Club Achievements

Toomevara “shoer” shocked in thrilling finish

"The Midland Tribune", June 20, 1970

S.H. Eire Og (Nenagh), 6-3; Toomevara 3-9

Eire Og senior hurlers shocked Toomevara and surprised themselves when they came from behind to oust more fancied rivals by a 3 points margin in a North Tipp. losers’ group game played before a very small attendance at the Cloughjordan venue on Sunday.
Toomevara led all the way until about 90 seconds from the end when Gerry Quinlan sent in a great ball and Noel Shoer slashed home his third goal to put the Nenagh side ahead. The same player added an encore in the shape of a point which had no real bearing on the result except that the time occupied in scoring it kept Toomevara out of possession in the last vital seconds of the game.
Shoer undoubtedly was the man who swung the issue in favour of the under-dogs, notching a personal tally of 3-2, all scored within the last 14 minutes. Until he sprang suddenly into brilliant life, Nenagh had looked shorthanded in attack, with only Gerry Quinlan at centre-forward and Martin Hogan and Michael Walsh in the corners giving Toomevara defenders the slightest trouble. The first of Shoer’s three goals came when he followed up for a second attempt after his shot from the 21 yd. line had been blocked. This score reduced Nenagh’s deficit to two points and although Pat McGrath opened the gap again with two points from frees, Shoer kept his team in touch with a pointed free. Toomevara attacked again, Ollie Ryan lifting the ball with short-held hurley and breaking through for a goal. But Eire Og were not to be discouraged now, and came right back for another goal, Ml. Walsh netting from a cross by Martin Hogan. Pat McGrath pointed for Toomevara, and again Eire Og had a swift reply in the shape of a Shoer goal which left only a point between the teams with three minutes to go. Finally, in a thrill-packed finish, came the clinching 1-1 from Shoer to send Nenagh jubilant from the field.

Toom start well
This was a game which featured changing fortunes before the teams levelled out for a time in the score-swapping closing period. It opened with Toomevara taking their chances brilliantly for a brace of goals by Frankie Ryan – the first following a magnificent delivery by centre-back –Jimmy Hackett- and points by Liam Hackett and Pat McGrath. Four scores in the first ten minutes, and all Nenagh had to show was as many wides, ‘though shots by Martin Hogan and Gerry Quinlan were good enough to merit reward and gave the hint of things to come. The introduction of Sean English at full back brought about the first swing in the tide, Oliver Tucker being released for service in the middle of the field. They had almost instant success when Michael Walsh started and finished a defence splitting move also featuring Gerry Quinlan and yielding an exceptionally good goal. Martin Hogan goaled and Quinlan added a fine point; then Toomevara regained control in the last ten minutes of the half, although their scoring rate was slower and they added only two points, one from a Pat McGrath free and the other by Liam Hackett from the 70 yards line. At the interval, turning over to face the slight breeze, Toom led 2-4 to 2-1.

Second Half
With Roger Ryan on at centre-forward, his injured right hand in plaster, Toomevara resumed in match winning style, notching points by Ryan and Liam Hackett (from another 70). Both teams entered the doldrums for a time, as opportunities went a begging at each end. Eire Og made the latest of a series of positional changes in switching Noel Shoer out to centre-forward and Quinlan to centre-field, marking Dan Kennedy, and as the game entered the last quarter Martin Hogan was pulled down in possession. Noel Shoer’s first goal resulted and the game built up to its exciting and dramatic climax. Nenagh mentors hailed this victory as a boost much needed in senior grade for they are already out of the County Championship and their record to date has been dismal enough to threaten morale. Short several regulars, owing to injury or illness – John Tucker, Matt Sheary and Tony Tierney were all absent – they fielded also without Sean English, a late arrival owing to a family bereavement; and with two players, Michael Ryan and Joe Rice who had suffered injuries in playing with the Mogul team the previous day. With all these headaches they were not too optimistic and their chief concern was to turn in a performance good enough to help keep the “heart” of the team alive for the next year or two until their outstanding minors of the last few years reach senior age and hurling stature. Sunday’s game was certainly good enough to achieve that objective. It would be unrealistic to imagine that they have any real chance of annexing 1970 divisional honours, but with this victory under their belts, they should be in the right mood now to benefit from future outing(s) in the C’ships. The strengths and weaknesses of the Eire Og team did not always appear on Sunday in very predictable places – some of their most promising players were below top form. Eamon Kennedy showed a nice sense of position and good timing in forays from goal during a fine hour.
The inner line of defence had a shaky start but settled down following the introduction of Sean English at full back. Stephen Creamer and Jim Tucker showed good form in the corners. Willie Flannery was very reliable at centre-back, sending out many fine clearances, while Eamon O’Meara had one of his best games on the right wing. P.J. Cooney on the other side showed up reasonably well from time to time without ever realising his full potential.

Midfield Problems
Nenagh had their problems at midfield where Liam Hackett had the better of Michael Ryan, Joe Rice (who went off on the arrival of English) had two successors in Oliver Tucker and Gerry Quinlan, the latter bringing about a definite improvement. Wing forwards Willie Condon and John Grace were disappointing but the same certainly could not be said about Martin Hogan who was very sharp and forceful in the right corner. Intelligence and accuracy made Ml. Walsh another great asset and the attack was given the central “punch” it needed when Noel Shoer erupted with his spate of scores. For Toomevara, this was a match best forgotten, all the more so in that it was one which they started so well, with their mixture of experienced and rising players combining for those opening scores. Afterwards, their attack lost fluency and the defence proved distinctly vulnerable.
Mounsey brought off a couple of early saves which gave no hint that he was going to be beaten six times (not that he was really culpable for any of those goals). The stream of attacking clearances sent in by Jimmy Hackett showed a promise that he failed to fulfil in the centre-back berth, while Tom Hassett was the only member of the full-back line to achieve anything of note.
The wing backs, Michael Delaney and T.J. Grace (especially the latter) both did very well and hard-hitting Liam Hackett had a fine game at midfield.

Attack Fades
The Toomevara attack, however, was very disappointing. Michael Young never found form – and Toomevara were relying on his – Lesley Clarke seldom showed up and this left only Pat McGrath of the original half-forward line with real scoring potential. Arrival of Roger Ryan – at risk of further injury to a painfully damaged thumb – strengthened the attack in the second half. Frankie Ryan looked dangerous every time he got the ball (which wasn’t often enough for Toom) – Sean Maxwell was well held in the other corner. Full forward Ollie Ryan made a few good runs when he came out looking for the ball in the second half, and his goal was nicely taken.

The Teams
Eire Og – Eamon Kennedy, Jim Tucker, Oliver Tucker, Stephen Creamer, Eamon O’Meara, Willie Flannery, P.J.Cooney, Ml. Ryan, Joe Rice, John Grace, Gerry Quinlan, Billy Condon, Martin Hogan, Noel Shoer, Ml. Walsh. Sub. – Sean English (for Rice).
Toomevara – Roger Mounsey, Martin Ryan, Tom Hassett, Niall Maxwell, Michael Delaney, Jimmy Hackett, T.J.Grace, Liam Hackett, Dan Kennedy, Ml. Young, Les Clarke, Pat McGrath, Frankie Ryan, Oliver Ryan and Sean Maxwell. Sub. – Roger Ryan (for Clarke).
Referee – Mr. J. (“Mackey”) McKenna, Borrisokane.