Shanahan Brothers make the Difference in Western Intermediate Final

Lismore lost their long senior hurling status at the end of 2015 when they lost a relegation play off final against De La Salle but their stay in the Intermediate grade looks to be a short one, if we are to judge them on their Western Final victory over Modeligo on Saturday evening last.

It was no real surprise that these two sides were involved in this final.

Lismore as pointed out were somewhat surprisingly relegated last year and would be amongst the favourites to win this year’s Intermediate Championship.

Modeligo too from an early stage were expected to do well this year as last year they won this competition but lost out to Portlaw in the County Final at Walsh Park.

Lismore never trailed in this game.

Intercounty star Maurice Shanahan opened the scoring for them with a free in the fifth minute of the game.

Thomas (Tyler) Walsh who shared free taking duties with Jamie Troy in this game for Modeligo levelled matters four minutes later, but Lismore soon went back in front with a point from Jack Prendergast.

Jordan Shanahan edged Lismore two in front after 11 minutes but by the end of the first quarter the sides were locked together at three points each on the scoreboard after Jamie Troy and Thomas Walsh found the range with changes presented to them.

From here to the break Lismore were the team that were on top as they outscored the reigning champions 1-8 to 0-3.

Jack Prendergast gave his side a 0-4 to 0-3 lead and when Dan Shanahan followed up with points by the 19 minute things were beginning to look good for the Heritage Town side.

Maurice Shanahan edged his side four in from with ten minutes to play and two minutes later they stole a march on their opponents when an effort from Maurice Shanahan was finished to the Modeligo net by older brother Dan.

Kieran McCarthy and Pa Walsh pulled points back for Modeligo to leave them trailing 1-7 to 0-5 but Lismore would finish the half as strong as they were for much of the half as John and Jack Prendergast, Peter O’Keeffe and Maurice Shanahan with his third of the game landed further scores to give them a nine point lead, but a late Jamie Troy free gave his side hope as they turned around trailing 1-11 to 0-6.

Modeligo were first to score in the second half, Jamie Troy putting over another free. Maurice Shanahan pointed for Lismore only for Jamie Troy to convert another free to leave his side trailing 1-12 to 0-8 after 36 minutes.

The game however was almost over as a contest three minutes later as Dan Shanahan beat Cian O’Byrne for the second time in this game following some good work this time by Jordan Shanahan in the build up.

Kieran McCarthy and John Prendergast swapped scores by the end of the third quarter.

Points from Jamie Troy from frees followed by a Pa O’Donovan goal from a 21 metre free on 53 minutes gave Modeligo plenty of hope as they now trailed by just five points (2-13 to 1-11).

The goal however failed to ignite Modeligo as they failed to score after this and even had their numbers cut when Nicky O’Donovan was sent off late on in the game. Lismore however would add two late points from Maurice Shanahan to run out 2-15 to 1-11 winners and going on this performance, they will be very hard to beat in this weekend’s County Final against Dunhill who are set to be depleted for the Fraher Field clash.

Lismore: Seanie Barry; Aaron Whelan, Eoin Bennett, Pat Hennessy; David Prendergast, Ray Barry, Michael Fitzgerald; Stevie Barry, John Prendergast; Brendan Landers, Maurice Shanahan, Jordan Shanahan; Peter O’Keeffe, Dan Shanahan, Jack Prendergast. Subs: Brian Bennett for Jordan Shanahan, Eoin O’Sullivan for Brendan Landers.

Scorers: Dan Shanahan 2-2, Maurice Shanahan 0-6 (4f), Jack Prendergast 0-3, John Prendergast 0-2, Jordan Shanahan 0, Peter O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

Modeligo: Cian O’Byrne; Sean Hennessy, Brian McCarthy, Nicky O’Donovan; John McGrath, Pat Fitzgerald, Shane Troy; Willie Morrissey, Sean O’Donovan; Pa O’Donovan, Tom Devine, Kieran McCarthy. Jamie Troy, Pa Walsh, Thomas Walsh. Subs: Michael Troy for Willie Morrissey, Rian Reddy for Shane Troy.

Scorers: Jamie Troy 0-7 (7f), Pa O’Donovan 1-0 (f), Kieran McCarthy 0-2, Thomas Walsh (f), Pa Walsh 0-1 each.

Referee: Pat Casey.