Tang 0-17 Tubberclair 1-12

Post date: Aug 13, 2017 10:53:28 AM

Tang 0-17 Tubberclair 1-12

Tang got their championship campaign back on track and a monkey off their back when they defeated Tubberclair by two pts in Rosemount on Saturday last. After a disappointing first half, Tang trailed 1-8 to 0-7 but a much improved second half saw Tang outscore Tubberclair 10 pts to four to record their first victory over Tubberclair in championship football for more than twenty years.

Tubberclair started brightly kicking the first three pts with Conor Elliot in flowing form after 7mins before Martin Rock opened Tang’s account with a neat pt from 40yds. Tubberclair’s half back line were dominating the game at this stage setting up numerous attacks lead by the lively Niall Walker. Tubberclair stretched their lead to 5pts to 1 after ten mins. Martin Rock responded with another fine pt. Adam Neary added another pt from a fifty to narrow the gap to 5 to 3. Dobsy O Brien and Martin Rock traded pts. Niall Bannon added a pt from a free to narrow the gap to 6pts to 5 after 19mins. Tang were gaining the upper hand but wides from Trevor and Niall Neary (hitting the upright) proving costly. Conor Elliot then kicked an outrageous pt from near the corner flag. On the 25^th min Tubberclair got an important goal to lead 1-7 to 0-5. Tang were dealt a major blow when Trevor English fell awkwardly and had to leave the field. Martin Rock added another pt, quickly followed by a pt from Darragh Burke to leave a goal between the teams. Tang had a chance to draw level when Martin Rock was through on goal but his shot drifted to right of the post. Conor Elliot added another pt for Tubberclair with Tang losing Chris Connor through a head injury just on the half time whistle with the score 1-8 to 0-7.

Tang started the second half with Conor Marlow going to midfield and Trevor English reverting to the full forward berth and Tommy Lennon coming in at a half back. Tang attacked from the throw in with Conor Marlow driving forward and Adam Neary kicked a delightful pt from a narrow angle. Niall Bannon added a pt after a foul on Trevor English. Martin Rock and Niall Neary added pts to draw the match level. Darragh Burke had a chance of score but an excellent block denied him before Martin Rock kicked a pt to lead 12pts to 1-8. Both teams exchanged pts at this stage with Tang guilty of squandering chances dropping balls short into Gary Connaugthon’s hands. Tang went two up before Tubberclair brought Alan Coffey off the bench and almost immediately he kicked a pt and shortly after kicked a long distance free off the ground to draw the match level 14pts to 1-11. Tubberclair were pressing Tang at this stage and the match was up for grabs with 8mins remaining with Tang under pressure on their own kick out. Tang were defending bravely and breaking quickly from defence with John Rock kicking a fantastic pt under severe pressure to take the lead with 5 mins remaining. Tang had a chance to extend it further but Conor Marlow was penalized for time wasting. However Conor made amends winning the throw ball and setting up Martin Rock for another long range pt. Tang had their tails up at this stage and Martin Rock won a free which Niall Bannon duly slotted over the black spot to take a three pt lead with time almost up. Tubberclair did lay siege in the Tang half but all they managed was a solitary pt and Tang held on for a deserved victory. Tang once again was marshalled by Captain Robert English in defence with Sean Egan very prominent when changed to the half back berth. John Rock was superb, putting the shackles on Conor Elliot in the second half and still bursting forward to kick a magnificent pt in the dying mins, Trevor English was a tower of strength at midfield and caused lots of havoc when switched to full forward. Niall Bannon had a terrific match and could have had got man of the match but that accolade falls to Martin Rock who was a constant thorn in Tubberclair defence kicking some great scores and kept Tang ticking over in the first half when scores were at a premium. Speedy recovery to Chris Connor and Trevor English who picked up knocks. Tang now play St Malachy’s possibly midweek on 22^nd or 23^rd. Check fixtures for details. So well done lads, a great performance and puts Tang in a good place in the championship.

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