Alan O’ Neill

Alan O’ Neill

U21 Appearances: 2
Total Scored: 0-01
Honours: Munster U21 Hurling (2003)

2003 Munster Under 21 Hurling Final
Tipperary 2-14 Cork 0-17

2003 Munster Under 21 Hurling Semi-Final
Tipperary 1-11 Clare 0-11

Report; Gerry Slevin Pictures; Bridget Delaney

If any player was to have a deciding influence on Tipp’s under 21 hurling progress in Cusack Park, Ennis last Wednesday evening, it had to be Eoin Kelly. The 2001 and 2002 All Star is in his FIFTH season, no less, in the grade, having come on as a sub at the same venue in that torrid provincial final back in 1999.

That two inter-county teams could produce but a solitary point between them in the opening fifteen minutes is surely an indictment on both and while one could point to the supremacy of the respective back lines, what must not be forgotten is that far too many opportunities were wasted by prodigal forwards, Tipp the principal schemers in this period of incredible inaccuracy.

Appropriately, it was Tipp’s captain Eoin Kelly who lofted his team ahead, pointing a 5th minute free but that was it for a quarter hour. Tipp had the better chances to add to that score but couldn’t or didn’t and Clare found their incursions into Tipp territory thwarted by a solid defence in which senior player Martin Maher stood out like a beacon.

Then when the home side eventually scored, team captain Brian Culbert pointing in the 15th minute, the Clare roar erupted and before the next minute had ticked over, two further Clare points had been added. Clare now seemed to be on a roll but after Alan O’Neill had got a point back for Tipp, Clare’s chief marksman Andrew Quinn decided to take the Tipp defence by surprise and opt for a goal from a close in free. Had it come off, it would surely have put Clare safely in the driving seat. But no, the shot was low but weak and Martin Maher gratefully grabbed the ball and cleared it away.

The remainder of the half was much more free flowing, Clare managing to keep their noses in front without ever threatening to pull away. Two minutes from the break they might have had a goal when communication between two Tipp defenders broke down as they collided. Clare’s Daithi O’Connell nipped in and was presented with a gift goal only to blaze the ball over the bar.

TIPP’S TASK

That score gave Clare a 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead and from their overall performance, it was clear that the visitors had a task on their hands if they were to prevent the Banner boys from recording their first win over Tipp in the grade since 1992.

Francis Devaney was on instead of Derek Bourke in a re-jigged Tipp side and the omens didn’t look promising when a quick attack set up by Martin Maher saw Eoin Kelly blast the ball wide. Amends were made, though, four minutes later when Tony Scroope set Kelly up for a point and a minute later came the game’s most vital score, Eoin Kelly finishing off a move with a thundering shot that was literally unstoppable.

It was the goal that Tipp – and the match – needed, giving the visitors the lead for the first time since the 16th minute. Clare pegged them back twice with points, Tipp answering immediately, thanks to the accuracy of Conor O’Mahoney and Eoin Kelly. John O’Brien was also coming much more into the game in a distributive role and while Clare tried very hard, they could never manage the scores that would unduly worry their opponents. While not allowing Tipp to get too far ahead, at the same time they hadn’t the wherewithal in attack to force the resilient Tipp defence into serious error.

Martin Maher continued his defiance and Michael Phelan and Hugh Moloney on the left flank were very busy and influential. Clare sub, Paudie Collins had his side’s final score with twelve minutes still remaining (1-9 to 0-11) but Pat Buckley and Eoin Kelly (free) pointed Tipp that bit further ahead, though chances were there to move away from a precarious three point lead position and were not availed of.

FINAL CHANCE

Into added time and one final chance for Clare to force a replay. Andrew Quinn with a fifty yard free (and following team manager David Fitzgerald’s eliciting from referee Ger Harrington that time was fast becoming a scarce commodity) opted to drop the ball into the Tipp square in the hope of a colleague doing the rest. Up went the hand of Eamonn Ryan, safely clutching the sliotar and the final whistle then sounded to Tipp’s glee and indeed relief.

There was no denying Tipp’s entitlement to a final. Being their first game – Clare had already beaten Kerry – Tipp were somewhat in a try-out mood, their situation not helped with examinations in recent weeks. When the defence eventually settled in as a unit, they had the measure of a disappointing Clare attack. Martin Maher worked unceasingly and with great effect throughout the hour. Michael Phelan, Diarmuid Fitzgerald and Hugh Moloney also put in a very solid hour, defending manfully, while Eamonn Buckley and John Devane knuckled in after some hesitant early minutes, all managing to give keeper Vinnie Doheny a relatively quiet hour.

Interestingly, all four starting midfielders were replaced during the hour, through here, Tipp always had a slight edge through Conor O’Mahoney, Derek Bourke and later Eamonn Ryan.

Eoin Kelly took the lion’s share of honours in attack, leading his side with great authority. Tony Scroope and John O‘Brien worked very hard too with Pat Buckley, Alan O’Neill (brother of Eugene) and Francis Devaney doing their share in a sector that should have made more use of the possession received.

Clare were well served by defenders Thomas Holland, Pat Vaughan and Brian O’Connell with Brian Culbert, Andrew Quinn and Fergal Lynch eye catching in their attacking endeavours.

SCORERS AND TEAMS:

Scorers for Tipp were E. Kelly 1-6 (0-3 frees), A. O’Neill, T. Scroope, C. O’Mahoney, J. O’Brien and P. Buckley 0-1 each.

Clare’s replies came from A. Quinn 0-4 (3 frees). B. Culbert 0-2, F. Lynch, D. O’Connell, P. Collins, C. Crowe, G. Ryan 0-1 each.

Tipp had thirteen wides in the hour, eight in the first half with Clare’s total coming to nine, of which six were in the first half.

Twenty was the total number of frees for the hour, eleven to Tipp and nine to Clare.

TIPPERARY – Vinnie Doheny (Mullinahone), Eamonn Buckley (Drom-Inch), John Devane (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Michael Phelan (Ballybacon-Grange), Martin Maher (Borris-ileigh), Diarmuid Fitzgerald (Roscrea), Hugh Moloney (Nenagh Eire Og), Conor O’Mahoney (Newport), Derek Bourke (Loughmore-Castleiney), Pat Buckley (Emly), Eamonn Ryan (Moycarkey-Borris), John O’Brien (Toomevara), Tony Scroope (Burgess), Eoin Kelly, captain (Mullinahone), Alan O’Neill (Cappawhite).

Subs – Francis Devaney (Toomevara) for Bourke, Ronan O’Brien (Eire Og, Annacarty) for O’Neill, Joe Caesar (Killenaule) for O‘Mahoney.

CLARE – Philip Brennan, Thomas Holland, Ronan O’Looney, Gerard O’Grady, Pat Vaughan, Brian O’Connell, Darragh Clancy, Bobby McPhillips, Mark Culbert, Damien Kennedy, Brian Culbert (captain), Barry Loughnane, Fergal Lynch, Andrew Quinn, Daithi O’Connell.

Subs – Gearoid Ryan for Kennedy, Paudie Collins for Mark Culbert, Cyril Crowe for Loughnane, Eoin Burke for McPhillips, Padraig Kilmartin for Vaughan.

Referee – Ger Harrington, Cork.