Summerhill (Meath) 1-09 Tullamore (Offaly) 1-07
Referee Barry Tiernan was knocked to the ground shortly after blowing the final whistle at the end of a frantic conclusion to this AIB Leinster Club SFC match at O'Connor Park Tullamore.
The Dublin official was being escorted from the pitch when he was approached by a supporter, while a number of others attempted accost him after he changed his mind over the awarding of a penalty to the hosts two minutes over the allocated four added minutes.
Tiernan originally awarded a close range free to Tullamore before consulting with his umpires and then pointing to the spot for a penalty. There was pushing and shoving between players as Paul McConway waited to take the kick and then following further consultation, this time with his linesman, he signalled a free instead of a penalty.
John Furlong’s effort for a goal was blocked in a crowded goalmouth and the final whistle eventually sounded shortly afterwards.
It was a game Tullamore should have sewn up long before that controversial ending but they squandered numerous chances, including a number of gilt-edge ones from frees. They led 1-05 to 0-06 at half-time and were never headed until substitute Kevin Ryan scrambled a goal for the Meath champions on 56 minutes. An earlier shot from Barry Dardis was blocked and Ryan eventually forced the ball over the goal line to leave his side leading 1-08 to 1-07.
Tullamore had a chance to draw level but Nigel Bracken who was successful with two earlier efforts hit a close range free wide of the target. Eoghan Frayne then pointed his side two clear on 62 minutes before Tullamore went in search of a match saving goal.
The sides were level on four occasions in the opening half before Michael Brazil pointed Tullamore in front from a free on 28 minutes. Declan Hogan who had earlier pointed then struck for a goal for the hosts a minute later from a Daire McDaid pass.
Summerhill responded with points from Barry Dardis and Eoghan Frayne to leave two between the teams at the break.
Further points, this time from Jamie O’Shea and Frayne, had the teams’ level again on 44 minutes and Tullamore had to wait until the 49th minute for their first score of the second half from a Bracken free.
Bracken who was Tullamore’s fourth free taker on the day then doubled his side’s advantage before Summerhill responded to clinch the victory and a quarter final clash with the Kildare champions.
Summerhill: Sean Muddiman; Iarla Hughes, Ronan Ryan, John Lavelle; Jamie O’Shea (0-01), Ross Ryan, Padhraig Geraghty; Adam Flanagan, Micheál Byrne; David Larkin, Eoghan Frayne (0-04, 0-04f), Diarmuid McCabe (0-01); Conor Lyons, Conor Frayne (0-01), Barry Dardis (0-02, 0-02f).
Subs: Padraig Jennings for O’Shea 44, Kevin Ryan (1-0) for McCabe 48, Davy Dalton for Lyons 51, Eamonn McDonnell for C Frayne 55.
Tullamore – Corey White; Declan Hogan (1-01), Paul McConway, Daire McDaid; Nigel Bracken (0-02, 0-02f, John Furlong, Oisin Keenan Martin; Aaron Hensey, Ciaran Egan; Michael Brazil (0-01, 0-01f), Diarmuid Egan (0-01), Luke Egan; Harry Plunkett (0-01), Luke Plunkett, Cormac Egan (0-01).
Subs: Dan Fox for L Plunkett h-t, Mike Fox for Ciaran Egan 42, Niall Furlong for H Plunkett 48, Jay Sheeran for Hensey 62, Luke Plunkett for Keenan Martin 62.
Referee: B Tiernan (Dublin)
