SHC: Cashel K.C. 3-12 Galtee Rvs. 1-12 The delight shown by Cashel K.C. at this victory over Galtee Rvs. in the first round of the Tipperary Co-Op Super Valu West S.H.C. was entirely understandable. Times have been lean for the Cashel club in recent years and this win at Sean Treacy Park on Saturday evening 31st May showed evidence of honest endeavour. Evidence too of a stomach for battle and a persistence that saw them finish strongly to win out in the final ten minutes of a well-contested entertaining match. The return of a few former exiles must also be factored into any analysis. All Ireland U21 medallist of 1995, Liam Barron, was back at centre back for the King Cormacs and while his input was modest, that of full forward Timmy Moloney was more pivotal. The one-time Tipperary senior panelist scored 1-2 from play and his free taking yielded a further half dozen points; his was a major input to the win. The Cashel mentors too will take credit from the achievement because their second half moves paid a rich dividend. Stuart Hickey was introduced at centre forward midway through the second half and he bustled his way through for a spectacular goal with ten minutes to play. It was only the second time that Cashel led in the match but at a crucial juncture it gave them the impetus to push for home. The game wasn't won yet, however. Pa Morrissey, Rovers best player, pointed a pair of frees to cut the lead to a single point. Timmy Moloney responded with the second of his points from play and then followed with another from a free. The scoreboard was inaccurate but Cashel went into added time three-up. Then came their clinching goal from the hurl of another substitute. Raymie Ryan lofted a beautiful line ball into the goal area where Ryan O'Dwyer got the overhead touch to tremble Rovers' net once again and end this contest. Galtees seemed the more likely winners for about three-quarters of the match. A coolly finished goal by county minor, David Morrissey, gave them the early initiative, though there was little between the sides at any stage. A surging solo run by Thomas O'Dwyer created the opening for Timmy Moloney to smack home Cashel's first half goal. Otherwise Pa Morrissey and Timmy Moloney had a free-taking duel and the half finished with Rovers marginally ahead, 1-6 to 1-5. Cashel had wind assistance in the second half but a re-shaped Galtee team held them at bay in the third quarter. Pa Morrissey was now partnering his brother, Colin, at midfield with David Morrissey at centre forward and David Byron at full. An interchange of points was the order for fifteen minutes before a Timmy Moloney effort finally leveled the match. A superb Raymie Ryan sideline 'cut' gave Cashel the lead for the first time eighteen minutes into the second half. David Byron leveled for Bansha a minute later and then came Stuart Hickey's goal and the late push by Cashel, which ensured victory and a place in the semi-finals against the losers group winners. When it came to the climax Cashel had a bit more score-getting craft and that made all the difference. Timmy Moloney's input was crucial but Philip Taylor won a lot of ball over the hour and Michael Coleman was a threat too, especially in the first half. Ryan O'Dwyer and Stuart Hickey rewarded the mentors for introducing them in the second half. Raymie Ryan's wristy hurling was an eye-catching feature at midfield while T.J. Connolly was seen to great effect in defence especially in the second half. Otherwise younger players like Brian Minogue and Christy Ryan resisted gamely throughout. It was a major disappointment for Rovers who'll rightly feel they played poorly and still had their chances. Their defence laboured more than they would have liked and they eventually brought Colin Morrissey to centre back in a swap with Mark Peters. The move had minimal effect. Pa Morrissey was their most accomplished performer. A lack of slickness in attack cost them many scores and they now face the losers group in a bid to rescue their season. The absences through injury of Chris Byron and Michael Grace were major losses. Scorers for Cashel K.C.: Timmy Moloney 1-8 (0-6 from frees), Stuart Hickey and Ryan O'Dwyer 1-0 each, Raymie Ryan 0-2 (0-1 from a sideline), Philip Taylor and Kevin O'Sullivan 0-1 each. Scorers for Galtee Rvs.: David Morrissey 1-1, Pa Morrissey 0-7 (0-5 from frees), Colin Morrissey 0-2, Pat Marnane and David Byron 0-1 each. Cashel K.C.: Jason Connolly; Brian Minogue, T.J. Connolly, Christy Ryan; Joe O'Leary, Liam Barron, Michael Butler; Thomas O'Dwyer and Raymie Ryan; Kevin O'Sullivan, Seanie O'Donoghue, Barry Moloney; Philip Taylor, Timmy Moloney, Michael Coleman. Subs: Stuart Hickey for Seanie O'Donoghue, Ronan O'Donoghue for Michael Butler and Ryan O'Dwyer for Kevin O'Sullivan. Galtee Rvs.: Cathal Moloney; Dallan Browne, Willie Tarrant, John Morrissey; Seamus Moloney, Mark Peters, Anthony Boles; Colin Morrissey and Andrew Morrissey; Pa Morrissey, David Byron, David Morrissey; Larry Quinn, Michael Scanlon, Pat Marnane. Sub: Paul Maher for Michael Scanlon. Ref: Noel Cosgrave, Marlfield. Tweet

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