Larkin’s dramatic late strike results in replay

Date Published: 12-Nov-2009

COLM Larkin was the toast of Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry on Sunday evening when his injury time goal dramatically saved his team from the ignominy of county final defeat at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe last Sunday.

With time up, the amalgamated side trailed their opponents by 1-15 to 0-15, and it looked like the opportunity of claiming the silverware on offer, and securing a place in the senior ranks for 2010, had agonisingly gone away from them.

However, when a long probing delivery was deflected, forcing a superb reaction save from Meelick-Eyrecourt ‘keeper Damien Howe, Larkin was first onto the loose ball to whip beyond a luckless Howe on 61 minutes.

Without a doubt, Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry had left it late, but, in truth, it was no more than they deserved. They had given of themselves wholly and contributed as much to this contest as their opponents, and another shot at the title was certainly just reward for their endeavours.

Indeed, they had held the upper hand for three-quarters of this clash, with Ronan Madden, Brian Cunningham and Michael Dervan tallying some excellent scores over the opening 45 minutes, while the evergreen Liam Hodgins was proving to be a general among men in the full-back berth.

So, by the 10th minute, it was Tynagh who led 0-4 to 0-1, with Dervan, Madden, Cunningham and Larkin clipping over some magnificent scores, while Dermot Dunne posted the sole reply for a lethargic Meelick-Eyrecourt outfit. ‘Ogie’ Moran’s men, though, finally found some rhythm thereafter. Kevin Moran struck over two very good scores – these sandwiching a 15th minute effort from centre-half forward Rory McGauran, following good work from Mark Ryan.

With the game tied at 0-4 apiece, Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry subsequently roused themselves again and between the 18th and 23rd minutes tallied three unanswered points through Cunningham (2) and Madden.

It seemed as if they would hold that three-point advantage entering the interval, but then Brendan Lucas hit a massive free from just inside his own half to leave just two between the sides at the half-time break.

Overall, though, it really was a lacklustre first half, with the quality of hurling paling significantly in comparison to the excitement, skill and verve of the minor championship final curtain-raiser.

Thankfully, the second period did offer a great deal more in entertainment value. Within 20 seconds of the restart, Madden fired over his third point of the afternoon, but to Eyrecourt’s credit, the men in blue and white responded immediately through similar efforts from Sean McCormack and Niall Lynch.

Again, Tynagh upped the ante. First, Cunningham fired over a free, after Moran was fouled, before Moran himself conjured up a score out of nothing on 40 minutes to re-establish his side’s three point lead, 0-10 to 0-7.

It was all going to plan for Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry, but then, as Meelick-Eyrecourt have a tendency to do, Moran’s charges pulled the spanner from the toolbox and threw it into the proverbial works. A strong, powerful run by centre-forward McGauran created the opening. He subsequently laid the sliotar off to full-forward Noel Kenny and the man – fondly known as ‘Scraper’ – drove his effort beyond Tynagh ‘keeper Kevin Devine for a 41st minute goal.

Although only tied level for the second time, this was the sort of contest that no quarter was asked or given as Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry duo Declan Donnelly and Cunningham traded points with McCormack and Lucas in the ensuing passages of play.

Into the final quarter, Meelick/Eyrecourt finally took the lead for the first time with three unanswered points between the 48th and 52nd minutes. These consisted of two Lucas efforts – one from play, the other from a placed ball – and a great score from ‘Scraper’ which nudged his side into a 1-12 to 0-12 lead.

Although two Cunningham frees and a Ger Burke effort sought to cut the deficit for Tynagh, each time these were cancelled out by some excellent Eyrecourt shooting from midfielder Martin Corcoran and Lucas (two frees).

In any event, with time up, it seemed as if Meelick-Eyrecourt had done enough to secure the title, but then came Larkin’s last gasp goal in injury-time to force this intermediate decider to a replay on Saturday.

That said, Lucas did have a free three minutes into injury time to steal the victory, but given it was hugging the stand touchline, it was always going to be a difficult one to execute. In the end, it tapered off wide of the target. All in all, a draw was the fair result … even both sides wide tally was the same, each clocking up seven.

However, Meelick-Eyrecourt may just feel that they let this one get away from them in the end. They seemed to have paced themselves sufficiently, hitting the front with 12 minutes to go, after which they raced into a three-point lead.

Over the hour, they had some enterprising performances, with Howe, Peter Stones, Ronan Larkin and centre-back Martin Larkin excellent in defence, while Dermot Dunne and Martin Corcoran had their moments in midfield. Up front, all six starting forwards scored, with Brendan Lucas and Noel Kenny scoring 0-6 and 1-1 respectively.

As for Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry – who had defeated their opponents by 0-15 to 0-11 in the group stages – they will be counting their lucky stars this week and one has to believe that the psychological advantage, after their late strike, has now to be with them entering the replay.

In defence, Hodgins, Karl Kavanagh and Padraig Shiel did well, while the hardworking Ger Burke held his own around the middle of the park. In attack, Madden and Cunningham posed real threats, although Colm Larkin and Michael Dervan also chipped in with some invaluable scores. Galway’s All-Ireland winning minor John Breheny – returning from injury – also made a notable contribution when introduced.

Meanwhile, the replay has been fixed for Duggan Park on Saturday (see fixtures), with the winners due out to face Mayo champions Ballyhaunis in the Connacht intermediate final in Athleague on Sunday (2pm).

Meelick-Eyrecourt: D. Howe; J. Flynn, P. Stones, M. McCormack; R. Larkin, M. Larkin, M. Ryan; D. Dunne (0-1), M. Corcoran (0-1); S. McCormack (0-2), R. McGauran (0-1), N. Lynch (0-1); B. Lucas (0-6, 0-4 frees), N. Kenny (1-1), K. Moran (0-2). Subs: A. Dunne for Flynn (24 mins.); T. Moran for K. Moran (47 mins.); M. Dunne for D. Dunne (56 mins.).

Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry: K. Devine; N. Finnerty, L. Hodgins, P. Gordon; M. Gordon, K. Kavanagh, P. Shiel; A. Burke, G. Burke (0-1); R. Madden (0-3), J. Shiel, C. Larkin (1-1); B. Cunningham (0-7, 0-5 frees), D. Donnelly (0-1), M. Dervan (0-2). Subs: J. Breheny for A. Burke (H/T); K. Broderick for J. Shiel (H/T); D. Power for Dervan (51 mins.); K. Moloney for M. Gordon (54 mins.); P. McHugo for N. Finnerty (54 mins.).

Referee: T. Fox.