Taken from West Tipperary GAA Facebook page (18th Feb 2019).

Arravale Rovers 1-6(9) Eire Og Annacarty/Galtee Rovers 0-9(9).

Arravale Rovers and Eire Og Annacarty/Galtee Rovers played out an entertaining draw in what was a game of two halves in the opening round of the Tipperary Print & Design West Minor A Football Championship. Played in Sean Treacy Park, conditions were cold with a bitter breeze blowing up the field. The first half belonged to Eire Og Annacarty/Galtee Rovers and their half time lead showed their dominance as well as their hard work in the opening thirty minutes. Eoin Gallagher was in top form and he pointed three frees in the opening ten minutes for the combination. William O’Dwyer could have had a goal but for a good save by Darren Heuston. Arravale weren’t help by their lack of accuracy from placed balls at the other end. The combination looked in control though Arravale did get opportunities to attack. Eoghan Lonergan broke through their defence but his shot was straight at Aaron Tuohy. Jack Kingston and Eoghan Brennan scored the first points from play in the game to extend the combo’s lead. Their defence was swarming the Arravale attack and giving them limited opportunities. Caleb Molloy Hickey did open Arravale’s account from a free but this was cancelled out by Eoin Gallagher at the other end. Niall Sharpe did have a goal chance one on one on Aaron Tuohy but this was well saved by the goalkeeper. Eire Og Annacarty/Galtee Rovers ahead at the break 0-6 to 0-1. Arravale Rovers hit the ground running in the second half. By the tenth minute the gap was down to one, through points from Eoghan Lonergan, Noel O’Mahony and Caleb Molloy Hickey (free). The combination on the back foot needed a score. It could have been a goal but ended as a point. William O’Dwyer forced Darren Heuston into a good save before Paudie Bradshaw pointed from the follow up. The goal the game craved eventually game as Eoghan Lonergan cut a hole in the combination defence to fire to the net. Arravale had chances to extend their advantage but failed to take them. Eoin Gallagher pointed from play and a placed ball to see his side go back one point ahead. Caleb Molloy Hickey pointed with eight minutes to go but it would be the last score of the game. Both sides had goal chances to win it at the death. William O’Dwyer saw his goal bound shot go the wrong side of the post while at the other end Aaron Tuohy saved from Adam Dunne. The game finishing level 1-6 to 0-9.

Arravale Rovers: Darren Heuston, Shane Maher, Brian Roche, Raymond Kelly, Michael Lowry, Donagh Donagh Hickey, Noel O’Mahony (0-1), Jonathan Ryan, Jake O’Dwyer, Niall Sharpe, Daniel O’Dwyer, Eoghan Lonergan (1-2), Caleb Molloy Hickey (0-3), David Kelly, Adam Dunne Subs Used: Edward Nolan, Adam Roche.

Eire Og Annacarty/Galtee Rovers: Aaron Tuohy, Robert Byron, David Fox, Keelan O’Connor, Sean Dowdall, Jim Quirke, David Harold Barry, Evan Breen, Stephen McDonald, Jack Kingston (0-1), Cian Mooney, Eoghan Brennan (0-1), Paudie Bradshaw (0-1), Eoin Gallagher (0-6f, (0-5f)), William O’Dwyer Sub Used: Alan Flannery.

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow).