Tulla 1-10  -  Wolfe Tones 0-13 at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

AMBROSE Heagney’s final whistle left everyone in O’Garney Park flat. The draw ensured a no win situation for both sides that thrusts them into a kind of limbo as their senior championship hangs by a thread.
Both badly needed a win and while they’re still in contention for a qualifying place with three points from three games, these two county champions from the past two years know that it will be an uphill struggle.
Lets go to the math – the best case scenario for both sides. Tulla need to beat Newmarket-on-Fergus in their last game, just as Wolfe Tones need to overcome Ballyea. If that happens it could all come down to a Tulla v Wolfe Tones play-off for the second place behind high-flying Inagh-Kilnamona who are firm favourites to win the group.

These permutations are for other days – on this day only the brilliance of former county player Andrew Quinn prevented Tulla from having to hand the Canon Hamilton Cup back to the county board.
Quinn was immense, with his second half tally of four points pulling Tulla back from the brink. He played his part in the first half too with three points, while you can also factor in a crucial goal from captain Michael Murphy into Tulla’s survival story.
The goal came in the 25th minute and was against the run of play, just after Wolfe Tones had spurned a handful of chances that would have given them a comfortable half-time lead.
In the first half, Wolfe Tones had the breeze blowing towards Kilmurry, but despite showing a marked improvement in attitude and application from their dreadful performance against Inagh-Kilnamona were left disappointed in the end. They left the two points behind them.
All to do with their wides that mounted to eight by the end of the first half. The early exchanges were tight as points by Declan O’Rouke (2), Brian O’Connell and Bobby McPhillips were replied to by three Andrew Quinn frees by the end of the first quarter.
Then Wolfe Tones took over as three Bobby McPhillips placed balls put them 0-7 to 0-3 clear by the 21st minute. However, poor wides from Patsy Keyes and McPhillips as well as a host of shots that dropped into Philip Brennan’s hands was where Wolfe Tones lost their chance of victory.
This profligacy was punished in the 30th minute when Tulla worked a goal – Brian Lynch and Andrew Quinn playing their part to tee up Michael Murphy who tapped the sliotar beyond Ray Carley from close range.
Wolfe Tones did respond through a Denis Riordan point in the 31st minute to give them a 0-8 to 1-3 interval lead, but a two-point advantage wasn’t enough for the Shannon men as they faced into the wind.
However, Wolfe Tones steeled themselves and points by Brian O’Connell, Bobby McPhillips and Gary O’Connell after a great burst up the field showed their intent by the 40th minute, with Tulla only staying in touch thanks to points by Andrew Quinn and Danny O’Halloran.
Quinn and Bobby McPhillips then swapped points by the 43rd minute before the point of the game in the 45th minute by Sean Torpey lifted Tulla’s spirits. Torpey burst out from his full-back position and split the post from all of 110 yards.
It was the tonic Tulla needed for the final quarter. Andrew Quinn pegged it back to a point by the 47th only for Bobby McPhillips to find the range with another free. However, Tulla were not to be denied a share of the spoils as Andrew Quinn and Paul Lynch levelled matters by the 50th minute.
The match was there to be won for both sides, but opportunities were limited in a low-key finish, apart from a missed free from Bobby McPhillips in the 57th minute.

Match Details

Wolfe Tones
Ray Carley (7), John Coen (7), Brian Lohan (7), Dermot O’Rourke (7), Jamie Roughan (6), Bobby McPhillips (8) (0-6, 4f, one 65), Frank Lohan (7), Dáithí O’Connell (6), Patsy Keyes (6), Gary O’Connell (7) (0-1), Brian O’Connell (7) (0-2), Barry Loughnane (6), Declan O’Rourke (7) (0-2), Denis Riordan (6) (0-1), Mick O’Connell (6). Subs Garret McPhillips (6) for Mick O’Connell.

Tulla
Philip Brennan (7), Declan Murphy (7), Sean Torpey (7), John Brennan (7), Cian McInerney (7), Mark Quinn (7), Paul Lynch (7) (0-1), Brian Lynch (7), Conor O’Halloran (6), Brian Quinn (6), Michael Murphy (7) (1-0), Eanna Torpey (6), Danny O’Halloran (7) (0-1), Aidan Lynch (6), Andrew Quinn (8) (0-7, 4f).

Man  of the Match
Andrew Quinn (Tulla)

Match Official
Ambrose Heagney (Corofin)

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