Clonmel Commercials 1-7 Nemo Rangers 0-9
Tipperary's 46-year wait for a Munster Club Senior Football title ended in the most dramatic manner after Michael Quinlivan pounced for the winning goal 30 seconds from the end of injury-time in Mallow on Sunday.
The cup seemed to be heading Nemo Rangers’ way for a record 16th time following late points from captain Paul Kerrigan and substitute Jack Horgan.
But, Clonmel Commercials’ battling qualities, evident throughout a thrilling contest in testing conditions, surfaced again in sensational fashion.
Trailing by a couple of points entering the second minute of added-on time, Commercials looked to be tasting defeat for a fifth time in a provincial final until they conjured one last-gasp effort to rescue the tie.
Awarded a free some 50 metres out from the posts, the outstanding Seamus Kennedy lofted a high ball in the general direction of the Nemo goalmouth.
The powerful Quinlivan managed to break it down for himself before beating goalkeeper Micheal Aodh Martin with a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Cue bedlam among the large travelling band of Commercial supporters, who still had to endure another half-a-minute before referee Rory Hickey called a halt to proceedings and then Commercials’ celebrations could begin in earnest.
Goal-scoring hero, Quinlivan, had to pinch himself to believe what had unfolded. “Ninety nine times out of a 100 Nemo would come out with that ball. I knew the only way I could score was to kick it low into the corner and the whole thing is just unbelievable. It’s all a bit of a blur,” he said.
Nemo were clearly distraught at the concession of only the second goal in the entire campaign at both county and provincial levels, but they contributed to a memorable occasion despite the high winds and drenching showers.
The sides were level five times during an exciting opening half with Commercials receiving loud cheers from their supporters as they trooped to the dressingroom tied at 0-5 apiece.
Nemo never trailed during the period, when players tried manfully to cope with the elements, but Commercials worked tirelessly to ensure the Cork champions couldn’t pull away.
There was nearly a sensational start after Paul Kerrigan’s blistering pace took beyond the defence only for his stinging shot to deflect off Jamie Peters and over the bar for the opening score.
Veteran James Masters underlined the high quality on view by curling a magnificent free close to the touchline to extend his side's lead, but Commercials responded in kind.
Captain Kevin Harney opened their account after five minutes followed by the first of their four levelling scores, courtesy of a well-struck Quinlivan ‘45.
Back came Nemo once again as the experience of David Niblock and Masters stood out and even young corner-back David O’Donovan got on the score sheet for a wonderful fifth point following spell-binding team-work.
And still Commercials refused to give up even an inch, Ian Fahey dispossessing O’Donovan to create the opportunity for young Jack Kennedy to equalise just before the interval.
Commercials’ confidence grew and they jumped in front for the first time within two minutes of the resumption, Quinlivan pointing his second ‘45. He had strong claims for a penalty in the 40th minute, but play continued and Quinlivan’s free from 45m made it 0-7 to 0-5 at the end of the third quarter.
Nemo went 20 minutes without scoring, but Kerrigan ended that barren spell and they took inspiration from it. Substitute Luke Connolly levelled with a superb free from a difficult angle on the left to set-up a rousing finish.
Momentum was certainly with the Cork side at this stage and it came as no surprise, when Niblock put Kerrigan into space for a point, which edged Nemo ahead with five minutes remaining.
O’Driscoll’s effort for a two-point advantage was foiled by an upright, but when substitute Jack Horgan scored in injury-time time, it looked to be the end of Commercials’ challenge under Quinlivan pounced for the winning goal at the death.
Clonmel Commercials: J McDonald; J Peters, D Lynch, F Condon; L Moore, K Fahey, K Harney (0-1), captain; J Kennedy (0-1), A Matassa (0-1); I Fahey, S Kennedy, J Lonergan (0-1); J Harney, M Quinlivan (1-3, two '45s, one free) P White. Subs: I Barnes for J Harney 39 mins, P Looram for J Kennedy 42 mins, E Fitzgerald for Fahey 59 mins
Nemo Rangers: M Martin; C O'Shea, A O'Reilly, 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), captain, D Mehigan; J Masters (0-2, one free), B O'Driscoll, C Horgan. Subs: L Connolly (0-1 free) for Mehigan half-time, C Dalton for Horgan 38 mins, P Morgan for Dorgan 44 mins, W Morgan for Masters 50 mins, J Horgan (0-1) for O'Brien 52 mins.
Referee: R Hickey (Clare)
