Commercials 2-9

Killenaule 0-8

LATE GOALS FROM substitute Richie Gunne and Jamie Peters sealed victory for Clonmel Commercials in this afternoon’s Tipperary Water county senior football final.

Killenaule, appearing in the club’s very first football decider, were level at 0-8 each with 10 minutes remaining but Commercials hit 2-1 down the home straight to land a 17th title.

Commercials, who were Munster champions two years ago, will now meet reigning provincial and All-Ireland kingpins Dr. Crokes in a fortnight’s time.

Gunne pounced on a poor restart with seven minutes left for the game’s opening goal – before Peters netted in stoppage time.

This wasn’t straightforward for Commercials, and especially when county hurling star John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer kicked a levelling score in the final quarter.

But in front of 2,451 spectators at Semple Stadium, Commercials had enough about them to get over the line by seven points.

In greasy conditions, Killenaule raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead within 12 minutes but Commercials, settled and were 0-7 to 0-4 clear at half-time.

All-Star Michael Quinlivan scored three of the first half points for Commercials, who didn’t get off the mark until the 14th minute when the full-forward fisted the ball over the bar.

Commercials hit the front for the first time in the 24th minute and were good value for a three-point interval lead.

They were three points up again, 0-8 to 0-5, early in the second half but a Killenaule revival saw Kieran Bergin land two points frees, before O’Dwyer drew them level.

It was nervy stuff from a Commercials viewpoint but Jason Lonergan’s free had them 0-9 to 0-8 in front – before Killenaule gifted them a goal.

Matthew O’Donnell’s short kick-out was pounced upon by Gunne, who dodged a defender before rifling home.

A goal for Peters at the death was the icing on the cake for Commercials, who justified their status as pre-match favourites.

Scorers for Commercials: Michael Quinlivan 0-4, Richie Gunne & Jamie Peters 1-0 each, Jason Lonergan 0-3 (2f), Jack Kennedy (f) & Eoin Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Scorers for Killenaule: Kieran Bergin 0-3 (2f), John O’Dwyer 0-2, Matthew O’Donnell (45), Paddy Codd & Tony Doyle (f) 0-1 each.

Clonmel Commercials

1. Michael O’Reilly

2. Jamie Peters
3. Liam Ryan
4. Donal Lynch

5. Kevin Fahey
6. Danny Madigan
7. Kevin Harney

8. Seamus Kennedy
9. Jack Kennedy

10. Padraig Looram
13. Ross Peters
11. Jason Lonergan

25. Eoin Fitzgerald
14. Michael Quinlivan
17. Ritchie Carroll

Subs:

12. Ian Fahey for Carroll (h.t.)
21. Richie Gunne for Fitzgerald (45)
20. Ryan Lambe for Looram (59)

Killenaule

1. Matthew O’Donnell

2. Stephen Browne
3. Jimmy Feehan
4. Gearóid O’Rourke

5. Killian O’Dwyer
6. Joe O’Dwyer
7. Liam Meagher

8. Kieran Bergin
9. Paddy Codd

10. John O’Dwyer
11. Tony Doyle
12. Paidí Feehan

13. Michael Doyle
14. Declan Fanning
15. Eoin O’Connell

Subs:

19. Eoin Barry for O’Connell (38)
17. Eddie O’Brien for T Doyle (45)
21. Daniel Guinan for Fanning (58)
20. Dean O’Connor for K O’Dwyer (58)

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan)

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