Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Carlow SFC Relegation decider
Eire Og 3-15 Tinryland 0-16
Tinryland lost their senior status despite a trojan effort in the relegation decider with Eire Og at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday afternoon 12th October 2025.
The ability to score goals was a crucial factor in this game with the final margin harsh on Tinryland who were in the game right up to the closing stages.
The first half was a fast-moving affair and after conceding the opening point to a free by Niall Quinlan Tinryland took an early lead with a brilliant two pointer from play by Diarmaid Walshe. It could have been even better for the men from Rathcrogue at this early stage when both Niall Lowry and John Murphy had gilt edged goal chances which were deflected over the bar and saved by Eire Og defender Diarmuid Ruth.
The opening goal arrived on the 25th minute when Colm Hulton breached the Tinryland defence before transferring the ball to Kyle O’Byrne who rattled the Tinryland net. The eventual winners were denied a certain goal earlier when Tinryland goalie Chris Townsend made a brilliant save from Sean Gannon at the expense of a 45. Tinryland’s second 2 pointer then arrived when Danny Moran slotted over from the sideline, but Eire Og had the last say in the opening half when Adam Nolan found the Tinryland net to leave the half time scoreboard reading Eire Og 2-8 Tinryland 0-8.
When referee David Hickey re-started proceedings Tinryland made their intentions known and began to play a more positive brand of football. A successful free by James McGrath was followed by another Diarmaid Walshe two pointer and when Jonah Dunne and Maurice Lawler also raised white flags with 20 minutes left the sides were suddenly level and with all to play for.
Eire Og then began emptying their strong bench sending on Adam McCarron, Alex Delaney Reece Denieffe and Eoin Myers who all added pace to their attack. McCarron was not long on the field when he pointed from play, and the veteran Eoin Ruth played a huge part in stemming the Tinryland tide that was gaining momentum up to then. Eire Og continued to press and Tinryland were punished under the new rules when they left only two defenders in their own half. The subsequent free was converted by Adam McCarron and it got even better then for the town team when Ross Dunphy wrapped things up with the final goal of the game. A topsy turvey season thus ended on a sad note for Tinryland who earlier were crowned league champions for the first time in 57 years before a litany of serious injuries to key players played a major part in a disappointing SFC campaign. It is up to the players now to rise from the ashes and it is clear that the ability is there to succeed in next year’s Intermediate championship.
Tinryland: Chris Townsend, Ross Moran, John Murphy 0-1, Michael Hosey, Jonah Dunne 0-4, Paddy Regan, Maurice Lawler 0-1, Conor Ryan, Mark Mullen 0-1, Diarmaid Walshe 0-4, Peter Hennessy, Niall Lowry 0-1, James McGrath 0-1, Danny Moran 0-3, Cormac O’Brien. Subs: Cormac Walshe, Conor O’Toole, Bobby Doyle, Conor Byrne.
Referee David Hickey Fenagh
