Tyrrellspass 2-6 Éire Óg 0-11: There was action on and off the field at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday in this torrid Leinster club football quarter-final during which Laois referee Maurice Deegan issued seven yellow cards while Garda intervention was needed to subdue a fight which erupted in the stand just minutes before half-time.
In a bad-tempered game watched by an attendance of 2,000, Tyrellspass dominated the opening half with left full forward Denis Glennon in outstanding form.
In the eighth minutes left wing forward Keith Scally finished a superb move to the net to put the Westmeath champions 1-1 to 0-1 in front.
With Trevor John Gonoud a commanding figure at centre back for Tyrrellspass, Éire Óg looked to be making a tame exit from a provincial competition they won five times back in the 1990s.
After 26 minutes Tyrrellspass led 1-3 to 0-3 and with many in the stand watching an outbreak of fighting, the Westmeath side struck for a second goal when right-full forward David Glennon found the cak of the net. At half-time Tyrrellspass led 2-4 to 0-5.
But Éire Óg were transformed in the second half.
Although Kevin Connell posted the first point from a free, the Carlow men took command and kicked the next six points to level matters.
Derek Hayden's move from midfield to the half forwards worked a treat while substitute Daniel Walker gave Éire Óg the edge at centrefield.
But Éire Óg couldn't get their noses in front and Tyrrellspass regained the lead with Denis Glennon's pointed free with four minutes left. Veteran Willie Quinlan had a late chance for a levelling point but blazed the chance wide.
TYRELLSPASS: D Quinn; T Newman, B Murphy, T O'Brien; S Arthur, TJ Gonoud, P Sheridan (0-1); A Corcoran, D Murphy, K Connell (0-1, free), G Hoey; K Scally (1-0), David Glennon (1-1), M Flanagan; Denis Glennon (0-3, one free). Subs: C Daly for Hoey (46 mins), R Dunbar for Connelly (49 mins), J Corcoran for Murphy (53 mins).
ÉIRE ÓG: R Moore; J Ryan, S Myers, A Byrne; P Cashin, C McCarthy, C Bolger; P Kingston, D Hayden (0-5, two frees); B Carbery, J Morrissey, A Curran; E McCormack (0-2), S Rea (0-4, three frees), K Hession. Subs: K Moran for Cashin injured (32 mins), D Walker for Curran (half-time), S Gannon for Carbery (36 mins), W Quinlan for Hession (41 mins).
Referee: M Deegan(Laois).