Moyle Rovers set out their stall for the remainder of this year’s FBD Insurance Senior Football Championship as they bested their bitter rivals Clonmel Commercials in Kilsheelan on Sunday afternoon, clinching the top spot in Group 3 in the process. Facing Commercials at any time in the championship is going to be a massive test, and despite them being without the likes of Jack Kennedy through injury, and starting with Kevin Fahey and Jason Lonergan on the bench, Moyle Rovers will still be delighted with the result and it will set them up nicely going into the knockout rounds in the coming weeks. Commercials weren’t the only ones with injury as Rovers were without Luke Boland through an Achilles tendon injury, but his loss didn’t unhinge their game plan and energy as a barnstorming first-half display paved the way for them to get the bragging rights on this occasion, and there was little dispute that they were full value for the victory come full-time.
Stephen Quirke set the tone for the Monroe men from the throw-in and had fired over the ball from the first play off his trusty left boot to give them the ideal start, and that positive attacking play would be a hallmark of their first-half display in particular. Liam Boland had them two points to the good in the sixth minute with a beautifully floated strike after good build-up play with Cian O’Sullivan but Commercials did get their efforts up and running soon after with Cian Smyth the provider with a brace of left-footed strikes leveling the game at 0-2 apiece after eight minutes. Sean O’Connor was prominent early on for Commercials and an incisive run down the left end line saw him on top of Shane Ryan in the Moyle Rovers goal but the Tipperary forward skewed his effort just wide of the post and the flailing body of Ryan; a let-off for Rovers.
O’Connor and Liam Boland did trade points soon after before Rovers went on a three-point scoring splurge up to the 19th minute with quality and pacey running at the Commercials' defence creating shooting chances, and they made no mistake when presented with them as Boland, Riain Quigley, and Darragh Ryan all found the target; Ryan’s effort coming after a goal chance for Cathal McKeown went begging. Michael Quinlivan butchered a half-goal chance a few moments later before Commercials had a goal chalked off as Padraic Looram was adjudged to have entered the square before batting home a goal effort which was put on a plate for him by Quinlivan.
There were no such issues down the other end as Rovers hit Commercials with a sucker-punch straight from the free from the disallowed goal, going down the other end ad finding the net themselves with a long ball into Stephen Quirke on the edge of the square reaping fruit as he laid off the ball to Daire English who finished with aplomb from close range. Rovers were well on top now and the confidence in their play was evident as they hit three more points with Rory Collins, Boland again, and a sweet strike with the outside of the boot from Cian O’Sullivan putting them in front by 1-9 to 0-3 with first-half injury time seconds away.
Commercials needed something to spark them into action and they received it gladly in the 31st minute, with Sean O’Connor providing the leadership to scythe through the Rovers defence with a powerful run before burying a quality finish to the bottom left corner. That could have given them something to bounce out of the dressing room with for the second half, but that goal was effectively cancelled out with the last kick of the half when Liam Boland had a tough free effort from near the right touchline, and despite connecting well, the breeze hung it in the air and it dropped short into Shane Ryan in the Commercials goal and he proceeded to inexplicably drop the ball into the corner of the net.
A disaster for Commercials who now trailed 2-9 to 1-3 a the half-time break and had a mountain to climb if they were to find their way back into the game. Rovers were in poll position but Commercials weren’t going to roll over to their rivals as they unloaded some reinforcements from the bench in the form of Kevin Fahey and Jason Lonergan which paid immediate dividends as they pointed one each inside the first ten minutes of the half, and with Sean O’Connor and Cathal Deely also pointing in that time, the game, they had cut the deficit to five points with 20 minutes to play.
Riain Quigley floated over Rovers’ first point of the half in the 42nd minute which was badly needed for them to spot the rot in the second half after Commercials had the first four points of the half scored, but Sean O’Connor kept them on their toes again with a class effort flighting over in the 43rd minute. However, Rovers managed the next ten minutes well, stimying the Commercials play well through possession and when the opportunities came for scores, they took them with Stephen Quirke hitting a second in the 46th minute along with another Liam Boland point two minutes later; Rovers now ahead 2-12 to 1-9 with the final ten minutes to come. And despite not scoring for the remaining minutes, Rovers held out with Commercials only managing a further two points from Cian Smyth and Sean O’Connor as the game petered out thereafter with both sides still in the hat for the knockout rounds in the coming weeks.
Commercials will be disappointed with their early porousness at the back which ultimately cost them, and they clearly missed the influence of Jack Kennedy around the middle third, while they will need Kevin Fahey and Jason Lonergan firing from the start going forward as they made a good impact off the bench. For Rovers, they will be delighted with the win regardless of the personnel Commercials had on the pitch from the off, and with the lovely attacking brand of football they are playing - with clear confidence to boot - they will be happy with where they are going into September.
Key Takeaways from the Match
Moyle Rovers' Dominance
The first half was a testament to Moyle Rovers' superior performance. They started strong and never looked back. Their forward line was incredibly efficient, converting their chances with precision. They effectively nullified Commercials' attacking threats and kept them under pressure throughout the match. Their second half was not as dominant, but they managed to hold on to their lead and secure a well-deserved victory.
Commercials' Struggles
While Commercials had a strong showing in the second half, their first half performance was a real let down. Their defense was breached repeatedly, and they were unable to capitalize on their scoring chances. The lack of Jack Kennedy was evident throughout the game. Commercials will need to improve their overall performance and find a way to replace Kennedy's influence on the field if they want to progress further in the championship.
Importance of the Knockout Rounds
Both Moyle Rovers and Clonmel Commercials remain in contention for the knockout rounds, with the latter needing a strong performance in the remaining group games to ensure their place. This match was a crucial step for both teams, and it is likely that the next time they meet it will be in the knockout rounds.
What to Watch for Next
With both teams still fighting for their place in the knockout rounds, the pressure will be on in the upcoming games. Moyle Rovers will be aiming to maintain their momentum and secure a top spot for the knockout rounds. Commercials will need to find a way to improve their performance and regain their winning spirit.
Looking Ahead
The FBD Insurance Senior Football Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling competition. The knockout rounds will feature intense battles between the county’s top teams. With the top teams all competing for the title, the upcoming games promise to be entertaining and full of excitement. The fight for the championship title is far from over, and the next round of games will be crucial in shaping the final outcome.
Final Thoughts
This was a much-needed win for Moyle Rovers. It provides them with a much-needed boost of confidence and will be crucial in their quest for the championship title. It was not a perfect performance but was a testament to their strength and determination. They will be confident going into the knockout rounds, but they cannot afford to get complacent. Commercials, on the other hand, face a challenge ahead of them. They need to find their form and perform at their best in the upcoming games if they want to continue their journey in the championship. This is just the beginning of the competition, and there is still a long way to go for both teams. Only time will tell which team will emerge victorious in the end.
