Larry Kinsella, Tinahely, and Nigel Bracken, Tullamore, in AIB Leinster Club SFC action. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
AIB Leinster Club SFC Quarter-Final
Tullamore 2-10 Tinahely 1-7
By Paul Keane at Echelon Park, Aughrim
Twin brothers Dan and Mike Fox struck the crucial goals as Tullamore picked up a rare win in the AIB Leinster club SFC, their first in 47 years.
Tullamore have won three of the last four Offaly titles, and 30 in total, but surprisingly hadn't won a game in the province since beating Newtowncashel of Longford in a replay way back in 1977.
So while they were favourites ahead of this trip to Aughrim, they couldn't take progress to a semi-final against Cuala, on November 23/24, for granted and were duly pushed all the way by a determined Tinahely.
The hosts were fresh off a first Wicklow SFC title success in 40 years as well as a big win over Portarlington last weekend.
So it was no great surprise that Tinahely led by a point with 45 minutes on the clock, 1-6 to 1-5, a third quarter goal from Rory Stokes leaving them in with a shot of back-to-back wins.
They couldn't push on for the win though with Tullamore outscoring Tinahely by 1-5 to 0-1 from the 45th minute onwards to win by a slightly flattering six-point margin.
Dan Fox netted for Tullamore in the sixth minute but it was his sibling Mike's goal in the 61st minute that finally allowed Niall Stack's side to breathe out.
Aside from the Fox brothers, Harry Plunkett had a strong game in attack for Tullamore with five points while John Furlong and captain Declan Hogan were excellent in defence.
Dan Fox's sixth minute goal separated the sides at half-time as Tullamore led by 1-4 to 0-5 at that stage but it was anyone's game in reality.
Tullamore were marginally the better side but half a dozen first-half wides and a couple of goal chances that came to nothing undermined their efforts.
Oisin Keenan-Martin, one of three Tullamore players to have won an All-Ireland U-20 medal with Offaly in 2021, blazed a wild shot wide at one stage and Tullamore argued that they should have had a penalty on another occasion in the 24th minute.
Diarmuid Egan, wearing number 21 for Tullamore, went up with Tinahely goalkeeper Alan Nolan for a 50-50 ball in the air and a free-in was awarded to Tullamore, as opposed to a penalty, referee Alan Coyne content that the foul was just outside the box.
Matthew Ging fired a dozen points for Tinahely in the county final, helping them to overcome Baltinglass and to secure a first title in 40 years.
Ging, son of manager Martin, hit an important goal in last weekend's surprise win over Portarlington also though was quieter here.
Eoin Darcy, the Wicklow attacker, was more efficient in Tinahely's attack and struck three first-half points as he operated close to goal despite wearing number 11.
The first score of the second-half didn't come until the 39th minute but it was a huge one, swinging the momentum in Tinahely's favour, as Stokes netted.
He pounced at the end of a lightning counter attack with Darcy latching onto a long delivery and feeding full-forward Stokes to palm in from close range.
The game was level two more times and while the quality wasn't nearly as high as last night's Cuala/Naas encounter, the big hits and high stakes made for a gripping final quarter.
Furlong had a great chance for a 50th minute goal to ease Tullamore's concerns but opted for a palmed attempt which was easily saved when he had time for a catch and kick.
Still, it wasn't a fatal error as a couple of converted frees from Plunkett put Tullamore into a lead that they held onto.
They led by three early in stoppage time when Mike Fox pounced for Tullamore's second goal. Furlong did the spade work this time with a brilliant run through the centre and lay off and Fox finished at the second attempt.
Tinahely finished with 14 players as wing-forward Paddy O'Rourke picked up his second booking just seconds before full-time.
Tullamore scorers: Harry Plunkett 0-5 (3fs), Dan Fox 1-1, Mike Fox 1-0 John Furlong 0-2 (2fs), Michael Brazil 0-1, Cillian Bourke 0-1.
Scorers for Tinahely: Eoin Darcy 0-4 (2fs, 1m), Rory Stokes 1-0, Matthew Ging 0-1, Eoghan Byrne 0-1, Thomas Kelly 0-1.
Tullamore: Corey White; Daire McDaid, Paul McConway, Declan Hogan; Nigel Bracken, John Furlong, Oisin Keenan-Martin; Aaron Leavy, Arron Hensey; Cormac Egan, Michael Brazil, Cillian Bourke; Diarmuid Egan, Dan Fox, Harry Plunkett.
Subs: Luke Egan for Leavy h/t, Niall Furlong for Diarmuid Egan & Mike Fox for Dan Fox 51.
Tinahely: Alan Nolan; Kevin Mulhall, Bradley Hickey, Michael Byrne; James Hedderman, Noel Mulhall, Cillian McDonald; Eoghan Byrne, Daniel Hedderman; Paddy O'Rourke, Eoin Darcy, Larry Kinsella; Matthew Ging, Rory Stokes, Jason Cush.
Subs: Thomas Kelly for Cush 48, Shane Hogan for Kinsella 51, Brian Walsh for James Hedderman 54, Curtis Keating for Hickey 60.
Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath).
