Tullamore wrap up league title in thrilling finale

Tullamore were crowned League champions in Mount Temple last Sunday following a thrilling final day of the season.

CCFL Division 1

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Temple Villa 1

Tullamore Town 2

With three teams capable of winning the title this was always going to be a day of high drama but, with Town a goal down and reduced to ten men after twenty five minutes, the omens were not good.

Instead of going under they drew on all their battling qualities to produce a magnificent second half performance that saw them safely across the line. The early exchanges were evenly contested but, with twenty minutes on the clock, Villa hit the front when Ian Gardiner chased down a long ball to sweep it past Ciaran Carragher in the visitors goal. Five minutes later Tullamore were left with a mountain to climb when central defender Anthony Coyne picked up a second yellow card and was summarily dismissed.

With Mark Hayes being withdrawn into defence Tullamore tried to steady the ship but, with James Martin outstanding at the back and Paul O’Brien and Peter Smith controlling midfield, the home side ensured that their opportunities were at a premium as the interval arrived with Temple Villa’s one goal lead intact.

As news filtered through that Clonaslee Utd were three goals up in their corresponding game, Tullamore knew that nothing less than a win would suffice and they duly set about their task with a vengeance. Straight from the restart Trevor Francis picked out Keith O’Connor in the inside right channel and his fine drive was brilliantly turned around the post by Alan Robbins.

With Ronnie Hughes coming on for the injured Brian Norris they continued to press and again went close when O’Connor played a lovely reverse ball through to Francis, but Robbins was quickly off his line to avert the danger. It was not all one way traffic and Ciaran Carragher did well to tip Paul O’Brien’s swerving effort over the bar and then, with an hour gone, Tullamore struck for the equaliser. Keith O’Connor pulled the ball back to Niall Gorman who picked out Niall Lynch in the area and, when his effort was blocked, Enda Ravenhill pounced to fire the ball home from close range.

With Lynch, Ravenhill and Patrick Gorman dominating midfield, the ten men continued to pour forward and, with seventy minutes on the clock, their pressure was rewarded. Ravenhill played the ball down the left to Kevin Minnock who cut inside and coolly drove his shot low into the far corner for a superb goal.

As Temple Villa tried to get back in the game James Martin saw his long range effort well saved by Carragher while, at the other end, Shane Delaney played a great cross field ball to Keith O’Conner but his drive flew inches outside the right post. With the clock ticking down O’Connor put Delaney through but his effort was deflected wide as the referee brought this white knuckle ride to a conclusion.

This was a performance full of character and belief in which every player stood up to the plate. Great credit is also due to manager Noel Courtney and coach Alan Murray who transformed this team into title winners. Their season is still full of promise as in two weeks time they will be looking to complete a famous double when they take on the winners of Birr Celtic and Moate Celtic in the final of the Dolan Cup.

In what was a wonderful all round team performance there were excellent contributions from Ken Doyle, Niall Lynch, Enda Ravenhill and Keith O’Connor with James Martin, Paul O’Brien and Peter Smith the pick of the home side, but the man of the match award went to Tullamore’s outstanding playmaker, Patrick Gorman.

Tullamore: Ciaran Carragher, Niall Gorman, Ken Doyle, Anthony Coyne, Brian Norris, Keith O’Connor, Niall Lynch, Enda Ravenhill, Patrick Gorman, Mark Hayes and Trevor Francis. Subs: Ronnie Hughes, Kevin Minnock, Shane Delaney, Patrick Tyrell, David Maloney and Cormac Bradley.