It probably peaked in the 2009 West Final when Aherlow beat Galtee Rovers on a Wednesday night in late September under lights in Cappawhite. An absolutely massive on “the bank” watching on. Proper Club Championship conditions.
Galtee Rovers were reigning County Champions and had the chance to knock Aherlow with Liam Kearns onboard out of the Championship altogether. However Aherlow got a late goal to win it leading to a mass brawl involving players/subs/selectors and spectators.
The official Paddy Russell more or less let them at it too. Great days.
There were some great games back in those days under lights in Cappawhite. Eire Og had a great win over Galtee Rovers in 2007, the same night Marek Jankulovski scored the winner against Steve Staunton’s ROI in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
Day/Night knockout club games throwing in at 7.30 on midweek September nights have a very exotic atmosphere about them. They are Club GAA’s equivalent of Champions League Semi Final Second Legs in the Bernabeu in April.
The split season means these are now redundant which is a shame really.
Silvermines and Roscrea through, Moyne in relegation.
Burgess and St.Marys through, Newport in relegation. Sean Treacys conceded 3 goals in the last ten minutes in their win v Newport, cost them on score difference.
Roscrea were probably the favorites for this but are not blowing teams away as expected, Cashel prob the in form team. Very open championship.
Went to see the Exceedingly attractive Double Header in Golden this evening.
Good win for Sars over Kilenaule in what was an enjoyable game. Bubbles had to go off with what looked like a broken hand after 20 minutes and was a big loss. He was playing well. Killenaule were also without the 2 Feehans. Kilenaule will be disappointed to bow out.
Thurles on the other hand were able to bring the likes of Mikey O’Brien (ex Tipp Minor) and Michael Purcell (full back on AI Under 20 winning team of 2019) off the bench.
Stephen Maher was very good for them at the back. Tommy Maher at wing forward is definitely one to watch out for. Only 18 and nailed four good points from play. Willie Tierney in goals too is an interesting one. There was a huge clamour for him to start for Sars A a few years ago but it never happened. Hes the Peake Villa keeper too and the clashing commitments mightnt have helped his cause. Anyway his distribution was unreal today and was the difference towards the end. There is very good depth in strength in Thurles right now.
Cappawhite had a big win over Ballingary in the other game which was a surprise to me but Dylan Walsh didnt play and Ballingarry seem to have lost a few good lads in recent years. The mercurial Willie Barry gave an exhibition for Cappawhite.
One good bit of news for Liam Cahill and Tipp supporters is Brian O Mara was excellent for Holycross tonight as they staved off relegation whilst beating mullinahone.
They could easily have beaten Toome and gone through.
Upperchurch topped that group with 3 wins from 3. Odd as it is the club without a divisional championship May go on and win the big one.
