Tara do enough sporadically to seal final spot

TARA…1-12

AN TUAISCEART…0-13

If one was to try and define Tara’s performance in qualifying for the final of the 2026 Brady’s Automotive Regional Football Championship, it might be best to deploy one of my late father’s beloved quips – “Like the Curate’s egg – good in spots”!

For it is exactly the case that Davy Nelson’s charges did enough sporadically to seal what, if the computer box up top is serving me any way rightly, will be a third appearance in the showpiece fixture in the race for the Richie Barry Cup.

Which manifested as those with the ability to call on senior entities Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels, Ratoath and Skryne blitzing into a lead of 0-06 to 0-01 in double quick time.

However, that supreme efficiency was followed by the first period in slumber for the representatives of the county’s sacred Hill, which in reality meant their dropping of several several balls in the arms of the opposing goalkeeper and wayward in other ways.

Which, as tends to happen, gave Tadhg Boyle’s team a badly needed shot of oxygen with Ballinlough’s Oisin McDermott belatedly opening their account from a two-point free. Mind you, with the spark plugs eventually remedied, the engine began to purr rather nicely as Rian Stafford – rapidly becoming this writer’s favourite emerging prospect in the county – (three), Hughie Corcoran, Daire Shine and the introduced Sean Reilly all exercising the umpires.

As a result of which, and in a most unlikely turn of events, the sides went in at parity, 0-06 apiece, at the midway point. Nelson’s pillars weren’t long about steadying themselves up though, as Walterstown’s Conor McEntee broke through for a fine goal two minutes into the second half.

For a period thereafter, Stafford from the ‘Wood took on the role of Robin Hood shooting at the apple as the Kilmainhamwood player hit three points on the spin for Boyle’s boys. Two of which came about after Tara stopper Adam McDermott (Dunshaughlin/RG) was penalised by match referee Robert Purfield twice in rapid succession.

Then Michael Gavin from Simonstown Gaels nudged the North Meath combination into a slender led which was then embellished still further when the burgeoning Paul Hennessy followed up with a fine single.

That, however, was a good as it got for those who would see their grip on Richie’s cup slipping away as their falling into a slumber coincided with their opponents rousing from theirs. Greatest competition for this corner’s admiration of Stafford has emerged at great pace in the guise of Walterstown’s Adam Quinn.

Who duly underlined the reasons for that being the case by converting a glorious two point score while singles followed courtesy of Daragh Campion and Aaron Murphy and Joey Wallace. Stafford and Ballinlough’s Eoin Briody did riposte at the other end but it turned out to be a case that green still trumps all other colours as it was McEntee’s ‘Major’ which ultimately saw Tara through to a tilt at the trophy.

Scorers: Tara – A. Quinn and A. Murphy (0-4 each), C. McEntee (1-0), J. Wallace (0-2), D. Campion and Con Smith (0-1 each).

An Tuaisceart – R. Stafford (0-5), O. McDermott (0-2, 1x2PT), M. Gavin, P. Hennessy, D. Shine, H. Corcoran, S. Reilly and E. Briody (0-1 each).

TARA – A. McDermott (Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels); F. Blake (Dunshaughlin/RG), L. Kelly (Ratoath), C. McCarrick (Dunshaughlin/RG); Cormac Smith (Clann Na nGael), J. Rushe (Dunshaughlin/RG), J. Finnerty (Skryne); C. McEntee (Walterstown), E. Coffey (Navan O’Mahonys); D. Campion (Skryne), S. Smyth (Skryne), S. Og Tiernan (Clann Na nGael); Con Smith (Bective), A. Quinn (Walterstown), A, Murphy (Dunshaughlin/RG).

SUBS – S. Betson (Navan O’Mahonys) for Blake, J. McDonagh (Dunshaughlin/RG) for Tiernan, H. Smith (Bective) for Cormac Smith, J. Wallace (Ratoath) for Con Smith, C. Nugent (Navan O’Mahonys) for Coffey.

AN TUAISCEART – O. McDermott (Ballinlough); D. Garrigan (Oldcastle), R. Early (Gaeil Colmcille), B. O’Reilly (St Michael’s); M. Flood (St Brigid’s), M. Gavin (Simonstown Gaels), J. Scully (Oldcastle); O. Mulvaney (Oldcastle), P. Hennessy (Oldcastle); C. Og Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille), D. Shine (Ballinlough), M. Hoey (Kilmainhan); H. Corcoran (Drumbaragh Emmets), R. Stafford (Kilmainhamwood), O. Meade (Somonstown Gaels).

SUBS – S. Reilly (Moylagh) for Corcoran, D. O’Higgins (Ballinlough) for Hoey, C. Doyle (Kilmainhamwood) for for Meade, A. Gormley (Gaeil Colncille) for Ferguson, T. Shine (Ballinlough) for Reilly, E. Briody (Ballinlough) for O’Reilly, G. O’Malley (St Michael’s) for D. Shine.

Referee – Robert Purfield (St Patrick’s).

FOGRA: Sincere sympathy is extended to the O’Brien family of Simonstown Gaels and Walterstown GFC following the sad passing of Dermot. Coming as it does, so soon after that of his brother Mick, his loss will be mourned most of all by the large family circle but also by those of us blessed to have crossed paths with him, though what a legacy he leaves.

Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam usual. Coladh samh mo chara.