but his radar soon went awry again with Darragh Egan taking over
the free taking duties. John Maher scored a fine point from play and Egan a free as the gap fell to two points, just two minutes
from the break.
Ken Dunne (free) and Paddy O'Brien extended the Toome lead with Darragh Egan responding with a late free to leave Kildangan
trailing by three points at the break at 0-8 to 0-5.
Toomevara knew they could win this game early in the second half and that his what they set out to do outscoring Kildangan
four points to one in the first six minutes of the half.
Points from Eoin Brislane and a Ken Dunne free were followed by a super Darragh Egan point from play. Ken Dunne added
two points, one from play as Toomevara set about confirming their favourites tag.
From then on Kildangan took the game to their rivals as the weather conditions became more adverse. Darragh Egan began
the revival with a free and added a 65 in the 40th minute with his move to the half forward line providing more ball winning
ability being a key factor in Kildangans resurgence. Another free followed two minute later but Willie Ryan cancelled it out
with a super point from the right wing.
A great Kildangan goal chance was missed in the 46th minute when Darragh Egan's 21 yard free was saved; Liam Karl Flannery
was first to the rebound but batted the ball inches wide.
The crowd were sensing an upset and Kildangan players sensed it too as they attacked Toomevara at every opportunity and
forced Toomevara into conceding frees. Between the 49th and 54th minutes, Darragh Egan converted a 65 and two frees to leave
just the minimum between the sides.
Toomevara were rocking and captain Tommy Dunne was replaced. Paddy O'Brien hit Toome's first score in twelve minutes to
ease the anxiety. The storm clouds were moving away and so did Kildangan's hopes in the 56th minute when Benny Dunne's free
ended up in the net through the hands of Dermot Hogan.
A late point from Willie Ryan confirmed Toomevara as champions for the 31st time after one hell of a second half scare
from a Kildangan team that will still have a big say in the County Championship.
Man of the Match: Benny Dunne (Toomevara)
Scorers - Toomevara: Ken Dunne 0-5, 4 frees, Willie Ryan 0-3, Benny Dunne 1-0, free, Francis Devanney, Paddy O'Brien 0-2
each, Michael Bevans, Thomas Dunne, Eoin Brislane 0-1 each.
Kildangan: Darragh Egan 0-9, 6 frees, 2 65s, Tommy Connors, John Maher 0-1 each. Paddy Lynch 0-1 free.
Toomevara: James McGrath, Barry Dunne, Tony Delaney, Paul McGrath, Terry Dunne, Benny Dunne, David Young, Eoin Brislane,
Ken Dunne, Paddy O'Brien, Francis Devanney, Thomas Dunne (Capt), Michael Bevans, John O'Brien, Willie Ryan. Subs: Padraig
Hackett for E Brislane (42), John Delaney for Thomas Dunne (55).
Kildangan: Dermot Hogan, Michael Ryan, Liam Kelly (Capt), Brian Lawlor, Karl Hogan, Dan Hackett, Gerry Slattery, John
Maher, Brian Kelly, Paddy Lynch, John Slattery, Tommy Connors, Conor Hayes, Liam Karol Flannery, Darragh Egan. Subs: Eoin
Gleeson for J Slattery (27), Sean Gleeson for C Hayes (44), Hugh Flannery for LK Flannery (56).
Referee: Johnny McDonnell (Roscrea)
Attendance: 3,500 approx.
© Nenagh Guardian
& http://www.unison.ie/
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