Shannon Rovers make it a Munster double for Tipperary as they claim football title

Munster Junior B Football Final 2023 

Shannon Rovers 1-8 

St. Oliver Plunketts 1-6

By Liam Hogan

An impressive middle third helped Rovers secure enough scores and yet survive a last ten-minute nail-biting blitz to become the first Tipperary club to win the Munster Junior B Football final at Ballyagran last Sunday.

Trailing 1-2 to 0-3 after 21 minutes, Rovers managed to pull themselves back into the game and led 1-8 to 1-3 with ten minutes remaining. However, the final ten minutes was all Oliver Plunkett’s who scored three unanswered points but a well-organised Rovers defence refused to concede ground and that all-important goal which would have turned the tide in the Cork champions' favour never came.

Rovers had many heroes not least goalkeeper Niall Cahalan plus Derek Horan, Michael Dolan and Emmett Moran in defence. The midfield pairing of Conal Moran (top scorer) and Andy Byrne never stopped running while George Hannigan, Austin Tierney and man of the match Marcus Esmonde. 

Saint Oliver Plunkett’s had heroes too with Eddie O’Driscoll, and Ronan McCarthy manning the spine of the defence in front of their inspiring goalkeeper Brian Walsh. The former Cork minor netminder produced three great saves when not spending time out of goal while creating the role of extra man. Both Mike Keohane and Brian Dowling were useful on the forty as was full forward Roy O’Driscoll while substitutes Conor O’Driscoll and Sean Crowley really made a difference when introduced. 

The morning rain had disappeared well in time for the start of the game which was preceded by both teams lining up in a single line in front of the covered stand for a minute silence in memory of 20-year-old Darragh Dullea of Clonakilty, tragically killed in a car crash last Tuesday in Limerick and John Brady of Castletown Ballyagran GAA. Darragh Dullea was a first cousin of one of the Plunkett players.

After the national anthem, both teams enjoyed the possession game for the opening minutes with Plunkett's keeper Brian Walsh spurring the chance of opening the scores with a 40-metre free in the sixth minute. George Hannigan went one better with a similar effort two minutes later before Mike Keohane made amends with a free in the 12th minute. 

Exchanges were tough with both defences having the upper hand before George Hannigan gave Rovers a two-point lead with accurate frees in the 14th and 15th-minute mark. Three minutes later midfielder Conor McCarthy had the Rovers net shaking when his outstretched hand reached highest in directing Mike Keohane’s outfield free to the net. Roy O’Driscoll’s well-taken score had Plunketts two clear by the 21st minute as the Cork champions were looking the part.

However, Rovers, as shown in their games to date the last twelve months, could rise again and a patient build-up led to a Conal Moran point two minutes before the break which left the Tipp champions one in arrears at half-time 1-2 to 0-4.

Half-time speeches and tactical discussions can make a big difference and Rovers certainly made inroads and 50 seconds in, Marcus Esmonde had the sides level with a goal very much a possibility. George Hannigan’s next free didn’t make the target but Austin Tierney’s rebound was well saved by Plunkett midfielder Conor McCarthy. Plunketts survived and at the other end, they had Niall Cahalan saving Roy O’Driscoll’s effort from close in.

Rovers turned defence into attack allowing Eamon Hough to surge upfield and score the lead point. In the 40th minute, Paddy Heenan brought the best out of Plunkett keeper Brian Walshe. Two minutes later, Austin Tierney won possession close on goal which brought Brian Walsh into action once more which resulted in a penalty which Conal Moran tucked away with panache. 

Another seven minutes followed but neither team scored until Niall Cahalan directed a 40-metre free over the black spot with metres to spare before Conal Moran added a point to bring Rovers five clear with ten minutes remaining. 

Substitute Sean Crowley replied with a quick point. Crowley was one of three substitutes that helped turn the tide for Plunketts who began to push take on the Tipp defence with more intent. As well as using fresh legs the inclusion of goalkeeper Brian Walsh as an occasional outfield player soon became a permanent fixture even to the extent the Cork champions had no goalkeeper at all for the last quarter.

Mick Keohane’s second point in the 56th minute had the margin down to three before continued pressure resulted in another point with substitute Sean Crowley on target. With two points separating the teams, the Rovers' defence came under more pressure but the more the pressure the better they performed with Michael Dolan, Emmett Moran and Derek Horan as major obstacles to the lead being turned over. Rovers had survived. 

Shannon Rovers: Niall Cahalan (0-1f); Derek Horan, Michael Tierney, Emmett Moran; Michael Dolan, Paraic O’Meara, Eamon Hough (0-1); Conal Moran (1-2, 1-0 pen), Andy Byrne; Michael Tierney, George Hannigan (0-3f), Marcus Esmonde (0-1); Oisin McMahon; Austin Tierney, Paddy Heenan.

Subs used: Alan Hannigan for McMahon (HT); Sean Hough for Heenan (51); Jack O’Sullivan for Austin Tierney (59).

St Oliver Plunketts: Brian Walsh; Niall O’Driscoll, Eddie O’Driscoll, Mike Collins; Mark Kelly, Ronan McCarthy, Gary McCarthy; Conor McCarthy (1-0), Sean White (0-1); Owen McCarthy, Mike Keohane (0-2, 0-1f), Brian Dowling; Mike McCarthy, Roy O’Driscoll (0-1), Sean O’Donovan. 

Subs: Ciaran Dullea for M McCarthy (43); Sean Crowley (0-1) for White (46); Conor O’Driscoll (0-1) for Owen McCarthy (50). 

Referee: John O’Halloran (Limerick)