Clinical first half enough for Tullamore to condemn Raheen to second defeat

HAVING each lost their opening games of the Intermediate Football Championship two weeks ago, both Tullamore and Raheen were looking to capture a first win of the season on Friday night in O’Brien Park and it was the Division 3 champions who came out on top by points. 

Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Championship Group 2 Round 2

Tullamore  1-11 Raheen 1-7

Despite both teams already guaranteed a quarter final spot come the knockout stages, there was still a real championship feel to the action in O’Brien Park on Friday evening which saw Tullamore come out on top by four points over Raheen to claim the two points. 

Playing with the breeze in the first half, Tullamore got off to the perfect start as Tom Furlong got the game's opening two points within first 90 seconds, followed up by a Peter Fox free moments later, and soon they extended their early advantage as Ben Connolly slipped in Liam Dillane who took his effort with a plum to get the games opening goal and leaving Raheen with a lot of work to do already. 

A Lee Mulpeter free was Raheen’s first score after eight minutes played, however Tullamore were still on top as they passed around the ball smoothly and were finding their men at every given opportunity, but Raheen found themselves guilty of also executing their kick outs rather poorly as Tullamore turned over four consecutive kick outs with led to back to back scores from Tom Furlong, and a mark sent over from Peter Fox. 

Raheen’s kick outs were constantly causing themselves trouble, although they almost found the net from a loose ball which was sent just narrowly wide by Dylan Hyland, but aside from that they were struggling to cope with Tullamore’s constant pressure and fast play. 

Raheen grew slightly more into the game from an offensive point of view despite hitting a series of wides and working themselves into semi scoring positions but they still couldn’t register a second score in the game and had no luck on their side. Tullamore began to waste a couple of chances themselves as the game didn’t see a single score from either side for 15 minutes until Peter Fox’s 28th minute score from out near the sideline. 

Raheen finally got their first score from play and it came just on the stroke of half time as Lee Mulpeter's hand pass across the square found Offaly forward Dylan Hyland and he made mistake at his rebounded opportunity to bring it back to a six point game and still leaving Raheen with a bit of a fighting chance. But they had it all to do in the second half. 

Half time Tullamore 1-7 - 1-1 Raheen.

Raheen got the second half’s opening point thanks to Conor Carroll, and soon followed it up with a free coolly dispatched by Dylan Hyland and suddenly it was only a four point game. 

Tullamore weren’t looking as efficient in the second period and looked a small bit on the back foot, until they finally got a score after 37 minutes thanks to Jay Sheerin to restore a five point deficit. 

By the 50th minute it was a six point game as Dylan Hyland was doing his best to keep his side in it, but Tullamore kept the scoreboard ticking thanks to David Keegan and a terrific score from out the sideline from Cillian Martin. 

Raheen refused to give in though as Dylan Hyland came alive in the second period as he sent over two curling efforts in the final 10 minutes as well as adding a close range free to claim all of the Raheen scores in the second 30 minutes. However, Tullamore were never in true trouble of losing out on the win as Liam Dillane and the experienced Shane Dooley late into stoppage time secured victory and made sure that Raheen will be still searching for a first win come the third round and gives Tullamore a boost going into the final round of group games. 

Raheen was also dealt a blow late on with full forward Conor Carroll given his marching orders with his second yellow card coming towards the end of the game and leaving the challenge all too much to fight back from. Tullamore had enough in the tank to hold out in the end. 

Full time Tullamore 1-11 - 1-7 Raheen. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

(Tom Furlong): Dylan Hensey had a strong showing at full back, winning his duel battles and constantly strong in the tackle. Dylan Hyland came to life in the second half, with his goal just before the break igniting a spark in him as he ended with 1-5. Peter Fox also impressed at full forward, causing all sorts of issues left right and centre, and slotting over 0-3. 

Tom Furlong’s performance in the first half was the difference maker. Four first half points and all taken expertly, his eye for goal was well and truly on this evening, and he also did his part in helping grind out the win with his defensive duties in the second half. 

THE SCORERS

Tullamore: Tom Furlong 0-4, Liam Dillane 1-, Peter Fox 0-3 (1 mark, 1free), Jay Sheerin, Cillian Martin, Davin Keegan and Shane Dooley 0-1 each.

Raheen: Dylan Hyland 1-5 (2frees), Conor Carroll and Lee Mulpeter (1free) 0-1 each. 

THE TEAMS

Tullamore: Shaun Martin; Jack Bracken; Dylan Hensey (Capt); Devon Henchy; Jack Maher; Patrick Robilliard; Shane Enright; Davin Keegan; Luke Bourke; Tom Furlong; Ben Connolly; Jay Sheerin; Liam Dillane; Peter Fox; Cillian Martin. Subs– Michael Fox for Connolly (46m); Shane Dooley for Fox (46m); Dan Fox for Maher (50m); Ben Heffernan for Sheerin (55m). 

Raheen: Paddy Rigney; David Carthy; Jack Keogh; Peter McKeagney; Glen Hassett; Eamon Bolger; Aidan Pierce; Rory Grehan; Danny Gorman; Niall Dempsey; Lee Mulpeter; Kaelyn Thompson; Dylan Hyland (JC); Conor Carroll; Brian Crombie (JC). Subs - Brian Corcoran for Gorman (37m); Mikey Keogh for Hassett (46m); Cein Gorman for Mulpeter (55m). 

Referee – Ciaran Groome, Bracknagh

REFEREE WATCH

Ciaran Groome let the game flow without any major talking points, until he had to send Conor Carroll off for a second bookable offence, which was the correct decision. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Tom Furlong’s two sets of 30 second braces really made the overall difference in the game and showed his clinical finishing early on, Cillian Martin’s 44th minute score from a tricky angle was also a very impressive score. 

VENUE WATCH

On a beautiful evening for football, O’Brien Park was in splendid condition for this evening's encounter . A decent showing from both sets of supporters also. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Tullamore face Ballinagar in round 3 while Raheen take on St Brigid’s. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Tullamore – 10  (5 in first half,  5 in 2nd half); Raheen – 5 (4 in first half, 1 in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: Tullamore - (1) Dylan Hensey; Raheen – (3) Brian Crombie, Conor Carroll (2x)

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: Tullamore– (0 ) Raheen – 1 (Conor Carroll 2 yellows).