Leinster club IFC | Heartbreak for Hunterstown as Leinster journey comes to an end

Hunterstown Rovers’ season came to a heartbreaking end in Stabannon this afternoon, as Tubberclair found just enough in the closing minutes to win the dramatic AIB Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship semi-final tie.

The Louth champions played with no shortage of ambition, but the Westmeath side proved that little bit sharper when the pressure peaked. For long spells, Hunterstown looked every inch a side ready to push into a Leinster final.

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David Finn’s early point settled them, and though Tubberclair hit a penalty through captain Frank Kelleher, Hunterstown responded superbly with two goals in the space of two minutes.

Cillian Taaffe finished a well-worked move before Ciarán Russell slotted home moments later. Even as Tubberclair kept reeling them in with frees from Eoghan McCabe and points from Matthew Whittaker, Hunterstown always seemed to have an answer.

Captain Ryan Burns clipped two long-range two-pointers and added another free to keep his side in front. Hunterstown led by two points at the halftime break and looked well placed, even with the wind against them for the second half.

Half time: Hunterstown Rovers 4-12 Tubberclair 4-16.

Tubberclair gathered themselves impressively after the restart as Daire O’Connor and Tom Kelleher struck points to drag them level before Whittaker smashed in a brilliant solo goal, and the momentum turned sharply.

A second goal for Fred Kelleher and a superb two-point free from McCabe left Hunterstown seven points adrift heading into the final stretch.

What followed was a trademark Hunterstown fightback as All-Star nominee Burns landed a two-pointer before Marc Ward pounced to hit the net from a goalmouth scramble.

Suddenly, the belief was back. Then, with injury time ticking down, Burns cut through to bury a cool finish that levelled the game.

But Tubberclair dug deep one last time, and a late penalty was awarded. Kelleher held his nerve to convert the sportkick to complete his hat-trick. 

Oisín O’Meara added a final insurance point to seal the win as Hunterstown bowed out with their heads high.

Full time: Hunterstown Rovers 4-12 Tubberclair 4-16.

Hunterstown Rovers: Donovan Sheridan; Adam O'Reilly, Michéal Reid, Euan Woodlock; Cillian Taaffe (1-0), Patrick Taaffe, Daithi Carroll; Shane Halpenny, Jason Monaghan; Tony McKenna, Ryan Burns (c) (1-7), James Russell; David Finn (0-1), Ryan Ward (0-1), Ciarán Russell (1-0).

Subs: Paul Carrie (0-1) on for Adam O'Reilly (HT), Marc Ward (1-0) on for Ryan Ward (37'), Joe Rogers on for Jason Monaghan (52'), Jamie O'Callaghan on for Cillian Taaffe (56'), Colm Murphy on for Daithi Carroll (57').

Tubberclair: Kevin Fagan; Stephen McGonagle, Cathal Tighe, Taylor Slevin; James Madden, Tom Kelleher (0-2), Matthew Whittaker (1-2), Seán Claffey, Eoghan McCabe (0-7); Paul Keegan, Fred Kelleher (c) (3-1, 2-0 pens), Tom Bourke; Kealan Connell (0-1), Daire O'Connor (0-2), Gavin Delaney.

Subs: Liam Staunton on for James Madden (27'), Finn Duffy on for Paul Keegan (55'), Oisin O'Meara (0-1) on for Seán Claffey (58').

Referee: Dan Stynes (Dublin).