Tara tested to the limit by proud Blackwater
Before the latest episode of the Regional FC group games got underway at Dunganny tonight an observer might have looked at this fixture and seen it as contest where there was nothing at stake.
A dead rubber. After all Tara were through to the last four while Blackwater were out. So, yeah, a nothing game.
Nothing, in fact, could be further away from the truth. There was a huge amount at stake - the pride of the players for starters. The pride they have in themselves, in the fact that they were representing their clubs. The pride they had in wearing the colours of their regional teams - and it all showed in the quality of the football produced.
The spectators ( the crowds were more encouraging compared to last week) who watched this game were also engaged fully in the contest. Some had family members playing while others were there simply to support their club players.
The intensity of the play suggested that if you didn't know any different you might think there was a place in the Keegan Cup final up for grabs. This was a dead rubber in name only.
As it turned out Tara, maintained their winning ways (3-12 to 2-13) recovering from a slow enough start to generate momentum before surging on to win.
The whole balance of the game - and indeed the final outcome itself hung on three or four brief, but drama filled minutes during the opening half.
Blackwater had defied their billing as rank underdogs by producing some sharp, high-tempo football in the opening quarter. With 14 minutes played they led 0-4 to 0-2 despite facing into the breeze.
They went further in front a minute later when Mickey Newman showed why he was at one stage some years ago considered one of the finest footballers in the country.
He picked up the ball about 30 metres out and embarked on a powerful, mazy run. He side-stepped a number of tackles before firing to the net. A super score.
That seemed to inspired their opponents because immediately afterwards Tara fired home a similar goal. This time it was Paul Kelly who did the surging and the jinking. He also finished off his run by despatching the ball to the net. Kelly is certainly a player who has sparkled in this competition and it would be a surprise indeed if he doesn't get a call up to the county squad.
A minute later another super Tara move involving the busy, inventive Pierre Fox ended with David O'Leary passing to Tommy Kinsella who slotted home from close range. From the kick out Tara won the ball, set in motion an attack that once more finished in the net, this time Jamie McWeeney firing home.
From a position where they trailed their opponents, Tara suddenly led, 3-3 to 1-4. They were in front; where they stayed.
They edged their opponents 3-5 to 1-6 at the interval and stayed one step in front but they could never relax simply because Blackwater were up for the fight. They battled for everything. They and Newman got a second goal on 46 minutes when Paddy McDermott was fouled in the square. Newman despatched the spot-kick with consummate craft and conviction.
This was just the kind of game Ger Robinson's Tara needed ahead of the semi-finals. A demanding, hard-hitting encounter. The winners players some excellent football at times with Eoin O'Connor another players who showed great promise.
Blackwater had their heroes among them Hughie Corcoran who swept over one truly memorable point from an awkward angle. David Nolan's team went down but they did so while also demonstrating plenty of pride in their hearts, in themselves and in the region they represented.
SCORERS
Tara - Tommy Kinsella 1-1; Jamie McWeeney 1-0; Paul Kelly 1-0; Pierre Fox 0-2; David 'Leary 0-2; Cathal Murphy 0-2 frees: Cathal Murphy 0-2 frees; Conor Mooney 0-1; Sean O'Neill 0-1; Dermot Carty 0-1; Shane Walsh 0-1.
Blackwater - Michael Newman 2-5, one '45', one goal penalty, two frees; Hughie Corcoran 0-2; Frank O'Reilly 0-1; Conor Lynch 0-1; Thomas Carry 0-1; Harry O'Higgins 0-1; Paddy McDermott 0-1; Dylan Morgan 0-1.
TEAMS
Tara - Niall Flynn (Dunsany); Pauric Burke (Dunsany), Eoin O'Connor (Dunshaughlin), Cian Harford (Kilbride); Mark Dempsey (Kilbride), Eoin Harkin (Dunsany), Tadgh O Dushlaine (Dunshaughlin); Jamie McWeeney (Kilbride), Charlie O'Donnell (Dunsany); Josh Harford (Kilbride), Pierre Fox (Dunsany), Paul Kelly (Blackhall Gaels); Cathal Murphy (Dunsany), David O'Leary (Kilbride), Tommy Kinsella (Dunshaughlin). Subs - Tommy Dalton for Flynn 16 mins, Sean O'Neill (Dunshaughlin) for O'Donnell 38m, Dermot Carty for Fox 41m, Hugh Smith, Fearghal Kiernan for Kinsella 55m.
Blackwater - Dean Peppard (Kilmainham); Ciaran O'Reilly (St Michael's), Matthew Halpin (St Michael's), James O'Connor (Carnaross); Ronan Lynch (St Michael's), Harry Dunne (St Michael's), Brian O'Reilly (St Michael's); Phelim O'Reilly (St Michael's), Frank O'Reilly (Carnaross); Conor Lynch (Drumbaragh), Mickey Newman (Kilmainham), Paul Lynch (St Michael's); Thomas Carry (Drumbaragh), Hughie Corcoran (Drumbaragh), Harry O'Higgins (Drumbaragh). Subs - Cian O'Reilly (Carnaross) for P Lynch, Luke Gillic (Carnaross) for R Lynch, Paddy McDermott for Dunne, Dylan Morgan for T Carry all half-time; Liam Ward (Drumbaragh) for C Lynch 48m.
Referee - Liam Reddy (Duleek/Bellewstown).