Graiguenamanagh 2-17 – O’Loughlin Gaels 3-13
By Jim Whelan
Graiguenamanagh booked their place in their third county Junior final in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, producing a remarkable second-half comeback to snatch a one-point victory over O’Loughlin Gaels in Nowlan Park
Trailing by ten points early in the second half, the Barrow boys looked to be heading for defeat. However, two goals from Ted Dunne, including a sensational injury-time effort, turned the game on its head before Ivan Bolger struck the decisive point to seal a famous victory.
For O’Loughlin Gaels, it was a devastating defeat after appearing to have one foot in the county final. For Graiguenamanagh, it was a triumph of determination, never-say-die spirit.
The game was slow to get going, with O’Loughlin Gaels opening the scoring through a free from the impressive Alex Sheridan. Graiguenamanagh responded with points from Steven Kinsella and Seamus Kavanagh, but the city side soon began to take control.
Sheridan and the dangerous Kevin Murphy led the charge as O’Loughlin Gaels dominated the opening quarter, building a five-point advantage. Graiguenamanagh worked tirelessly but struggled to break down a well-organised Gaels defence.
Points from Michael Bolger and Sean Walsh, along with frees from Kinsella, helped the South Kilkenny side stay in touch. However, their task became more difficult in the 25th minute when a long delivery into the Graiguenamanagh square caused confusion in the defence. Jack Sheridan reacted quickest to the loose ball and found the net, putting O’Loughlin Gaels four points clear. Graiguenamanagh responded with points from Pierce Blanchfield and Michael Bolger to leave the half-time score at O’Loughlin Gaels 1-8, Graiguenamanagh 0-9.
Graiguenamanagh went in two points down but will have been happy enough as they will feel they did not play to their full potential. Any supporter returning late their seats will scarcely have believed the score board.
O’Loughlin Gaels came flying out of the blocks. A point from Alex Sheridan was followed by goals from his brother Jack and Kevin Murphy, leaving the city side nine points clear in the 37th Minute. Another Sheridan free extended the advantage to ten points, and O’Loughlin Gaels appeared firmly on course to reach the county final for a second successive year.
Graiguenamanagh finally opened their second-half account in the 45th minute when Steven Kinsella converted a free. Recognising that the game was slipping away, the Graiguenamanagh management made four quick substitutions in an attempt to spark a bit of life to the Graig team. The changes helped inject fresh energy into the side, and Ted Dunne gave the Barrow boys renewed hope when he found the net to reduce the deficit to six points. Further scores from Michael Bolger and Jack Ryan brought Graiguenamanagh within three, but Sheridan continued to keep O’Loughlin Gaels ahead with two more pointed frees.
With time running out, the city side appeared to have done enough to secure their place in the final. However, Graiguenamanagh refused to accept defeat.
Points from Pierce Blanchfield and Kinsella kept the comeback alive, while a red card for O’Loughlin Gaels’ Matthew Russell added further drama to the closing stages. Despite another free from Sheridan, the Gaels were left with a three-point advantage as the game entered injury time.
When referee Eoin Behan signalled three additional minutes, few could have predicted the Roy of the Rovers style finish that was about to unfold.
Graiguenamanagh threw everything forward in search of a goal, and Dunne delivered when it mattered most. Producing a moment of brilliance, he fired home a sensational second goal to bring the sides level and send the Graiguenamanagh supporters into delirium.
There was still time for one final twist. Ivan Bolger stepped up to register the decisive point, completing an astonishing turnaround and giving Graiguenamanagh a one-point lead.
The final whistle sparked scenes of unrestrained joy as Graiguenamanagh faithful poured from the stands and onto the field to celebrate a victory that had seemed impossible just minutes earlier.
O’Loughlin Gaels will be left wondering how they allowed a ten-point advantage to slip away. Alex Sheridan was outstanding throughout, finishing with ten points, while Jack Sheridan and Kevin Murphy both found the net. Ultimately, though, they could not withstand the relentless pressure of a Graiguenamanagh side that battled to the final whistle.
Graiguenamanagh deserve enormous credit for their resilience and fighting spirit. They have had to dig deep on several occasions this season, and once again their refusal to give up proved decisive. Ted Dunne was the match-winning hero, but this was a victory built on never say die attitude.
Graiguenamanagh have gone to the well on more than one occassion this year and this unlikely win sets up a county final meeting with Conahy Shamrocks in Nowlan Park at 3pm on Saturday, October 24. If Graiguenamanagh are to lift the Bob Alway Cup for the second time in their history, they will know that a much-improved performance will be required. however, the Barrow boys will head into the final believing that anything is possible.
Teams and Scorers
Graiguenamanagh: Colin Bolger; Owen O’Brien, Ivan Bolger, Dylan Cahill; Sean Dowling, Richard Foley, James Meaney; Sean Walsh, Cian O’Shea; Pierce Blanchfield, Jack Ryan, Steven Kinsella; Seamus Kavanagh, Ted Dunne, Michael Bolger. Subs: Sean Hamilton, Jack Browne, Nicky Ryan, Tomas Ryan.
Scorers: Ted Dunne (2-0); Steven Kinsella (0-7, 6 frees); Michael Bolger (0-4); Pierce Blanchfield (0-2); Seamus Kavanagh, Jack Ryan, Sean Walsh and Ivan Bolger (0-1 each).
O’Loughlin Gaels: Jamie Malone; Barry Lawlor, Jamie Young, Jeff Tyrrell; Luke McDonald, Matthew Russell, Ruaidhri Galwey; Sean Bolger, Alex Molloy; Alex Sheridan, Paddy Butler, Eoghan O’Brien; Kevin Murphy, Conor Holohan, Jack Sheridan. Subs: Sammy Johnston, Adam Maher
Scorers: Alex Sheridan (0-10, 6 frees); Jack Sheridan (2-0); Kevin Murphy (1-3).
Referee Owen Beehan.
