Relieved Tubber hold on for league title win

DESPITE doing their utmost to kick it away, there was no disputing the merit of Tubber's win as they held off stern resistance from Clonbullogue in a keenly contested Division 2 Football League final in O'Connor Park on Saturday afternoon.

Offaly Division 2 Football League final

Tubber 0-10

Clonbullogue 0-9

Tubber were clearly the better side on the day but didn't show it on the scoreboard as they held on for dear life at the end and this game could very easily have went to extra time.

Tubber had 11 wides, four in the second half and while this is not that bad, they will have to sharpen up on their shooting and the percentage of chances they convert for the senior “B” championship. Tubber's catalogue of misses included a hit post and a few dropped short and they would have had only themselves to blame if they hadn't won.

Clonbullogue for their part never really got going. They were off the pace in the first half and improved in the second half but then ran out of legs and ideas in the closing few minutes. They really missed the pace and threat of county player Keith O'Neill up front as they failed to score from play in the first half and only managed two in the second half.

Considering all that, they did well to bring it right down to the wire and they weren't far off. It wasn't a great game of football but it was very competitive and with both sides going at it hard, it provided decent entertainment.

Tubber were the better side by a considerable distance in the first half but their 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead didn't reflect this. Five of their seven wides came in the first quarter while Bernard Allen had a goal chance saved after six minutes.

The first quarter was mediocre with scores at a premium. The sides were level at 0-2 each after seventeen minutes but two super Bernard Allen points got Tubber clear. They were 0-6 to 0-3 ahead after 25 minutes and Jack McEvoy's free made it a two point game at half time – the Offaly player's free taking was good in the first half. Tubber should have got in for a goal before the interval but Aaron Allen made an excellent save from Patrick Farrell after a great ball in from the veteran Ciaran McManus, who played well for the winners – veteran may not be the right word to describe McManus who is now in his late 40s!

Clonbullogue were much better in the third quarter, driving at Tubber and playing their best football. Lee Dempsey got their first point from play seconds after the resumption and McEvoy's free levelled it up in the 32nd minute. Bernard Allen fisted Tubber back into the front but Clonbullogue hit another purple patch. Jack McEvoy and sub Jamie Guing converted frees while Guing also pointed from play to put them 0-9 to 0-7 ahead after 46 minutes

It was a sensational enough turnaround and the momentum was very much with Clonbullogue but a mixture of Tubber catching their breath and the losers running out of steam saw the wheel move again. Amazingly Clonbullogue didn't score again while Tubber just about got enough.

Pauric Robbins and Bernard Allen (free) levelled by the 50th minute. Ronan Farrell floated over the winner with five minutes left but despite an abundance of ball, Tubber couldn't get a “safe” two points between them. Conor Fox had a wide, Eoin Murphy dropped the ball with the goal gaping after a great ball in from Bernard Allen, Allen hit the post with a fisted shot and Fox dropped one harmlessly into the goalkeeper's arms. Pauric Robbins also dropped one short and Murphy had a wide for Tubber but Clonbullogue didn't punish them. With Tubber defending very well, quickly crowding out attackers, Clonbullogue not only couldn't manafacture a chance but also seemed to be trying for a soft free and while they could have got one, the winning defence showed good discipline.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Bernard Allen (Tubber): On a day when Tubber missed so much, Bernard Allen's contribution was pivotal. He got five points, three from play and also set up other chances, only a couple of which were taken. Padraig McLoughlin was also a contender for Tubber, working very hard in defence and drawing fouls and punishment.

THE SCORERS

Tubber: Bernard Allen 0-5 (2f), Pauric Robbins 0-2, Padraig McLoughin, Ciaran McManus (f) and Ronan Farrell 0-1 each.

Clonbullogue: Jack McEvoy 0-5 (5f), Jamie Guing 0-2 (1f), Lee Dempsey and Daryl Quinn (f) 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

CLONBULLOGUE: Aaron Allen; Jamie Quinn, Eoghan McEvoy, Eoghan Kinsella; Daryl Quinn, Eddie Bennett, Ian Curry; Jack McEvoy, Lee Dempsey; Harry Judge, David Dempsey, Sean Foran; Peter Byrne, Joe Foran, Ruari O'Neill. Subs – Ryan Dempsey for Kinsella (HT), Jamie Guing for Byrne (40m), Diarmuid O'Neill for McEvoy (52m), Tommy Demsey for Foran (59m),

TUBBER: James Langan; Nigel Farrell, Eddie Kavanagh, Sean Farrell; Padraig McLoughlin, Ciaran Allen, Conor Fox; Ciaran McManus, Ciaran Kinahan; David Colgan, Brian Kelly, Patrick Farrell; Eoin Murphy, Bernard Allen, Pauric Robbins. Subs – Ronan Farrell for Kinahan (HT), Joe Higgins for Murphy (64m),

Referee – Ger Keyes (Shamrocks).

REFEREE WATCH

Ger Keyes had a good game. There were a couple of times when you could debate if he allowed advantage to run for too long before calling back the free but that is always a tricky one for referees. He was fair, consistent and got the vast majority of calls right. Daryl Quinn should have got a yellow card for a careless trip on Padraig McLoughin in the second half while Clonbullogue felt they should have got a free in late on but Tubber were trying hard not to foul.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Pauric Robbins' 48th minute point was a big one. It came after Clonbullogue had scored three on the trot to take a two point lead and Tubber were crying out for a score. That point settled them and they were the better team from here to the finish.

VENUE WATCH

O'Connor Park was certainly not over run with stewards for this one while the pitch was very hard and dry looking after the recent warm weather. The score board was not working properly with the game on a few minutes before they got it going and the teams were not displayed then while it did not work at all in the second half until late on. In fairness, stewards did announce the score occasionally and announcer Eamon Cusack finally solved the problem just ahead of the following Division 1 final.

WHAT'S NEXT

Both sides now turn their attention to the Senior “B” Football Championship and they will be meeting again in the group stages.

STATISTICS

Wides: Tubber 11 – (7 in first half); Clonbullogue – 7 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: Tubber – 1 (Eoin McEvoy); Tubber – 1 (Patrick Farrell).

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.