FBD INSURANCE SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2019 Commercials 1994 SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS in the South championship where the seven teams played in a league system with the top By: SEAMUS J. KING four qualifying for the semi-finals. In their opening game they caused a surprise when OMMERCIALS pull out all the they defeated Moyle Rovers by 1-8 to 0-8. stops for a well-earned county They drew with Grangemockler, 1-14 to 2-11, final victory’ was the heading in defeated Fethard by the minimum of mar - The Nationalist on October 29, gins, 1-8 to 0-10, got the better of 1994 following the club’s success by 0-14 to 1-10, beat easily by o‘Cver - in the county 2-12 to 0-2 and had another easy victory over final played at Leahy Park the previous Sun - in their final game. day. Commercials were favourites going into The pairings for the semi-finals were the final but the result was a very tight finish Ardfinnan versus Moyle Rovers and Com - in which the Clonmel side had to protect a mercials against Fethard. Ardfinnan created one-point lead for the final four minutes a great shock when they defeated the before achieving victory by a margin of 0-10 favourites by the slimmest of margins, 2-8 to 1-6. to 1-10, at on August 21, and Commercials’ march to glory commenced qualified the ‘Men from the Village’ for their Senior Champions 1994

Back row (l.-r.): Donal O’Keeffe, Gene McGrath, David Lavin, Criostóir McGrath, Dermot O’Shea, John Wall, Michael O’Mahoney, David Hickey, Liam Phelan, Fergal O’Callaghan, Gerard Deeley, Anthony Wall, Franny Kelly. Front row (l.-r.): Stephen Granville, Padraig O’Keeffe, Bernard Walsh, Joe McNamara, Paul Lucey, Rian Forristal, Mark O’Connell (Capt.), , John McNulty, Eddie Hewitt, Sean McMahon.

www.tipperary.gaa.ie 25 FBD INSURANCE COUNTY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2019 first South final since 1974. to 0-3 and while Galtee rallied a bit near the In the second semi-final Commercials end, they were never going to challenge the defeated the South and county champions, dominance of the Clonmel side. Fethard, by 1-12 to 0-12. This was a close A second West side, Lattin-Cullen, provid- encounter in which the sides were level nine ed the opposition in the county semi-final, times during the hour and had Commercials played at New Inn on October 9. Consider- not breached the Fethard defence for the ably understrength through the unavail - lone goal in the closing minutes, the game ability of and Gerry Maguire, could easily have gone to a replay. The Lattin-Cullen were up against it from the decisive score came with just five minutes start. In spite of playing against the strong remaining. Ger Deeley and Fergal breeze, it was Commercials who dominated O’Callaghan worked the ball into the the first quarter, scoring six points without Commercials forward line, where the reply. Lattin got their first point in the veteran, Franny Kelly, showed good aware- fifteenth minute and later added a goal but ness and a cool head to plant a low shot past they trailed by 0-11 to 1-1 at the interval. Fethard goalie, Paul Fitzgerald. With the wind in their favour after the break, THE SOUTH FINAL it was only a matter of time before Commer- cials dominated the game. Lattin-Cullen did The final was played at Kilsheelan on miss two goal chances in the final quarter September 11. The final score was 0-15 to and Commercials got their only goal from 1-5 on a day that Ardfinnan disappointed Franny Kelly close to the end for a com - and produced nothing like the form that had prehensive 1-23 to 1-6 victory. defeated Moyle Rovers. They did lead by a Loughmore-Castleiney provided the point at half-time, 1-3 to 0-5, thanks to a goal opposition to Commericals in the final at by Brendan Cummins, but they weren’t at Cashel on October 23. While Commercials the races in the second half, conceding had dominated their qualifying games with eleven points to Commercials while scoring large margins of victory, this game was to be only two themselves. Man of the Match, Joe a much narrower affair. McNamara, was outstanding for the winners, Commercials were favourites to win the scoring five points from play. It was the final but Loughmore led by 1-3 to 0-4 at the winner’s 19th title. break. While the first half was a drab, unexcit- Commercials: Philly Ryan, Bernard Walsh, ing affair, the second half developed into an Rian Forrestal, Mark O’Connell (capt.), John absorbing contest until the final whistle six Hall, Liam Phelan, Paul Lacey, Anthony Wall minutes into injury time. The key to Clon- (0-4), Fergal O’Callaghan, John McNamara ( mel’s ultimate success was the performance 0-5), Criostoir McGrath, David Lavin, David of their midfield pair, Anthony Wall and Hickey (0-3), Franny Kelly (0-3), Eddie Hewitt. Fergal O’Callaghan, who resisted the best Sub: Dermot O’Shea (0-1) for David Lavin. efforts of their opponents to get the better of COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP them. The winners did get a major jolt ten Commercials played Galtee Rovers in the minutes before half-time when a 40-yard county quarter-final at Cahir on September free by Pat McGrath made its way to the 25. Galtee held their own in the first quarter Commercials net and gave the opposition a but Commercials pushed ahead after that 1-3 to 0-4 half-time lead. With the wind in and led by 1-5 to 0-2 at half-time, the goal by their favour in the second half Commercials Franny Kelly just before the break settling gradually reduced the deficit and gained a the issue. Commercials went further ahead in two-point lead. Loughmore brought it back the third quarter stretching their lead to 2-9 to one point and Commercials stretched it

CUMANN LÚTHCHLEAS GAEL 26 FBD INSURANCE COUNTY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2019 again to two. Loughmore reduced it again to one and Commercials had to withstand strong pressure to hold their lead before coming out on top by 0-10 to 1-6, probably a deserved victory in the light of their twelve wides to Loughmore’s seven in the course of the hour. Commercials: Philly Ryan, Bernard Walsh, Rian Forristal, Mark O’Connell (capt.), Liam Phelan, Gerard Deeley, Paul Lucey, Anthony Wall (0-2), Fergal O’Callaghan, Joe McNama- ra (0-1), Criostóir McGrath (0-1), Padraig Sean Mockler, county football chairman, presents the O’Dwyer Cup to O’Keeffe (0-1), David Hickey (0-3), Franny Commercials captain, Mark O’Connell, after victory over Loughmore- Kelly (0-1), Dermot O’Shea. Subs: John Hall for Castleiney in the 1994 county final at Cashel Paul Lucey, Eddie Hewitt (0-1) for Padraig O’Keeffe. Gene McGrath for Dermot O’Shea, the Kerry kingpins, winning by 2-9 to 1-10. Sean McMahon, Michael O’Mahoney, John Unfortunately they were outclassed by the McNulty, Donal Ó Caoimh, David Lavin, champions, Castlehaven, in the final at Stephen Granville. Man of the match award: Pairc Uí Rinn on November 20. After some Anthony Wall. great displays leading up to the game, they Selectors: Ben Keane (trainer/coach) gave a very disappointing performance. Tommy Kelly, Paul Dillon. Behind by 2-6 to 0-2 at the interval, they were well and truly beaten by 2-14 to 1-4 in MUNSTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP the end. Commercials made good progress in the The defeated side was as follows: P. Ryan, Munster Club championship. They were out B. Walsh R. Forrestal, M. O’Connell (capt.), against Galbally, the champions, at L. Phelan, G. Deeley, J. Hall, A. Wall (0-1), Clonmel on the Sunday following their coun- F. O’Callaghan, (0-1) D. Hickey, C. McGrath, ty final victory and had a convincing win by P. O’Keeffe, J. McNamara (1-0), F. Kelly (0-2), 3-17 to 1-9. They had to travel to on E. Hewitt. Subs: D. O’Shea for D. Hickey, November 6 to take on Austin Stacks in the G. McGrath for E. Hewitt, D. Lavin for semi-final. They achieved a great victory over F. O’Callaghan. CLONMEL COMMERCIALS ~ Player Profiles ~ MARK O’CONNELL (Captain in 1986 football leagues. He made the number between 1986 and 2004. He has four and 1994) 4 position his own and won the South count league medals to his credit, a Mark O’Connell has an impressive Footballer of the Year award in 1986. Munster senior league in 1999, South record, which began with two South He also played minor, under-21 and Footballer of the Year in 1990 and and one county minor medals between senior football for Tipperary. Cidona Award for football in 1994. With 1979-1981. He followed up with three PHILLY RYAN – Well known for his Tipperary he won an All-Ireland B South and two county under-21 exploits between the posts, Philly Ryan medal and two McGrath Cup medals. medals. To this he added six South and won South and county under-21 He represented Munster in 1991, 1995, five county senior medals between medals in 1984. He followed up with 1996, 1999 and 2000. 1981 to 1994, as well as four senior five South and county senior medals BENNY WALSH played in the number

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2 position. He is the holder of two South ster under-21 hurling meal with Tip - and 1994 and county senior champi - and two county senior football titles, as perary in 1990. onship medals in 1982, 1986, 1989, well as a county senior football league PAUL LUCEY played at wingback. He 1990 and 1994 plus county league medal from 1994. In the same year he won South and county minor football medals in 1988, 1989, 1993 and 1994 was South Young footballer of the year. medals in 1992 and followed up with a He also has Munster senior league He won a Munster senior league medal South under-21 medal in 1992. He won medal in 1999. He won South and in 1999. He played minor, under-21, South junior championship medals in county junior B meals in 2011. He junior and senior football with Tipper - 1992 1nd 1993. He won South and played U21, junior, senior and masters ary, winning Munster junior medals county senior championship medals in football for Tipperary. and a Munster minor medal in 1995 in 1994, and a county league medal the CRIOSTÓIR M cGRATH was at home in RIAIN FORRISTAL played at full back same year. the half-forward line. As well as playing and as well as playing with his club, he ANTHONY WALL’S favourite position under-21, junior, senior and masters lined out at minor, under-21 and junior was at centrefield. He won a South football for Tipperary, Criostoir has an for Tipperary. At club level he won under-21 medal in 1990. He holds impressive list of achievements with South under-21 championship medals South senior football championship Commercials. These include South in 1990 and 1992. He has two South medals from 1989 and 1994, and coun - senior championship medals in 1986, and three county senior football ty medals from 1989, 1990 and 1994. 1987, 1990 1994 and 2004, plus county medals, the latter won in 1989, 1990 He is also the winner of three county senior medals in 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1994. He also won could league league medals, and a Munster senior 1990 and 1994. He also won county medals in 1989, 1993 and 1994. league medal from 1999. He played senior league medals in 1988, 1989, LIAM PHELAN wore the number 5 jer - minor, under-21 and senior football 1993 and 1994. He also won a Munster sey. He captained Commercials to with Tipperary. He also played under- senior league medal in 1999. South and county minor meals in 1992. 21 and intermediate hurling with the PAUDIE O’KEEFFE wore the number He added South under-21 medals in county. 12 jersey. He has South and county 1990 and 1992. He won South and FERGAL O’CALLAGHAN was another senior championship medals to his county senior football medals in 1994 centrefield player. He won South and credit for 1994 and 2002. He also won and 2002 and county league medals in county minor medals in 1992 and a county football league medals in 1993 1993 and 1994. He won a county junior South under21 medal and a junior and 1994, plus a Munster senior league championship in 1992. He played minor championship the same year. He won medal in 1999. He was named South and under-21 football with Tipperary South senior championship medals in Young Footballer of the year in 1990.At and was South Young Footballer of the 1994 and 2004 and county senior inter-county level he shone at hurling year in 1992. Other honours include championship meals in 1992, 2002 and winning Munster and All-Ireland inter - Munster Compromise Rules schoolboys’ 2012. He won a county league medal in mediate medals in 1992. By that stage team 1990 and an All-Ireland Colleges 1994 and a Munster senior league of his career he was named the South league title with Carlow IT in 1995. medal in 1999. He was named South young hurler of the year in 1989, a GER DEELY captained Commercials to Football of the year in 2002 and was an Fitzgibbon medal with WIT in 1992 and a South under-21 championship medal All-Ireland B winner in 1995. He cap - a Universities National Hurling League in 1990. He went on to win South senior tained Tipperary to a McGrath Cup win medal in the same year football championship medals in1990, in 2003 and was a Cup DAVID HICKEY played in the full-for - 1994 and 2002, and county senior foot - winner in 2005. He represented Mun - ward line. He won South senior football ball medals in1989, 1990, 1994. He ster in 2003. medals in 1989, 1991 and 1994, and a holds county league medals from 1993 JOE M cNAMARA played at wing-for - county senior championship in the lat - and 1994 and a Munster senior league ward. He has two South minor medals a ter year. He won a county league medal medal from 1999. He has the distinc - county minor medal. He won three in 1994 and a South junior champi - tion of having played minor, under-21, South under-21 medals and two coun - onship medal in 1988. He is also the junior and senior championship foot - ty. He won South Senior championship holder of a Munster under-18 B colleges ball with Tipperary. He also won a Mun - medals in 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989 football medal from 1986

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FRANNIE KELLY has a most impres- medals in 1989 and 1994 and county JOHNNY McNULTY won a South sive record, which began with South senior medals in 1989, 1990 and 1994. junior B medal in 1992 and South and and county minor medals in 1978, and He won a Munster league in 1999, He county senior football medals in 1994 a second South the following year. This won South junior A medals in 2004 and GENE McGRATH won a South minor was followed by under-21 South 2007 and a county championship championship medal in 1973 and un medals in 1981, 1983 and 1984 and medal in 2007. In 2003 he won a South under-21 in 1976. South senior champi- county championship Medals in 1983 junior “B” medal. He won Munster onship medals followed in 1975, 1977, and 1984. South senior championship minor hurling medal in 1991 and Mun- 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987 and 1994 and medals were won in 1981, 1982, 1986, ster and All-Ireland medals with Tip- county senior championship medals in 1987 1989 and 1994, county senior perary juniors 1982, 1986 and 1994. He won a South medals in 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990 and JOHN HALL won South and county senior League in 1977 and a Cidona 1994. To this is added four county senior championship medals in 1994 Award for Football in the same year. He league medals and a Munster senior and a county league medal the same won South Footballer of the Year in league. year. 1980. He represented Tipperary at Frannie won South and county junior minor, under-21, junior, senior and DAVID LAVIN won South and county B medals in 2011. He represented Tip- masters football and represented senior football medals in 1994 and perary at minor, under-21, junior, Munster in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, county league medals in 1993 and senior and masters football and repre- 1983 and 1985 winning 2 Railway Cups 1994. He won a Munster senior league sented Munster in 1985, 1986, 1991 in 1978 and 1982. and 1992. He won South Footballer of in 1999 and South and county junior B medals in 2011. BEN KEANE, the manager of the the Year in 1989 and a Cidona Award team, also had a successful sporting for football in 1990. In hurling he won EDDIE HEWITT won South and life. He won South and county minor All-Ireland and Munster minor hurling county under-21 football medals in football medals in 1978, South under- medals in 1980 1986, and South and county senior 21 medals in 1977 and 1981, and a championship medals in 1994. He won DERMOT O’SHEA played at corner- county medal in 1977. He followed up county league medals in 1993 and forward. His record includes South with South senior championship 1994. minor and county championship medals in 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987 and medals in 1981 followed by under-21 STEPHEN GRANVILLE won South 1989, and county medals in 1982, 1986, South and county championship and county minor medals in 1992 and 1989 and 1990. County football league medals in 1983 and 1984. South senior 1993, South and county senior champi- medals were won in 1988 and 1989. He championship medals were won in onship medals in 1994 and a county won a South Junior “A” championship 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1994 and county league medal in the same year. medal in 1993. He played minor, under- senior medals in 1989, 1990 and 1994. DONAL O’KEEFFE won South minor 21, junior, senior and masters football He won county league medals in 1988, medals in 1979 and 1981 and a county for Tipperary. He was manager of 1989, 1993 and 1994. He played minor championship medal in 1981. He fol- Clonmel Commercials winning teams in and under-21 football for Tipperary lowed up with under-21 South medals 1994 and 2002’ in 1981, 1983 and 1984 and county Involved with Ben Keane on the day SEAN McMAHON won South under- medals in 1983 and 1984. South senior were his fellow selectors, Tommy 21 medals in 1981 and 1983 and county championship medals were won in Kelly and Paul Dillon. Tommy played medal in 1983. South senior champi- 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1994 football at every grade with the club onship medals followed in 1981, 1982 and county senior medals in 1982, but unfortunately a serious knee cur- and 1994, and county medals in 1982 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1994, County tailed his playing career. Tommy was a and 1994. He won a county league league medals were won in 1988, 1989, selector on various teams down medal in 1994. He played minor and 1993 and 1994. Donal played minor, through the years and gave sterling ser- under-21 football for Tipperary. under-21 and senior for Tipperary (Cap- vice to the club. Paul also served as MICHAEL O’MAHONY won under-21 tain 1990) and won a McGrath Cup selector on numerous teams for a great South championship medals in 1990 medal in 1989. He was South Footballer number of years, and acted on commit- and 1992, South senior championship of the Year in 1987. tees, giving huge service to the club.

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