Wolfe Tones’ Munster run ends at first hurdle against Watergrasshill

*Aron Shanagher was starved of possession for Wolfe Tones. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

WOLFE TONES have been eliminated from the Munster intermediate club championship.

Watergrasshill 2-20
Wolfe Tones 2-13
Venue: Páirc Ui Rinn

All all-round better balanced Watergrasshill proved too strong for Wolfe Tones as the Shannon exited in their first outing of the Munster club in Saturday’s semi-final.

The sending off of full forward Aaron Cunningham midway through the second half was one of a number of talking points.

Cunningham had just been pulled down as he headed for goal and referee Alan Tierney had signalled for a penalty.

Following a long consultation with his linesman, he cancelled the free and sent Cunningham and defender Dylan Roche to the line.

Overall the Cork champions were deserving winners on the day as they dominated the key areas.

Despite getting a dream start with Aaron Cunningham firing to the net after just fourteen seconds, Wolfe Tones found themselves five points in arrears at half time when the score was 1-11 to 1-6.

Indeed from the moment the Cork champions got in for their goal at the midpoint of the opening half, they dictated matters and the visitors could count themselves lucky not to have been further in arrears at half time as the Cork champions were guilty of eleven wides in that first half.

The Shannon men struggled to win their own puckout and to get the ball beyond their opponents half back line.

Their inside forwards Aaron Cunningham and Aron Shanagher were starved of possession as Watergrassill cut off possession around their own ‘65.

Wolfe Tones started the second half well also, landing the first three points to cut their opponents lead to two but they were unable to get any closer.

Scorers Watergrashill: Adam Murphy (0-12 9f), Sean Desmond (1-2), Brendan Lehane (1-1), Shane O’Regan (0-2), Ian O’Callaghan (0-1), Liam Foley (0-1), Aidan Foley (0-1 1f)

Scorers Wolfe Tones: Aron Shanagher (0-5 2f), Cian O’Rourke (0-5 3f), Dean Devanney (1-1), Aaron Cunningham (1-0), John Guilfoyle (0-1), Evan O’Gorman (0-1).

Watergrassill
1: Aidan Foley

2: Shane Field
3: Dylan McCrthy
4: Dylan Roche;

5: Michael O’Driscoll
6: Daire O’Leary
7: Kevin O’Neioll;

19: Ciaran O’Leary
9: Aaron Spriggs

10: Shane O’Regan
11: Adam Murphy
12: Liam Foley;

13: Brendan Lehane
14: Sean Desmond
15: Padraig O’Leary

Subs:
8: Ian O’Callaghan for Field (42)
18: Anthony Cronin for Spriggs (44)
22: Chris Healy for D O’Leary (51)
23: Patrick Cronin for L Foley (51)

Wolfe Tones
1: Oisin O’Rourke

5: Rory Hayes
3: Daithi Lohan
4: Liam Murphy;

17: Dylan Frawley
6: John Guilfoyle
7: Sam Meaney

8: Darragh Lohan
13: Dean Devanney

10: Stephen Donnellan
11: Evan O’Gorman
12: Colin Riordan;

9: Cian O’Rourke
14: Aaron Cunningham
15: Aron Shanagher

Subs:
22: Gavin Carrig for Donnellan (HT)
18: Daithí O’Connell for Guilfoyle (HT)
2: Mikey Hayes for C O’Rourke (51) (inj)
20: Sean Costelloe for O’Gorman (57)
21: Conor Carrig for Meaney (60)

Referee: Alan Tierney (Tipperary)