Tipperary SFC Final

Clonmel Commercials 1-10 Upperchurch-Drombane 1-2

By Noel Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Clonmel Commercials were crowned Tipperary senior football champions for the third time in four years at FBD Semple Stadium as they comprehensively defeated Upperchurch-Drombane.

The victory resulted in eight of the Clonmel side making history by winning their record breaking sixth Tipperary county senior football championship - this included All-Ireland winning Tipperary senior hurler Seamus Kennedy, who lined out at full back for his club.

Commercials were seeking their 20th title and their fifth in seven years, whereas Upperchurch-Drombane were looking for a first ever title. And, by the end of the first quarter it looked as though the making of history could still be within reach with neither side stamping their authority on the game.

However, by the halfway mark, it was game over really, with Clonmel Commercials leading by 1-8 to 0-1.

The 15th minute  goal from Padraic Looram after a centre from Michael Quinlivan - the first score of the game - sent Commercials on their way and they hit six points in as many minutes to open up a big gap - Sean O’Connor (2), Jack Kennedy (2), Jason Lonergan and Cathal Deely all pointing.

Upperchurch-Drombane could not get outside their own half as the Commercials press continued - Jack Kennedy, Michael Quinlivan and Sean O’Connor helping them to that sizeable interval gap, with Paul Shanahan getting the only score of the half for Upperchurch Drombane from a free just before the break.

It was hard to see any way back for Upperchurch-Drombane at this juncture - the Commercials lads had taken over the game completely and were dominant in every sector on the field. 

Having tacked on a point from a Luke Shanahan free in the 7th minute of the second half, Upperchurch-Drombane were thrown a lifeline of sorts when awarded a penalty following a foul on the same player. However, Commercials keeper Michael O’Reilly saved the effort from Paul Shanahan and the goal  which the game needed did not materialise.

Commercials were reduced to fourteen men in the 21st minute when Ross Peters received a second yellow card, but the numerical disadvantage made no difference to the outcome of the game and they were to finish with thirteen men as sub Peter McGarry was black carded right at the very death.

Upperchurch-Drombane did have a consolation goal from midfielder Jack Butler four minutes from time, but it was too little too late as far as a challenge for the silverware was concerned - Jack Kennedy and Michael Quinlivan getting scores for Commercials to seal the victory.

Scorers for Clonmel Commercials: Jack Kennedy 0-4, Padraic Looram 1-0, Michael Quinlivan and Sean O'Connor 0-2 each, Jason Longergan and Cathal Deely 0-1 each.

Scorers for Upperchurch-Drombane: Jack Butler 1-0, Luke Shanahan and Paul Shanahan 0-1 each.

Clonmel Commercials: Michael O’Reilly, James Morris, Seamus Kennedy, Jamie Peters, Tadhg Condon, Kevin Fahey, Padraic Looram, Aldo Matassa, Michael Quinlivan, Jack Kennedy, Jason Lonergan,  Cathal Deely, Colman Kennedy, Sean O’Connor, Ross Peters.

Subs: Conall Kennedy for Cathal Deely; Peter McGarry for Matassa; Donal Lynch for Jack Kennedy; Cian Smith for Sean O’Connor; Enda Dunphy for Jamie Peters.

U****pperchurch-Drombane: James Griffin, Ger Grant, Matt Ryan, Ailbe O’Donoghue, Dean Carew, Gavin Ryan, Michael Lavery, Keith Ryan, Jack Butler, Pat Ryan, Paul Shanahan, Diarmaid Grant, Luke Shanahan, Niall Grant, Loughlin Ryan.

Subs: Sean Ryan for Pat Ryan; Conor Fahey for Loughlin Ryan; Colm Ryan for Niall Grant; Padraic Greene for Diarmuid Grant.

R****eferee: Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers).