Munster club SFC final: Clonmel make history for Tipp

November 29, 2015

Nemo's Aidan O'Reilly and Michael Quinlivan of Clonmel
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO

Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary) 1-7

Nemo Rangers (Cork) 0-9

Clonmel Commercials became the first Tipperary club to win a Munster senior football title after Michael Quinlivan's last-gasp goal handed them a sensational victory over mighty Nemo Rangers in Mallow.

Nemo looked to have secured their 16th provincial title when late points from captain Paul Kerrigan and sub Jack Horgan put them two clear, but there was one final twist when 2011 Tipp All-Ireland MFC winner Michael Quinlivan fired home from close range after the Nemo defence had failed to clear Aldo Matassa's hopeful delivery. 

The historic victory is sure to give Tipperary football a further boost after the huge strides of recent years, particularly at underage level. For Clonmel, it makes up for the disappointment of their defeat to Castlehaven at the same stage 21 years ago.

Charlie McGeever's underdogs went toe to toe with their illustrious opponents for the full hour before delivering the knockout blow in the 62nd minute. After Kerrigan and James Masters had early points for Nemo, Clonmel levelled with scores from captain Kevin Harney and Quinlivan. It was still level pegging, 0-5 apiece, at the break, before Quinlivan gave the winners the lead for the first time from a '45' and another long-range free early in the second half.

Nemo had to wait until the 45th minute for their opening score of the second period from Kerrigan, and the same player was just inches away from raising a green flag moments later.

Steven O'Brien's men evenly regained parity from a Luke Connolly free and were poised for victory when Kerrigan and Horgan put them two up heading into injury-time. Barry O'Driscoll was unlucky to hit the outside of the post before Quinlivan's late heroics won it for Clonmel.

Clonmel Commercials - J McDonald; J Peters, D Lynch, F Condon; L Moore, K Fahey, K Harney (0-1); J Kennedy (0-1), A Matassa (0-1); P White, J Lonergan (0-1), I Fahey; J Harney, M Quinlivan (1-3, 0-2'45, 0-1f), S Kennedy. Subs: I Barnes for J Harney, P Loram for S Kennedy, D Madigan for P White, E Fitzgerald for I Fahey.

Nemo Rangers - M Martin; A O'Reilly, C O'Shea, D O'Donovan (0-1); K Fulignati, T O Se, A O'Donovan; D Niblock (0-1), M Dorgan; C O'Brien, P Kerrigan (0-3), D Mehigan; J Masters (0-2, 0-1f), B O'Driscoll, C Horgan. Subs: L Connolly (0-1f) for D Mehigan, C Dalton for C Horgan, P Morgan for M Dorgan, W Morgan for J Masters, J Horgan (0-1) for C O'Brien.

Referee - R Hickey.


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