Curley and Whittaker on fire as Tubberclair advance to final

Writech Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship semi-final: Tubberclair 1-17, St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge 0-13

Tubberclair booked their place in the Westmeath intermediate football final with a hugely impressive victory over a fancied St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge team at TEG Cusack Park last Sunday.

St Mary’s led by three points at half-time (0-8 to 0-5), but a youthful Tubberclair outfit produced a superb display when backed by the strong breeze in the second half.

The eventual winners quickly wiped out the half-time deficit and then built a lead they never looked like relinquishing. Including a point just before the interval, Tubberclair raised nine white flags on the trot during a highly productive spell.

Tubberclair made light of the absence from the sideline of team manager Martin McCabe, who was suspended after receiving a red card in the quarter-final win over Castledaly.

The Tubberclair forward line looked dangerous throughout, with the men from the Glasson area kicking some wonderful points, and Robbie Curley’s well taken goal sealed the victory.

Tubberclair started brightly, with Tom Kelleher and his brother Fred sending over early points, and indeed they should have put more scores on the board in the opening exchanges.

But Alan Gavin’s charges drew level by the 12th minute with points from Ian Keelan and Seán Lyster (a splendid score). Tubberclair were also relieved to be awarded a free out after a lobbed effort from Paul Carey (operating in a deep role) bounced over the crossbar.

With the players wearing number 2 on either side - Brendan Brady of St Mary’s and Tubberclair’s Stephen McGonagle - defending tenaciously, the Rochfortbridge men went ahead with a point from Eddie Alford (18th minute).

What seemed a crucial moment arrived a minute later. The outstanding Matthew Whittaker showed searing pace to create a goal chance for Paul Garvey, but the latter’s shot crashed off the crossbar. It was a major let-off for the ‘Bridge.

Whittaker underlined his threat with an exquisite point (21st minute). But with Tubberclair now finding it difficult to win possession from kickouts, St Mary’s then enjoyed a purple patch, scoring points courtesy of Niall Cully (mark), Ned Cully and attacking wing-back Kehn Raqueno.

Garvey blasted over a needed riposte for Tubberclair, but St Mary’s were now in the ascendancy. After an ambitious effort by Ian Kellan flew into the side netting, points by Niall and Ned Cully (a fisted effort with a possible goal on) added to their lead. In added time of an enjoyable opening half, Fred Kelleher did well to earn a free-in, which was pointed by Eoghan McCabe.

Three points within two minutes of the restart saw Tubberclair draw level. Whittaker, Curley and Tom Kelleher (punishing a wayward kickout from long range) were the scorers.

Midfielders McCabe and Sean Claffey (who had a great second half) were delivering good ball inside and the Tubberclair forwards were taking full advantage.

With St Mary’s guilty of some wasteful finishing, Tubberclair surged into a 0-13 to 0-8 lead with points from McCabe (free), Fred Kelleher (two, including a majestic score), Garvey and substitute Oisín O’Meara.

At the other end, a vigilant McGonagle blocked Lyster’s shot to prevent a possible goal, preserving Tubberclair’s record of not conceding a goal in this year’s championship.

St Mary’s finally opened their second-half account with a pointed free by Niall Cully and the industrious Eddie Alford then cut the gap further.

Yet Tubberclair effectively wrapped up their victory when Claffey’s catch and delivery inside paved the way for Curley to find the net with a composed finish (57th minute).

St Mary’s added to their tally with two points from Ned Cully (frees) and one from Lyster. But they needed a goal to pull off an improbable comeback and indeed Lyster was aiming for the net, but his flick from Peter Lalor’s delivery went over the bar.

Tubberclair embellished their total with points from McCabe and Garvey (a classy score), while Curley capped his excellent second-half display with two terrific points in the closing moments.

Tubberclair will now meet Shandonagh in the county final after the men in sky blue and navy overcame Milltown by a single point, after extra-time, in the other semi-final last Saturday.

Man of the match: Matthew Whittaker (Tubberclair). Some of his attacking colleagues scored more but Whittaker was the creative fulcrum of several moves, and his ability to run at opponents caused St Mary’s problems throughout.

Scorers – Tubberclair: R Curley 1-3; F Kelleher, P Garvey and E McCabe (2f) 0-3 each; M Whittaker and T Kelleher 0-2 each; O O’Meara 0-1. St Mary’s: Ned Cully 0-4 (2f); Niall Cully 0-3 (1 mark, 1f); S Lyster and E Alford 0-2 each; I Keelan and K Raqueno 0-1 each.

Tubberclair: Kevin Fagan; Stephen McGonagle, Jason McHugh, Aaron Brady; James Madden, Cathal Tighe, Oisin Donohue; Eoghan McCabe, Sean Claffey; Fred Kelleher, Matthew Whittaker, Tom Kelleher; Robbie Curley, Paul Garvey, Rory Delaney. Subs used: Oisín O’Meara for Delaney (43); Charlie Kennedy for T Kelleher (55); Graham Whittaker for Tighe (58); Neil Kenny for Brady (inj., 60).

St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge: Eoin Gorman; Brendan Brady, Aidan Robinson, Enda Cully; Dan O’Sullivan, Peter Lalor, Kehn Raqueno; Jake Byrne Seán Lyster; Niall Cully, Jordan Ajani, Eddie Alford; Paul Carey, Ned Cully, Ian Keelan. Subs used: Jerry Byrne for Carey (38); Jack Reid for Keelan (43); Adam Kavanagh for Brady (43); Sean Carroll for O’Sullivan (56).

Referee: Shane Maher (Ballynacargy).