Tubberclair advance to Leinster semi-final

Tubberclair advanced to the Leinster intermediate semi-final with a hard fought three-point victory over Wicklow standardbearers, Dunlavin at Tubberclair GAA grounds last Saturday afternoon.After controlling the opening moiety and turning over with a seven point advantage, the Westmeath champions looked odds-on to cruise through to the last four. But they reckoned without the spirit of the Garden County men who fired everything bar the kitchen sink at them in the latter stages. Their cause was not helped when, with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock - and the gap still at seven points - corner-forward Steven Carthy was dismissed for a second bookable offence.Despite this setback goals in the final fifteen minutes of play from Shane Corrigan and captain, Tom Harney dragged the Wicklow side to within two points with two minutes remaining. Tubberclair, however, withstood the storm and displaying the form which made them domestic champions they closed the game out.Fergal Wilson was once again the man on form for Tubberclair on Saturday. The corner forward hit 1-6 in total during this game but it was his scoring burst of 1-2 in four minutes just before the interval that allowed Tubberclair to open up that seven-point lead - one that Dunlavin ultimately would not be able to reel in.After a wet week and an equally wet morning, the sun happily decided to come out on Saturday afternoon. Due to a colour clash Tubberclair donned the maroon of neighbours, Tang while Dunlavin lined out in a set of white Wicklow jerseys.Tubberclair began the game strongly and had raced into a two point lead after just four minutes. Firstly, Fergal Wilson pointed with his right boot after a swift move involving Enda McGee and Conor Elliott. Wilson then added a point from a free.Down the other end, full-forward Steven Miley wasted two opportunities by kicking two scoreable frees into the hands of Gary Connaughton.Jeffery Farrell took full advantage of Miley's profligacy by tapping over Tubberclair's third point on nine minutes - a free which was won by Elliott.Miley finally got it right on eleven minutes, curling over his first from a placed ball to open his and Dunlavin's account. Another free was converted by Miley three minutes later to leave the minimum between the sides with fourteen played.Michael Hopkins then restored Tubberclair's two-point advantage seconds later when Gary Connaughton's kick-out was fielded by Farrell who transferred to the corner-forward. But that score was cancelled out on eighteen minutes by Tom Harney who charged straight up the centre of the Tubberclair defence before drilling the ball over with the outside of his right boot.The home side then took over. From the very next kickout, the ball made its way to Conor Elliott who speedily beat his man before punching the ball between the uprights.A minute later, Farrell worked hard to make some space for himself before seeing his parting effort fly high over the bar.On twenty-two minutes, the home side were given a scare when an accurate pass from Tom Harney found its way to Steven Miley who had a clear run at goal. Connaughton rushed from his line and although Miley managed to get around him, he hesitated and his shot was cleared by an alert Rory Walsh.Just before half-time, Tubberclair really took control of the match. Francis Spollen sent a ball goalward but when 'keeper Paul English came to collect, there seemed to be no danger. However, English fumbled the ball straight into the path of Wilson who gratefully accepted the gift before spinning and finishing to the net in one swift movement.There was still time for Dunlavin to register the final score of the half - a Steven Miley free - but in reality it looked as though Tubberclair would ease to victory from this position.Within just thirteen seconds of the restart Dunlavin had scored through Shane Corrigan but the home side were soon back on top with scores from Wilson and Hopkins stretching the lead out to eight.Half-time substitute Enda Bowes, tapped over a free for the visitors on forty-two minutes but when Steven Carthy was given his marching orders the result seemed assured.Steven Miley landed a huge free on forty-five minutes to bring the deficit back down to six. And on forty-seven minutes the deficit was down to three when Shane Corrigan received another pin-point pass from Tom Harney before turning his man and rifling the ball to the top-corner past a helpless Gary Connaughton.Crucially, however, Tubberclair were able to rally and Fergal Wilson pointed from a placed ball.On fifty-one minutes Conor Elliott raised the white flag when placed by Robert Buckley and it looked as though the Westmeath champions had stemmed the Wicklow tide.But with two minutes on the clock, referee Fergal Barry gave Dunlavin a life-line when he awarded a penalty after Niall Walker was judged to have dragged Tom Harney to the ground. Harney stepped up to take the spot-kick and coolly sent Connaughton the wrong way to leave just two between the sides.That was as good as it got for the visitors and Jeffery Farrell knocked over another free to stretch out the gap to a much safer three points.With just two minutes of injury-time to be played Dunlavin launched one last attack - a swift hand-passing move down the pitch toward the clubhouse. But as the ball made its way to Shane Carthy he lashed wildly at the ball which flew well wide of the goal. And with that went Dunlavin's last hope.Scorers: Tubberclair - Fergal Wilson (1-6, 4f), Jeffery Farrell (0-3, 2f), Conor Elliot (0-2), Michael Hopkins (0-2).Dunlavin - Steven Miley (0-4, 4f), Shane Corrigan (1-1), Tom Harney (1-1), Enda Bowes (0-1, 1f).Tubberclair: Gary Connaughton, Simon Lawless, James Martin, Rory Walsh, Bernard Cassells, Niall Walker, Enda McGee, David Ganley, Thomas Dougan, Robert Buckley, Jeffery Farrell, Conor Elliott, Fergal Wilson, Francis Spollen, Michael Hopkins. Subs: David Cassells for E. McGee (41 mins), Enda Dooley for R. Walsh (56 mins), Peter Evans for C. Elliott (60 mins).Dunlavin: Paul English, Kevin Miley, Mick Murtagh, Justin Birchall, Sean Metcalfe, Alan Bowens, Stephen Birchall, Thomas Kelly, Alan Heatley, Shane Corrigan, Tom Harney, Shane Carthy, Shane O'Rourke, Steven Miley, Steven Carthy. Subs: Enda Bowes for S. O'Rourke (HT), Conor Miley for S. Metcalfe (51 mins).