The term destiny can often be overused in sport, but there was most definitely an air of destiny about events the Gaelic Grounds last Sunday afternoon. Whether it was the the electric atmosphere or some of the sorcery witnessed by any spectator lucky enough to be there, it was a truly magical occasion for our club as we booked our first trip to Croker in 33 years.
It was last year's beaten finalists who understandably settled into the game quickest registering the first two scores of the game with intercounty star Conor Cooney starting brightly for the Galway champions. We responded in fine fashion rattling off the next three points in quick succession from Jerry Kelly, Conor Kenny and a fine long range strike from Brendan Maher to edge our noses in front. It was short lived though as Thomas's showed their scoring prowess once more, wing forward Fintan Burke fielded an invited ball on the edge of the 21 before offloading to the onrushing Eanna Burke who made no mistake in firing the ball to the top right corner of the net.
Once again the lads responded fantastically with both Maher's Brendan and Kevin converting placed balls to leave the score reading 0-06 to 1-03 after fifteen minutes. Further scores from JD Devaney, Conor Kenny along with a rousing long range point from Kevin Maher after some immense pressure in our full back gave us a big lift before half time. Two more well struck frees from Brendan Maher was enough to see us in two points to the good at the break, 0-11 to 1-06.
Once again it was the Galway men who took the initiative at the start of the second half leveling up proceedings inside three minutes with centre forward Darragh Burke firing over a long range free. Kevin Maher's second free of the afternoon followed by a Brendan Maher 65' restored our narrow lead once more. With the ever changing momentum it really was anyone's game, three St Thomas' points in a row put them ahead by the minimum before five tremendous points in a row from the lads put us in the driving seat going into the final ten minutes. These included two excellent scores from the ever present Kevin Maher along with a turnover high up the field resulting in a well taken Conor Kenny point.
As we entered the closing stages the Thomas's men pushed hard as they attempted to reel in our four point lead, they registered three out of the next four scores to bring the gap back to two before Brendan Maher produced the moment of the game. He restored our lead to healthy three points with well dispatched free 30 yards out breaking he boss of his hurley in half in the process. Goalkeeper James Barrett then took a short puck out to full back Sean Skehill, Brendan manged to get a half block on his clearance then which steered it into the path of the onrushing Jack Hogan who in turn hand passed the ball back to Brendan who then fired the ball over his shoulder and over the black spot to put us four points clear and crucially two scores ahead. We weren't finished yet though as JD Devaney fished the ball out the side of a ruck, racing toward the St Thomas' goal leaving two defenders in his wake before smashing the ball to back of net to seal victory and our place in the "AIB" All Ireland Club Final on a scoreline of 1-21 to 1-14.
Another exceptional performance from the lads, they weathered the early storm, worked phenomenally hard throughout and got the vital scores towards the end of the game to see them over the line., worthy of winning any semi final.
We would take this opportunity to acknowledge the wave of support we've from both inside and outside the county. Especially those from other clubs within the county who were kind enough to make the trip down to Limerick to support the lads. Your support has been fantastic made a huge difference to both the players and the community as a whole. We hope to see ye all in Croke Park on the 19th, we'll do our best to bring another All Ireland back to Tipperary.
James McCormack
Seamus Burke, Paddy Stapleton, Liam Ryan
Sean McCormack, Brendan Maher (0-10 (0-08f)), Ray McCormack
Tommy Ryan, Dan McCormack
Kieran Maher (0-01), Niall Kenny, Conor Kenny (0-03)
Kevin Maher (0-05 (0-03f)), Jerry Kelly (0-01), James Devaney (1-01)
Subs Used: Jack Hogan for Niall Kenny (56 mins), Ciaran Cowan for Jerry Kelly (60 mins)
