Clonmel Commercials 0-10 Daingean 0-13
Kerry panellist Dylan Geaney kicked five points from play as debutants Daingean defeated Clonmel Commercials to advance to a Munster final against Castlehaven.
In a game that was level seven times, the Kingdom representatives kicked all 13 points from open play as they got the better of the 2015 champions with a final-quarter burst.
Stoppage-time points from their inter-county stars Tom O'Sullivan and Paul Geaney made their progression safe and they both fist-pumped to their supporters among the 1,360 crowd in celebration.
They had lined up minus their AFL star Mark O'Connor, who returned to Australia after the county championship, but Commercials were also down an inter-county talent in Conal Kennedy.
It was nip and tuck all through the first half with no more than a point in the difference at any moment.
With the Geaneys under close surveillance, Matthew Flaherty stepped forward to twice kick the Kerrymen into the lead. Seánie O’Connor cancelled those scores out with a mark and free.
Commercials had averaged three goals a game this year and they came closest to another in the 12th minute. It was O’Connor again but Tom Leo O’Sullivan’s half-block deflected his shot onto the post.
Most of Dylan Geaney’s best work was reserved for late but he did land an early point before Jack Kennedy’s long-range kick levelled moments later.
Commercials took their first lead in the 25th minute after Tom Leo O’Sullivan snuffed out another goal chance when blocking Colman Kennedy’s blast. Rory O’Dowd recycled the ball for Ross Peters to split the posts.
Paul Geaney was well marshalled by Tipperary hurler Séamus Kennedy but he got away for an equaliser before Colman Kennedy’s monster effort sent Commercials in 0-05 to 0-04 ahead.
That lead didn’t last long as the game sparked to life in the second half. Brothers Conor and Dylan Geaney restored Daingean’s lead but Peter McGarry tied the teams up for a sixth time.
Dylan Geaney kicked Daingean into the first two-point lead of the day when following a score by stealing the subsequent kick-out. O’Connor soon nullified that advantage, though, with a free preceding his second mark of the afternoon.
In a blow for Clonmel, Kevin Fahey departed with an injury as Conor Geaney and Barry Dan O’Sullivan moved Daingean two clear again.
Commercials remained patient, ending a three-minute attack which saw 30 men inside the Daingean 65, with a Michael Quinlivan curler that came in off the post.
O’Connor hit the crossbar with a viciously dipping point attempt and they wouldn’t level again as Daingean extended their lead with Dylan Geaney’s fifth.
Jack Kennedy pulled one back but they never threatened an equaliser as Daingean march on.
Clonmel Commercials: M O’Reilly; J Morris, Séamus Kennedy, R O’Dowd; T Condon, K Fahey, P Looram; C Deely, J Kennedy (0-02); R Peters (0-01), Colman Kennedy (0-01), A Matassa; P McGarry (0-01), M Quinlivan (0-01), S O’Connor (0-04, 2f, 2m).
Subs: J Peters for Fahey (37, inj), C Cannon for Matassa (58), D Nee for R Peters (60).
Daingean: Gavin H Curran; Tom O’Sullivan (0-01), Tom Leo O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan; N Geaney, C Flannery, B O’Connor; BD O’Sullivan (0-01), L O’Connor; M Flannery, C Geaney (0-02), M Flaherty (0-02); M Geaney, P Geaney (0-02), D Geaney (0-05).
Subs: T Browne for M Flannery (56), C O’Sullivan for B O’Connor (60+3).
Referee: J Ryan (Cork).
