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29th Nov 2015

Nemo Rangers face Commercial reality as Clonmel make Munster football history

Glory at last for Oulart-the-Ballagh too

SportsJOE

It was a day of firsts for the GAA today, as history was made in both Munster and Leinster.

In the south, Cork aristocrats Nemo Rangers saw their hopes of a record 16th provincial crown snatched away at the death by an injury-time Michael Quinlivan goal which gave Clonmel Commercials a first ever title.

It was also the first time a club from Tipperary brought home the crown, and came at the end of a ding-dong battle in Mallow that finished 1-7 to 0-9.

Nemo had finally looked like putting away their dogged rivals when they strung together four points in a row to open up a two-point lead in the closing stages.

Danny Madigan and Luke Moore with Barry OÕDriscoll and Alan OÕDonovan 29/11/2015

But Clonmel mounted a last attack and, after the Corkmen failed to clear, Quinlivan struck a low effort to the corner of the net to spark wild celebrations.

The sides had been joined at the hip for much of the first half, ending it all square at 0-5 before the Tipperary men seized the initiative, with a Quinlivan ’45 and a free giving them their first lead.

But Nemo showed their resilience with Paul Kerrigan pointing twice as they surged back in front only to have victory ripped from their grasp in devastating fashion.

 

In Carlow, Wexford club Oulart-the-Ballagh were looking to end their Leinster hurling final jinx against Cuala, having lost their previous six provincial finals, including four in succession from 2010-13.

And the men from the Model County gave themselves the perfect start, opening up an 0-7 to 0-2 lead with a strong first-half wind at their backs, including a monstrous 80-metre free from Nicky Kirwan.

Con OÕCallaghan and Colm Cronin with Barry Kehoe 29/11/2015

Oulart pressed on knowing the Dubliners would have that same advantage the other side of the interval, and David Redmond’s fine run and pass created a goal chance which Tomas Dunne converted to give them an eight-point lead at the break.

With the wind fading, Cuala had it all to do in the second half, and their task only increased when Oulart’s Garrett Sinnott pounced on a goalkeeping error to find the net.

Rory Jacob and Paul Roche 29/11/2015

David Treacy kept Cuala chasing and they cut the gap to five points as the game entered the final stages, but simply had left themselves too big of a hole to climb out of as Oulart went on to claim a 2-13 to 0-13 victory.

They also became the first Wexford side to win provincial hurling honours since Rathnure in 1998, and now face Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

https://twitter.com/magsdarcy/status/670992712041123840

Meanwhile, extra time was needed in Ulster as Crossmaglen earned their 11th title by seeing off Scotstown by 2-15 to 2-12.

The game was finely poised before Scotstown goalkeeper Rory Beggan fluffed a kick-out and was punished by Kyle Carragher.

Scotstown substitute Brian McGinnity ensured a nailbiting finish with a late goal that made the score 2-15 to 2-12 but Crossmaglen kept their composure and fired over a pair of points at the death to take the Seamus McFerran Cup.

It was an ill-tempered affair at the Athletic Grounds and two players from both sides were sent off with Kieran and Darren Hughes both given their marching orders for Scotstown while Cross’ Danny O’Callaghan and James Morgan also seeing red but it didn’t affect the result as Rangers had the mettle to see the game out.

Paul Hearty lifts the cup 29/11/2015

 

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