Nightmare first half ends Tullamore's dreams of provincial glory

TULLAMORE'S dreams of Leinster Club Senior Football Championship glory unravelled when an excellent Ballyboden St Enda's side evicted them in a one sided semi-final at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday.

Leinster Club Senior Football Championship semi-final

Ballyboden St Enda's 2-19

Tullamore 0-10

Tullamore's worse nightmare unfolded as the Dublin champions stormed into a 2-12 to 0-4 half time lead, giving them an ample cushion to qualify for the final.

It just didn't happen for Tullamore on the day. Off field things didn't help with news breaking this week of the quick departure of one of their brightest prospects, Cillian Bourke to Australia on a professional playing contact on Sunday. A stormy club Annual General Meeting on Friday evening would not have affected the squad but some of the players on the team were certainly close to some of the personalties involved and it did form part of the background noise to this fixture.

None of these, however, are the reasons that a season of noteworthy progress came to a shuddering halt for Tullamore. The loss of their defensive talisman John Furlong to injury after 17 minutes had a huge impact but Tullamore's problems were considerable and wide ranging in the first half. They would not have won this had Bourke's news been held onto for another few days, if their AGM had went smoothly or if John Furlong had been firing on all cylinders.

Ballyboden had a stiff enough wind but it was probably worth three or four points and in no way explained the huge fourteen point gap at the break. A lot of Tullamore problems were self inflicted. They were turned over with alarming ease, particularly in their attack where an expected Ballyboden advantage in physical strength manifested itself. Some of the turnovers, however, were down to carelessness while a handful of Ballyboden points came after misplaced kickouts or clearances from goalkeeper Corey White, who had been in great form all year.

Tullamore actually started well and led by 0-2 to 0-1 after five minutes but an eight minute goal from Ross McGarry changed the game. Ryan Basquel blazed a great goal chance over two minutes later and suddenly Tullamore were sucking air.

Ballyboden scented the vulnerability and went for blood. They attacked with great menace with Ryan O'Dwyer outstanding, scoring four first half points. A 21^st minute penalty goal from Colm Basquel after O'Dwyer was fouled by Michael Brazil gave Ballyboden a 2-8 to 0-3 lead and they added four more points for a very big half time lead.

Tullamore gave it a real go in the third quarter. They came out with the right attitude, pushing up very impressively on their opposition and camping in the Ballyboden half for over fifteen minutes.

They were not 100 miles away from getting back into it, as they laid siege to the Ballyboden goal and got six points without reply. They had to get a goal, however, to have any chance and nearly got it twice with sub Luke Bourke and Daire McDaid both having close range shots saved.

Those six points in sixteen minutes were insufficient, as impressive as they were. The gap was still a very daunting eight points, 2-12 to 0-10 and there was no way Tullamore could sustain that relentless pressure.

When Daire Sweeney slotted over their first second half point in their first second half attack in the 47^th minute, it was like puncturing a balloon and Tullamore's resistance went out the window.

Ballyboden threw the shackles off and added six more points, four of them from Daire Sweeney with two from play as they extended their half time lead by one for a winning margin that leaves no grounds for debate.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ryan O'Dwyer (Ballyboden): Ballyboden had several contenders all over the field. Their defence was rock solid, Cein D'Arcy had a terrific game at midfield and is just edged out by Ryan O'Dwyer. O'Dwyer was fantastic in the first half when he kicked four points. He was more peripheral in the second half but anything he did, he did well, adding another quality point.

There are not many Tullamore players who will remember this game fondly. Their failure was a collective one, though Niall Furlong did put his hands up with a very hard working, diligent display, scoring two points as well.

THE SCORERS

Ballyboden St Enda's: Daire Sweeney 0-9 (3f and 1 x2p), Ryan O'Dwyer 0-5, Ross McGarry 1-1, Colm Basquel 1-0 (penalty), Ryan Basquel 0-3 (1f), Cein D'Arcy 0-1.

Tullamore: Harry Plunkett 0-5 (5f), Cillian Bourke and Niall Furlong 0-2 each, Luke Plunkett 0-1.

THE TEAMS

TULLAMORE: Corey White; Ben Heffernan, Declan Hogan, Daire McDaid; Cormac Egan, John Furlong, Oisin Keenan-Martin; Cillian Bourke, Aaron Leavy; Diarmuid Egan, Michael Brazil, Niall Furlong; Mike Fox, Luke Plunkett, Harry Plunkett. Subs – Luke Bourke for John Furlong, inj. (17m), Liam Dillane for Brazil (52m), Shane Dooley for Luke Plunkett (62m).

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA'S: Hugh O'Sullivan; Brian Bobbett, Cathal Flaherty, Ryan Baynes; James Holland, Patrick Warren, Peter Healy; Cein D'Darcy, Alex Gavin; Patrick Dunleavy, Colm Basquel, Ryan O'Dwyer; Ross McGarry, Daire Sweeney, Ryan Basquel. Subs – Harry Donahy for Gavin (35m), Luke O'Donoghue for Leavy (51m), Callum O'Dwyer for Colm Basquel (52m), Kieran Kennedy for Healy (55m), Darren O'Reilly for Ryan Basquel (58m),

Referee – Brendan Cawley, Kildare.

REFEREE WATCH

Brendan Cawley had no influence on the first half, getting the vast majority of things right. He continued to referee well in the second half, though Tullamore certainly weren't complaining at some of the decisions they got.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Colm Basquel's 21^st minute penalty goal was a big score. It gave Ballyboden a 2-8 to 0-3 lead and most Tullamore people knew they were on a hiding to nothing at that stage.

VENUE WATCH

The O'Connor Park pitch looked in sensational condition, almost summer like and the game was well hosted.

Ballyboden made two late changes to their team, not informing the O'Connor Park announcer of them. There is no excuse for that and you would wonder why clubs do that.

WHAT'S NEXT

Ballyboden go into the final.

STATISTICS

Wides: Tullamore - 6 (3 in first half); Ballyboden – 2 (1 in first half).

Yellow cards: Ballyboden – 1 (Alex Gavin); Tullamore – 1 (Michael Brazil).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0